Road Trip Through Rajasthan : 6400 km

Great road trips are made of these. Delicious road side food, beautiful country side roads and pleasant surprises through out. And in Rajasthan, thankfully, we had plenty of all that during our long work-related stay. We drove from Mumbai and went to Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Alwar, Sariska, Mount Abu, Delhi, Sili Serh, and many of these places many times. We wanted to come back via Madhya Pradesh so went from Mount Abu to Chittorgarh and then via Mandsaur and Ratlam to Mumbai.

We learnt that the Milk Cake of Alwar is the best in the Universe. We learnt that Mount Abu is a fantastic place to re-visit and that the Pyaz Ki Kachori with Jalebi and Lassi is the best breakfast ever. We learnt that the Poha in Madhya Pradesh is divine. We learnt about ancient Buddhist Stupa near Virat Nagar, Rajasthan this town once being the capital of the Mahajanapada Kingdom.

– Rajasthan is awesome to drive in, and most roads are in good condition, the drives are scenic and beautiful.
– The drive from Jaipur to Delhi is terrible with lots of traffic, trucks and delays. Unless you start like at 5 am. Also, avoid this route after dark, it’s not very safe. There have been instances of robbing.
– NH8 from Mumbai to Udaipur is a superb well built road, but the stretch in Gujarat is boring and full of factories and trucks on either side. On our way back, we came via Madhya Pradesh.
– Madhya Pradesh roads generally were in bad condition and too much traffic and many small towns on the way.
– Highway food is generally decent throughout.
– The roads became better when we entered Maharashtra, but full of speed breakers around Nashik. Be careful.
– It becomes difficult to find good food on the highways once you enter Maharashtra.

