India - Rajasthan - exploring outside the Golden Triangle

 --- arrive Delhi

 --- Delhi / Jaipur (250 Kms / 4.5 hrs): 1/2 day Delhi tour, then transfer to Jaipur - the fabled “pink city” of the desert named after Jai Singh, the former Maharaja of Jaipur.

The palaces and forts of the yesteryears, which were witnesses to the royal processions and splendors, are now living monuments. Arrive Jaipur and check in to your hotel.

Evening free to explore the colorful bazaars of Jaipur, there is a timeless appeal to Jaipur’s colorful bazaars where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms and trinkets later in the evening enjoy your dinner at Chokhi Dani (an ethnic village resort) where you will have an idea of the village life of Rajasthan, enjoy various traditional Rajasthani dances, puppet show, camel safari and various other interesting activities. Overnight at the hotel.

 --- Jaipur  After a leisurely breakfast start your sightseeing of Jaipur visiting the majestic Amber Fort - where you ride upon Elephants back to the former capital of the royals set against the backdrop of the wooded hills.

After lunch embark on a half day sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting the City Palace - the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur and is known for its stunning architecture, it also houses a museum.

Tour of the Palace of Winds also known as Hawa Mahal - this elaborate building, now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak views of the outside world. Past, present and future merge at Jai Singh's observatory, where time has been accurately measured since the 17th century. Overnight at the hotel.

 

 --- Bundi

drive to Bundi from Jaiput

 --- Bundi

Bundi - One of the unexplored cities with a rich historical wealth. Once a part of Kota, it was ruled by the Had Chauhans - an offshoot of the famous Chauhan clan who ruled Delhi and Ajmer. Bundi is surrounded by the Aravalli hills on the three sides and is circumscribed by a massive wall with four gateways. In 1193 AD when Prithvi Raj Chauhan was defeated by Sultan Mohammed Ghauri, some Chauhan nobles seeked shelter in Mewar and became allies to the Rana while other young warriors moved towards the Chambal valley and overpowered the Meena and Bhil tribals thus establishing their own kingdom of Hadoti. Later, two branches of Hadas formed two separate states of Kota and Bundi, on either side of the River Chambal. Bundi is surrounded by the Aravalli hills on three sides and is circumscribed by a massive wall with four gateways.
Visit the TARAGARH or STAR FORT. Perched on a thickly wooded hill is a marvelous white fort with a huge reservoir that once supplied water to the palace. Built in 1354 AD the fort is one of the most impressive forts of Rajasthan. This magnificent edifice is a fine example of the Rajput architecture, housing some of the superb Bundi murals.

 

CHATRASAGAR is a fascinating pavilion of a gallery of miniature murals. Elaborate colorful paintings on the walls depict scenes from the 'Ragamala' 'Raaslila' -- the Radha-Krishna story.

SUKH MAHAL is a magnificent summer palace on the Sukh Sagar Lake amid the lush surroundings of a beautiful garden. An underground tunnel is believed to run from the Sukh Mahal to the old palace

 --- Visit Chittorgarh continue to  Udaipur

- The pride and glory of Rajasthan, CHITTAUR echoes with the tales of romance and valor unique to the Rajput tradition. This is a ruined citadel, where the royal past lives in its imposing forts, graceful palaces and spectacular CHATTRIS. This fortified settlement has been ravaged thrice and each time the outcome was 'JAUHAR' -when women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre while men donned in saffron robes of martyrdom rode out of the fort towards a certain death.

 --- Udaipur 

       ½ day tour, ½ day free for markets

 ---  Kumalbagh fort / Ranakpur Temple

Visit Ranakpur Temple en route to Kumalbagh

Renowned for some marvelous carve temples in Amber stone, Ranakpur is one of the five holy places of the community 96 km from Udaipur ,these temples were created in the 15^th century A..D. during the reign of Rana Kumbha and are enclosed with a wall. The central ‘Chaumukh’ or four faced temple is dedicated to the venerated the Tirthankara Rishabhji. Open on all four sides, it enshrines the four faces image of Adinath. Sprawling over 48,000 sq. feet, the temple is an astounding creation with 29 halls and 1,444 pillars-all distinctly carved Images of 24 tirthankaras are carved on the ‘mandaps’ or porticoes in a corridor around the shrine with each mandap having a ‘shikhar’ or spire adorned with little bells on the top. The gentle breeze wafting through the corridors move the bells creating celestial music all around the complex. Rising in three storeys, the temple has four small shrines with 80 spires supported by 420 columns.

Two temples, dedicated to saints- Parasvanath and Neminath,face the main temple. The temples have beautiful carvings similar to that of Khajuraho. Another temple worth visiting is the nearby Sun Temple, an 8^th century A.D. temple dedicated to the Sun god. The temple has polygonal walls richly embellished with carvings of warriors, horses and solar deities riding splendid chariots.

