First Female Solo Trip to Rajasthan - 2021 - Part 1

So, I started my journey from Banaras to Jaipur #FaveState with an overnight train (22 hrs journey). Next morning, I arrived at Jaipur Railway Station, from there headed towards my hostel which is good place to stay for Solo Traveler, After completing daily rituals, i asked the mates about places to go, what not to do, as it was first solo trip so bit cautious about safety. After a good discussion, left for Hawa Mahel, i was amazed to see how beautifully the city scape looks in the evening time, after reaching Hawa Mahel, i loved its architecture, history and prestige, it took almost good 1.5 hours to experience this Giant. After i was done with it, hop on a bus shouting "Kukas - Kukas - Jal Mahel - Jal mahel". I took the bus to Jal Mahel to enjoy the dawn and it was AAAAALLLLL worth it. Best part is the Architecture how did they built such an magnificent and sustainable giant Mahel, This place is full of street food carts, chaiwala, vendors selling meenakari & silver jewelries, handmade Juttis & mojris and leharia & Bandhani dress material with Gota patti work, you can give them a try as they are super cheap yet looks classy. After enjoying a beautiful evening i headed back to hostel, enroute i took my dinner (the first meal of the day) at Gopi Pure Veg family restaurant which is 50 meters from Chauda Rasta. I took an E rickshaw to drop me at my place but as you know "Sab thik hote hote kuch teda hona hota hi hai" that Auto wala took wrong way to drop me at my hostel, i had many thoughts for safety concern as the clock hits 8 O' Clock all shops on the roads started to shut down and i was lost with an unknown Rickshaw wala. At last somehow i managed to reaching hostel and took deep breath, as in my city it does not get close by 8 O'clock. Aah! Day 1 well spent.

This morning, i woke up due to noise, my dorm was next to reception and someone was brewing coffee and shouting loud enough to wake me up. So i won't say i got up with a good note, I finished my daily routine and with a purpose to visit Amer Fort, City Palace and Nahargarh Fort (For best nightscape experience). Here is the tip if you are a student carry your id proof for concession in entry tickets (it helped me to save good money)

First stop was City Palace, trust me i loved the stories of Royal lineage, their great rulers of Mewar and the present generation. I won't be a spoiler if i tell you everything now, You need to experience it to feel the same what i felt. There are different sections where you would see the Main Museum, Armory, Visual Arts Gallery, Deewan - E - Aam and the Baradari Restaurant - An Aesthetic classic restaurant offers fine dine with the feel of mordern, affluent and royal. The interior has been designed to cater the high-end class people and foreigners willing to spend on that leisure but not suited for a backpacker. After the visit i just took a round of Jantar- Mantar and headed towards main road as i was very hungry, surprisingly i saw a street food joint which had very famous Rajasthani street food Mirchi Pakoda, Jalebi and Moong Dal Pakoda with green and red chutney. I taste everything which was available there and it was fulfilling lunch for me. Later on i took city bus to Amer and they have dropped me just in front of Amer fort, it is a massive structure with the artificial lake overlooking the fort and the Golden appearance which shines in direct Sunlight and makes it look more royal and elegant. I took a manual guide as to know the stories of the past. Total time required to visit Fort is around 2-3 hours. Here is a catch if you wish to visit Jaigarh take a short cut from Amer Fort its a good straight hike upto the entrance (Jaigarh can be skipped, if you want to go Nahargarh the same day). I went only to see the massive Cannon which story guide has narrated to me. By now i was discharged and couldn't visit Nahargarh fort due to wrong information (Tip - Nahargarh is open upto 10 PM, only entry is permitted upto 5 PM, so even if you reach by evening you can catch the Magnificent night scape of Jaipur). I hop on the Hawa Mahel Bus and took a Rickshaw to reach hostel.

This day started with the anger and frustration to be not able to experience the Sunset from Nahargarh, So i took metro to reach Badi Chaupad and from there went walking to Albert Hall & Museum via Bapu Bazaar (Main Market of Jaipur) and took a rickshaw to Nahargarh to and fro to Hostel (Always ask for Round trip as you won't get the public transport over the Fort for only return journey). I reached Nahargarh by 1 PM and waited for 5 hrs to catch Sunset view, it was too sunny, but patience is the key (I extended 1 more day just to visit Nahargarh, so i have to keep myself motivated). But Jaipur wants me to come back again to watch the nightscape, Rickshaw wala bhaiya couldn't wait anymore and asked to return, as i was also little worried as in Rajasthan Sunsets around 6:45 or 7 Pm and reaching hostel would too take 2 hrs, so i couldn't make it.

Tips to follow in Jaipur-

Don't take Rickshaws for shorter distance, take a walk

Avoid visiting Jaigarh Fort (No worth it)

Schedule City Palace, Amer Fort & Nahargarh Fort for a day schedule and Albert Hall for Night view (all lit with colorful lights)

Eat Local, Best street food is available at Hawa Mahal & Chauda Rasta

Do shop Leather Bags, its much cheaper than big brands and looks classy and elegant

To be continued.....