I wanted to do some offbeat things in Udaipur apart from just visiting palaces and forts. So I decided to do a cycling trip. The trip was early in the morning and started just before sunrise. Sunrise in Fateh Safar lake. The first stop was at Fateh safar lake. The place around Fateh Sagar lake … Continue reading Let’s cycle
Chittorgarh was once ruled by King Ratan Sing, a Rajput ruler. The Rani during that time was Rani Padmini. She is referred to as Rani Padmavati in the movie Padmavat. Allauddin Khilji had a battle with the Rajputs at Chittorgarh and won the battle and took over Chittorgarh. While the reasons for his invasion have … Continue reading Curious Khilji
There is a lake called the Pichola lake in Udaipur. I took a boat ride in the Pichola lake and this is what I saw. Part of Udaipur palace. The Udaipur Palace is right on one side of the Pichola lake. It is Huge. It has 1300 rooms. There are two five star hotels inside … Continue reading Pay to see pricey hotels
A single photo but there are multiple stories associated with the place. Jauhar Kund This is a place in the Chittorgarh fort. It is situated close to the Vijay Stambh (Victory tower) Story - 1: This place was a Jauhar Kund before. When a war is lost, all the women in the city will perform … Continue reading One photo, multiple stories – Jauhar Kund
There is a temple called Khumba Shyam temple in Chittorgarh fort. Several aspects of the temple were different for me. Khumba Shyam temple This was originally an 8th century temple for Varaha (avatar of Vishnu) but after the Mughal invasion the temple and its idol had been destroyed. So Rana Khumba, a Rajput King rebuilt … Continue reading Shyam and Mirabai
I was visiting many historical places. A single spot has so many stories associated with it and so I thought I will write a series of posts which have a single image, but many different stories are associated with it. The battle ground - Chittorgarh This is the battle ground in front of the Chittorgarh … Continue reading One photo, multiple stories – Battle ground
Udaipur is a place where the Gujaratis, Rajasthanis, Mumbaikars, people from all over India and the globe come to celebrate new year eve. The city thrives on tourism and new year is a major event here. Pichola lake lit up for new year celebration The place I am staying is the heart of all partying. … Continue reading The new eve
There is a place up a hill in Udaipur called the Karni Mata temple. The sunrise and probably also the sunset are very pretty from here. You can also get a view of the entire city and Pichola lake from there. Sun about to rise The place is around 45 mins by walk from the … Continue reading Strangers Sunrise
The city which is supposedly very romantic indeed looked very different from the Kutch region. The building here were a lot more rich and refined. The first thing I noticed was the streets were extremely clean. Especially in a main market area. The second thing that I noticed was the city sleeps even at 10am … Continue reading Udaipur – First thoughts
There is a road, not visible on google maps, right in the middle of the Rann of Kutch Lake. The road joins Khavda to Dholavira. It’s called the Road to Heaven. It should ideally called Road in Heaven. It is that beautiful. Road in Heaven There is white desert on both sides of the road. … Continue reading Road to Heaven
Ever since I landed in Kutch, the people have been very nice. The place I stayed in Dholavira is in the middle of a village and some oldies from the village visit the place in the morning, sit by the fire, have a chai, greet people and leave by around 10-11am. They wear a type … Continue reading Kachchh Love
Dholavira is one of the places where the Harappans had settled down and they had built a huge city here. The Dholavira region also has a lot of birds and I was welcomed by a pretty one right in the morning. Am I the pretty one? I met a kid on the way to the … Continue reading The Harappans
The white desert or salt desert is just about 4km from the place I stay. I am still in awe of it and irrespective of how many other places exist to visit I keep going back to the salt desert. Sunrise at salt desert I saw the sunrise today morning at the salt desert. Later … Continue reading Tripping on Salt
Drove down to this place called Dholavira. It’s an island in the Rann of Kutch Lake. The roads leading to the place has water on both sides and it’s now dried up to expose the white desert which is nothing but dried crystalline salt. Photo on white desert Ek aur photo bhi banti hai. This … Continue reading Snow? No Salt
I went to a small hill nearby called Bhujio Hill. It is believed that Kutch was ruled by the Nagas. The last Naga’s name was called Bhujang. He lived in the hills and it was hence called Bhujia Hill. The foothills of Bhujia was called Bhuj. Can you now also relate to Bhujangasana, the snake … Continue reading Bhujanga se Bhuj
After a lot of riding yesterday I decided to roam only in Bhuj today. Bhuj interestingly had a lot of places to visit and frankly one day is not enough. Khaman Sev I started my day with some street food breakfast. Went to the market area and had Poha, Khaman, Dabeli, Fafda, Jelebi etc. I … Continue reading Food and Palaces – Bhuj
I visited this place called Dark Canyon. It’s a rocky place carved like a canyon by a river. Right now it’s dry and so one can get down and see the place. It’s not very big. May be 8-10 feet deep. Dark Canyon People over here are obsessed with taking pictures. That too, good pictures. … Continue reading Shutterbugs….
Later in the day I travelled to Lakhpat. It was once the major port that connected Gujarat to Sindh. It got its name from Rao Lakha who ruled the area. However they also say it used to generate Lakhs of rupees (or whatever currency it was during 18th century) of income. So it was called … Continue reading The Lost City
Me - Wow. Such nice breeze. The Wind - I can go fast. See me go even faster. My Lips - You are drying me out. I might crack soon. Me - Here you go Lips, have some vaseline. The Wind - I can bring some desert dust along with me too. My Lips - … Continue reading Conversations with The Wind
I wanted to see some offbeat places near Bhuj and after talking around, found that all the offbeat places are not near but a little away. Powered with my RE, I decided to take a LONG drive. I clocked 380+ kilometres today but the ride was totally worth it. Road today. No trees. Only shrubs. … Continue reading Where desert meets the sea
Endless thoughts 