So , winter vacations were there and date was 30, december 2012. Some days ago we were undecided where to proceed on our annual vacation trip. But various posts on Ghummakar just solved my problem and me along with my my wife savita and daughters Bhakti and Pavani decided to proceed to explore Mewad part of Rajasthan and have our base at Udaipur, the city I had heard a lot about but never went. I was just waiting for an opportunity to visit the city of Lakes.
DAY1 – Road trip to Jaipur from Jalandhar in my Maruti 800
So at 6 A.M. myself along with my family which included 6 bags also boarded my 2nd hand MARUTI 800 and started our journey in the foggy weather which luckily was not so dense. Here , I want to write that this was my first long road trip and I didn’t know how the most important family member in this trip , our chhoti (small) car will behave. Thank God car jyada ziddi nahin nikli (didn’t give any troubles). And it behaved like a good child all along the trip. My first break (khana-pina) was near Karnal where we had our home made paranthas along with chai ,listened to commentary of first INDO-PAK one day cricket match and understood from scoreline that India was nearing defeat and luckily I was not watching this match. Reached Delhi entrance at about 1.30 and Gurgaon about 1 hour later. Nothing untoward happene in the way, touchwood. National highway Gurgaon onwards was national highway just by name in my opinion and rows of innumerable trucks greeted me on my way to Jaipur especially near Behror and Kotputli. Disheartened to some extent ut largely excited on my first long road trip with myself as driver, I just carried on .
On the way to jaipur
Mustard fields on the way to jaipur
Had some more tea on my way and entered Jaipur at about 6 P.M . Amer fort was looking glorious under lights on the way to Jaipur city. Entered Jaipur through Badi Chopad and Chhoti chopad and now had monumental task in my hand of searching some good night stay options. Though I had some pages in my hand courtesy internet but could not muster courage to search for those locations at that time. So reached some Hotel Siddharth at Sansar chandra Marg and halted there for night. It was not bad if not great either. Kids had wanted to explore the city at that time also. So pulled out my car from parking and here I was in some market near Hawa Mahal.
My little kid in front of hawamahal
Hawa Mahal at night
Luckily market and Hawa Mahal co-existed for my wife and kids. Bhakti, eldest daughter just clicked some photographs in front of Hawa Mahal and had Khoya Kulfi at Pandit ji. My wife and she afterwards started exploring market for Jaipuri Razais and bangles respectively. Finally Bhakti bought a handicraft bag and we started for our hotel. My first impression of the pink city was that of a densely populated cultural place and I think that is true.
It was a beautiful morning on 31st of December and we had planned to go to Udaipur as early as possible. And our early time was 7. 30 A.M and I think that was quite decent time with wife and kids.Our dream destination Udaipur was within our reach, we all thought and got excited even thinking about this.I had two options to reach Udaipur, via Ajmer and Nathdwara or to take highway through chittorgarh and Bhilwara..and what a highway it turned out to be.. just marvelous.
Awesome ride till udaipur on this highway
When I touched the Ajmer road on my way to Udaipur, I was just mesmerized by the highway. I had read a lot about this highway that this one is one of the best in India , on 31st of December I became witness to that. Till Udaipur I got four toll barriers on the way but it was worth. Normally I am slow traveler rarely peaking at 100 km/hour. but this highway tempted me. About 30 km before Ajmer there was a diversion towards left and I just took that following my gut feeling and I was on national highway 76 . I must mention here that on this way Chittorgarh and Bhilwara comes but remain on side so not quite a hurdle to travelers who want to reach Udaipur directly.
Kids were happy on this travel as we had experimented a long drive. Just before Chittorgarh felt hungry and stopped at a roadside dhaba offering garmagaram khana. A lot of trucks had been halting there bearing number plate mostly of Gujarat and Rajasthan. We had ordered saadi chapatis (tawe wali) and Karhi. The food was just delicious, to say. I had found in this trip that chapatis are brown in color not like Punjab where dhabas normally offer white chapatis indicating the use of maida instead of atta. After filling our tummies we proceeded further on our dream destination and it was at about 2.30 P. M we encountered a hoarding welcoming us to the city of lakes.
