My Travel

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You can see travel photos at Bizhat Gallery

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Rajasthan travel

Royal Rajasthan's most popular tourist circuit : Mt Abu - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Jaipur (8 days from Mumbai).

Mt Abu is world famous for the Dilwara Jain templeshaving intricate carvings on milk white marble. It is the most beautiful temple in India. A binocular is required to fully appreciate the intricate carvings on the ceilings and pillars inside the temples. Marble carvers were paid in gold according to the weight of the marble shavings they presented at the end of each day's work.

The most outstanding temples of the group of 5 are the Vimala Vasahi temple and the Luna Vasahi temple, which have incredibly intricate and delicate carvings. The sculptural details on the various doorways, archways, pillars, niches and ceilings of both these temples are simply breathtaking, the marble worked so finely that in places it is almost translucent.

Pillars in Dilwara are densely carved with floral motifs and figures in niches. No two pillars are identical in their ornamentation.

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Vimala Vasahi temple, Mt Abu

The Vimala Vasahi temple, dedicated to the first Jain tirthankara, Adinath, was built in 1031 by Vimala Shah, a wealthy Prime minister of the Solnaki kings of Gujarat. Inside the temple graceful nymphs and musicians, spirited horses and elephants adorn the arches and pillars, and the superb 11 tiered domed ceiling in the main hall. It is an architectural marvel. The inner sanctum has a statue of Adinath in tranquil meditation. It took 14 years and cost Rs 180.5 million to build. Forty eight pillars form the courtyard entrance.

The Luna Vasahi temple dedicated to Neminath, the 22nd Jain tirthankara dates to 1231 and is even more ornately carved. It is a masterpiece by the marble carvers at a cost of Rs 125.9 million. Here the marble carving took 2500 workers 15 years to create. The main hall has a magnificent lotus shaped tiered pendant carved from a single block of marble, descending from its domed ceiling.

Behind the main shrine is the Hall of Donors, which has figures on elephants, some in black marble. The life size statues of the donors are vividly carved. The other three temples in the complex are Bhimashah Pittalhar with a 4 ton five metal statue, Mahaveer Swami and the three storied Khartar Vasahi.

Photography is prohibited inside the temple. Time : Noon to 6 pm. Dilwara temples is 3 km from the town in which shared jeeps run.

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The other attraction of the town is the Nakki lake ringed by colonial mansions and Rajput summer palaces. The sunset point is nearby. A walking around the lake will be nice with views of Toad rock and 14 century Raghunath temple. Boating in the lake is another attraction. Unique to the town is baba-gari, a porter pulled handcart.

Achalgarh temple is 8 km beyond Dilwara temple has a 4 tonne Nandi statue of gold, silver, brass and copper. A five minute walk from the temple leads to Rajasthan's highest point Guru Shikar (1721 m). Gaumukh temple (4 km) is on Abu road route.

Mt Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station. Abu road is on the Ahmedabad-Delhi /Jaipur railway route. It is 700 km from Mumbai by train (14 hour). Frequent bus service exists between Abu road and Mt Abu (27 km, 1 hour travel time).

Dilwara temple photos

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Udaipur : The most beautiful city in Rajasthan with City palace as the tourist hotspot. The superb City palace is Rajasthan's largest palace in 5 acres. Udaipur has a plenty of green parrots, peacocks and pigeons.

Udaipur is 5 hour travel by bus from Abu road (180 km, Rs 87). The route is over Aravalli hill range and a 4 lane highway is under construction. There is a daily train from Bandra Terminus, Mumbai to Udaipur.

From bus stand, I reached City palace by auto via Vintage car museum. The Vintage car museum is one km from bus stand and has around 18 cars in its collection. Admission Rs 100 with no photography.

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City palace, Udaipur

The road through Tripolia gate leads to City palace. Admission Rs 50. The camera fee Rs 200 is worth paying here. Inside the City palace, there is a Government museum with a small collection of exhibits. Admission Rs 5 with no photography. At the City palace entrance, there is a marble statue of Ganesh surrounded by dazzling mirror and glass inlay. The City palace has beautiful Mahals decorated with coloured mirrors, coloured glass windows and golden painted carved roofs. The Chander Mahal is a loveliest palace with beautiful columns, fretwork windows and striking marble reliefs of Rajput women, one of whom carries a shield.