We learnt we should do this more often and take notes 🙂

Highway Dhaba, Rajasthan
This dhaba between Udaipur and jaipur had great food to offer, and a lovely walk behind it, to a wetland body full of birds.
Riverside, Rajasthan.
A walk behind the dhaba revealed this river side.
Acacia nilotica
And next to the river, this awesome walk, with Kikar (Acacia nilotica) Trees in full yellow bloom.
Mehrangarh Fort , Jodhpur.
From Jaipur, we went to Jodhpur. The magnificent Mehrangarh Fort dominates the city scape here.
The Blue City of Jodhpur.
The Blue City of Jodhpur.
The Jodhpur Ghanta Ghar
Jodhpur Ghanta Ghar or Clock Tower, apparently built by Maharaja Sardar Singh (1880-1911). We spent a lazy afternoon in an old haveli restaurant opposite this: The Pal Inn.
Jaipur Metro
We come back to Jaipur, many times during this road trip. Jaipur was our base camp. And here, looking at the Badi Chaupar Metro Construction in the Walled City.
Viratnagar.
We went to Virat Nagar looking for history and found this old Mughal Era Lodge, now a Jain Temple/Dharamshala. The beautiful gardens of this structure were full of Yellow Footed Green Pigeons.
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The Jain Temple/Dharamshala in Viratnagar.
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Searching for the epitaph of Emperor Ashoka, and came across this rocky hill with a temple on top.
Emperor Ashoka's Epitaph, Viratnagar, Rajasthan.
Our search for Emperor Ashoka’s Epitaph led us to this ‘protected monument’. We couldn’t find any scripture/engraving/epitaph. But we did see that blue board from the Archaeological Survey of India.
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Such old monuments are scattered throughout the landscape of Rajasthan.
Sariska National Park.
Do take time out for a visit to The Sariska National Park. Highly recommended.
We foudn atruck carrying the statue of a man and found it very interesting.
We found a truck carrying the statue of a man and found it very interesting.
The Sisodia Rani Bagh on the outskirts of jaipur.
The Sisodia Rani Bagh on the outskirts of Jaipur.
Highway, Rajasthan.
One stretch on the road from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur via Dausa – Lalsot has these beautiful Chambal like ravines and tall Sarkhanda Grass.
Ranthambhore Fort.
We visited the Ranthambhore National Park many times during this trip. The Ranthambhore Fort is also worth spending a long day visiting.
Ranthambhore Fort
One can imagine how gorgeous life must have been inside the Ranthambhore Fort with traditionally dressed residents and well painted fort structure.
Dhonk
If Ranthambhore can be described by a tree, it’s the Dhonk (Anogeossis pendula), an important tree of this fragile ecosystem. It’s draught resistant and provides flowers, gum etc.
Jhumar Baori
The Jhoomar Baori is a beautiful old hunting lodge converted into a RTDC Hotel right inside the forest. Definitely worth a stay here.
Padam Talao at Ranthambhore National Park
The Padam Talao at Ranthambhore National Park seems blessed with lights from the heavens.
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We spent some time with kids from erstwhile poaching and forest dwelling communities in and around Ranthambhore. Tiger Watch, an organisation working in this area, is doing an excellent work of providing education and opportunities for these people.
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Morning over the River Banas. What appears like dust marks on the top left of the frame are hundreds of Swifts, birds that often make mud nests around a water body next to a rocky cliff.
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The beautiful Sili Serh property of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation. Rooms were disappointing so we didn’t stay here.
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Sariska National Park is gorgeous and thankfully not as crowded as Ranthambhore. At least not yet.
Trevor's Tank at Mount Abu.
Trevor’s Tank at Mount Abu.
beaitiful Sarkhanda Grass in bloom near Lalsot, Rajasthan.
Beautiful Sarkhanda Grass in bloom near Lalsot, Rajasthan.
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We visited peacefull villages, relocated from inside the Ranthambore Forest area.
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Curious but shy children of the village. Moving out from inside the forest has provided them access to schools and basic healthcare.
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A settlement of the Mogiya community. Traditionally this community has been nomadic in nature, hunting, poaching to get by. New efforts to ‘settle’ them and include them in the local communities are bearing fruit.
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Another village of cattle herders, with beautiful traditional decorations.
Sambar Lake
We took a morning out to visit the salt pans of Sambar Lake.
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An old temple near Sambar Lake.
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In the setting sun light, a water body almost glows in the reflection of the pink sky.
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Mustard fields in bloom near Alwar, Rajasthan.
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Women carry firewood on the way from Jaipur to Udaipur. Most rural homes, unfortunately, still reply on wood as kitchen fuel.
Fatehsagar Lake in Udaipur
The backwaters of Fatehsagar Lake in Udaipur in winter light. Birding here can be very rewarding, with Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary in the background.
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Stopping at an interesting looking dhaba on the way to Mount Abu. The parathas were, of course, very nice.
Mount Abu.
On the way to Mount Abu.
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An old hill station town, Mount Abu has a fascinating history and plenty of heritage architecture worth drooling over.
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We decided to return via Madhya Pradesh. These gorgeous farms, just outside Ratlam, brightened our morning.
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Waiting for a train to pass near Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh.
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Somewhere in Madhya Pradesh, we found a Volvo Truck carrying a diesel locomotive engine!
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With roads like these, the drive becomes trippy!

22 thoughts on “Road Trip Through Rajasthan : 6400 km”

  1. Awesome 6400 Kms. I have been to many of these places in Rajasthan but for Ranthambore…it was nostalgic to read your post. Who can forget the taste of Mrchi bada and pyaz Ki kachori. I was mesmerized by the stunning Mehrangarh, the grandeur of Rajasthani palaces beautiful architecture and bowled over by the simplicity of people. Thanks for this post.

    Reply
  2. 6400 km road trip must be an amazing experience.You have brought the beauty of road trip through your lovely photos and good write up.Thanks for sharing.

    Cheers,
    Sriram & Krithiga

    Reply
  3. An amazing trip and collection of fantastic photos. Watching your photo post seems like travelling 6400 kilometers…. without moving away from screen. I have first time visited your blog now… I will be a frequent visitor.. to know other parts of India through your blog.

    Reply
  4. Road trip is probably the best way to explore a region, if one has ample time that is. I did mine almost a year ago, but it was not nearly as epic as yours. Love your photos!

    Reply
  5. Lovely pictures. Looks like you took this trip in winters. Next time when you are passing through Jaipur, let’s catch up. What do you say?

    Reply
  6. This article provides a great travel experience with various photographs.In which the mention and pictures of Ranthambore National Park are amazing.

    Reply

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