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Architecture in Rajasthan
represents many different types of buildings, which may broadly be
classed as secular and religious. The secular buildings are of a
miscellaneous order. They include towns, villages, wells, gardens,
houses arid palaces. All these kinds of buildings were meant for
public and civic purposes. The forts are also included in secular
buildings, though they were used for, defense and military purposes.
The buildings of religious nature consist Architecture in Rajasthan
of three kinds – The Temples, The Mosques and the Tombs. Taking the
secular structure first, it should be noted that it comprises a
large series of buildings so varied that no specific description is
possible, and they will therefore be dealt within their individual
capacity or in group as the case may be.
Manda, a celebrated architect of Maharana Kumbha, advises the
construction of the palaces either in the center of the town or on
some high elevation. According to him an ideal palace should
consists of male and female apartments, assembly – hall, dancing
hall, treasury, store-house, kitchen, dinning-hall, a repository of
aims, etc. allocated at specific spots. |
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Day 01. Flight
to India (Delhi)
Around
Midnight arrival in
Delhi. The cosmopolitan City and capital Delhi is
the main gateway for travelers. You are met by an Indo Vacations representative
and transferred to your Hotel.
Day
02. New Delhi - Nawalgarh
(about 280 km /
5-6 hours)
Today we
drive to Nawalgarh in the Shekhawati region.
Nawalgarh is famous for the fine paintings and and some of the best
preserved Shekhawati havellis. Nawalgarh was founded in 1737 by
Thakur Nawal Singh. This town boasts of some of the finest frescoes
in the Shekhawati region. The town has a colourful bazar and a fort.
Nawalgarh is also the homeland of marwaris. The marwaris form one of
the most important merchant and business groups in India. Some of
the country's leading merchant families come from this little town.
These merchants built grand havellis. Arrive in Nawalgarh in
the evening.
BD
Day
03. Nawalgarh - Jaipur (about 155 km)
In the morning we drive to the Pink City,
Jaipur. This city owes its name, foundations and careful
planning to the great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai
Singh II. Jaipur is the capital of
Rajasthan and famous for its
handicrafts and precious and semiprecious stones.
BD
Day
04. Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to the ancient capital of
Amber, laying 11 km. away from Jaipur. Amber was the ancient
capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries before it was moved to
newly created Jaipur. We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on the
back of an Elephant. Enroute to Amber we will visit the
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built in 1799 AD, it contains
953 small casements with each having its own balcony. The windows
enabled cool air to circulate and the ladies to watch processions
below without being seen. In the afternoon we visit the
City Palace that is still the formal residence of the royal family,
built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal
architecture. In the
museum of the
City Palace we visit the private collection of the Jaipur
Maharajas. We continue to
Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory, and the largest of Jai
Singh's five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments
reveal us the secrets of medieval Indian astronomy. Later we have a
walk through the colourful Bazaar of Jaipur and visit a factory to
see the famous block printing work being done since centuries in
Jaipur. In the evening we drive through the new city of Jaipur and
visit "Laxmi Narayan Mandir", a Hindu temple made out of white
marble. We might have an opportunity here to observe a prayer
ceremony. Today we have dinner with a presentation of Indian music
and dance.
BD
Day 05. Jaipur -
Pachewar (about 90 km)
After breakfast
drive to Pachewar. Pachewar Garh is located about 90 km from
Jaipur. It has, among other things, a well-preserved fortress with
massive walls and imposing gates and balconies and offers a rural
setting. After arriving in Pachewar transfer to said fortress (now a
hotel), and spend the night. We also visit the royal cenotaphs, an
old village temple, which was built on the banks of Pumpa Sagar
Lake. We also learn the root of Gadia-Luhars (Iron Forge)
know. These irons expert draw for centuries with oxcart of place and
perform their craft. The remaining time can be customized. Dinner
and overnight at Hotel Pachewar Garh.
BD
Day 06. Pachewar -
Khimsar (about 260 km)
Today we drive to
Khimsar. Khimsar is famous for its Fort of 18th century
which is now one of the best hotel in the country. This fort is well
preserved like a royal manor and is spread over eleven acres of
sprawling lawns, orchard and open courtyard.
Optional: After the check in and evening tea you can proceed for a
jeep safari in the desert to Black Buck reserve.
BD
Day 07. Khimsar
- Gajner (about 190
km)
Today we drive for Gajner.
We arrive in Gajner in the evening. On arrival you will transferred
to hotel.
BD
Day 08. Gajner
- Phalodi (about 140)
Morning after
having breakfast we drive to
Phalodi.
BD
Day 09. Phalodi
- Jaisalmer (about 165 km)
Today we drive through the desert and proceed for
Jaisalmer. Very often one can see along the road to Jaisalmer some of the antelopes of this region. Blackbuck and fast running
chinkara are the most common among them. We have a stop enroute at a
village to observe the traditional life of the villages in Rajasthan.
We
arrive in Jaisalmer in the late evening.
BD
Day 10. Jaisalmer
- Pokaran (about 137 km)
Today we leave
for
Pokaran. Later visit the Pokaran Fort and city. In the
evening rest of the leisure.
BD
Day 11. Pokaran - Osian - Jodhpur (about 225 km)
Early morning drive to
Jodhpur via Osian.
Osian is a great centre of
Hindu and
Jain religions. The oldest
Temple here was constructed in 1178 AD. The city was once the capital of the
princely state of Marwar (Land of death). Jodhpur is the second largest
city in Rajasthan. Jodhpur is also known as the blue city as most of
the houses of the old city are painted blue. The old city is surrounded
by a huge 10 km long wall which has 101 bastions and seven gates. Jodhpur
lies on the once strategic Delhi-Gujarat trading route and the
Marwaris
got benefit from the passing traffic of opium, copper, silk which was
traded to China. We will visit the
Mehrangarh Fort (majestic fort). Mehrangarh
Fort was built on a steep hill and is among the best in India with exquisitely
latticed windows in residential apartments within. We also visit the
Jaswant Thada, a royal cenotaph built in white marble. After the sightseeing
we have a walk through the Bazaars of Jodhpur.
