On December 27 we drove from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur. Then I traveled from Jodhpur to Mumbai by train.
Surya Nagari Express departed from Jodhpur at 6:45 PM and reached Borivili, Mumbai next day morning at 11 am. The ticket costs Rs. 331, in a 3-tier sleeper coach. The overnight train journey from Jodhpur to Mumbai in the cold weather was bit tiring. Some people entered without a reservation. A guy was sleeping on the floor in my train compartment for the entire night.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Ranakpur, Rajasthan
Ranakpur
We stopped for a snack at Shilpi restaurant inside RTDC (Rajasthan tourism development corporation) hotel, which is close to the Jain temple. There are several hotels close to the Jain temple.
Ranakpur is two hour drive from Udaipur, on the way to Jodhpur. Ranakpur is a great place if you want get away from the crowd and pollution of the bigger cities of Rajasthan.
Jain temple
The Jain temple in Ranakpur is deep inside a valley surrounded by Aravalli hills. It was built in 1439 and is supported by 1440 individally carved pillars.
Jain temple
The Jain temple in Ranakpur is deep inside a valley surrounded by Aravalli hills. It was built in 1439 and is supported by 1440 individally carved pillars.
We stopped for a snack at Shilpi restaurant inside RTDC (Rajasthan tourism development corporation) hotel, which is close to the Jain temple. There are several hotels close to the Jain temple.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur:
City palace:
City palace was built in 1559 by king Udai Singh. Udai Singh's son and legendary king Rana Pratap Singh ruled here. City palace stands on lake Pichola, surrounded by green hills. You can view the Lake palace hotel which is an island inside lake Pichola, from city palace.
Shilpigram:
Shipigram is a rural arts and crafts center, 5 kms. away from the city. It has displays and music and dance performances from various regions of India.
Hotels and restaurants:
We stayed in Udaipur for two nights in hotels close to Udaipur railway station. City palace is about fifteen minutes drive from the railway station.
These are hotels and restaurants near Udaipur Railway station:
Nataraj dining hall :
All you can eat veg thali. Rs 80. The restaurant was clean and food was great.
Hotel Vaidhyayi:
Next to Nataraj dining hall. Bed sheets and pillow covers did not look fresh. No towels in bathroom. Could not provide towels even after requesting them. Rs. 500 for a small room with a double bed. They told us they have running hot watrer in the mornings which was not true. They brought hot water in buckets.
Not reccommended.
Hotel Maan:
Was much better than Vaidhyayi. Room with two double beds for Rs. 1000. A double bed in India would be the same size as a king size bed in America. They had hot water in the tap in the morning.
Saffire restaurant:
Not too far from hotel Maan. We ate South Indian breakfast here. They have both north and south Indian food. Very good.
Vintage car museum:
We ate lunch in a restaurant inside the museum complex. All you can eat thali for Rs. 100. The vintage car museum is near the Gulab baag (park) entrance near city palace. The restaurant was clean and food was good.
Hotel Raj Darsan:
Ate dinner in Amantran restaurant inside hotel Rajdarsahn. Price per dish varies between Rs. 100 to Rs. 150. The food and service was excellent.
Barodia village:
On our way back to Jaisalmer we visited our friend's farm house in Barodia village. Barodia is about 12 kms from Udaipur, near Thur village. They grow organic vegetables on the farm and plan to start a guest house for visitors this year.
Taxi info
Jaisalmer to Udaipur is around 525 kms. We rented a taxi through Ganesh Travels in Jaisalmer. It was a Mahindra Scorpio and the rent was Rs. 7.5 per kilometer, which included the cost of gas. The taxi fare for the entire round trip cost us around Rs. 9250.
Pali
On the way to Udaipur from Jaisalmer, you pass through Jodhpur, Pali, Falna and Ranakpur. We ate lunch at Kesar restaurant in Pali.
Falna
Udaipur located in southern Rajasthan spreads around lake Pichola and surrounded by green hills.
City palace:
City palace was built in 1559 by king Udai Singh. Udai Singh's son and legendary king Rana Pratap Singh ruled here. City palace stands on lake Pichola, surrounded by green hills. You can view the Lake palace hotel which is an island inside lake Pichola, from city palace.
Shilpigram:
Shipigram is a rural arts and crafts center, 5 kms. away from the city. It has displays and music and dance performances from various regions of India.
Hotels and restaurants:
We stayed in Udaipur for two nights in hotels close to Udaipur railway station. City palace is about fifteen minutes drive from the railway station.
These are hotels and restaurants near Udaipur Railway station:
Nataraj dining hall :
All you can eat veg thali. Rs 80. The restaurant was clean and food was great.
Hotel Vaidhyayi:
Next to Nataraj dining hall. Bed sheets and pillow covers did not look fresh. No towels in bathroom. Could not provide towels even after requesting them. Rs. 500 for a small room with a double bed. They told us they have running hot watrer in the mornings which was not true. They brought hot water in buckets.
Not reccommended.
