My Road Trip to Rajasthan! Part 2

Hi u all!


Yesterday I uploaded pics of Bada Bagh Cenotaphs and the Kuldhara Village. Today I'll upload a few more pics. Hope you like them!

Khaba Fort:

When we reached Khaba Fort, the caretaker had gone for lunch. We opened the gates and sneaked into the fort.

Paliwals, the inhabitants of Khaba migrated from Pali district of present day Rajasthan. They are said to have inhabited the place from the latter parts of the eleventh century. Khaba along with Kuldhara, was one of the 84 villages around Jaisalmer, inhabited by this Brahmin community.

They engaged in trade between present day Pakistan and India and Khaba served as the fulcrum point for the import and export of goods. The town even had a small fort that was constructed to protect from rivals. As trade flourished, the inhabitants of the Pali towns, each managed by a chieftain grew richer by the day. Stories of treasures buried in the solitude of the land are aplenty even today.

Various articles that belonged to the Paliwal Tribe were on display. All of these were atleast a hundred years old!

This place is full of natural smooth stones. I found a Heart shaped one! 

Isn't that cool??

Gadi Sagar Lake:

The artificial reservoir of Gadi Sagar was built to serve as a source of water. It was built in 1156 A.D by Mahraja Jaisal. However, later in 1367, it was reconstructed by Maharaja Garsi Singh. The reservoir is also known as ‘Lake Garsisar’.

The lake is marvelously placed in a picturesque surroundings and an imposing sandstone entrance known as Tilon-ki-Pol opens to the lake. A grand Krishna temple is also placed at the gate. The banks of the Gadi Sagar enclose superbly maintained gardens, temples and majestically carved Chattris.

This sylvan lake is surrounded by innumerable temples and holy shrines.

The lake is home to a wide variety of fishes and ducks.

Well, that's it for now! 

Love ya all!

My Road Trip to Rajasthan! Part 1

Hi everybody!!


Guess what? I went on a road trip to Rajasthan! It was AMAZING!! 


Here are a few pics of the places I visited along with some trivia about the places. Hope you like it!

Bada Bagh Cenotaphs, Jaisalmer:

Bada Bagh (Big Garden) was started by Maharawal Jait Singh II between 1513 AD and 1528 AD and completed by his son Lunkaran, after his death. It is located on the Ramgarh Road, 5 kms north of Jaisalmer. 

Kuldhara Village, Jaisalmer:

Drive 18 km west of Jaisalmer and you will come upon the village of Kuldhara. Once a prosperous settlement of the Paliwal Brahmins, all the residents of Kuldhara and 83 nearby villages vanished suddenly one night in 1825, having lived there since 1291. In all likelihood they set up base somewhere beyond Jodhpur but no one has ever been sure.

What made them want to abandon everything overnight? The Prime Minister, or the dewan, is believed to have developed a lecherous eye for the chief’s daughter; it is said the Paliwal women were in general stunningly beautiful. He may even have imposed unreasonable taxes on them. With pride and honour overruling all worldly interests, the chiefs of the 84 villages decided to go away in a single night with whatever they could carry with them.

The dusty little village had long narrow lanes crisscrossing everywhere -don't know whether it was the heightened senses but one could really feel strange faces peeking from behind the walls. 

While leaving the village we could feel the sadness and helplessness running through the ruins.  An old city had unpeeled its secrets to us.

         

A Stove in one of the ancient houses

Well folks, thats all for now. Will upload the rest of the pics tomorrow!