A Guide to the Forts of Rajasthan, India

When I lived in Rajasthan, India, one of my favorite things was the rich architecture, particularly the forts and palaces. From my rooftop in Jodhpur and from almost anywhere else in the city for that matter, I could look up and see the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort. I'll never forget my first trip there, and the way that walking through the halls of a building unlike any we have in the United States ignited my imagination. If you want to take a step back in time and dream about princely battles and opulent lifestyles, be sure to visit the forts of Rajasthan the next time you go to India. Below is a list of some of the forts in Rajasthan that you don't want to miss.

The Fort in Jodhpur, India

Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, is truly one of the most majestic forts in all of India. Founded in 1450 by Rao Jodha and added to be later maharajas until its completion in the 19th century, sits atop a 400-foot high hill. The fort houses a museum that displays artifacts of Indian royalty. There is also a nice selection of Indian miniature paintings available for sale.

My Favorite Fort in Jaipur, India

There are actually three forts in Jaipur, but Amber Fort is one of my favorites and the favorite of many tourists as well. The Amber Fort is one of the better places in India to have an opportunity to take a ride on a brightly decorated elephant. In fact, Amber Fort was the first place I ever rode an elephant.

The construction of Amber Fort began in 1592 and took 125 years to complete. The art and architecture of Amber Fort combines both Rajput and Moghul influences.

Amber Fort Location

Amber Fort is actually located 11 kilometers (7 miles) north of Jaipur, but any rickshaw or taxi driver can easily get you there.

Hours of operation: Open daily from 9 .m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telephone: 0141/253/0293

When you visit the forts in Rajasthan, plan to also visit palaces that are typically located very close to the fort. Some of the palaces have been converted into luxury hotels, so if your pocketbook permits, you might want spend a day touring a fort and then spend the night in the luxury of an Indian palace right next door.

If you want a taste of royalty but can't quite afford a night in a palace, try making dinner reservations at a palace. My husband and I celebrated an unforgettable wedding anniversary on the terrace of the palace in Jodphur. The food was better than any I've had in India, we were served by waiters wearing Indian formal wear, including formal turbans and we had a beautiful view of the city lights as dusk turned to night.

Resources:
http://www.rtdc.in/
http://rajasthantourism.gov.in/
http://www.eternalmewar.in
http://www.rajasthan.gov.in/Pages/Home.aspx

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A Travel Guide to My Favorite International City, Jodhpur, India

Jodhpur was the first Indian city I called home. I suppose the fact that I fell in love with many aspects of India in Jodhpur contributes to my love for the city, even though it isn't the top tourist destination in India. In spite of other Indian cities being more popular, Jodhpur has some magnificent sites to visit, and the fact that it moves at a slower pace than much of India makes it a great place to spend a couple of days. It only takes about five hours to go by train from Jaipur to Jodhpur, so consider adding Jodhpur to your itinerary if you plan to visit Jaipur. Read on for a few of my favorite things to do in Jodhpur, India.

No trip to North India is complete without visiting the forts of Rajasthan. Mehrangarh Fort is one of the best forts in India. Part of the magnificence of Mehrangarh Fort is the fact that it sits atop a 410 foot high sheer rock and can be seen for miles. One of my favorite rooms in the fort is the Phool Mahal, a gilded room with intricate paintings that was built over a 20-year span between 1730 and 1750. This room was used for royal celebrations. The Moti Mahal was built in the 1500s, over a period of 14 years. This is a room that literally shines due to the mirror work on the ceilings as well as crushed shells that were mixed into the plaster on the walls to give the room a luxurious sheen. This room was used by the maharajah as a private audience hall.

Lassi at the Clock Tower

Downtown Jodhpur has a clock tower that can't be missed. Sadar Bazaar, located near the clock tower, is a great place to shop, so be sure to check it out on your trip to Jodhpur.

Even more impressive than the bazaar is an unassuming restaurant, with a spectacular yogurt drink, the lassi. The lassi shop located at the clock tower in Jodhpur serves lassis that are far better than any other I've had anywhere in India. They are so thick, you can stand your spoon up in the middle of the lassi. This lassi shop, unknown to a lot of tourists, is a favorite of locals. Even if you don't think you like lassis, give the ones at the clock tower a try. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

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How to Enjoy a Visit to Pushkar, India

One of the most fascinating experiences I ever had in India was a visit to Pushkar. At the time I had already been in India for a few months, and I thought I had seen it all, but I saw and experienced things in Pushkar that I have never seen or experienced anywhere else. Pushkar can be either a great or horrible experience, depending on when you go and whether or not you're prepared for what you'll encounter. This article will help you know what to expect and how to make sure that your visit to Pushkar is an enjoyable one.

