Rajasthan : Udaipur

view of udaipur city the lakes and the landscape from the hill top Sajjangarh Fort

PANNA OFFERS HER CHILD AFTER SMUGGLING THE RANA OUT

We are in midst of changing times and for sure people have different perceptions about Rajasthan : is it a barren stretch of land? is it a desert ? If you are one of those people then change your opinion . The ride along a wonderfully maintained highway is as pleasant as your bedroom stay : the road cuts across the Aravalli mountains . With sharp yet small cliffs of sandstone on both sides of you and every inch of non rocky surface covered with lush green grass and cultivated barley the colours that you see are only green and greyish yellow and sky blue . Add to them the tree plantations on either side of the roads and you realise how green the Aravalli ecosystem could be?

Rajasthan is the land of history , of courage , of honour and of dignity . Standing as a shield to the invasions from the west the word that Rajasthan could use is sacrifice. One of the many dynasties of Rajputs in medieval Indian History are the sisodias who stood with their heads held high.
Let me tell you what sacrifice really means : the fort of the sisodias is under attack because of an internal succession feud between two brothers . The Elder dies and his son Rana Udai Singh is just about an year old . The younger Brother comes to eliminate the heir raises his sword and cuts the baby into pieces . Hidden in the same hall is Panna with a baby in her hand : this baby later on is crwoned the king . The Reason : Panna the foster mother of Rana Udai Singh kept her baby in place of Rana in order to keep the lineage of the mighty sisodias intact .


Let me tell you what courage is : When the mighty Mughals had captured the whole of Rajputana ,one kingdom was still at bay . That of the Sisodias . Todar Mal the Mughal general took on the numerically outnumbered but equally strong in nerves battalion of Rana Pratap . Rana Pratap who could wield such a heavy sword that in a single flash tore not only the cavalry rider from head to bottom but also the horse that was being ridden. A closely fought battle at Haldighati was won by the Mughals but the sisodias could not be captured , they came to the forests regained strength and ate only breads made from grass.

Let me tell you what honour is : after the capture by enemy forces the females in the fort committed mass suicide : so that no malicious eye could capture the body as pure as fire .

Let me tell you what dignity is : the fabled city still welcomes people of all backgrounds to visit the forts and lakes and add to the culture .

The Ciy of lakes is made of a unique system where the lakes of various sizes are connectedc to each other and intricately dammed to ensure that the flow from the catchment first fills the first lake to brim and then the next lake starts filling up and so on . The good enough green cover in the nearby hills ensure the catchment is always protected and the lakes are filled round the year . Also noteable is the fact that the water level is at the same level as the road but still the magnificence of levelling in the construction of the lakes ensures that the water does not come over the roads. Legend of Udai Singh is that he was asked by an ascetic to build the largest of these lakes the Fateh Sagar Lake .

The City Palace is a Heritage Hotel as well as a museum which reveals the lives of the royal people and their attendants. Marble Sandstone have combined to give the palace a grand look. and note the intricate passage ways that were amazingly designed so that only a resident could reach from one place to the other . The pillars are well carved and the palkis are magnificent . You start feeling like the durbar is taking place right in front of your eyes . Dont forget to see the sheesh mahal and the locations of the rooms of the Ranis The maharanis and the others.

Someone interested in sunset viewing has an opportunity to drive up to a Hill top fort managed by the Forest Department and experience the red sky the redder sun the fluttering larks and the pigeons . Ever gave a though why larks dont sit up on the ground anf fly constantly or at max on lines above ground ?

Himachal : Shimla Kufri and Chail

After a day long journey on the road you reach the capital . But the journey has been as much enchanting : across water filled dams , below clouds crisscrossed by multiple rainbows and the little hill towns and villages, not to forget the landscaping of the himachals.
At times you see heritage buildings of Maharajahs and of British. You stop at one of them at Chail : The Chail Palace . An exquisitely designed palace which has a wonderful bar : good wines , low charges and in a wonderfully served ambience.
Shimla is the place where british presence was maximum and this is pretty much evident as you walk along the MALL road. You notice victorian architechture including the one that experienced the meeting which partitioned India at the Shimla Conference. Local crafts can be bought at many shops as you explore the market . Clothing made from Yak wool is one of the prime sellers.

Himachal :Manali and Rohtang Pass

THE CLOUDS THE WHITE MOUNTAINS AND THE COLD WIND

A VIEW OF THE MOUNTAIN ON THE SIDE OF THE PASS WITH TENTS OVER THE ICE

THE VIEW BELOW THE PASS : THE TRAFFIC JAM ON THE ROAD AND THE LAKE

HOT AIR BALLOONING FOR THE BRAVEHEARTED

For years you read about the dream destination for honeymoons and very soon you realise you are at the place. Manali is a popular hill station destination : so popular that roads get choked at the prime of the season.

Hotels are lined up along the stream that gushes right across . Cross over the bridge and you feel the popularity of the place. Markets at night are a real delight : if you are as lucky as me you could see a himachali marriage procession going along the road ,with all the traditional attire and beautifully dressed ladies. Just when the lights are about to fade you see a woderfull display of firehandlers . Local performer performs his skills with sticks on fire dangling between his legs and hands.

Wake up the next morning to rush to various other destinations :the prominent being Rohtang pass. This pass connects Kyelong with Manali through a ice covered gap between two mountains. The treachorous ride along stone bordered mountain roads could stop at a lake where traffic jam causes delays of hours. Have strong legs and a will to reach the top and you trek over the rocks , over the grass over the snow. be careful while walking on the snow for it is muddy ground beneath the ice and you could get feet deep into the ice without noticing it.

You start experiencing the wild during the trek :vultures ravens rare birds grazing horses and their attendants . At a place you see parasailing activity and wish to stop but then time is what you are short of . A point comes when ice begins to dominate the otherwise greyish green collage of the surrounding and you need to put on your ice goggles. when at the top you are at the rohtang pass . Two mighty mountains of white on both sides of you and a road bordered by at least 3 feet snow on each side. There are icesporting activities going on on the ice . And there are tents the warmth of which induce you to enter them . Just when hot tea and maggie were beginning to enter your thoughts you realise that they are being sold inside the tent.

There is much more at manali if you like adventure sports: hot air ballooning and river rafting . The temples around the place and the hot water springs are some other delightful places to visit around Manali. Dont Forget to pay a visit to the Van Chetna kendra and witness aome rare species of Pheasants ( Himachal is famous for the seven species of very colourful pheasants most of which are endangered ).