The mountains of Rajhastan
By A. Hidalgo, Spanish journalist specialized in trips around Asia.
A few years ago we decided to go on a trip to Rajhastan, region in the North of India, land of Maharajas, who dominated large extensions of land and represented the highest aristocracy, always well respected by its people. Currently, they enjoy certain social status, properties, and are still respected by the local population.
We wanted to start our adventure in Jaipur, the capital of Rajhastan state. While trying to book a bedroom, we were not able to find vacancies anywhere in town. The reason was the celebration of an international fair, which reunited businessmen coming from all over India. That was when one of the employees suggested us to check an antique Maharajas´residence, 30 km from Jaipur. Not only did we find the place, but also we paid the total amount of € 80, including breakfast.
The trip leaving from Dehli is best when early started – especially during the hot months (pratically all year round). On the way, it is possible to stop in the Neemrana Fort, a Hindu fortress dated from the 15th Century, located by a mountain about two hours away from Dehli. The fort counts with hotel, swimming pool, spa, and several bedrooms, towers and aisles for visiting. It was restored in the 90s, and it maintains the original architectural guidelines of Hindu architecture before the Munghol invasion – dinasty which ruled the North of India from the 16th Century on, resulting from the fusion between Mongols and Persians.
After another two hours on the road, we arrived in Jaipur and went to the Ramgarh Lodge. All was silent when the man came to welcome us with a pagri on his head (a typical Rajhastan turban). He saluted us by putting his hands together, and inclining towards us. We were the only guests. What we first saw was a huge hall, with several rooms leading to the bedrooms. The walls were decorated with animal heads such as rhinos, buffalos, tigers, antelopes, and other mammals.
For dinner, they prepared a well-seasoned goat stew accompanied by a delicious Indian bread made in the tandoor (wood-fired clay oven). For dessert, and also for helping with digestion, we tasted the chae o massala tea (local tea served with ginger, cinnamon, and buffalo milk). The next morning, after we had rested for 9 hours straight, we opted for having our breakfast outside in the garden, with a pool and a wonderful view.
We returned to the hotel some time later, and we realized it has gone through renovations and restorations, therefore withouth losing its charm and the taste it keeps transmitting with the history of the antique Indian Maharajas.
We wanted to start our adventure in Jaipur, the capital of Rajhastan state. While trying to book a bedroom, we were not able to find vacancies anywhere in town. The reason was the celebration of an international fair, which reunited businessmen coming from all over India. That was when one of the employees suggested us to check an antique Maharajas´residence, 30 km from Jaipur. Not only did we find the place, but also we paid the total amount of € 80, including breakfast.
The trip leaving from Dehli is best when early started – especially during the hot months (pratically all year round). On the way, it is possible to stop in the Neemrana Fort, a Hindu fortress dated from the 15th Century, located by a mountain about two hours away from Dehli. The fort counts with hotel, swimming pool, spa, and several bedrooms, towers and aisles for visiting. It was restored in the 90s, and it maintains the original architectural guidelines of Hindu architecture before the Munghol invasion – dinasty which ruled the North of India from the 16th Century on, resulting from the fusion between Mongols and Persians.
After another two hours on the road, we arrived in Jaipur and went to the Ramgarh Lodge. All was silent when the man came to welcome us with a pagri on his head (a typical Rajhastan turban). He saluted us by putting his hands together, and inclining towards us. We were the only guests. What we first saw was a huge hall, with several rooms leading to the bedrooms. The walls were decorated with animal heads such as rhinos, buffalos, tigers, antelopes, and other mammals.
For dinner, they prepared a well-seasoned goat stew accompanied by a delicious Indian bread made in the tandoor (wood-fired clay oven). For dessert, and also for helping with digestion, we tasted the chae o massala tea (local tea served with ginger, cinnamon, and buffalo milk). The next morning, after we had rested for 9 hours straight, we opted for having our breakfast outside in the garden, with a pool and a wonderful view.
We returned to the hotel some time later, and we realized it has gone through renovations and restorations, therefore withouth losing its charm and the taste it keeps transmitting with the history of the antique Indian Maharajas.
Author : Rafael Paniagua
Posted in: 10/16/2017
Last modified: 11/27/2017
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