precaution, asked the architect to add a sculpture of
God Vishnu to the top so that the king would not dare
raze it to the ground, and he did not!
If you would rather spend the sunset away from hustle
and bustle, then you should head to Bada Bagh.
Constructed in the seventeenth century by King Jai
Singh II, this dam made this area green and his son
turned it into a beautiful garden and constructed a
beautiful chatri to honour the memory of this father.
Subsequent kings added more beautiful chatris,
making this place one of the best spots to enjoy a
beautiful light breeze and watch the sunset, in the right
season. Though it is not as green as it once was, if
you allow yourself to imagine and turn your head right
and squint your eyes, you will see that it looks like a
beautiful necklace fit for a queen.
As a wildlife enthusiast, there was no way I could miss
the desert safari and exploring the Thar eco-system;
but instead of camel-back riding, I chose to do it on a
Mahindra 4x4, and trust me, that IS more fun; nothing
beats the thrill of a 4x4 Mahindra! If you are lucky, your
guide will be able to help you spot the endangered
Great Indian Bustard. Other animals to look out for
are Black Buck, Chinkara, and Desert Fox. In winter,
migratory raptors such Himalayan and Eurasian Griffon
Vultures, the Eastern Imperial Eagle, and the Saker
Falcon can also be spotted.Nathmal Ji Ki Haweli, Salim Singh Ki Haweli, Patwon
Ki Haweli, and Badal Mahal are all beautiful in their
own ways. The repetitive curved umbrella-like awnings
with intricate pillars and stalactite-like details were
done by talented artists whose ancestry date back
to the very beginning of the Mughal era. My favourite
among them is Salim Ki Haweli, which has sandstone
peacocks looking over the city from the roof. Some
of the decedents still occupy a part of the haweli. I
recommend taking a guided tour so that you can hear
the very interesting history of Salim Singh.If you have seen the tourism adverts by Rajasthan state
government and/or love ghost stories, then you would
have come across stories of an abandoned village
that is allegedly haunted. Kuldhara village and Khabha
village, two among 84 villages, were abandoned
overnight by the Paliwal Brahamins who used to live
there. There are many stories about why they left—the
most logical would be that the water supply in the
area dwindled; however, most believe that the villages
are cursed. There is no proper electricity supply in
the area, and if you’re not travelling in a group, then it
would be best to visit before sunset.The state of Rajasthan is known for its history of brave
Rajput warriors and beautiful queens, family rivalries,
and their love–hate relationship with the East India
Company and later with the British Empire; however,
the most fascinating story told by the land is that of
its geographical history. I was shocked to discover
that this barren sea of sand used to be a forest in the
Jurassic Age till about 130 million years ago. The Akal
Fossil Park is 17 kms from the city, but don’t let theJharokha
This is a type of overhanging enclosed balcony
used in the architecture of Rajasthan. It
was also used in Indo-Islamic architecture.
Jharokhas jutting forward from the wall
plane could be used both for adding to the
architectural beauty of the building itself or for
a specific purpose.Chopad
A crossing in the city, where the centre is
usually decorated with a fountain or statue.Chatri
Chhatris are elevated, dome-shaped pavilions
used as an element in Indian architecture,
usually as a royal memorial.