We had no reservation or booking for any accommodation but had no problem at all. Inquiring from passerby, we reached Surajpole where stood our home for next four days, HOTEL UDAIPUR. They offered nice facilities for budget traveler like me and great value for money. Though located in a congested area, the owners arranged to ark my vehicle inside the premises at night. We felt just at home here. We had our tea there , rested for a while and were ready for half day excursion of the city on that day itself. So there we were off to our first destination, GULAB BAGH hardly 5 min. drive from our hotel.
gulab bagh at udaipur
Varieties of roses at gulab bagh
a glimpse of gulab bagh
GULAB BAGH: A fine garden for Udaipurites for walks and swings and other small rides for kids , a toy train for kids to take them though the garden and a mini zoo. I must say that if not great, this place was good appetizer for the main course. We had a ride in the toy train maintained by Rawal and company. It was a BACHHON KI GAADI JISMEN BADE BHI KARE SAWARI…… After the ride we went to jhoola section on demand of Pavani. Enjoyed there for about half an hour and proceeded to Lake Pichola.
THE LAKE. : The lake is just beautiful and the great city palace lies on its banks alonfg with numerous other buildings. JAGMANDIR and THE HOTEL LAKE PALACE lay in the center of the lake just like beautiful islands. We first had our boat ride (ticket price RS. 100/PERSON) and it was just great. Just great to look from nearby the magnificence of Jagmandir and The Lake Palace. It was nearing 7 P.M and all the structures were beautifully illuminated. There was a party going on that night in the city palace so coudn,t go for light an d sound show there. Pavani enjoyed a camel ride on the banks of the lake.
View of city palace from lake pichola
Lake pichola at night with jagmandir in the background
We had light snacks of Bhelpuri and Golgappas there and also relished coconut water. The evening was great, returned to the hotel but not before going to Bapu Bazaar. The Bazaar was just like any other Bazaar of a good city. We decided to go for a stroll in the Bazaar and started munching snacks on our way and this was our main purpose perhaps as we all are street foodis. So firstly we had Dabelis for the first time and quite relished it. Then strolled for a while and had American Bhuttas again for the first time. I had eaten a lot of sabudana khichri at home but tasted first time on the roadside and it was WOW.
glimpse of bapu road market
Our car was parked near Jodhpur Mishthan Bhandar so how it can be that we would have left without some sweets. So there it was maava kachori for us. So this was our dinner on the eve of new year but no regrets albeit a great time. Reached our hotel and rested for next day sojourn.
Welcome to Ghumakkar, Rakesh. Your debut post is very readable and we look forward to many more such travel stories from you.
An Air-India pilot was recently in the news for making an unscheduled detour to Jaipur to pick up some kachoris from Jaipur. Was it from the same Jodhpur Mishthan Bhandar you mentioned in your blog?
Narayan Sahib,
Thanx for a word of appreciation. It is alleged that the pilot in question went directly to jodhpur and not jaipur to relish pyaaz kachoris though she denies this. More stories are coming soon…..
Dear Professor Rakesh,
The first thing I would say about this post is “LIVELY”. You have a flair for writing which is no surprise in view of the fact that you are into teaching. Secondly, the idea of undertaking such a long travel by own car tells a lot about the spirit of coming out of you loud and clear. Occasional use of Hindi into the English text has enriched it further.
Since the pictures must have been taken by your little daughter, I would give some grace marks to her! :) It is not easy to take good photographs in night while on move. She has done a good job at that.
Discovering that you had enjoyed boating in Lake Pichhola, I felt as if cheated because despite our tour of 5 days, (in case you are interested, here is the link of ghumakkar post : https://www.ghumakkar.com/2012/12/06/%e0%a4%89%e0%a4%a6%e0%a4%af%e0%a4%aa%e0%a5%81%e0%a4%b0-%e0%a4%94%e0%a4%b0-%e0%a4%ae%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%89%e0%a4%82%e0%a4%9f-%e0%a4%86%e0%a4%ac%e0%a5%82-%e0%a4%98%e0%a5%82%e0%a4%ae%e0%a4%a8%e0%a5%87/ ) I didn’t venture for a boat ride. O miserable me !
Please write more and more on ghumakkar.com. We look forward to the next part of your journey.
