VISIT TO MUMBAI, JAIPUR AND UDAIPUR 01.04.2016
The other day, I got a call from my brother Chandra about his tour proramme from Mumbai to Jaipur, Udaipur and other sight-seeing places
He enquired whether I could accompany him for the tour. As I was very much interested to see Jaipur and other places, I gladly accepted his invitation and as a result flights and Train tickets were booked in advance. Fortunately, there was an offer in Jet Airways for our journey to Jaipur and Udaipur. I was eagerly waiting for the date of my departure. There was some anxiety and happiness. I was undergoing an emotional happiness for my visit.
On 1.04.2016, I left my house around 4.10 pm. I engaged an auto to reach the Jayanagar Bus terminus . It took 20 mts to reach the terminus . The designated BMTC AC bus reached Jayanagar terminus around 4.45.pm. There were quite a good number of passengers waiting for the bus. As soon as the passengers occupied their seats, the journey towards Bangalore International airport started. Many of them got down in the midway and at the end there were hardly ten passengers alighted from the bus. I had a good nap before reaching the airport. From Jayanagar to International Airport it is around 40 kms and the bus took one hour and 30 mts to reach the airport.
During the course of the journey, I noticed some passengers talking non-stop, some of them were reading books, and rest listening to music by Ear phones plugged to their ears. Of course, I was just watching them now and then and looking at the window.
The bus reached the airport at 6.30am. There was ample time for my departure to Mumbai. In the meanwhile, I entered the Main entrance of the airport for initial check up at the airport and reached the Jet airways counter to check my ticket and baggage. As I carried less luggage which is around 7 kg I could easily pass through the checkup and finally entered the Security checkup.. After security check up, there was plenty of time at my disposal. I ate one big apple and it was quite sufficient at that time.
I sat at the lounge near the boarding area, took some magazine for reading. Here also one could see brisk activities. Some people were scanning Newspapers, some were busy with sending what’s app message. By then, it was around 7.25 PM, there was an announcement at counter No.3 regarding boarding time for our flight. Immediately, there were brisk activities of passenger’s assembly and standing in Queue before the counter. Within ten minutes the crowd disappeared and getting into the waiting bus to pick us all to the designated terminus.
Although, there were two buses in waiting, passengers were rushing towards the bus as though they will miss the flight. I somehow entered one bus in the rush, but to my luck, I could not get any accommodation initially. However, an young boy offered his seat to me.. I thanked him and occupied his seat and when the bus reached the tarmac, one by one boarded the flight. When my turn came, I was little bit struggling to board , but luckily, a smart lady from Jet airways helped me and carried my luggage inside and another Airhost at the entrance located my seat and kept the luggage in the loft .
By 8.pm the flight left for Mumbai. During the course of my flight, I came across different shades of people. Some of them were arrogant in their behavior and some very polite. Some people believe that money alone is great and their attitude towards other fellow passengers is regrettable. By 10 pm the flight touched the Mumbai domestic terminus.
As suggested by my brother, I engaged a pre-paid taxi to reach his Borivili flat. It took nearly 45 mts to reach his place. He was monitoring the movement of the taxi and instructing the Taxi driver. My brother Chandra and his daughter received me at the Raheja Estate. As I had already finished my dinner in the flight. I just had light snacks before going to bed
The next day self and other members of my brother’s family finished our lunch by 2.pm and it was time for our departure to Jaipur. The driver reached our place at 3.Pm. We left the Raheja Estate by 4.pm and reached the Mumbai Domestic airport by 5.pm.We completed our security check and we were in the Indigo flight by 5.45 pm. It was around 7.30 pm we reached Jaipur airport.
My brother’s colleague received us at the airport and took us to B.O.B Guest House. It was around 8.30.pm when we occupied our accommodation. After refreshing ourselves, we had our dinner at the Restaurant attached to the Guest House. Since, we were exhausted, we retired for the day.
The next day 3.04.2016, the wakeup call was at 6.am. By 8.am we finished our morning ablution, breakfast and waited for the car. The car reached the Guest House as per schedule.. In the meantime, Mr. Jain, my brother’s colleague reached the Guest House and briefed the driver about the places to be visited.
The car zoomed towards Amber Palace and Fort complex situated 10 km away from Jaipur, This was an ancient capital of Jaipur State. The Palace complex has Dil-e-Aaram Garden which is laid out in the traditional Mughal style.
The complex of Palaces, Halls, Pavilions, gardens and temples were built by late Raja Man Singh and Sawai Jai Singh. Earlier, every day a goat was sacrificed near the Kali temple and subsequently, the practice was banned by State Government. The temple has huge doors made of Silver.
The women apartments have been designed in a manner which could easily facilitate the entry of Maharaja to various chambers without any hindrance. There are still attempts to revive the musical extravaganza of the local legends, folklore and connoisseurs of folk music that continues to give Rajasthan its pride identity.
The next visit was Jaigarh Fort. It is one of the Military structure of Mediaeval India containing Palaces, gardens, open and covered reservoirs, granary, an armory, a well-planned cannon foundry, several temples and tall tower.
One of the most magnificent marvels of Jaipur is the City Palace complex which has a combination of Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. Hawa Mahal, the palaces of winds, Jan tar Mantar are best preserved. At the entrance of the Palace, we saw Puppet show on Folklore and group singing as per tradition.
