Rural India - Heart of India
If you "Want Real - Go Rural" in India.
While visiting the Pink city of Rajasthan - Jaipur, I thought of exploring the rural side of Incredible India. I had options like Mandawa, Mehnsar, Fetehpur, Khuri etc. However, I opted for Samode, a small village situated about 40kms from Jaipur which gave me an earthy feeling of rural Rajasthan. Presenting the true image of arduous life of desert people, Samode is known for its royal palaces, historical monuments and cultural heritage - factors that can delight even the most skeptical traveller.
Venturing through the dusty, narrow road from Jaipur to Samode in a car, I started my bumpy journey to experience the incredible diversity and charm of "Marwari" hospitality. Views like groups of sheep, cows and buffaloes being herd by local people dressed in their colourful ethnic wear, people working in the farms; cattle herding, women from ethnic community carrying water in pots on their heads were common on the way. Home away from home.
Opting for a home stay to get 'PURE' rural experience is cheaper and suitable for families, groups, couples and single lady travellers. In Samode, you can be assured of your safety as all the home-stays are registered with the state tourism board. I stayed with Kumawat family comprising of 6 members (Raj Kumawat - father, his wife and 4 kids namely Juicy, Frooti, Mango and Chiku... funny names but cute!)
The family conversed in local language among them but spoke in English with me. However, it was fun to learn their language and try to speak with them in bits and pieces. I felt as home and became one of the family members by evening. The hot and delicious food was served right from the chuhla (small stove) to my plate. Even I tried my hand at cooking Dal Baatis - the staple food of Rajasthan. Sleeping on the rooftop, moving your hand over your overfilled tummy, gazing at the endless sky and countless stars is an experience of a lifetime which still makes me smile.
Next morning starting my rural expedition with a local guide, I first choose to visit the biggest attraction of the village – Samode Palace, a 500 years old haveli converted into a five star hotel. Redefining 'Royalty', the structure is a fusion of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. The frescoes in the Durbar hall and in the Sultan Mahal are said to be 250 years old.
However, the Sheesh Mahal was my favourite of all which was decorated using mosaics created by mirrors. It is said that during olden days, a single candle was able to light up the entire room due to these endless mirrors which created reflection of that single candle. My guide informed me that there are some 40 royal weddings booked at the Palace from October to December this year.
Rural Samode will offer you an experience of royal Rajasthan along with the flavour of local lifestyle. One can have a hands-on experience in learning traditional cooking, making lac bangles, partaking in farming in local farms and even milking the cows. I was surprised to know that despite a prevalence of apparent poverty among the local people, they stitch a bond of colourful, happy and proud community with their own way of gregariousness which is missing in today's fast moving world. Being an adventure lover, I also explored the wild territory of Samode by trekking on close by Aravali Mountains and watching variety of birds, lizards, insects and even —snakes.
While visiting the Pink city of Rajasthan - Jaipur, I thought of exploring the rural side of Incredible India. I had options like Mandawa, Mehnsar, Fetehpur, Khuri etc. However, I opted for Samode, a small village situated about 40kms from Jaipur which gave me an earthy feeling of rural Rajasthan. Presenting the true image of arduous life of desert people, Samode is known for its royal palaces, historical monuments and cultural heritage - factors that can delight even the most skeptical traveller.Venturing through the dusty, narrow road from Jaipur to Samode in a car, I started my bumpy journey to experience the incredible diversity and charm of "Marwari" hospitality. Views like groups of sheep, cows and buffaloes being herd by local people dressed in their colourful ethnic wear, people working in the farms; cattle herding, women from ethnic community carrying water in pots on their heads were common on the way. Home away from home.
Opting for a home stay to get 'PURE' rural experience is cheaper and suitable for families, groups, couples and single lady travellers. In Samode, you can be assured of your safety as all the home-stays are registered with the state tourism board. I stayed with Kumawat family comprising of 6 members (Raj Kumawat - father, his wife and 4 kids namely Juicy, Frooti, Mango and Chiku... funny names but cute!)
The family conversed in local language among them but spoke in English with me. However, it was fun to learn their language and try to speak with them in bits and pieces. I felt as home and became one of the family members by evening. The hot and delicious food was served right from the chuhla (small stove) to my plate. Even I tried my hand at cooking Dal Baatis - the staple food of Rajasthan. Sleeping on the rooftop, moving your hand over your overfilled tummy, gazing at the endless sky and countless stars is an experience of a lifetime which still makes me smile.
Next morning starting my rural expedition with a local guide, I first choose to visit the biggest attraction of the village – Samode Palace, a 500 years old haveli converted into a five star hotel. Redefining 'Royalty', the structure is a fusion of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. The frescoes in the Durbar hall and in the Sultan Mahal are said to be 250 years old.
However, the Sheesh Mahal was my favourite of all which was decorated using mosaics created by mirrors. It is said that during olden days, a single candle was able to light up the entire room due to these endless mirrors which created reflection of that single candle. My guide informed me that there are some 40 royal weddings booked at the Palace from October to December this year.
While moving out of the Palace, I spotted a French couple enjoying and at the same time getting terrified with their elephant ride which is one of the royal experience you can indulge in. Musical evenings
Unlike cities, rural India has a very different and traditional nightlife. The best way to enjoy evenings in Samode is opting for local Kalbeliya dance performance which is considered to be the most sensuous dance forms of Rajasthan. I was delighted by watching the graceful dance, colourful outfits of dancers, sitting on the cool sand under the moonlight, getting indulged in local music, looking at the smiling faces of people around me and few puffs of traditional hukka.
Rural Samode will offer you an experience of royal Rajasthan along with the flavour of local lifestyle. One can have a hands-on experience in learning traditional cooking, making lac bangles, partaking in farming in local farms and even milking the cows. I was surprised to know that despite a prevalence of apparent poverty among the local people, they stitch a bond of colourful, happy and proud community with their own way of gregariousness which is missing in today's fast moving world. Being an adventure lover, I also explored the wild territory of Samode by trekking on close by Aravali Mountains and watching variety of birds, lizards, insects and even —snakes.
Samode, being my first encounter with rural India truly exceeded my expectations. The emblematic hospitality at homestay indeed made for a memorable holiday, far from what I have expected from the royal corner of 'Incredible India'. Come on; experience a lifestyle still untouched by the hands of modernity. A life still veiled from electricity, where you might have to fetch your own pail of water...
Go Rural: Know Rural
· Always wash hands and drink packed bottled water. Do check for ISO mark and seal on the bottle.
· Sunscreen lotions, hats, shades and mosquito repellent creams are must carry for rural Rajasthan
· Electricity is an issue in Samode. Remember to have enough camera batteries with you for capturing your Kodak moments.
MUST DO: Shopping silver jewellery from Stonex Gems Work, buy lac bangles from local market, drinking tea at Yadav Tea stall, camel rides over the sand dunes and hot air ballooning over Samode Palace.
MUST SEE: Mahar, a small village about 1.5 km from Samode with a history of over 1000 years can prove to be an engaging destination for history buffs.
For any other assistance, please write to info@ultimatetourism.com or call us on +91 9920597307 in India.
Comments
Post a Comment