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Havelis As A Great Lodging Option

Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Travelling with a teenager for the first time ever, we figured that taking chances with accommodation was not a wise thing to do. So a bit more comfort than usually was planned. Another first timer was that we used TripAdvisor for all four locations. And they did not let us down. Continue Reading →

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Highlight Hunting In Delhi

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi, India

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi, India

During our trip in 2012, we came to believe that Humayun’s Tomb, the shrine of the Sufi Saint Hazrat Nizam-ud-din and Gandhi Smriti were Delhi’s three must-sees. So off we went again, sharing these incredible places with Kelly. Continue Reading →

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Sufi Saint Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti

Staring us down at the shrine of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti

Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-in Christi, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India

Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-in Christi, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India

The TukTuk dropped us in a maze of small, busy lanes, which opened into a wide street packed with people. But bang – without any traffic! It came almost as a shock. None of the screeching and honking that seems inseparable with motorized vehicles in India. Why? We could only guess. Most likely a precaution after a bomb went off near the shrine in 2007. Continue Reading →

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Ajmer From Different Angles

Nasiyan Red Temple, a stunning Jain Temple, Ajmer, Rajasthan, india

Nasiyan Red Temple, a stunning Jain Temple, Ajmer, Rajasthan, india

On our very last day in Rajasthan, we got a good dose of sacred places. Gilles insisted on visiting the Dargah (shrine) of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti in Ajmer. It made sense, since this is where we boarded our night train to Delhi that night. Continue Reading →

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Money-Driven Pushkar

Women at the market in the streets of Pushkar, Rajsthan, India

Women at the market in the streets of Pushkar, Rajsthan, India

With high hopes we met Mr. Sharma again: the descendent of one of Pushkar’s oldest religious family was to enlighten us about temples and the holy lake. But what a difference to the walking tour the previous day! Mr. Sharma’s narrations were tedious and above all, hardly intelligible. Poor Kelly suffered thorough all this without complaining once. Continue Reading →

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Rural Pushkar

Common Langur or Hanuman Monkey (Semnopithecus Entellus) around Pushkar, Rajasthan, India

Common Langur or Hanuman Monkey (Semnopithecus Entellus) around Pushkar, Rajasthan, India

Pushkar has changed, Mr. Sharma explained. And he should know, a 5th generation descendant of a Brahman family. Now his family lives next door to the Seventh Heaven Hotel and advertises their services there: walks around Pushkar, Henna Painting, Indian meals… Continue Reading →

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Pushkar – The Holy Cash Cow

52 bathing Ghats surround Pushkar Lake, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India

52 bathing Ghats surround Pushkar Lake, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India

Over three thousand (3.000!) pilgrims arrive daily in tiny Pushkar, Hindi from all over India and even abroad. They come for one reason – to leave money with the countless priests and temples. Even the most devout Hindi commits the odd sin that hurts his karma… A pilgrimage to Pushkar and a pile of money can undo that. Continue Reading →

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Ajmer Junction – Crazy Station, Crazy Ride

Train arriving at Ajmer Junction Station, Rajasthan, India

Train arriving at Ajmer Junction Station, Rajasthan, India

Except for firing the tour guide in Chittogarh, the day had passed with the preciseness of a Swiss clock. Ajmer Train station finally offered a bit of excitement. At around 11:00 pm it was nothing short of a shelter. The floor was completely covered with people wrapped in shawls, sleeping on the hard concrete. Outside it was as busy as any train station in India. Continue Reading →

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Chittorgarh – Hot Fort, Firing Our Tour Guide

Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India

Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India

The long, long wall of the Garh (fort) running along the top of a hill greeted us long before arrived in Chittor. Thirty overwhelming kilometers of wall encircle the fort. Our hearts fell – how could we possibly visit this place during one afternoon – a very hot afternoon. Was this doable? Continue Reading →

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