Travel Diary of A Wandering Mind
The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play. ~ Arnold J. Toynbee
Last January we went on a weekend trip to Shantiniketan and visited the wildlife sanctuary there.
While walking under the canopy of trees I felt like experimenting with my camera and this is what I got.
In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Blur.”
Udaipur was once the capital of Mewar Rajputana kingdom in southern Rajasthan. King Udai Singh II of Sisodia clan constructed this city in 1559 and shifted his capital from Chittorgarh to Udaipur as he felt the former was vulnerable to enemy attack. He needed a more secure location which he found near Girwa Valley, along the Aravalli Hills. This new capital city of Mewar was named after him. With the beautiful Lake Pichola on the backdrop Udaipur is now a romantic destination dotted with exquisite medieval Rajput architecture. The city is built around huge lakes, namely – Fateh Sagar (‘sagar’ meaning lake in vernacular), Swaroop Sagar, Udai Sagar and Pichola to lend its popular names such as the “City of Lakes” or “Venice of the East”.
As I have already mentioned in my previous post that we were destined to Udaipur from Pushkar via Chittorgarh. It was a long, tiring drive under the scorching sun of Rajasthan, even in late November. After a few hours of Rambling in Ruins of Chittorgarh we were headed towards Udaipur. It was almost 9 pm when we reached Hotel Dimple International. From my experience I would suggest everyone to avoid this hotel. The door locks were defective. Inside the room the bed linens and bathroom were dirty. We asked the staffs to change the linens and what we got in exchange were similar dirty stuffs. This was the only hotel where I had such bad experience in my entire Rajasthan tour. Our tour was operated by a travel agency. Should I booked hotels myself I would never choose this hotel based on only two reviews on TripAdvisor. However, there are a number of budget hotels in Udaipur that offer satisfactory service. You’ll get a decent accommodation within Rs 2000.
Udaipur is a historical place full of royal palaces and architecture to explore and admire. The lakes and gardens add to its historical charm while offering additional options for tourists to spend quality time there. Sahelin-Ki-Bari (Garden of Maidens), Chetak Smarak (Memorial of Chetak, the famous horse of Rana Pratap, the King of Chittor), Sukhadia Circle and Nehru Island Park are such places in Udaipur.
Chetak Smarak is a landscaped garden with a magnificent life-size bronze statue of Rana Pratap astride his horse, Chetak. You must be wondering why they built a memorial for a horse. Well, Chetak was not an ordinary horse. He was a very big, powerful horse. He saved Rana Pratap’s life in the battle of Haldighati. When Mughal army, under the command of Marwar king Man Singh, outnumbered Rana Pratap’s army and Rana Pratap had to retreat a severely wounded Chetak (with one leg chopped off) carried Pratap away to a secure place and breathed his last. Since then he has become a legend. By the way, entry fee to the garden complex was Rs 45.
This was my second best experience in Udaipur. First is obviously visiting Udaipur City Palace. 🙂 Boats here are large motorboats where the boatman took a group of 15-20 people at a time. Twenty minutes boat ride in Lake Fateh Sagar cost Rs 100 per person. You can also enjoy a royal boat cruise to Udaipur Lake Palace in Lake Pichola.
Nehru Island Park is an artificial island garden situated amidst Fateh Sagar. Our boat went close to the garden. Close enough to take pictures but not enough to disembark. So, I only have this for your eyes. 🙂
Sahelin-ki-Bari or the Garden of Maidens is a beautifully decked garden with lush plantation, lotus pools, fountains and canopy of trees. The guide told us that the garden was created for the princess (the daughter of Maharana Sangram Singh) as she wanted a cool place to spend summer with her maiden attendants (‘saheli’ in local language), hence the name Sahelin-ki-Bari (‘bari’ refers to ‘place’). The garden complex also houses a museum.
The specialty of the fountains in this garden is that they are continuously flowing without the use of any pump or machine. The fountains are fed by the water of Lake Fateh Sagar which is situated on a higher plane than the garden. Due to the difference in surface level the waters naturally cause pressure when directed through channels down to the garden. Amazing…isn’t it! 🙂
Rajasthan and puppetry are inseparable. Stringed puppet dance is an integral part of Rajasthan’s culture since ages. It was one of the popular modes of entertainment in olden days. The traditiona is still alive in rural Rajasthan. In Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal, a governmental institution of art and culture, you can watch puppet shows and get an idea of Rajasthan’s rich tribal art and crafts. We enjoyed a short 15-20-minute puppet show which was really very amusing.