BD
Day 12. Jodhpur - Ranakpur
- Bambora (about 307 km)
Today we drive to Bambora. Enroute we will visit
Ranakpur. Ranakpur is
known for its superbly carved marble
Jain Temples. An enormous basement
of this temple covers 48,000 sq. feet. There are four subsidiary shrines,
twenty four pillared halls. The total number of columns is 1,444, all
of which are intricately carved, no two being alike. The Ranakpur Jain
Temples were built during the 15th century. We have a break in Ranakpur
before proceeding further for Bambora. Rest of day at leisure.
BD
Day 13. Bambora - Udaipur - Bambora (about 125 km)
Today we excursion to visit
Udaipur, also known as the city of sunrise. We start our
sightseeing with the visit of Sahelion-Ki-Bari. This Garden of the Maids
of Honour is well laid out with extensive lawns and shady walks. After
the visit of Garden of Maids we visit a Museum of folk art. This museum
has a rich collection of Folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls,
folk musical instruments and paintings on display. After a break we
proceed to
City
palace, the biggest Palace in India, where 4 generations
of Maharajas added their contribution, is so carefully planned and integrated
with the original buildings that it is difficult to believe that it
was not conceived as a whole. The museum of the palace includes the beautiful
peacock mosaic and miniature wall paintings of Indian mythology. Today
we have an opportunity to visit a traditional painting school and see
the famous miniature paintings done. In the evening we have a Boat
ride
on the lake Pichola. Drive back to Bambora.
BD
Day 14. Bambora -
Bijapur (about 145 km)
Today we leave Bambora and drive to Bijapur. In route we visit the
Chittorgarh. after visit the Chittorgarh proceed to Bijapur.
BD
Day 15.
Bijapur - Bundi (about 142 km)
Today we
drive to
Bundi. Bundi is most famous for its baoris (step wells) as
there are many impressive ones. On the top of the hill is majestic Taragarh
Fort of Bundi, the interesting fort is worth exploring for
hours. The fort has many reservoirs, which are annually emptied
flooding the streets leading down to the city.
BD
Day
16. Bundi - Ranthambore (about 132 km)
In the
morning after having breakfast drive to Ranthambore.
Ranthambore is well known for the Ranthambore National
Park. Ranthambore National Park is surrounded by the Vindhyas and
the Aravali mountains and covers an area of 392 square km. Upon
arrival, rest of the day at leisure.
BD
Day 17. Ranthambore -
Karauli (about 104 km)
In
the early morning atmosphere again there is a Jungle Safari through
the Ranthambore National Park on the program. After breakfast drive
to Karauli. We stay in a former palace in
Karauli. Bhanwar Vilas
Palace was the residence in 1938 by Maharaja of Karauli. The
architecture of the colonial and the interiors are decorated in the
art de-decor period furniture. The spacious grounds are home to a
variety of plants and animals.
BD
Day 18. Karauli - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (about 150 km)
Today we
leave Rajasthan, the biggest state in
India and drive through a
series of fields, small towns and villages in direction of Agra.
Enroute we make a stop and visit Fatehpur
Sikri, which was once an imperial capital frozen in time,
constructed by Akbar the Great in the 16th century. This wonderful
city constructed by red sand stones was abandoned as abruptly as it
had been built. It has been generally stated that it was due to
failing in the water supply. Late evening arrival in Agra.
Rest of the day at leisure.
BD
Day 19. Agra
We start
today our sightseeing by a visit to the Agra
Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The
construction of this massive structure began in 1565 under Akbar's
reign and continued till the time of his grandson's reign, Shah
Jahan who built the impressive imperial quarters and mosque. After
the visit of Agra Fort we proceed to visit the most beautiful
monument of India, the Taj
Mahal, an enduring monument to love, with a continually
fulfilling beauty. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz
Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died at the age of 39 giving birth
to her 14th child. BD
Day 20. Agra - Delhi (about 200 km / 4
hours)
In
the morning after having breakfast we drive to Delhi. Arrival in
Delhi in the afternoon. The rest of the day at leisure. (opportunity
for the last shopping or enjoy a massage in the Hotel). BD
Day 21.
Old - New Delhi
This
morning is at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing in Old Delhi. We take a
Rickshaw Ride parallel to the Red
Fort through the old city and famous Silk Road and Silver
Bazaar. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes "Rajghat" , the place
where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and Jama
Masjid, the great mosque of old Delhi. Today we also visit
the famous “Humayun
Tomb” which is the first substantial example of Mughal
architecture in India and “Qutub
Minar” which is 71 meter high and was constructed in 1199.
Before we proceed to the Hotel we have a drive through New Delhi
where we see the India
Gate, Government Buildings and Embassies.
BD
Day 22. Flight to Home
Around Midnight flight to home destination.
About
Hotels:
We
provide you the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in
the table of hotels category for any of the booked tour. Hotels
provided by us are from budget to luxury class hotels. Luxury hotels are
all five stars or of above standard. Deluxe would be a combination
of 3 and 4 star Hotels and standard would be a combination of 2 and
3 star or similar hotels. The criteria for selecting hotels by us
remains the best value of your money. We also provide you wherever
possible accommodation in heritage hotels. Heritage Hotels are old
Palaces, Forts and Grand mansions of Maharajas which have been later
renovated and converted into Hotels. Rooms are decorated all
individually. Rooms are comfortable, romantic and present the flair
of olden Maharaja days.
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