The next day 4.04.2016, the car came to the Guest House at 8.45.am and we all proceeded towards Albert Museum. Unfortunately, due to a Bundh Call given by Jaipur Jewelers Association , the Albert Museum was closed. Hence we visited Birla Mandir where we had darshan of Lord Lakshminarayan and Lord Ganesha. We saw the Jaipur Secretariat, Assembly building, Jaipur Development Authority. Our car passed through many roads and almost all are wide. Almost all he buildings here are painted in Pink .Later visited Sisodia Maharani’s Garden. This place was built by late Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in 1710 for his Queen Sisodiya. The existing garden is named after her as Sisodiya Ranika Baugh. The Museum and monuments are precious cultural heritage .We had our lunch at Rathnika, the restaurant attached to the Guest House.
In the evening my brother Chandra reminded me about the release of the new film Ki & KA at Raj Mandir theatre .We reached the theatre at 5.45 pm and the actual film started at 6.15.pm. We enjoyed the film. This is the second film I am watching after Salman Khan’s film Bajarangi Bai Jan. Later in the evening, we had our dinner at Hotel Dasprakash .After diner we returned to our Guest House and watched T20 Cricket match between England and West Indies and later retired for the day.
The next day 05.04.2016, we were ready by 8.am. Mr.P.C Jain took us in his car to famous Radha Krishna temple and Kale Hanuman temple. We had good darshan and returned to our Guest House and had good delicious breakfast. The climate here is very hot and people tend to get dehydration. We carried sufficient bottles of drinking water to meet our needs. We took an auto and reached Albert Hall. Here we had an opportunity to see rare collection of decorative art objects, paintings and Persian Golden carpets neatly exhibited. Some of the art pieces were defaced by Mughals
Later, visited a Textile Show Room and shops where we purchased some bed sheets and divan covers. On the way back to Guest House, we had Ice creams and later had our lunch at Ratnavali .
In the evening, we attended a dinner hosted by Mr.P.C.Jain at his residence and by 10.pm we left for Jaipur Railway Station for our departure to Udaipur. We occupied three tier AC accommodations which were booked earlier. We had good sleep in the train. We reached Udaipur the next day 6thApril by 8.am and reached B.O.B Guest House Hotel Kanchan Palace.
After morning ablution and breakfast we left the Guest House for City of Palace Complex. In the meanwhile we engaged a Tourist Guide to help us in explaining various aspects in the Complex. It is really praise worthy to state about the upkeep and maintenance of the Museum. Many foreign tourists do visit these places regularly .It took nearly 2 hrs and 30 mts to visit the museum. Later we purchased tickets for Boat Ride at PICHOLA lake. It took one hour to complete. As we were busy in sightseeing, we could not take our lunch. However, we had our lunch at 4.pm and we had some bread, butter and milk during Dinner time and slept.
The next day 7th April 2016, after morning ablution, we performed Amavasya Tharpanam followed by tea and biscuits. The car reached our place at 10.am and we proceeded towards Chittor Fort. It took nearly two hrs to reach the fort. On the midway, we had our breakfast. At the entrance of the first gate, we purchased entrance fee and also engaged a Tourist Guide to explain us the Historical aspect attached to the Chittaurgarh Fort. There are in all 7 gates for the Chittaurgarh Fort. Each Fort and its environment had its own history. It is unfortunate that due to Moghuls’ onslaught many idols and structures were disfigured. In the Fort. Here we remembered Rani Padmini Episode when her face was shown to Moguls in a mirror. The sacrifice made by Panna, a nurse in the palace to save little Prince of Mewar is commendable .Panna dressed her own child with the cloth of Prince and put him on his bed and saved little Prince. Her name and deeds are still remembered. It is unfortunate, Rani Padmini died in the battle field while defending the Chittaurgarh Fort.
In the evening, we went round the Udaipur Bazar in search of some handicrafts. We did purchase a few of them and had our Dinner at a Hotel “Bawarchi”, a hotel near our Guest House and after watching English News we retired for the day.
On 8th April 2016, as usual we got up early, had our morning ablutions and breakfast visited Shrinathji temple at Nathdawara . It is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Krishna .Nathdwara is famous for artwork, paintings, handicrafts, terracotta and antique items.
Visited Haldighati, where we saw the last battle of Haldighati where Maharana Pratap’s pet horse Chethak died rescuing Maharana Pratap Singh . Maharana Pratap was king of Mewar. He was a great warrior . He fought against Mughals in Haldigati and was killed in the battle field. There is a Samadhi and a memorial for Chetak at Haldighati.
Visited Saheliyon –ki-Bari in Udaipur and later had our Lunch at Haldighati
Visited Museum at Fateh sagar where we had an opportunity to see an exhibition on Mewar Warriors .We also saw Deen Dayal Park . Went for boating at Fatesagar and Witnessed Light, Sound and Music programme at City Palace. As it was late we had our dinner at “Bawarchi” and returned to Guest House.
On 9.04.2016 we got up early finished our ablutions and breakfast. Later, visited the famous Akilingeswara temple. The temple architecture is more or less resembles Somanathpur temple in Gujarat .This temple is most revered by Rana Pratap Singh and his followers. After temple visit, we had small purchase of Bangles at Ganesh Plaza.
As the departure to Mumbai was nearing, we collected some food packets from Hotel Bawarchi at 1.pm and the car booked at Akilingeswara took us to Rana Pratap Singh Airport at Udaipur. The airport as such was very modest and kept clean. We boarded our flight at 2.45.pm and by 3.pm the flight left for Mumbai. It was an hour journey from Udaipur to Mumbai. The flight touched the Mumbai airport at 4.30 pm. My brother’s driver reached us in time and picked us to reach Raheja Estate by 5.30.pm.
By and large we enjoyed the tour. One should visit the Pink city in life time. The programme planning and execution was well done by my brother Chandra.