Jaipur

My bags are packed but still its two hrs early from scheduled time. I am going to Jaipur,Rajasthan with my childhood friend at 12 noon today. Neither I am excited nor lethargic for this trip. I have been to Jaipur numerous times. I went on trip of Lahol- spiti, Himachal, four years back with Sumit.  That was a bombastic trip Sumit is sales manager in Royal Enfield company whenever he is posted at tourist destination he invites me.

On this trip I have decided to learn a lot about Maharajas of Jaipur, Forts, their customs & traditions. I have been to Jaipur many times with my foreign groups. But this time I am going to explore it on my own and alone. I want o feel Jaipur. I do not want to be on organized itinerary. I will roam here and there. I will see the forts as I have come to do excavation.

At the age of 30, I am experiencing lots of changes in me. Earlier I used to travel for fun and enjoyment. Now this time I am thinking about learning the culture, customs and traditions of Rajas and Maharajas of Rajasthan. (India group leader)

Its 11;30 am, Sunday. I am ready with my backpack. For my seven days stay at Jaipur, I have kept three pair of jeans, two t shirts and one shirt, three pair of sox & undergarments, one pair of shoe(woodland), one sleeper, one pair of night clothes, shaving kit, my debit and credit card and rs 5000 cash and my yoga met.

Among all these stuff except money, one of the amazing stuff is my pair of woodland shoes. I am using the same pair of woodland shoes for last three years. In those three years I am continuously travelling to trekks of Himachal pradesh, valleys of Kashmir, and unlimited guided tours of  Golden Traingle tourist circuit(Delhi,Agra,Jaipur). But this pair of woodland shoes is absolutely fine. No sign of getting retired. This pair of woodland shoe was gifted by one of my sweetest friend. Its rubber sole keeps my feet comfortable. No pain at all  in feet due to rubber sole of woodland.
(Tour leader)
Sumit hasn't reached yet. But now I have started feeling some excitement. I am waiting for him anxiously. I want to start my Jaipur tour anxiously. Sumit has a car I 20, amazing car with very effective air-conditioning.

So finally Sumit has reached. I kissed my daughter Kavika and touched feet of my parents. This is Indian tradition. I left home finally for Jaipur tour. First thing we did, we stopped our car at a service center to check the condition of car for long drive. Sumit wanted to take the normal route to join Jaipur highway. But I suggested him one shortcut from Agra airforce sttation to skip the traffic of Agra. It saves 30 minutes. Normally it takes one hrs and 30 minutes to reach at Fatehpur sikri.
On the way at the railway crossing we stacked in a traffic jam. Sumit saw towards me with question mark. He wanted to say that no traffic at all on this short cut, now what the hell is this ? h ahaa haha h

So I went out of the car to check what is the cause of traffic jam. And I was ashamed that we Indians do not follow the lane rules of traffic. We Indians make another lane instantly and it creates a jam for  for other driver who is coming from opposite side in right lane. (India tour leader)

Stupid Indian traffic jam

How impatient and ignorant we are ?
We spend thousand of rs to buy a car but we do not spend little money on learning lessons.

Instead of cursing traffic, I went out and started talking to the car drivers who came on wrong side. When I started doing it, others also got inspired and came on the road with me. So finally after 1 hrs effort. Traffic was clear.

So moral is sometimes shortcuts cost too much. h ah ha ha ha haha


On the way passed by Kheoladeo national park which is just few kms far from fatehpursikri. A beautiful bird century. Their is also an ancient Shiv temple. kheladeo(kevladev) means shiv temple also. Rent a bycycle here and start your bird watching journey.

Our next stop was ABHANERI stepwell. On the Jaipur highway, a toll tax booth comes by the name of Sikandra, do not cross this toll booth. 500 mtr before than this sikandra toll  booth take a right turn for Abhaneri. After 1 km one toll booth exists. Ask for abhaneri return toll tkt rs 35.
After 2 km from this booth a statue of national politicians exists. Take right from here and drive straight for another 3 kms. Here it is the largest stepwell of India.

Tour leader

19.5 deep step well(baoli)

Abhaneri, Rajasthan

This is one of the finest techniques of ancient Indians to store rain water  in a step well. They were also producing ice that time in small quantity. On my Golden triangle tours, I always explain the science of developing step wells to foreigners. This is the oldest step well of Rajsthan. (8rth century). But in India step well was being developed from ancient time. Much older than 8rth century.  We spent 30 minutes here and than we started our journey for Jaipur once again.  (India tour director)

We took the same route to come back at Sikandara toll booth and headed towards Jaipur on Jaipur highway. This highway is very smooth. On the way you will see the original life of Rajasthani's people. If you get a chance to see a group of Rajsthani's ladies and men travelling somewhere. Then stop your car enjoy seeing their cultural dresses and talk to them. They have not changed as the middle class Indian due to British influence. It is fun and educational to interact with local Rajsthani's.