 --- Jalor / Ravla Benswana heritage hotel 

Visit Kumalbagh Fort, then drive to Ravla Benswana Heritage Hotel

  --- Ravla Benswana  - village safaris

 --- Jodhpur

       drive to Jodhpur, ½ day tour

Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable   Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive rulers

 --- Jodhpur - fly Delhi, evening

       Morning free.   Link with Trekking tour, or fly home

Includes

• 3-4 star Hotel Accommodation on twin sharing basis including breakfast and all applicable taxes currently in force.
• Air-conditioned Mini Coach 
• All sightseeing’s with English Speaking local Guides.
• Elephant Riding at Amber Fort, Jaipur.

o        Complimentary Dinner and Folk dance program in Jaipur.

• Entrance fees of all monuments / museums / national parks mentioned in the itinerary
• Village safari in Jalor

Orissa Tribal Tour 

Orissa, the lush green state, girdled by the Bay of Bengal, has seen some of the best fusion of traditional Indian art in its many temples and monuments, and has been able to preserve much of it, in an environment natural to its wonder and attractions. It was in Orissa, that Buddhism found some of its strongest exposure, and cult following. However, it was Hindu art that dominated the landscape, eventually, and resulted in the profusion of temple traditions, that have endured till now.

Heavily forested, and isolated, Orissa was once famous for its majestic battle elephants. But life in Orissa revolved around temples, and that the Oriyas lived lives free of strife, is evident from the fact that the state has few forts or fortified palaces to its credit, indicative of centuries of peace and harmony.

Although known throughout the ancient world as a formidable maritime empire with trading routes stretching to Bali, Sumatra and Java, the history of Orissa, then called Kalinga, is a little hazy until the demise of the Kalinga dynasty in 260 BC. Ashoka, the Mauryan Emperor, in a bloody battle, conquered Kalinga. Shocked at the carnage Ashoka foreswore violence and converted to Buddhism. Around the 1st century BC, under the rule of the Chedis, Buddhism declined and Jainism was restored as the faith of the people. Monastery caves were created and Udayagiri and Khandagiri became important Jain centres. By the 7th century AD Hinduism had, in turn supplanted Jainism and under the Kesari and Ganga kings, trades and commerce flourished. Countless temples from that classical period stand today. The Oriyas defied the Muslim rulers until the region fell to the Mughals in the 16th century. Since then the Afghans, Marathas and the British successively ruled Orissa. Orissa is predominantly rural, with fertile green coastal plains rising to the hills of the Eastern Ghats. The State is mineral rich and is a big exporter of iron ore. The Oriyas, 25% of who are ADIVASIS (indigenous tribes) are very friendly and hospitable and the atmosphere of the State is generally relaxed.

  Orissa contains the largest concentration of tribal people in the sub continent. There are more than 62 tribal communities in Orissa. They have retained their tradition in-spite of the onslaught of the modern civilization. Visit to some of the tribal villages and participate in their dance and festival. 

The antiquity of Orissa is endorsed by her ancient people - They continue to inhabit their traditional dwelling places in remote areas of the deep forests and hilly interiors. Steeped in the mystery that surrounds their ancient ways, the Orissan tribal continue to be a source of deep interest not only for anthropologists and sociologists but also for numerous tourists who flock to Orissa in search of the exotic mystique of this relatively unexplored state. The tribal economy is by and large based on activities around the jungles. Hunting and fishing continue to be the main source of livelihood though some of the larger tribes such as Santals, Mundas, and Gonds have become agriculturists. The Juang, Bhuyan, Bondo, Saura, and Dhruba tribes follow the shifting cultivation practice. The Koya tribals are cattle breeders while the Mahali and Lohara are simple artisans involved in basket weaving and tool making. The Santal, Munda and other tribes have now also become involved in the mining and industrial belt of Orissa. Though their economy is shaky, the Orissan tribal enjoy a rich and varied cultural heritage, the most powerful instance of this being in their music and dance, which are as colorful as they are rhythmical. The cycle of life offers numerous reasons to celebrate and is done so with vigor and grace - either in the privacy of family home or as a community activity. The changing seasons, religious customs, and the traditional rhythms of superstitious belief are strong incentives for creating a string of festivals to augment their importance to the tribal.

The Paraja tribe is primarily located in the Kalahandi and Koraput regions of Orissa. The language is "Parji". They worship numerous gods and goddesses who live in the hills and forests. They love dance and music during weddings.

The "Soura" tribe is one of the most ancient and they are known for being marathon walkers, expert hunters and climbers. Personal hygiene is of intense importance to them.

The "Bondos" are fiercely independents and aggressive, and continue to practice the barter system of exchanging produce from their fields for their daily needs. Bondo women prefer to marry younger men because they can have someone who will earn for them in their old age.

The Kutias are the primitive section of the Kondh tribal community. Kutias were also quite famous till the recent years for their unique tradition of 'Maria'(human) sacrifice. Dongria Kondhs, also a primitive section of the Kondh community are expert horticulturists and maintain a quite distinct cultural heritage.

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