Living, Breathing, and Experiencing: Harigopal’s Review of Rajasthan Trip
I know it sounds crazy, but we went to Rajasthan for the fifth time, including the recent one with Thrillophilia. Me and my husband, we both are ardent travel lovers, but we are not the ones who travel just to check off our lists. We travel to know about the place, its people, its food, its handicrafts, and its culture.
And especially for a place like Rajasthan, we needed to give it as much time as it deserves. It is a rich land, with so many regional variations in costumes, food, and sweets (my favourite), apart from cultural, architectural, and linguistic differences.
Yes, we did our research even before talking to Thrillophilia. We have been reading new things about this place since the very first time we visited this place. Back then, we toured Ranthambore and Jaipur, and it was unbelievable that Rajasthan could be so lush green.
As we kept going back for more, we realised it is much more than a desert region, it is perhaps one of the most ancient lands of India, with centuries of dynasties and civilisations breeding here. Then came the Mughal and Persian rulers who enriched the demography and cultural heritage of the place all the more. And finally, the ties of the royal families of Rajasthan with those of the British helped preserve the riches of the land.
It has always been rewarding, touring Rajasthan, be it whichever region. Banswara, Udaipur, Mount Abu, all these have been truly enriching, and this time, it was time for exploring Mewar- Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.
So, we booked a 4-day long package focusing on these two places specifically, and as I recall the trip while writing this review, I realise we had made a great decision.
This is precisely why travelling is love
Hand in hand, me and my husband started our Jodhpur trip with a tour of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort. Its beauty was beyond my imagination. Its courtyard architecture helped keep the fort cool even during extreme heat, and its intricate filigree and Marwari design stole my breath away.
We saw parrots flying to and from the small pockets of Mehrangarh’s walls. We even went to the Chamunda Mata Mandir inside the fort and the whole of Jodhpur looked as if the city was dipped into a bucket of Ujala.
We learnt while taking the Blue City tour that the blue paint of the houses is extracted from indigo, and every year they need to be repainted to retain their glamour. But slowly the blue houses are declining due to new methods of keeping the house cool.
This is precisely why I adore travelling, you get to know so many things, your visions broaden and your mind becomes more accepting, changing your perspective on life and upon the world in general.
My favourite moments from the trip
Two things about Rajasthan will always remain my favourite- firstly, the puppet dolls and secondly, the decorated camels.
The puppet dolls were easy to find, but every time I came across them I felt a need to look at them closely. I still haven't figured out why exactly I feel this way, perhaps they intrigue me highly. Honestly, I find them to be so integrated into the fabric of Rajasthan, that the association always reminds me of their skilled artistry and talent of puppeteering.
Although we did not see many camels in Jodhpur, we sure did spot a lot of them in Jaisalmer. The entire city was practically swarmed with different camels, and I was quite thrilled to witness that. We took a nice long camel ride as well, along with a camp stay in the middle of the Sam Dunes.
It was one of the best experiences I had to date, the camps were super comfy and Thrillophilia’s dinner and folk show arrangement took our experience to a whole different level.
Even on the sightseeing tour, we came across so many musicians wearing colourful turbans, singing, and playing their traditional instrument of Ravanahatha. We collected several videos capturing the folk songs with their original folk essence. Trust me, it is much different than the ones we get to see/hear online.
To appreciate real art, always start from the roots- I have always stood by this motto, being a theatre artist myself.
What made this trip worth it…
…were the people we met-starting from drivers to guides, to shopkeepers who sold us authentic Jodhpuri kurtis and wall-hangings.
I loved the fact that our tour was comprehensive enough (even within such a short period of time) to include local tours of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. While Jodhpur treated us with a wide range of visual treats, Jaisalmer soothed the soul. We saw mud houses with architectural designs inspired by the Golden Fort (Jaisalmer Fort), which in itself offered a magnificent sight.
Beautiful designs of literally everything, from doors to windows to clothes and sarees, to buildings, parapets, all of it, was worth observing. Rajasthan’s Karigari is brilliant, undeniably.
Patwon ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli in Jaisalmer were no less than a gift to the eyes, with their detailed filigree work and amazing craftsmanship. Finally, the Gadisar Lake provided our trip with a touch of serenity and calm, away from the hustling city spaces.
Lastly, coming to the food, if you ever visit Jodhpur, don't miss out on Rabri Ghewar and Mirchi Vada, and if you are in the mood for experimentation, go for Gulab Jamun ki Sabzi and Malai roti in Vijay Restaurant. For Jaisalmer, go with Laal Maas and Hara Maas if you are interested in trying non-vegetarian, and if not, simply settle for Ker Sangri and Gatte ki sabzi with Bajre ki roti. You can also try Dal Baati Churma.
I know I know…I may sound like a food connoisseur, but I meant to merely suggest these dishes for a new traveller.
Anyway, to come to the point, Rajasthan is an abode of surprises, so take as much time and money as it requires to give it a shot at curating exploration and experiences. Yes, the place itself will make you vibe to its ambience. And it will linger on with you until you come back again and gain new experiences, just like me and my husband did!
Read More: Thrillophilia Rajasthan Reviews