Blogs from Ranakpur, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Kumbhalgadh – Ranakpur-Mt Abu From Kumbhalgadh, we proceeded to Ranakpur. 55 km / 90 min, via Sayra. That is the only route. Sayra to Ranakpur is not so bad. Visited Ranakpur temple in the afternoon. It closes at 5 pm. One of the most beautiful Jain temples, constructed in 15th century – 800+ yrs old. Original idea was to stay somewhere near Ranakpur. Mistake number four! No regular ‘hotels’ are available near Kumbhalgadh or Ranakpur. There are only ‘resorts’ in this area. Most of these are in remote, off-the-road locations, more suitable for larger groups of tourists, rather than elderly couples like us and those who are not interested in hard drinks. We do not prefer isolated, lonely jungle places (aka - resorts!). So, we decided to drive on. From Ranakpur, you can reach NH-62 via ... read more

What comes to your mind when you think of Rajasthan? Thar Desert. Hot temperatures. No water. Formidable forts and palaces.Well, hold your horses! During one of our trips to Udaipur, we decided to drive to Ranakpur. Approximately 94km from the land of lakes, Ranakpur is unlike any of our assumptions. Rajasthan is also famous for its Jain temples. We have read about the Dilwara temples. But I can tell you, this is a beauty. The road throughout the journey was a single lane where two-way traffic adjusted themselves. It was June and the monsoon was setting in. The stretch was lined with little villages with no banks, post-offices or a gas station. The houses in these villages were made of stones stacked together (Yes, the stones were so flat, they could be stacked to build a ... read more

I was happily surprised when Mr Singh said we were to Kumbalgargh as I had presumed it too far out of the way. Although a very deep ascent (bringing back fond memories of going up the hard knot pass without power steering) the fort was in some of the most remote and stunning countryside we have seen in India. The drive up was a real throw back in time, with cattle pulling water wheels and tiny wooden huts on the sides of the road. The fort 80km North of Udaipur was only besieged once in its history, when Akbar poisoned the water supply. As Andrew pointed out, Akbar doesn't half get around. After a good climb to the pinnacle of the palace and stopping for the now customary photos with the locals, we stopped to take ... read more

The deafening din of two-handed drumming and the beating of stick on pan-like cymbal will forever remind me of Indian marriages. At the beginning and end of every ceremony - and, it seemed, at random intervals during every one of them too - these were the sounds that inevitably announced the arrival of bride, groom or guests. At around 10.30p.m. on Monday night, however, it was the comparatively subdued sounds of a drummer and an harmonium player singing joyous marriage tunes that greeted our arrival at the Hotel Shilpi after the long and dusty journey from Jaipur. Don't be fooled though - they'd soon be augmented by a booming big bass drum and a catatonic clattering cymbal! We whiled away our time drinking hot, sweet, milky tea and in conversa... read more

Pintu’s family started to arrive yesterday and today, with aunts, uncles, cousins, husbands and wives journeying from all over Rajasthan and Gujarat. All of them had to be welcomed and accommodated; the time and expense involved is massive. Khuman’s eldest son Vinku, whose marriage I attended in 2007, was already here, together with his lovely wife, Sheetal, and three-year-old daughter Aashi. Khuman's younger son, Shibu, a French-speaking tour guide with whom I exchanged friendly banter in that language from time to time, was here too; I’m sad to be missing his marriage on 13 April as Pat and I will be celebrating our own 40th anniversary on Madeira at the time. Cousin Montu, married less than three weeks ago, had just arrived too. Last night, I enjoyed drinks and dinner with them all in the gardens ... read more