While most people are way too bored of me rambling about Rajasthan, I could not not write about this absolutely gorgeous and instaworthy destination on earth. I'd like to start with a disclaimer that there's no way in which I could make a list about all the best spots in Rajasthan as there are way too many landmarks, palaces and corners that deserve much attention. But but but, here is my small attempt to help you narrow down to a few of these just in case you don't have enough time and still want to make the most of your trip, whenever that's going to be!
Jaipur's Hawamahal.
Overlooking the buzzing market and streets, Hawamahal is what they proudly call it-the crown of Jaipur. A pink honeycomb-like structure with 5 storeys and about 953 windows, it is truly an architectural marvel and a stunning example of local artistry.
Fun fact: It's also one of the most photographed monuments of Rajasthan. Don't believe me? Go check it out on Instagram. How could anyone leave without clicking pictures in front of it, inside it, and on every damn floor of it.????
Jaipur's City Palace
City palace is as grand as the sets of our favourite periodic dramas, and more. Each gate carved to perfection. Each corridor, courtyard and garden narrating the story of its historic magnificence. It's only fair to pose in front of all them for the gram ????
Also, we later discovered that the royal family still resides within the same palace. Which makes sense to me. Why would anyone want to leave such a royal abode? Would Ambanis leave their Antilla? Duh!
Talking about royal, what we saw next, stumped us for life.
Amer/Ajmer fort- Jaipur
Amer, you were and will be the most beautiful fortress I've ever seen.
Situated on a hill which takes some trekking to do (which you can simply skip by hiring electric cars), this fort is indeed a sight to behold. Its entrance couldn't be anymore grand. The murals on its walls couldn't be any more intricate & stunning. Its floors couldn't be anymore opulent. That was the magic of this place. The grandeur on each level just kept engulfing me. More and further more. Transcending me to a different era. A different world, a different time and place. Don't believe me? Here's proof...
Jophpur's Mehrangarh Fort
Bring on those earthy tones already! A marvellous place to shoot at, this fort had a totally different vibe from the earlier places we visited. Maybe because it was so raw, rustic and other worldy. As you climb higher, you get the best views of the blue city, ones that only get better until your eyes finally get tired of all the surreal beauty.
No wonder our very own Priyanka Chopra held a few of her marriage ceremonies here. Just one more reason why you, my friend, must explore it at all costs.
Jaswant Thada
If there's one place in Rajasthan that's Taj Mahal like grand and divine, it has to be Jaswant Thada! It's a stunning temple carved out of marble, guarded by brown sandstone walls. I found its steps to be insanely. architecturally. beautiful. So, we basically clicked a ton lot of pictures there which you obviously must have seen on my feed but I'm gonna put them here again anyway. While in the park outside, I met an old yet really cool couple from Canada who chatted with us for a while about travelling to India. Surprisingly they were quite thrilled to be seeing all these places despite all the inconvenience. And quite frankly, upon hearing about their experiences, it made me genuinely happy and grateful just to be there.
Toorji Ka Jhalra- Old Jodhpur
AAAHHH. What do I even say about this place. All those stairs leading perfectly towards the well, architects in their element trying to capture the intricacies of it in their sketches, and little brave boys literally competing about who dives into the water from the highest point available to them. Lending a new refreshing vibe, this was by far the most relaxed place I'd been to in Rajasthan.
Let me add, also the most peaceful and photogenic.
Jaisalmer's Mandir Palace
Finding this palace was a task. Only because it's located at such an unusual place- In the middle of the market. Yes, you heard me right.
I'd call this place my own mordern palace. Bougnvillea backgrounds, stunning bronze villas and beautiful blue skies. The perfect set-up to make your pinterest dreams come true!
Also visit the Patwon Ki Haveli which is not too far from there cause this ancient monument and its adjoining market take you back in time, and for that, it's simply unmissable.
Jaisalmer Fort
Jiyaaaa, meraaaa jiyaaa...rezaaa rezaaa...
No I haven't gone crazy yet. This is legit the Arijit Singh song that I kept humming the entire time I was in the Jaisalmer fort. Whatttttta stunning, majestic beauty. This fort literally has a world of its own inside its giant walls. From its colourful market to its bustling temple, from its little quaint village to its humble people, everything is just....Oh god, can I please rewind to that time?
Desert Safari
They say you should save the best things for last. With Sam sand dunes and the Thar desert, you'd be doing exactly that. After all, a crazy heart thumping ride into the deserts of Rajasthan, sharing pictures with the cutest camels there are, and watching the best effing sunset of your life, have to be the highlight of it all.
Udaipur's City Palace.
Confession: I've been here twice. But that didn't make the place any less worthwhile. Udaipur's City Palace is a literally a maze you'd want to get lost in. And of course, click a lot of pictures while you're at it. This time, I was the one clicking other's pictures, and honestly I didn't mind it. Everyone deserves the good stuff. Especially my mom ????
Lake Pichola and Gangaur Ghat
This place will forever be special to me for I have some really fond and unforgettable memories of me and my friends from here. Anyway, without getting distracted let me tell you that this lake is what attracts most of the photographers in Udaipur. Like come on, how can you let go of those jawdroppingly serene views comprising of the still water, the mighty gates, the city's skyline in the distance and most importantly-The beautiful migratory birds. "Yeh toh photos meh aane chahiye hi boss".
Udaipur's Sajjangarh: Monsoon Palace
"We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill". This Ed sheeren song could perfectly work as the background track if you're ever going to make a vlog about this place. Sajjangarh, a palace that looks the best in monsoon, has some epic city views to offer as you have to hire a goverment taxi and ascend a mountain to reach there. All that is totally worth your time because every scene you look at once you're at the top, is BOMB.
Also, is it weird that I find this palace a little similar to the ones I've seen in Bajirao Mastani/Padmavat? Let me know.
Well, that was it. Those were all the places I thought I should include in this post. Simply because apart from getting such wonderful pictures, I've also left a part of me at each one of these, just as they have become a part of my beautiful journey.
After reading if you feel that there's some place that I've missed out on or a place you would have mentioned if you were me, please feel free to comment and let me know.
Until next time. Toodles.