You may travel by a luxury tourist bus to get a different flavour to the capital of Rajasthan, called Jaipur, Clothed in pink stucco (in imitation of sandstone), wide-avenue Jaipur is one of the most important heritage cities in India. Here follow in the footsteps of the royal regime, because “The Pink City” as it is often called, is unlike any other pre-modern Indian city, in that the entire town was planned according to the principles of Hindu architectural theory.
The city is in fact built in the form of a nine-part mandala known as the Pithapada, which combined with wide streets makes for an unusually airy and orderly atmosphere. That the results of this urban planning have so endured to this day is nothing short of miraculous. Enter the heart of the mandala (on foot or by cycle rickshaw) and you are in the central palace quarter, with its sprawling Hawa Mahal palace complex, formal gardens and a small lake. The “Palace of Winds” was part of the City Palace, an extension of the Zenana or chambers in the complex. Its original intention was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen. Constructed of red and pink sandstone highlighted with white lime, the five-storied facade is peppered with many small windows. The breeze (hawa) that comes through the windows keeps it cool even in hot months, and gives the palace its name.
Drive to the rural village of Sawarda on this novice `Ecstasy India’ Holiday Package where you stay in a heritage home, and behold exploring this traditional village is like stepping back in time. The village is near Jaipur and has a very interesting tone as it has beautiful temples dedicated to different religions and also has a unique Sikh temple here. The residents of the village are still involved in age old commercial activities and you can see Bulls being used for taking out oil, potters on potter wheel, old gold and silver smiths, and cobblers. You may visit their very traditional huts, old temples and small stepwells Activities can include a tractor safari, Jeep safari or walk in the village and you can also join the village family in the Aarti or the evening prayer family), Sit with the sundowners on the sunset terrace or at their ochard and dine in the restored dining hall. Your accommodation would probably be arranged is 17th century rural fort which has now been restored. Amongst other things, this family run place also provides drinking water at nominal cost to the villagers and is a big relief during famines. With frescoed rooms, and a Series of terraces and courtyards, it has ample amount of areas to relax, unwind and take the heritage character of the place.
You may then travel to the rural village of Tordi Sagar, where you may walk with a native through the markets, potters, ironsmiths, temples and farms and understand the simplicity and rustic flavour of rural India. Enthuse yourselves with an adventurous and unique camel cart ride to the dunes or take a Jeep safari in the surrounding region, visiting hamlets around the rugged village of local tribals, ancient stepwells and a stunning sunset on the reservoir. An early morning hike to the old fortress is another great option. The pink city Jaipur capital of Rajasthan Travels one time here.