Travel to the Rajasthan I Blog By Sattwik, 8, Kolkata

Travel to the Indian Desert

I was so excited that day as I was going to the state where a war took place between India and Pakistan. On 3rd November 2023 at 6:10 p.m. my parents, paternal and maternal grandparents and I were waiting at Howrah station for Bermer Express. We were going to Jodhpur and then Jaisalmer. I was very excited and waiting for the dunes and camels of Thar Desert.  I was enjoying the train journey with my elders. In the morning, we freshened up and completed our breakfast with Poha and masala tea. The train passed through different stations in Uttar Pradesh. My maternal grandfather was reading a historical book about Rajasthan. We reached Kanpur at 10:00 a.m. My grandparents slept in the afternoon because they needed energy for the long train journey. At 04:07 p.m. we passed by Red Fort to reach Old Delhi junction. We reached Jodhpur at 3:00 a.m. on 5th November and booked a hotel for the next 2 days.

Day 1 – 5th November 2023: Mandor garden- Meherangarh fort- Clock Tower Sardar Market, Jodhpur

First, we visited the Mandor garden.  We saw a hall of heroes, paintings of great kings, a museum, old temples and a playground. One local musician was playing a musical instrument –‘Ravanhata’. I asked him to teach me. He happily accepted my request. I learned a little bit. 

We then visited  Meherangar fort. Rao Jodha established this fort on a hill. My favourite book- ‘The Jungle Book’ written by Rudyard Kipling, created Mougli inspired by Rao Jodha’s childhood life in the jungle. We entered by bijoy pole. We went to the top of the fort by lift. From the roof, you could see the famous ‘Blue City’. Jodhpur is known as that because the houses are blue to keep it cold. We saw 5 partion wheels. Those wheels are used for uplifting water on the roof. Palki khana, shish mahal, artillery section, coronation courtyard, etc inside the fort were so beautiful. We bought some handicrafts from the fort market. At the time of returning from Fort Roof, we saw some temples, poles (gates), and pictures of kings. In the evening, we went to the Sardar market. 

My father, my cousin sister and I climbed up to the top floor of the Clock Tower there. My father showed us the mechanism of the four big clocks. We saw the view of the crowded Sarder market. We bought two AK47 toy guns, one for me and one for my sister.  

Day 2 – 6th November: Umiad Bhaban- Kilana Lake- Machia Biological Park, Jodhpur

The next morning, we went to the famous Mishrilal Hotel, Sardar Market, Jodhpur for breakfast. We select from the menu – the famous marwar’s kachori, lassi, and mirchi bara. The food was so delicious.

Then we visited Umiad Bhawan. I took pictures of information, a 3D model of the palace, a different collection of old clocks, and a photo of the kings. We came out from the palace and saw different types of vintage cars of the royal family.  Then we went to an artificial Kilana lake for boating. Jodhpur City has used Kilana Lake’s water for drinking till now. Then we entered Machia Biological Park, in front of Kilana Lake. We saw a tiger, lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, deer, crocodile and different types of snakes and birds. We came back to Jodhpur in the afternoon. This time we drank juice and bought some clothes, Rajasthani ‘pagri’ and handicrafts. We completed our Blue City tour for the day.

Day 3 – 7th November: Jaisalmer-Thar Desert

The next day, I woke up at 4:45 a.m.  We had a reservation in Jaisalmer Express. We reached there at 1:00 p.m. and booked a hotel just to be fresh and get ready for the exciting Thar Desert. We took a break for lunch, we went to a restaurant. But it was so unhygienic. Then we went to another one which was very neatly maintained. After travelling for a distance, we exchanged our car with a safari jeep. The best time to visit is during sunset. We reached Sam sand dune at 4:00 p.m.  During the safari, all the tourists were shouting out of excitement. Both of my grandmothers were singing ‘hare Krishna’ due to fear. The dunes had ups and downs. After some time there was sunset behind us. It was so beautiful. It was a little cold after sunset.  Walking down from the dunes was too easy, but climbing up was too difficult. My elders were meeting with local people. We did a camel safari. My paternal grandmother didn’t sit on the camel out of fear. The jeep came back and took us to the tent. Local people welcomed us. That was our first tent night ever. The night entertainment programme was really fun. We enjoyed the local music and Rajasthani dance. We took peanuts, and biscuits with coffee in the evening. We went to a tent bed at 10:00 p.m. 

Day 4 – 8th november: Lungewala Indo-Pak  Border- Tanot Temple

Next morning, when I woke up at 5:00 a.m. The tent owner gave us dal bati churma, poha and tea for our breakfast. On that day our next destination was the Lungewala Indo-Pak border. During our journey, we saw little grass, Babool, Fanimanasa tree, and different types of cactus on dunes.  We saw many tanks, helicopters, Indian army bunker at Lungewala Yudh Sthal.  The war happened in 1971 when Pakistan attacked India. Major Kuldeep Shing Chandpuri and 23 soldiers took only one night to defeat Pakistan. Pakistan left many tanks, and weapons in India. We watched a 1971 war documentary sitting in an old bunker. Some soldiers were watching too. I felt very excited. We came out from the bunker and took a tea break with my pocket money.  Then we went to Tanot temple. It’s very close to the Pakistan border. 

Day 5 – 9th November: Kuldhara Village – Ludarva Jain Temple- Jaisalmer Fort

Morning, when I woke up at  6:00  a.m. we completed our breakfast and got ready for Kuldhara village. I pictured a secret passageway which others couldn’t find. Earlier Kuldhara was a village. Now it’s called a haunted village. I took a picture of that temple seen in the – ‘Eken Babu’ movie. Then we went to Ludarva Jain Temple. Since a camera was not allowed we could not take any pictures.  We found secret stairs. We went down the stairs. We came out from the Jain Temple. Then we went to the famous Jaisalmer fort. This fort was established by ‘King Jaisal’. This fort is famous as ‘Sonar kella’. It was named by Oscar winner Satyajit Ray. Before we came to Rajasthan, we saw the ‘Sonar Kella’ movie by the famous detective ‘Feluda’. The fort was made of sandstone. That’s why it’s shining like gold.  I felt very excited. Inside the fort, there is an old Jain temple. Since the 12th century, people have been living inside the fort because the security was very active. Fort protected them from the enemy. Till now people live here. This is the only living fort in India.  We saw houses, banks, offices, hotels, and markets and bought some handicrafts.  After that, we went to Gadisar Lake. We fed fishes. That was our end of the Rajasthan tour. I am so happy to complete the adventure. I would love to come back to Rajasthan again.               

By Sattwik Das Laha

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Pic Credit – Sattwik Das Laha, 8, Kolkata