Understand the Sacred Nature of Pushkar

Pushkar is believed to be one of the holiest cities in India due to the belief that it was formed when Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower to earth. Because of this, there are over 500 temples in this small town, and 52 ghats that lead into Pushkar Lake, where Hindu pilgrims go to bathe, since they believe by doing so, their sins will be washed away. Due to the religious nature of the city, many of the attractions focus on the Hindu religion, with a main attraction being the Brahma temple.

Go to Pushkar the Right Time of Year

You can go to Pushkar any time of year and enjoy it, but the time of year you go will greatly impact the ins and outs of your visit. If you prefer a quiet, sleepy town, it's best to go between December and September, though the summer months should be avoided due to heat, if at all possible.

If, however, you like lots of crowds and action, and the opportunity to observe everything from snake charmers, musicians, magicians, and children balancing on high poles, not to mention numerous shows put on by transvestites, you'll want to go during the annual camel festival, which takes place in either October or November of each year. As is true with all Hindu festivals, the dates of the festival are based on the lunar calendar, so they are different each year. If you don't want to miss it, be sure to check the dates of the Pushkar camel fair before you go.

Prepare for Crowds In Pushkar, India

If you decide to go to Pushkar for the camel festival and other religious activities taking place the same week, be prepared for huge crowds. Pushkar generally has a population of around 13,000, but during the camel festival, the number of people in town swells to around 200,000.

The crowds are so bad that no matter how diligent my friend and I were in trying to stick together, we found it impossible to walk side by side and lost each other numerous times. There is absolutely no space between people, so you also cannot easily stop to look at something, as the crowds push you along the road. Due to the large crowds and the intensity of the festival and all of the religious happenings, it is best not to bring children to Pushkar during the camel festival.

Book Your Room in Pushkar Several Weeks in Advance

As you can imagine, when a population of 13,000 swells to 200,000 in a single week, lodging is sparse, and many of the accommodations in the city are subpar. If you want to stay in a decent and safe place, book your lodging as soon as you book your plane tickets, or even before, if you're sure you're going.

One of the best places to stay in Pushkar during the camel festival is the Royal Safari Camp. Don't let the fact that the rooms are tents fool you. They are by far the nicest place to stay in Pushkar, with 20 of the 60 tents having air conditioning. The tents have private bathrooms with western-style toilets, and the guests are served delicious and safe-to-eat meals. There are even luxuries such as toilet paper that are missing in many of the hotels in Pushkar.

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A Guide to Religious Etiquette in India

India is a land of cultural and religious diversity. Unlike the Western world, religion permeates every facet of life in India. I recall that on my first trip to India, I was surprised to see religious icons everywhere I went, including places of business such as banks and grocery stores. Since religion is such a big part of life in India, it is important for visitors -- including those who are not themselves particularly religious -- to prepare themselves for the proper way to show respect in religious settings in India.

The good news is, although the religions are very diverse in India, many of the same rules of etiquette apply, regardless of the religion.

Here are the two main things to keep in mind, when you visit a church, mosque, or temple in India.

Remove Your Shoes Before Entering Religious Buildings in India

There is some variation from one building to another when it comes to the need to remove shoes before entering a place of worship in India. For instance, every time I visited a Hindu temple, or even stepped into a puja room (shrine) in a private home, I was expected to remove my shoes. In contrast, some, but not all Christian churches required me to take off my shoes. The good news is, it doesn't take long to figure out whether or not to remove your shoes, as you can simply look to see what everyone else around you does.

Some places of worship have a place where you can "check in" your shoes and get a token of some sort that is used to claim the shoes when you come out of the temple. In others, people simple leave their shoes outside the entrance of the place of worship.

Be forewarned that the pavement surrounding the place of worship may be hot. On many occasions I wished I had a pair of socks with me to protect the soles of my feet, so you might want to have a pair along with you, just in case.

Women Should Cover Their Heads in Places of Worship in India

When a woman covers her head in India, it is a sign of respect. Therefore, when entering a place of worship in India, women should make a point of covering their heads. In Christian churches, women may not always cover their heads when entering the church, but will be expected to cover their heads during prayer.

Indian clothing for women, such as saris and the popular salwar kameez are made in such a way that the pallu (fabric that goes over the shoulder of a sari), and the dupatta (scarf worn across the chest when wearing a salwar kameez), are used to cover the head when needed. If wearing western clothing, a woman can carry a scarf with her to use to cover her head when in places of worship in India.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/
http://www.eternalmewar.in
http://goindia.about.com/od/festivalsevents/tp/Indiafestivals.htm

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