Sushant ji,
Nice to have a comment from you who is popular for his chuhalbaazi andaaz at Ghumakkar. Travelling by own car has got its own adventure but shayad log maruti 800 ko car hi nhin samajhte ajkal. You missed the boat ride and I missed your “Amrai” restaurat of Lal Ghat. Agli bar sahi….
Welcome aboard Rakesh.
Very happy to see the story in print. I have same thoughts as Sushant, on having the natural flair. If I can offer a suggestion, then I guess the post can benefit from some further polish. A few readings and re-reading has often helped.
From Jallandhar to Jaipur , it is not an easy drive. While you were enjoying Hawa-Mahal and Jaipur on 30th evening, I was there just a couple of days back. We stopped at Jaipur on our way to Bundi. I admire your spirit of serendipity by not booking any hotels.
Udaipur is a wonderful vacation place. Look fwd to read next episodes.
Nandan ji, Hi
It would have not been possible without your help and motivation to become a Ghumakkar. As far as serendipity is concerned most of my decisions are driven by it. I avoid booking the hotels as us mein bhi apna ek maza hai…….. You can always suggest me as you have played many innings here whereas I have just earned the cap. HAHAHAHAHA.
Hi Rakesh,
Welcome to Ghumakkar.
Enjoyed the post. It sounds like an interesting journey and a long one. Pyaj kachori and mirchi vada have become our weakness after we visited Rajasthan :-)
Hope to see many more posts from you,
Auro.
Hi Aurojit,
Thanx for the word of appreciation. This indeed is a long post as I beleive in minute details at some places. Hope you enjoy it.
Rakesh Bawa ji, welcome to ghumakkar ! The debut post was good and hope we will get more and more travel stories from you..
tks for sharing
SilentSoul ji,
Thanx for your motivating comments. You are also taking us through Himachal pradesh via Kangra valley which I have visited many times but that place is just awesome specially Palampur. If you are interested in rock cut temples in H.P, kindly visit Masroor temple complex.
Bawaji, I have twice visited Masroor and have written a log here too… if you find time you can find it here
https://www.ghumakkar.com/2012/06/26/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0-mini-ellora-of-himachal/
sure sir
Nice opening with a fast running story. Even pictures were taken at speed.
Thanks.
dear Praveen ji
Thanks. About photos is that most of the pictures are clicked by my daughter as I don,t click them and my camera is also basic one. Thanks forliking the story.
Hello Rakesh ji,
Welcome to Ghumakkar.
Nice post.Waiting for next…
Abheeruchi ji
Thanks and read next posts also
Welcome aboard.
A nice travelogue, traveling ~ 600+ km from (Jallandhar to Jaipur) one day requires lots of courage and not everyone plan for such a travel, it is even difficult knowing the fact that you are the only person behind the wheel. I guess, I am right about the distance. So hats-off to you.
Agreed, you have a natural flair in describing your trip and mixing ‘Hindi’ here & there is very good , thoroughly enjoyed the post and look forward to read more such stories…
Wishing you to have a memorable stay here
Amitava Ji,
Thanks a lot. I also enjoys your posts immensely. Yeah you are right about distance matter.
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THANKS SIR,
Sach mein kahen to aap is site ke Sachin Tendulkar ho. Photos ka to aisa hai ki photographer meri beti hi hoti hai. Achhe ya bure…….. milenge jaroor
description is good but too fast . and photos are blurred.
Vishal Ji ,
I really get inspired by youur write ups. Your observation is quite right. I have a basic camera and may be that is a constraint. Shall try to rectify.
Hi Rakesh,
Welcome to Ghumakkar. Nice writeup and well explained. Good to read…
Hope to see many more posts from you.. Keep traveling and enjoying sharing…
Thanks sir for yourkind words. I can only say that I am trying my best to write and shall share my experiences.
Nice log.
How was the Jodhpur Misthan kachori? I hear that the best of RJ Kachories are from Jodhpur and as you may recollect from recent news reports, some AI pilot delayed the flight just because she was waiting for her quota of Jodhpur kachories!
Keep writing!
Gita Ji ,
That pilot story now all knows . I think that the Kachoris were good. Please keep on reading the stories.