Feeling regal at Suryagarh
Rajasthan, is the land of royalty, where there is pride there is war. In the past it was called Marustal, the land of the dead. So many battles, and so much fight for power. We started our trip at Suryagarh in Jaisalmer. Beautiful property spread over 33 acres, with peacocks flitting in and out. They had their own horse, tortoise, morning breakfast was accentuated with the ducks and the masakalis walking around. The only issue is that it is away from the city, so meals can get restricted and repetitive.
After a good nice sleep, we started with the local sightseeing. First stop was the Jaisalmer Fort. Thankfully the way these forts are built, it was cooler inside. The top of the fort gives a good view of the Golden city. Outside the fort, is the famous Bhang Shop where you can get yourself a bhang lassi or even bhang cookies.
Next up was a visit to the Gadisar Lake, you should visit around sunset for a better view.
Spare a day for a desert safari, or if you have more time then take up a package where you spend the night in the desert. We took a package with around 1 hr camel ride, which ends at a good spot to see the sunset. We took the package from Real Desert Man Safari, the service was good. There was a pit stop at the abandoned village of Kudhara, ruins left of what was once a bustling village.
After a few days in Jaisalmer, we headed to the Blue City of Jodhpur. One of the must dos here is the blue city walks. We had a knowledgeable guide, we started from Rao Jodha National Park and ended at the old city. Stories ranging from the origin of the park to the history of Jodhpur kept the walking interesting. The walk also gives you various views of the Mehrangarh Fort. The history behind it and the two man-made lakes around the fort.
The story of how Jodhpur came to be a blue city is another fascinating tale. The brahmins worshipped Lord Shiva, and in his characteristic color, they colored their homes blue. The lower castes were not allowed to use this color. After the collapse of the caste system, everyone painted their homes blue as a symbol of defiance. Turning Jodhpur into the blue city it is known as today.
Well if you are up for some luxury, you can visit Umaid Bhavan Palace museum. Part of the Palace is a Taj Property, you can plan your lunch there, or like lesser mortals, visit the museum for your dose of history. They also have a collection of vintage cars, but if cars are what you are interested in, then Khaas Bagh hotel is also a good option. They have amazing ambience, food and a huge collection of vintage cars, pre-book to avoid a long waiting time.
After views of the Fort from outside, you must experience the grandeur from inside. After a visit to the fort, you can visit the Mandore Gardens. The gardens have many temples, the entry is free, I wouldn't say it is a must visit, but if you have free time, you can give it a shot.
When it comes to must haves in food, try the makhaniya lassi or rabri from Mishrilal Mishtan Bhandar near clock tower, also the pyaaz kachori from Janta sweet home. For fine dining experiences, there is Khaas Bagh and Indique. For shopping, Nai Sarak has many options, where you can buy your souvenirs. Don't forget to check the weather before planning your trip, the afternoons can get really hot ruining your experience of the city.