Rajasthan
2 Weeks
Jaipur
Because of my sickness in Delhi I lost a whole week for exploring Rajasthan. So I decided not to go to Udaipur and Bundhi (i will do for sure on my next trip) for staying longer in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Pushkar and Jaiselmer. 11 days isn´t quite a long time for these cities but nevertheless I should receive a beautiful impression of this manifold rajasthanic state!
I booked a night bus from Delhi to Jaipur and arrived at 5 am at my hotel, which I booked in advance. It was suggested by Lonely Planet recommodations. Unfortunately the hotel was fully booked out so that I had to wait untill noon to get into my room. I was very tired from the bus ride so I was too lazy to visit the city centre during waiting for the room. Most the time I waited in the hotel lobby and at the roof top terrasse where one of the best rated restaurants for indian cuisine is located. When I finally got my room I took a little nap and met later some locals who showed me around. We took a car and drove to the fort and other sights. I likes Jaipur already much more than Delhi. It´s not as crowdy and chaotic as Indias capital. My hotel, the Pearl Palace, was nice for sleeping but also quite costly for indian relations: I paid 20 Euros for one night! The food shall be as mentioned one oft he best in Jaipur. I only had breakfast there and it was okay but nothing special.
On the next day on the way to an ATM I met Babu, who is a TukTuk driver. He showed me untill my departure to Pushkar which was in the late afternoon the whole city: he drove me to Amber, we visited some temples and a stepwell over there. He invited me for a pineapple shake or some food. Moreover Babu suggested me not to go the Amber Fort and the City Palace, because the entrance fee is quite high and I´d see the fort in Jodhpur which is saif to be the most beautiful fort in India. I would only stay 1 night in Jaipur so I decided not to vist the fort, the city palace and the Albert Hall museum. I only went to these sights and had a look from outside which was also already quite impressive and interesting. Furthermore there are many beautiful temples and buildings to see in Amber and the Pink City and that´s for free!
At 4 pm I took a direct local bus to Pushkar. After a 20 min stop over in Ajmer I arrived in the evening. I paid 155 rupees – there´s nothing to argue about the price!
Pushkar
After spending only 1 night in Jaipur but having a quite filled and busy time I was looking forward for Pushkar. It is one oft he holy towns in India and made it to my favourite locations in Rajasthan! I decided to stay for 4 nights. I couls have stayed easily 1,2 weeks there: I enjoyed the sunsets on the roof top terrasses in cosy cafés, narrow streets full of shops selling jewellery, clothes, etc. and last but not least the beautiful temples and ghats surrounding the lake. The only Brahma temple worldwide (together with Vishnu and Shiva he forms the Trimurti; Brahma is worshipped as the creator) is located in Pushkar as well as a Gayatri- and a Savriti-temple. Both Goddesses are wifes of Brahma respectively Gayatri is a reincarnation of Savriti. After 4 amazing days in Pushkar I took a 5 hours local bus via Ajmer to Jodhpur.
“The only Brahma temple worldwide (together with Vishnu and Shiva he forms the Trimurti; Brahma is worshipped as the creator) is located in Pushkar as well as a Gayatri- and a Savriti-temple. Both Goddesses are wifes of Brahma respectively Gayatri is a reincarnation of Savriti.”
Jodhpur
When I arrived at my accomodation in Jodhpur the only thing I could think of was sleeping. So I did. On the next morning I explored the city first on my own, thwarted within 4 hours the Mehrangarh fort, which is still and already for 500 years the home of the Maharadscha family from Jodhpur and went for dinner in the old city centre. I enjoyed a traditional thali at a local family. After I went tot he stepwell in the centre where I met Kamal from Jaiselmer. He showed me some spots and gave some helpful tips. After 3 nights in Jodhpur I felt moving on to Jaiselmer.
Jaiselmer
Unfortunately the choice of the bus wasn´t the best one, because we arrived with a 1 hour delay at 10 pm. The first night I spent outside the fort (each bigger city in Rajasthan has a fort that is usually home for the Maharadscha family). On the next day I fortunately got to know Tati and Adriana from Colombia. We had breakfast together and they told me about a hotel in the fort for only 250 rupees per room. I decided to change my accomodation (also the owner of the first hotel lied to me and his friend harassed me…things like these happen unfortunately!). Although I needed to pack my backpacker again I wouldn´t regret it later: the view from the roof top terrasse tot he neighbouring Jain temples and the beautiful room made me feel like a princess living in Orient! The following days the brother of my host showed me around on his scooter and moreover I enjoed a camel safari in the desert! After 3 nights and 3 amazing days I left Jaiselmer and took a flight to Mumbai where Rishab awaited my arrival. I met him 2.5 years ago on Sri Lanka as my dive buddy and since then we were in contact.
In summary I highly enjoyed my stay in Rajasthan and I´ll definitely go again! I had unluckily only 11 days for the whole state but I if I could I have stayed longer! On my next Rajasthan trip I´ll visit Bundhi and Udaipur for sure and I´ll go again to Pushkar. This city is somehow magical to me!