For me this was the most coveted part of our Udaipur sightseeing tour. The 400-year-old iconic City Palace was built by King Udai Singh II as his royal residence and administrative office. Later his ancestors made addition and extension of the main palace building to give it the present look and volume.
The palace architecture is a combination of Rajput and Mughal styles. The City Palace offers a spectacular panorama of the entire Udaipur city from its porches. As you step inside, you find a series of glamorous mahals (palatial residences) that are maintained as they were in time of Rajput monarchy. For your information, entry charges to City Palace was Rs 115 per person and Rs 225 for camera (optional). Remember that you need a guide to explore the palace. Guide’s charges for a group of 21-30 people was Rs 350/- in total.
Built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century Kumbhalgarh Fort is one of the six famous ‘Hill Forts of Rajasthan’ and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This spectacular fort is located 82 km northwest from Udaipur. The entire fort perimeter is surrounded by a thick, strong brick wall stretching 36 kilometers along the hills. This is said to be the world’s second longest wall after the Great Wall of China.
Sajjan Garh Palace, also called ‘Monsoon Palace’, is a royal residence nestled on top of Aravalli Hills overlooking the Lake Fateh Sagar. Named after its creator Maharana Sajjan Singh this palace was built in 1884 to watch the arrival of monsoon clouds in the region. The place offers breathtaking panoramas of Udaipur’s lakes and neighboring countryside.
Well, that’s not all. There are much more to see and experience in a versatile, culturally rich place like Udaipur. On our way back from the City Palace we visited Jagdish Temple, which is located in the vicinity of the palace.
I saw several textile and art and crafts shops lined up the streets leading to the City Palace. But if you want to but authentic Rajasthani artifacts, especially exclusive jewellery and decorative items made of oxidized metals Rajasthali is the place to go. This is the only handicrafts emporium in Udaipur owned by the Rajasthan Government. After a long, tiring day of sightseeing in Udaipur we came back to hotel. That night I couldn’t sleep well because the next day was meant for a journey to famous Mount Abu via the historic battlefield of Haldighati.
Haldighati, only 40 Km from Udaipur, houses a museum where you’ll see large statues of Rana Pratap and Raja Man Singh, right in front of the museum building. Inside, an array of life-size clay models depict the various incidents of the historic battle and chivalry of Rana Pratap, the eldest son of Rana Udai Singh II. The museum also exhibits Rajasthan’s rural life using clay models.
So, that’s all about Udaipur from me. While I had seen some of its main attractions many were left behind as we didn’t have enough time. But Rajasthan is a place where I would love to come back again and again and it will never cease to amaze me.
The moon puts on an elegant show, different every time in shape, colour and nuance. ~ Arthur Smith
I once asked my parents why they kept my name ‘Moon’. They said they liked this name when one of my aunts suggested it for me. When I was young I had so many embarrassing moments with my name which was uncommon in our community. Anyway, I don’t know when I started liking my name. Probably when I realized I like the source of my name that is, the moon very much. 🙂 Ever since I felt a connection with the moon and am always charmed by its magnetic existence.
The moon is an enigma to me. Its appearance – ephemeral but its presence – eternal.
That night when I looked through my window I was amazed to see the half-moon with a reddish glow which was transient. I didn’t waste time in capturing it with my ‘third eye’ – my camera. 😉 🙂
Shanibarer Haat (Saturday Market) by the Sonajhuri Forest is an event not to be missed at Shantiniketan. The market is a colorful, vibrant place to feel the heartbeat of life in Bolpur-Shantiniketan. Last January we made a short weekend trip to Shantiniketan. As I was wandering around in this makeshift market I spotted this ‘little aficionado’ approaching towards the baul sitting underneath a tree. She was curious about the ‘ektara’ (an indigenous single-stringed musical instrument used by local folk singers). I don’t know what she spoke to him, as I couldn’t hear anything from a distance. A moment later they became friends and she started assisting him in his music with a ‘jhunjhuni’.
It’s true that friendship doesn’t know boundary… 🙂
P.S: You can also check out my complete guide on Shantiniketan tour – A refreshing Weekend Trip to Shantiniketan.
If this is not your first visit to Kolkata you may already know about the whims of Kolkata taxi drivers. Taxi refusal is a common problem in the city. Sometimes cab drivers switch off the fare-meter and ask for a fixed rate which is always higher than the actual fare for the distance. Sometimes they are simply ‘not interested’ to go exactly where you ask them. So if you don’t want unnecessary hassles in getting around in the city book a private cab service in Kolkata in advance.
