Inside the pink city of Rajasthan- the land of glorious
history, exuberant lifestyle, and palatial edifices, we got the opportunity to
explore the quintessential of Jaipur. To avoid the chaotic traffic of Delhi and
NCR we chose to kickstart our journey at the crack of dawn. En-route we halted
at Highway King to have our breakfast. After filling our palate with the
scrumptious Cholle Bhatture and Stuffed Paranthas, we resumed our wonderful
excursion. As per the plan, we were all set to explore the eerie fort of Bhangarh
shrouded with many mysterious stories. Unfortunately, the uninvited glitch in
our bus prevented us to visit the place and unfold its mystical structure,
nonetheless, we continued our journey and entered the Rajputana kingdom by
noon. The heat was soaring but it did not deter our enthusiasm to experience
the extravagant lifestyle of Jaipur's royal family.
City Palace was our first stop, established by Maharaja Swai
Jai Singh 2, the place is not only an epitome of Indian architecture it is
inscribed in the Indian History for playing a historic role in the 1947
partition of India-Pakistan border. Our guide Mr. Shekhawat navigated us
through the entire palace telling us interesting stories about each king who
has occupied the throne of this great kingdom. From the two large Silver Water
Urns for keeping Gangajal to the stylish robes worn by kings and queens,
miniature paintings superbly exhibiting the famous battle of Panipat, and the array of armaments employed during
wars, everything was beautifully preserved giving us a deep insight into the
dazzling world of the royals.
Jantar Mantar was our next stopping point. Sitting adjacent
to the City Palace, Jantar Mantar was yet another wonderment built by Maharaja
Swai Jai Singh 2 in 1724 with the purpose of astronomical and astrological
calculation. The number of yantras established within the observatory of Jantar
Mantar to study the patterns of stars and compute time. It clearly validates
that the place was ahead of its time even before the idea of the complex Hubble
Space Telescope Observatory was conceived by the west. We spent a significant
amount of time in the area looking at how these ancient old instruments operate
many of us were enthralled by the accuracy with which these devices calculated
time through sunlight. We were so engrossed in the science of calculation that
we became oblivious to our check-in time. By the time we reached Ginger Hotel,
it was already 3 PM we were famished but the restaurant was closed.
However,
the staff was gracious enough to serve us lunch in spite of our tardiness.
After having a delicious meal everyone retired to their rooms. At 5 PM everyone
assembled at the reception area and made our way to the famous bustling Bapu
Bazar. Before dispersing to our respective zone of interest we gathered at
Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar trying its unique beverages and snacks including Lassi,
LMP rejuvenation, Ghewar, and Onion Kachoris. The bazaar shared a slight
resemblance with Delhi's Chandani Chawk. Encircled with traditional artisans’
quarters, Bapu Bazaar is filled with traditional Saris and fabrics. While
traversing through the place the girls were transfixed by the glitters of
bangles and danglers, the boys were busy taking photos at Hawa Mahal.
Finally,
we met at a common point from where the vegetarians moved towards Balaji for
eating the traditional Rajasthani cuisine including Dal Bati Churma, Jwar Ka
Parantha, and Gatte Ki Sabzi and the Non-vegetarians moved towards Serai Marg
exploring the spicy mutton curry and smokey chicken tikka.
Next morning with the wee hour we moved towards the most
awaited Leopard Safari in
Jhalana National Park. Settled at a stone’s throw
from the heart of Jaipur City, the dry deciduous forest of the park boasts the
highest concentration of Asian Leopards. As we paved way through the woods the
mesmerizing sights of the peafowl transfixed our eyes.
Their calls were
reverberating in the entire jungle. While some were perching on the trees
others were fanning their tails alluring their better halves to join them and
mark the beginning of their courtship period. After every small interval, we
would get fleeting glimpses of Golden Oriole, Rufous Treepie, Black Drongo,
Magpie Robin, Grey francolin and Red-wattled lapwing. At times our ears would
buzz with the sharp whistling call of Indian Pitta but couldn’t track it down
until we saw the passerine bird roosting on a tall tree. All the colors of the
spectrum seem to radiate from the beautiful plumage of this winged species
perhaps that’s why it is a target species for a lot of birding enthusiasts. It
was almost two hours we had covered all the area of this vast forest, many of
us who were excited in the beginning were heavily drowsily waiting for the
safari to come to an end and then there were few who were receptive to every
movement taking place in the jungle. The air was extremely calm without a
single call of a bird or a mammal we were moving downwards and within a
fraction of seconds, a leopard and a leopardess crossed our path back to back.
While the Leopard sprinted up in the hills the Leopardess popularly known as
Flora gave us some time to photograph her before vanishing in the thick
foliage.
 |
| PC- Devyani Leo |
It was a dream come true for all of us who desired to see
this shy yet majestic being from close quarters.
By Devyani Leo For Asian Adventures
Asian Adventures Takes Weekend Trip to Jhalana For Leopard
Safari and Birdwatching.
Contact us for more details on Weekend getaways
from Delhi and Jaipur Tour Packages Phone: +918010450000
Email: info@asianadventures.in
https://linktr.ee/aatoursandlodges
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