Hotel Maan:
Was much better than Vaidhyayi. Room with two double beds for Rs. 1000. A double bed in India would be the same size as a king size bed in America. They had hot water in the tap in the morning.
Saffire restaurant:
Not too far from hotel Maan. We ate South Indian breakfast here. They have both north and south Indian food. Very good.
Vintage car museum:
We ate lunch in a restaurant inside the museum complex. All you can eat thali for Rs. 100. The vintage car museum is near the Gulab baag (park) entrance near city palace. The restaurant was clean and food was good.
Hotel Raj Darsan:
Ate dinner in Amantran restaurant inside hotel Rajdarsahn. Price per dish varies between Rs. 100 to Rs. 150. The food and service was excellent.
Barodia village:
On our way back to Jaisalmer we visited our friend's farm house in Barodia village. Barodia is about 12 kms from Udaipur, near Thur village. They grow organic vegetables on the farm and plan to start a guest house for visitors this year.
Taxi info
Jaisalmer to Udaipur is around 525 kms. We rented a taxi through Ganesh Travels in Jaisalmer. It was a Mahindra Scorpio and the rent was Rs. 7.5 per kilometer, which included the cost of gas. The taxi fare for the entire round trip cost us around Rs. 9250.
Pali
On the way to Udaipur from Jaisalmer, you pass through Jodhpur, Pali, Falna and Ranakpur. We ate lunch at Kesar restaurant in Pali.
Falna
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Around Jaisalmer
Sam Dunes
After an hour drive from Jaisalmer, we reached Sam dunes around 6 pm. Hordes of tourists come here to watch the sun set. We spoke to a camel safari owner after reaching there. Rs. 300 per person will buy you a short camel ride, a dance performance around a camp fire and dinner. Its easier to take pictures if you go on foot rather than sitting atop a camel's back. It had rained for almost a week in Jaisalmer, so the sand was damp.
We left after the dance performance and ate dinner at Trio restaurant in Jaisalmer city.
Tanot
Tanot, two hours drive from Jaisalmer is a desert town close to the Pakistan border. There is a temple dedicated to goddess of Tanot. Locals believe the goddess protects the border.
After an hour drive from Jaisalmer, we reached Sam dunes around 6 pm. Hordes of tourists come here to watch the sun set. We spoke to a camel safari owner after reaching there. Rs. 300 per person will buy you a short camel ride, a dance performance around a camp fire and dinner. Its easier to take pictures if you go on foot rather than sitting atop a camel's back. It had rained for almost a week in Jaisalmer, so the sand was damp.
We left after the dance performance and ate dinner at Trio restaurant in Jaisalmer city.
Tanot
Tanot, two hours drive from Jaisalmer is a desert town close to the Pakistan border. There is a temple dedicated to goddess of Tanot. Locals believe the goddess protects the border.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer is a desert town in western Rajasthan crowned by Jaisalmer fort.
Jaisalmer fort:
Jaisalmer fort was built in year 1156. It has many alleys with shops, restaurants and hotels inside and outside the fort. Patwon-ki-Haveli and Nathmalji-ki-Haveli are walking distance to the fort. The fort provides great views of golden yellow colored houses in the city. The fort and the houses are built from yellow stand stone. The movie Sonar Kella (Golden Fort) by Satyajit Ray was shot inside Jaisalmer fort.
It rained for almost a week in December, which is very unusual for Jaisalmer. The weather was chilly too.
Restaurants:
I liked the food at Trio restaurant. Desert Boys Dhani was also good. Both are near the fort. Cost per dish may be around Rs. 100. Chandan Shree restaurant has an all-you-can-eat vegetarian thali for Rs. 80. The ceiling fans were not running due to a power failure, so there were too many flies. Food was not bad though.
There are plenty of hotels around the fort. I stayed with my sister who lives close to the fort.
Shopping:
These are some shops close to Jaisalmer fort:
Raja Art Palace: is close to Patwon ki Haveli. We bought some silk paintings and wall hangings here. The T-Shirts which I bought for me shrunk so much my 8 year old son wears them now.
Nirmal Collection: They sell paintings and traditional handicraft items.
Bhojraj: They have two stores. One sells bed sheets and the other one sells fabric for salwar kameez.
Gadi Sagar (or Gadi Sar) lake, less than Rs. 30 by rickshaw from the fort has boat rides. Desert Culture museum which is right across the lake, has puppet shows in the evenings.
Jaisalmer fort:
Jaisalmer fort was built in year 1156. It has many alleys with shops, restaurants and hotels inside and outside the fort. Patwon-ki-Haveli and Nathmalji-ki-Haveli are walking distance to the fort. The fort provides great views of golden yellow colored houses in the city. The fort and the houses are built from yellow stand stone. The movie Sonar Kella (Golden Fort) by Satyajit Ray was shot inside Jaisalmer fort.
It rained for almost a week in December, which is very unusual for Jaisalmer. The weather was chilly too.
Restaurants:
I liked the food at Trio restaurant. Desert Boys Dhani was also good. Both are near the fort. Cost per dish may be around Rs. 100. Chandan Shree restaurant has an all-you-can-eat vegetarian thali for Rs. 80. The ceiling fans were not running due to a power failure, so there were too many flies. Food was not bad though.
