distance deter you from going. The park has gastropod
shells, which indicates that some parts of the desert
used to be covered with water. The park is littered with
fossilized tree trunks of Chir, Deodar, and Redwood
trees, some as tall as 13 metres. The fossils of some
species of flying dinosaurs have also been discovered
in the area.
The district of Sam, which is close by, is a must visit
sunset spot for anyone who journeys to Jaisalmer.
You can hire a car to Sam or book an evening/night in
Sam through the many travel shops in Jaisalmer. The
package will include tea, a jeep drive on the dunes or a
camel-back ride, followed by some quiet time to watch
the sun set behind the liquid gold desert. This is usually
followed by dinner and a cultural programme. You can
then choose to stay back for the night or head back to
your hotel.
As a vegan and a compassionate human being, I
choose to pay a little extra for the jeep ride and not sit
on a camel as it is against my principles. Camels, like
elephants and other animals used for entertainment,
are taken away from their families at a very young age,
are trained using methods that induce fear and through
physical punishment and starvation. In my honest
opinion, the jeep ride was much more adventurous
than sitting on some tortured animal’s back.
Journey for Your Taste Buds
Rajasthan cuisine has so many options for vegetarians,
that it is hard to pick one favourite meal. The most
famous dish of the region is dal bati churma. At every
corner, you will find a set meal/thaali restaurant that
claims to serve the best dal bati, and none of them
will be lying. It gets better as you develop a taste for
the crushed baked dough ball and the delicious lentil
gravy poured over it while it is steaming hot. If you
are practicing a vegan lifestyle, ask them to hold the
ghee and ask for til oil instead. The special hot garlic
chutney that is used as a condiment is like a paste
from a spicy heaven!
Bajra and not wheat is the staple bread of the region,
and if you want to keep your meal light, then bajra
roti with ker sangri is a memorable snack. Ker sangri
is a combination of two plant sources that is served
tangy and dry like a side-dish or a pickle and is
vegan-friendly.
You must not leave Rajasthan without dipping your
fingers—and ultimately your heart—in Gatte Ki Sabji.
The best way to describe it is as the Indian version of
gnocchi. It is savoury and served in yellow or brown
gravy. You can choose between masala gatte ki sabji,
sahi gatte ki sabji, or even gatte ka pulao. My favourite
way to enjoy gatte ki sabji is with bajra maithi puri, which
is a crunchy snack you can try with your evening tea.
Kalmi wada, a popular breakfast or evening snack
item, can be found at every tea stall. It is a protein
bomb made of deep-fried lentil paste, paired with garlic
chutney or green chilli and coriander chutney, and a
steaming cup of tea. If you are not bothered about
counting calories, then payaj kachori is a mouth-
watering starter, snack, and breakfast. It also makes a
great midnight snack if you want to take some back in
the typical eco-friendly paper boxes.Other than jalebi, vegan desserts are hard to come by.
Vegetarians can enjoy ghevar, balushahi, gujiya, mawa
kachori, badaam halwa, and churma ke ladoo. If you
like besan ke laddo from Bihar, then you must try the
Rajasthani counterpart, besan ki barfi or dil kushal.
There are so many things to eat in Jaisalmer, but my
favourite spot to snack is a small restaurant called
Jaisal Italy—not for its Indianised Italian fare, but
because of the view it offers. This small rooftop place
can be found in the main Jaisalmer Fort market. It
offers high and low seating, and you can lounge here
for hours sipping black coffee and soaking in the
grandeur of the castle. Jaisal Italy makes no secret of
the government-certified bhang shop on the ground
floor. You can try magic chaas, magic lassi, magic
gulkand, magic cookies, magic chocolate, and just
about every form of legal bhang possible. It is legal
to consume bhang in legal bhang shops, which offer
a fusion cafe feel in Jaisalmer. Travelling with these
products is not recommended, as it is not legal in most
states in India.Travel to Rajasthan with an open mind and open
heart. Be prepared to be amazed by sights, sounds,
and tastes. Shop till you drop at bargain corners and
remember that the best way to enjoy Rajasthan—
specially Jaisalmer—is to try everything twice!Disclaimer: VegPlanet Magazine does not endorse smoking, drinking,
or the use of narcotics. The views expressed here are those of the
content provider alone and not of the magazine publishers or editors or
shareholders.