Whenever I sit down to write a travelogue I go blank or there is such a tsunami of thoughts dragging me into a challenge to put them all into a sizeable articulation worth a read! I see myself ready to take up this challenge now to write a travelogue about my visit to Rajasthan which has been inspiring, transformational and pride instilling to say the least. This is one of those stories I will make time to spread to the best of my ability...for this land has evoked this song in me I cannot resist singing...
Bikaner, Mandawa, Ranthambore, Mount Abu, Ajmer and Pushkar.
I have visited the top design houses but never was I so awestruck as much at a simple home-store in Jaisalmer village. This store had adorable hand made arts/crafts -- like hand woven sarees, hade made jewellry and hand stiched footwear for as less as INR 150. I couldn't resist asking how they are able to sell at that price and the answer I got was ...."We have a shelter above our head(referring to their simple yet tasteful house) and food to eat...we don't have any great wants. Our work is expression of our art and we share it with the world. That's why we can give at that price..."...I felt I was talking to a "Sun". Sun is a life giver and comes every day permeating life on this planet all for free. Similar was the magnanimity I could see in these people who spread their creative energy for literally free transcending material pursuits beyond basic needs. There are design houses who seek "Rich" customers and there are design houses which are just "Rich".
This is what real India for me is...we have in us ability to transcend the material world and manifest the qualities of the highest order humanity is capable of.
It is our responsibility not to let this talent die but ensure setting up framework to impart this art into the coming generations.
We have always enjoying spending time with the local engaging in conversations inquiring about the world they perceive, live and wish to grow into. One such conversation changed my the very definition of education I had in mind. While talking to the camel riders in the Thar desert, we tried to tell them how important education is and that they should ensure sending their children to schools encouraging them not to drop out mid way, so that it serves as a way to finding better prospects. They were honest to share their confess that many of them dropped out even before they completed 10th. The reasoned out logically that for them is learning farming or camel riding or learning arts/crafts or driving a jeep on sand dunes or learning a new language to serve as guide to foreign tourists as their means to earn a living. They highlighted that education has to be contextual and from their context the formal education available today from Govt or other educational boards did not offer much for them to quickly get to earning a living in their demography. They are able to earn a living through these contextual skills and they use home-schools or other informal schooling or some specialized schools to acquire the skills suitable for earning a earning a living and also growing prospectively in their land. You can say they have more "life skills" based "informal" education system but earns them a living. When you think about it, you would go "Bingo"! Education indeed has to be contextual from the perspective to earn a living and imparting the legacy of arts and crafts.
Also you will observe that they have not lost the DNA of our spirituality to find peace, contentment and even ecstasy in their living with what they have...
I come to a very interesting experience of this trip which was with our car booking. Our driver fell sick on 2nd day of our trip and the agency kept sending new driver every day as a back up so as to not let our trip get affected. But after few days they had trouble arranging drivers due to peak season and we had the owner come by himself as our driver. He along with his partners run a 600 crore business with the taxi and exports put together but he was humble and professional enough to come drive for us. He was chivalrous --opening doors for me or my daughter, he helped with the luggage, adapted to our schedules and all through played down his status perfectly molding himself into the role he was playing as a driver. Along the drive, he enlightened us on the export business he runs and this was even better than any classroom course we could have attended. These men are our pride . The professionalism and modesty he displayed has left us spell bound.
When you look at this metaphorically, you will be amazed to see that even our trees and mountains manifest the qualities of people born here. We Indians are so diverse...wild...do not conform to order...argumentative ...yet we are ethereal, spiritual, have ability to transcend material and physical world. You will see that soul and nature manifest even in our trees...grass...mountains and rivers. Whilst you can see how grass/plants/trees grow in such discipline/order in Europe like we see in the people there have maintained a sense of orderliness reflecting the nature of souls in that region.
All this only amplifies the creative intelligence there is in the creation of this universe.