There are plenty of hotels around the fort. I stayed with my sister who lives close to the fort.
Shopping:
These are some shops close to Jaisalmer fort:
Raja Art Palace: is close to Patwon ki Haveli. We bought some silk paintings and wall hangings here. The T-Shirts which I bought for me shrunk so much my 8 year old son wears them now.
Nirmal Collection: They sell paintings and traditional handicraft items.
Bhojraj: They have two stores. One sells bed sheets and the other one sells fabric for salwar kameez.
Gadi Sagar (or Gadi Sar) lake, less than Rs. 30 by rickshaw from the fort has boat rides. Desert Culture museum which is right across the lake, has puppet shows in the evenings.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Jodhpur
Jodhpur is a desert city dominated by the huge fort of Meherangarh on top of a rocky ridge. If you have to do just one thing in Jodhpur, then visit the Meherangarh fort.
You can view the city with its blue painted houses from the fort.
Umaid Bhawan palace and museum:
Restaurants:
Priya:
Priya is a busy restaurant located close to Jodhpur train station. They serve North and South Indian cuisine. If you sit here long enough you might see camels, elephants, horses, people and vehicles, all sharing a congested street right outside the restaurant.
Recipe:
Located inside hotel Sriram excellency, provides an international cusine with selections ranging
from North/south Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian and others. A clean restaurant with excellent food and service. Cost around rs. 150 per person.
You can view the city with its blue painted houses from the fort.
Umaid Bhawan palace and museum:
Restaurants:
Priya:
Priya is a busy restaurant located close to Jodhpur train station. They serve North and South Indian cuisine. If you sit here long enough you might see camels, elephants, horses, people and vehicles, all sharing a congested street right outside the restaurant.
Recipe:
Located inside hotel Sriram excellency, provides an international cusine with selections ranging
from North/south Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian and others. A clean restaurant with excellent food and service. Cost around rs. 150 per person.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Jaipur
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan is about 5 hours drive from Agra. Jaipur got its name from its ruler Jai Singh who eshtablished it in 1727. Jaipur's famous monuments Hawah Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar all lie enclosed within the walls of Pink City.
City Palace
City Palace
Hawa Mahal
Jantar Mantar contains huge stone astronomical devices built between 1728 and 1734 by Jai Singh. There are a variety of sun dials that can accurately measure the time of the day up to 2 seconds. We hired a guide for Rs. 300. Although we did not hire a guide in any of the forts in Rajasthan, having a knowledgeable guide in Jantar Mantar helped in understanding how the contraptions work.
Jantar mantar
Forts around Jaipur:
Amber fort and Jaigarh fort are close to each other, around 11 kms north of Jaipur.Nahargarh fort which is also located north of Jaipur, provides superb views of Jaipur.
We ate lunch in a restaurant near the entrance of Jaigarh fort (close to the parking lot). The chef in this restaurant who used to cook for the Maharaja, greets the visitors. The food was very greasy and the restaurant didn't look clean. There was no water in the restroom. I was sick for a day after eating here.
Amber fort
View from Amber fort
View of Amber fort from Jaigarh fort
View from Jaigarh fort
Nahargarh fort
We visited Jal Mahal and Birla Mandir in the evening.
Jal Mahal
Birla Mandir
We stayed for a night at my brother in law's company guest house in Jaipur.
Guest house
Beawar:
On the way to Jodhpur from Jaipur we stayed overnight at Hotel Sri in Beawar. The hotel room had an unpleasant smell, so I did not sleep well. Rooms here cost Rs. 500 per night.
City Palace
City Palace
Hawa Mahal
Jantar Mantar contains huge stone astronomical devices built between 1728 and 1734 by Jai Singh. There are a variety of sun dials that can accurately measure the time of the day up to 2 seconds. We hired a guide for Rs. 300. Although we did not hire a guide in any of the forts in Rajasthan, having a knowledgeable guide in Jantar Mantar helped in understanding how the contraptions work.
Jantar mantar
Forts around Jaipur:
Amber fort and Jaigarh fort are close to each other, around 11 kms north of Jaipur.Nahargarh fort which is also located north of Jaipur, provides superb views of Jaipur.
We ate lunch in a restaurant near the entrance of Jaigarh fort (close to the parking lot). The chef in this restaurant who used to cook for the Maharaja, greets the visitors. The food was very greasy and the restaurant didn't look clean. There was no water in the restroom. I was sick for a day after eating here.
Amber fort
View from Amber fort
View of Amber fort from Jaigarh fort
View from Jaigarh fort
Nahargarh fort
We visited Jal Mahal and Birla Mandir in the evening.
Jal Mahal
Birla Mandir
We stayed for a night at my brother in law's company guest house in Jaipur.
Guest house
Beawar:
On the way to Jodhpur from Jaipur we stayed overnight at Hotel Sri in Beawar. The hotel room had an unpleasant smell, so I did not sleep well. Rooms here cost Rs. 500 per night.
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