Now we are about to enter in Jaipur, Rajsthan once we will cross this tunnel.To know more about Jaipur check this link  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaipur  

Jaipur bus to reach at Badi chaupar

Finally at 5 pm we reached Jaipur. Next day I left my room at 9 :00 am for Amer fort. As I told you earlier That I will see this fort today as I am doing excavation. I boarded a bus from busstand of Badi chaupad, I bought ticket of rs 12 only. I reached with in 30 minutes at badi chaupad bus stand.




I changed another bus here to reach Amer fort, again ticket of rs 12 only. And only 20 minutes drive. They have continues bus service for this route and no need to look for bus number or name. Every second bus goes to Amer fort.  This fort is also called Amber fort due to a temple of Shiva who is called Ambrikeshar mahadev.

Amer fort bus service

There were no ques for elephant ride because of off season (May). But I decided to walk on the ramp. I was in no hurry. And walking on this steep hill fort is the best way understand this fort. Because this is a citadel. A whole city used to live inside. I could see the life of these citadel people by walking only. But if you are not a regular walker do not dare to walk on the ramp. Simply hire the elephant or jeep. Charges of jeep is very nominal rs 800 for 12 people. Elephant ride is rs 1000 for two people. To know more about elephant ride at Amer fort please check following link - http://www.jaipur-travel-guide.com/Jaipur-attractions/Amber-fort-elephant-ride.php      (India tour escort)

The life of Rajasthani general public is very simple who are living in this citadel still. I found people wearing dhotis and kurtas. Their traditional dress. Surprisingly the culture and tradition of Rajasthani people are not lost unlike the north India. This walk was wonderful. I took 45 minutes to reach at Amer fort by walking narrow streets and steep hills. It was a fun walk for me. Every second house is ancient near Amer fort, Jaipur.

Chand pole(gate) - At the entrance of Amer fort,Jaipur, the musicians were playing music. Very good initiative by fort officials. I spent some time listening this lost music of Rajasthan.

After entering in from Chand pole gate, ticket counter is on the right. Ticket is rs 25.  Amber fort ticket.

When you enter in from Chand pole there is a courtyard called Jaleb chowk and in front of you the gate is Suraj pole(gate). This courtyard is named on an Indian sweet dish called Jalebi. Jalebi has numerous folds in it. Go straight of Jaleb chowk and click beautiful pictures of the Amber fort citedal from Suraj pole(gate). Then take right and enter inside the palace. The first building comes - Diwan i aam (Hall of public audience).

From here take the right and from the projection windows we can see a beautiful lake with kesar  garden in center, their gardeners used to grow kesar. Cool breeze brought the fragrance of Kesar(saffron) inside the palace. This garden is also symetrical like the Persian gardens of Mughals.
(India tour leader)
After this we can see the most beautiful gate Ganesh Pole. This gate is full of miniature paintings. In Jaipur do not forget to see these miniatures paintings at Government emporiums.  Then comes my favorite house Mirror palace, most beautiful palace of Amber fort. Do not forget to take picture in a magical photo frame. Why is it magical ? Ask your guide to show you that.  Here king used best gems available in India. Jaipur is famous for gems too. I found very beautiful and genuine gems at Rajsthan gems development corporation, 41-A, near hotel trident, opposite Jal mahal . The owner's name is Rahul sharma. (Indian tour leader)

Opposite of mirror palace is air conditioning room. Then comes women's quarter zanana dhyodi. All 12 royal ladies lived over here.  These rooms are empty and small and no worth to visit from inside. This is last section of the Amber fort and then we reached again in Jaleb chowk. We reached at same gate Chand pole for exit. In the parking we drank Chaach(Indian butter milk). It keeps your body cool in summers. It is a must drink for every tourist.  it cost rs 10 only. I drank three glasses.
(Tour leader)
I boarded a jeep from exit point. Jeep dropped me at parking. From here I boarded a bus to reach Badi chaupar once again to see Hawa mahal, city palace and Observatory (Jantar mantar). All three monuments are adjacent to each other. First enter in City palace and take exit which opens in front of observatory. After that hire a riksha to see old pink city and on the way see hawamahal too.



India tour escort 
India tour director