Kolkata is a booming metro. Traffic jams, over-crowded public buses, long queue for auto rickshaws are common to see in peak hours of the day. Overpopulation and the inflow of crowd from the suburban areas makes situation even worse on weekdays. On the contrary, scarcity of public transport on holidays is another side of transportation problem in the metro.
So whether you are a tourist or a business traveller private taxi service in Kolkata is your best option to dodge such troubles and explore the city conveniently.
There is no dearth of private taxi services in the city. But how would you choose the best cab service in Kolkata that will best suit your requirements? Comfort, convenience, budget and security are some of the factors that influence our decisions while travelling. Following are some points to consider before you hire a private cab service in Kolkata.
Fare: Do a little research on current cab fare rates in Kolkata. It will save you from being overcharged. Cab fare depends on distance, type of vehicle and the basic charges fixed by the local transport authorities and it may vary depending on the time you will be travelling. For example, distance between Dum Dum Airport and Esplanade is 18 km and estimated travel time is 33-35 minutes which can extend to 1 hour during peak time. Therefore, private taxi charges may also vary accordingly ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 400.
Flexibility: If you are to travel late at night or early in the morning check in advance on availability of service at that specific hour. Do they charge extra for providing cab after normal service hours? Will they pick you up right from your place or you need to walk to a certain pickup point? These are some questions you need to ask before hiring a taxi service in Kolkata to ensure comfort and convenience.
Fleet: Inquire about diversity of the fleet and what type of car you’ll be provided. When it is a group of two or four a Swift Dzire or Tata Indigo is okay but for a large family/group an SUV might be the right option.
Facility: Will they offer service tailored to your interest? Top rated private cab services in Kolkata offer services customized to their clients’ needs.
And my heart springs up anew, bright and confident and true. And the old love comes to meet me, in the dawning and the dew. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
What is more fresh than the flowers we offer in worship?
When you are on a backpacking tour or a personal business trip to Kolkata you probably would not like to spend thousands of bucks for an accommodation. What if you get a list of hotels in Kolkata depending on your budget and preference of location? It will save your precious time in searching for the best hotels in Kolkata and you can fully concentrate in your tour of the city.
Kolkata is a big city with thousands of accommodation options in different areas. While some people tend to look for hotels near the airport to save time it can actually cost you more. Most of Kolkata’s tourist attractions and commercial zones are in the downtown. So, it will take you minimum 30-40 minutes to reach the city centre from the hotel by taxi. If you travel by public transport to slash the cost of transportation be prepared to sacrifice more time because of traffic jams and frequent signaling on Kolkata roads. However, the ultimate decision should always be based on an individual’s priorities.
Choosing a hotel in Kolkata’s bustling business precinct such as Esplanade and Park Street will save both your time and money in getting around. This area is not only home to a range of decent hotels but also houses a several restaurants, bars, shopping malls and theaters. Having a shelter in downtown Kolkata ensures easy access to the city’s popular commercial and entertainment hubs. If your budget hotel excludes meals don’t worry. This area opens up a plethora of choices regarding eateries and food stalls to satisfy your eating needs without hurting your pocket.
It is better to book hotels in advance to avoid hassles. Here are the names of a few hotels in the heart of Kolkata that are known for quality service at affordable rates. Hope the following information helps in your hotel bookings in Kolkata.
Innra Kolkata Hotel is run by one of Bengal’s most trusted jewellers Anjali Jewellers. So, you can expect quality service and high standard of accommodation at this hotel located at Boubazar in central Kolkata.
Hotel Dreamland near Kolkata GPO offers an array of amenities for business travellers including onsite restaurant and well-equipped conference hall. If leisure is your priority you can choose from villa style rooms having access to swimming pool.
Dee Empresa Hotel at Park Street ensures comfort and convenience for both vacationers and business tourists with well-appointed AC rooms featuring television, telephone and housekeeping service. Guests can enjoy dining at the hotel’s multi-cuisine restaurant.
Hotel VIP International, Park Street offers accommodation featuring modern fittings and equipment along with a range of amenities including Wi-Fi access, concierge, travel desk and complementary pickup.
Sudder Inn, strategically positioned at Park Street offers quick access to Kolkata’s shopping and leisure districts. Neat and clean air conditioned rooms come with television, telephone, Wi-Fi access, hot and cold water supply and more.
Footloose Forever 