The palace has a magical view of lake Pichola and its island palaces. The Dilkush Mahal has the Kanch Burj - inlaid with red and silver glass. The Mor Chowk has brilliantly coloured mosaics of three dancing peacocks. A marble bathtub and fountains are the other attractions. The museum gallery exhibits weapons, palanquins, royal paraphernalia, antiques, palace items etc.


After a 2 hour sightseeing in the palace, one can visit the nearby Fateh Prakash hotel's Durbar hall and crystal gallery. Admission Rs 525 with no photography. Fateh Prakash hotel's restaurant is open to non residents too. The road leads to ferry to Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir island palace hotels. The one hour boat ride in lake Pichola costs Rs 250.

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Udaipur

From the Fateh Prakash hotel, one can visit the Sunset point to enjoy the musical fountain in the evening. There is cable car going to the top of a nearby hill (Rs 60). On top, there is a temple with great views of the lake Pichola.

Jag Niwas palace hotel is a world class 5 star deluxe hotel open exclusive to its residents. The palace was built between 1734 and 1751 and was a popular location for film shoots (including James Bond's Octopussy). By boat, one can enjoy the beauty of the luxury hotel.

Jag Mandir island palace is owned by the Maharaja of Udaipur and is open to visitors. Jag Mandir palace provided refuge to Prince Khurram (later become Mughal emperor Shah Jahan) while he rebelled against his father (1623-1624).

In front of the City palace is the famous Jagdish temple and worth a visit. The 17th century temple has an enormous black statue of Vishnu in its profusely carved main shrine. The entrance is flanked by stone elephants and a superb bronze statue of the Garuda, the half bird vehicle of Lord Vishnu. The road leads to the Bagore ki Haveli through the street filled with handicrafts shops selling wooden toys, puppets, textiles, jewels and pichhwais (painting on stiff cloth using vegetable and mineral colours).

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Bagore ki Haveli museum is located on the banks of lake Pichola (at Gangaur ghat) with views of the Jag Niwas palace hotel. The main attraction of the Bagore ki Haveli is the world's largest cloth turban having different looks from the three directions, a beautiful room decorated with coloured glass windows and red carpets, collection of antiques and a nice photo gallery of historic monuments of India. It exhibits Udaipur's traditional arts and crafts, costumes, musical instruments and marble work. The Admission is Rs 15 with photography.

The renovated Haveli is well maintained and has folk music, puppet shows and dance performances are held at 7 pm (Rs 35). The nearby dhobi ghat is a nice place to visit. If the water level in the lake is low, one can get a close view of the Jag Niwas hotel by walking inside the dried lake.

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Sajjangarh Monsoon palace is on a hill 8 km from the city. It has nice views of the City palace and the town. Will be crowded at sunset. The palace has fountains on marble floor and big marble decorated pillars. The 8 km up hill ride over zigzag route costs Rs 300 by auto. The palace on top of the hill commands a good view. It is located inside a wildlife sanctuary, so viewing of wildlife is also possible in the evening. Forest dept. charges Rs 10 per person and Rs 10 for vehicle. The entry to the palace is free.



The other attraction is the nearby Shilpgram (3 km) with various types of huts from neighbouring states and display of traditional dances. It opens from 11 am daily. Fateh Sagar lake with Nehru island park and island observatory, nearby Moti Margi (Rana Pratap Smarak), rock garden, Bharatiya Kala museum and the Sahelion ki Bari (18 th century garden having ornamental fountains, a lotus pool and a rose garden, 1.5 km) and Ahar tombs (cenotaphs of 19 Mewar rulers, 3 km from town) are worth visiting.

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Eklingji temple : The beautiful temple complex of 108 temples located 22 km from Udaipur on Ajmer highway. The 16th century main temple is built in marble and granite, it includes an impressive pillared hall and a four faced image of Shiva in black marble with a silver Nandi facing it. It opens at 10 am and photography is not permitted.

The ancient Abudji Jain temple is 1.5 km from Eklingji near Nagda. Further the road leads to the 11th century Saas Bahu temple having erotic sculptures. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has a finely carved torana. The temple walls has scenes from Ramayana and elaborate sculptures depicting amorous couples. It is 2 km from Eklingji.