I have yearned to see pride in Indians about our country and I had a treat in Rajasthan to see how proud each one is of India. For example: When we gave feedback on swachh bharat movement and that it is yet to take traction which can boost our tourism, they were quick to reply that Swachh bharat is indeed working --> They said now many of their villages have toilets in every home. They re-iterated that it is of higher priority to get sanitation in every home before building public toilets for tourists. I nodded in agreement.
I can go on and on...but will conclude with a very high recommendation to visit Rajasthan to treat yourself into creations of best mankind has to offers in arts, crafts, architecture, hospitality and holistic tourism experience.
I have come back transformed...I have come back feeling proud....I have come back knowing that which I couldn't without making this trip...and I will linger in this experience that is magical.
"Mera Bharat Mahan"
I don't know how many times I would have said " Mera Bharat Mahaan" during this trip. Firstly, Rajasthan tourism is world class and I was amazed to see qualified, well informed and enthusiatic guides available in English, Hindi, Dutch, Spanish, French etc covering the spectrum of most spoken international and national languages which is primordial for tourists to uncover the underlying stories behind every captivating image in your eye as you travel down this opulent land. Secondly you have good infrastructure especially connectivity through road, rail and air making the whole journey seamless and time efficient. Thirdly lots of heritage properties that offer the taste of Rajasthan's royalty, culture, art, craft and delicacies. In short Rajasthan epitomizes the quote - Incredible India!"Route"
Our route was Bangalore -> Jaipur(via air), Jaisalmer(via Indian Railways overnight train so that we don't lose a day. Note Jaipur to Jaisalmer is nearly 700km), Dechu, Jodhpur, Ranakpur, Kumbalgarh, Haldi Ghati, Udaipur, Chittorgarh(as a day trip from Udaipur), Ahmedabad -> Bangalore. We cover the journey over 11 days and in this route you have covered the highlights of Rajasthan and also giving reasonable time in each place to dwell. If you have more time(say another week) recommend visitingBikaner, Mandawa, Ranthambore, Mount Abu, Ajmer and Pushkar.
"Transcending Material world!"
We have heard so much about the yogis in this land who had the ability to transcend the material world reaching the spiritual emancipation. I have asked myself many times what does this mean? Should we renounce the material pleasures/desires? NO. It is to grow into an awareness of differentiating between life and the accessories for this life. Once this awareness sinks in, I could see what it looks like for real in a very interesting encounter with a villager.I have visited the top design houses but never was I so awestruck as much at a simple home-store in Jaisalmer village. This store had adorable hand made arts/crafts -- like hand woven sarees, hade made jewellry and hand stiched footwear for as less as INR 150. I couldn't resist asking how they are able to sell at that price and the answer I got was ...."We have a shelter above our head(referring to their simple yet tasteful house) and food to eat...we don't have any great wants. Our work is expression of our art and we share it with the world. That's why we can give at that price..."...I felt I was talking to a "Sun". Sun is a life giver and comes every day permeating life on this planet all for free. Similar was the magnanimity I could see in these people who spread their creative energy for literally free transcending material pursuits beyond basic needs. There are design houses who seek "Rich" customers and there are design houses which are just "Rich".
This is what real India for me is...we have in us ability to transcend the material world and manifest the qualities of the highest order humanity is capable of.
"Quintessence"
The architectural brilliance, avant-garde craftsmanship and imagination expressed in every piece of art me wonder why this is not numero uno as a tourist destination....Sigh! we have lots to do to market our heritage. It in unfair to compare but you will not be able to resist as you will encounter wonders far superior in every scale of measure than even the seven wonders!It is our responsibility not to let this talent die but ensure setting up framework to impart this art into the coming generations.
