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My first destination was Bundi, a small town in Hadoti area of Rajasthan. Unlike the grim facades of its better-known counterparts, Bundi was a town of tranquility and understated charm. This is why, as you explore the town’s winding lanes, one cannot help but be captured by the mesmerizing beauty of the Rani Ji Ki Baori. It is a comparatively small town nestled in the Hadoti area of the state of Rajasthan and is not as famous or crowded as some other places in the area. Although it tends to be in the shadow of its more well-known counterparts, Bundi is best known for its fantastic stepwell constructions, particularly the Rani Ji Ki Baori. This peculiarity is a centuries-old architectural structure which has nice carvings and a sequence of steps that leads into a well. The design of the stepwell was not only functional in terms of being a well but also it was a place for social and ceremonial events. The silence and the charm that the waters of Rani Ji Ki Baori give, the detailed carvings and the distinctive architectural design altogether make it a fascinating experience of the culture and background of life in Bundi.

But, apart from the stepwells, Bundi’s influence is enchanting. The art and culture of the Rajput royalty are well reflected in the greatly renovated havelis of the town. Some of these havelis include a rich graphical representation of the legends and life of the royalty in the form of artwork the walls. The ornamental paintings can be seen even from the ground of the street and indeed walking through the narrow lanes of Bundi is a pleasure to find these art treasures houses, each with its emblem.

Another such place which is a must visit is the Taragarh Fort which is situated on a hill dominating over the town of Bundi. Originally constructed in the 16th century, the fort provides vistas of the town and the other territories in the area. Its tall walls and battlements, as well as its military-associated value and significance for the defence of the area, are a great attraction.

After Bundi, I headed further into the Thar desert to Osian, which is a small village with a historical and cultural backdrop. Called the ‘Orchard of Rajasthan. Osian was once inhabited by an exquisite chain of temples; each a marvel of carved art they once existed Beautiful Sachiya Mata Temple dedicated to the goddess of wealth. The sculptures painted on the surface of the desert were obvious, artistic and vivid as if the faces carved on the stones depicted the gods and goddesses of the earlier centuries.

In fact, apart from temples Osian also provides the tourist with the experience of the desert. The presence of sand dunes around the area makes the area to have a sandy background, but rich green vegetation is seen around the area unlike other parts of Rajasthan. Safari in Osian is always an exciting trip; camel back tours are the nicest means to traverse the moving sand dunes. General attraction Of course the calmness and serenity of the desert along with the history of Osian makes it even more interesting for people looking for a non-touristic experience.

My next destination was Kumbhalgarh where I found a rare, Kumbhalgarh Fort, a UNESCO heritage site, which deserves a visit. Located in the region of the Aravalli hills Kumbhalgarh has impressive fortifications that cover 36 km of length, which puts the fortress in the second place by the length of its walls after the great wall of China. Due to this, it offered a Peep into The Military Engineering techniques of Rajput Kingdom, the fort was in such a strategic position and was heavily fortified to aide in protecting the kingdom from invasions.

It is a maze of palaces, temples, and reservoirs that upon infesting Kumbhalgarh Fort brings home the point. The buildings and carvings in the fort are in good condition, which gives an idea of the lifestyle of Rajput’s. Most of the construction has been ruined, but the fort has many enclosures which can be visited today; the most spectacular part is the Badal Mahal also known as the Palace of Clouds which presents marvellous views of the surrounding hills and valleys. This fort is isolated, and the topography coupled with the high altitude adds to the charm of the place and it is not very touristy as the other forts in Rajasthan.

There are also cultural programs organized in the fort and the annual Kumbhalgarh Festival is held here to honour the arts of singing, dancing. It can be said that with the help of the festival, the guests will be immersed in the atmosphere of Rajasthan, which is rather interesting for Oriental enthusiasts.

Chittorgarh is a city well-endowed with history and is best famous for the monstrous fort that is found in the city and among the biggest in India. Bounded by a fertile green valley and surrounded by a massive, embattled wall, Chittorgarh fort is a vast place with palaces temples and water storage building which has enough history woven around it regarding the daredevil deeds of the Rajput’s. Beyond doubt, lyrics of Rani Padmini and great battles of the historic past are associated with the fort.

Most of the outer walls of the fort now lie in ruins today, however, the circumference of the fort is over thirteen kilometers, a clear account of the importance of the fort and the brave defence put up by the army. Visiting the fort, one is again presented with large structures such as the Vijay Stambh, a victory tower and Kirti Stambh, a tower of fame. These towers have sculptures’ finish to remind of the victories of the fort and the bravery of its garrison.

Chittorgarh also has the rich cultural flavor of the local people. The ‘Chittorgarh festival’ is an annual musical and dance festival celebrated in the city in the month of January which gives the tourists a chance to enjoy the residues of Rajput culture and tradition. The festival is one of the most colorful and anticipating events of the year with so many activities that involve people from all the four corners of the country.

Towards the last few days or so I had a thought that the real Rajasthan was more than the royalties and cities it had to offer. These places are historical and culturally full sightseeing, which gave a chance to look at the unseen side of Rajasthan. They were a testament of the fact that things that are worth chasing are often the things that are unseen; things that are hidden behind some hills we are too afraid to conquer.

And so, as I left Rajasthan, the memories of all the places which I have been able to visit was complemented by the knowledge of the history of the place and how people there are able to push forward despite all the odds. Rajasthan had shown me a perspective that I would not have anticipated, and that was one thing that I’d learnt that I would never regret.

Yashpal Rana is a travel writer and photographer who likes to search for offbeat destinations in a country. Self-proclaiming to be an admirer of culture and history, Yashpal encourages people to travel and explore unknown and unfamiliar places. His articles and photos cover the beauty and culture of offbeat places, as well as untold stories of places that might have been visited hundreds of times over already. To get more information about the author you can visit his Instagram account @yash99149 and contact him via - yash99149@gmail.com

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