"(Contextual) Education"
We have always enjoying spending time with the local engaging in conversations inquiring about the world they perceive, live and wish to grow into. One such conversation changed my the very definition of education I had in mind. While talking to the camel riders in the Thar desert, we tried to tell them how important education is and that they should ensure sending their children to schools encouraging them not to drop out mid way, so that it serves as a way to finding better prospects. They were honest to share their confess that many of them dropped out even before they completed 10th. The reasoned out logically that for them is learning farming or camel riding or learning arts/crafts or driving a jeep on sand dunes or learning a new language to serve as guide to foreign tourists as their means to earn a living. They highlighted that education has to be contextual and from their context the formal education available today from Govt or other educational boards did not offer much for them to quickly get to earning a living in their demography. They are able to earn a living through these contextual skills and they use home-schools or other informal schooling or some specialized schools to acquire the skills suitable for earning a earning a living and also growing prospectively in their land. You can say they have more "life skills" based "informal" education system but earns them a living. When you think about it, you would go "Bingo"! Education indeed has to be contextual from the perspective to earn a living and imparting the legacy of arts and crafts.Also you will observe that they have not lost the DNA of our spirituality to find peace, contentment and even ecstasy in their living with what they have...
"PiKu"
I come to a very interesting experience of this trip which was with our car booking. Our driver fell sick on 2nd day of our trip and the agency kept sending new driver every day as a back up so as to not let our trip get affected. But after few days they had trouble arranging drivers due to peak season and we had the owner come by himself as our driver. He along with his partners run a 600 crore business with the taxi and exports put together but he was humble and professional enough to come drive for us. He was chivalrous --opening doors for me or my daughter, he helped with the luggage, adapted to our schedules and all through played down his status perfectly molding himself into the role he was playing as a driver. Along the drive, he enlightened us on the export business he runs and this was even better than any classroom course we could have attended. These men are our pride . The professionalism and modesty he displayed has left us spell bound.
"Finding bliss in your work -- out of the viscous circle of narcissism"
All through the trip we stayed in Heritage properties(these are usually old palaces or large mansions turned into hotels) where there would be folk music/dance would be performed in dining halls. The sound of music from one musician or I must say a demigod who had the mastery in playing santoor and sitar, left me with happy tears rolling down my cheeks even amidst the populace of jabbering crowd all around me. He awakened my placid soul making it dance in euphoria in the arena of my thoughts. He was immune to all noise around and did not care to exhibit his need for attention, appreciation or affirmation. He showed me how you could be in a world with or without audience yet blissful in your self and expression of this self."Indian Mountains...Indian trees...Indian grasslands...Indian soul"
When we were driving through the Aravali range of mountains and you will see how wild the flora and fauna grows around here. I compared it with Alps where you will see even the trees/grass all grow in certain order as if it was laid out by the creator.When you look at this metaphorically, you will be amazed to see that even our trees and mountains manifest the qualities of people born here. We Indians are so diverse...wild...do not conform to order...argumentative ...yet we are ethereal, spiritual, have ability to transcend material and physical world. You will see that soul and nature manifest even in our trees...grass...mountains and rivers. Whilst you can see how grass/plants/trees grow in such discipline/order in Europe like we see in the people there have maintained a sense of orderliness reflecting the nature of souls in that region.
All this only amplifies the creative intelligence there is in the creation of this universe.
I have yearned to see pride in Indians about our country and I had a treat in Rajasthan to see how proud each one is of India. For example: When we gave feedback on swachh bharat movement and that it is yet to take traction which can boost our tourism, they were quick to reply that Swachh bharat is indeed working --> They said now many of their villages have toilets in every home. They re-iterated that it is of higher priority to get sanitation in every home before building public toilets for tourists. I nodded in agreement.
I can go on and on...but will conclude with a very high recommendation to visit Rajasthan to treat yourself into creations of best mankind has to offers in arts, crafts, architecture, hospitality and holistic tourism experience.
I have come back transformed...I have come back feeling proud....I have come back knowing that which I couldn't without making this trip...and I will linger in this experience that is magical.
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