Travel by private bus deeper into the Thar Desert to the fortified town of Bikaner (approx 5 hrs). Once an important staging post on the great caravan routes, Bikaner still contains many bazaars within its impressive walls, as well as a superb fort and palace. Travel out to the 600-year-old Karni Mata temple, full of rats considered to be the reincarnation of followers of the Hindu goddess Durga. Locals believe that it's particularly auspicious if one of these holy rats runs over your bare feet - so if you're squeamish, you might have to stay outside!
Visit Junagarh Fort, which was built by Raja Rai Singhji, the sixth ruler of Bikaner (1571 to 1612 AD). In the evening, travel to a nearby farm and enjoy an evening of traditional Rajasthani food, music and dance. (Brochure)
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We leave the lovely town of Madawa and head further into the desert over a 1 1/2 lane bumpy road over terrain that reminds me of the desolate expanse of Wyoming. We cruise through small towns....pass other vehicles that leave little room for error (the Indian way of driving).......almost wipe-out a goat herd as they suddenly dart into the road...the best thing to do is to close your eyes...meditate or sleep!!
After a few potty stops, we reach our 1st destination, the 600-year-old Karni Mata temple...the rat temple. It turns out that today is a festival day and there are more visitors than usual. Since you must take off your shoes before entering the temple, we all proceed barefooted through a very uncomfortable walking experience...yuuckkk. The rats won't bite since they are well fed with grains and dishes of milk (skim milk, I think). Notice the couple where the man is leading a woman in a red sari...they are newly weds seeking the blessing of their gods.... the pictures convey our experiences...
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| Temple From Afar |
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| The Crowds Gather |
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| They Are So Big!! |
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| Drinking Milk |
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| Foloow-Me my Dear |
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| Marital Bliss |
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| Cleaning their Tootsies |
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| A Festive Occasion at the "Rat Temple" |
We arrive in Bikaner and proceed to our hotel, the Karni Bhawan Palace. Intrepid has done a great job in putting us up in excellent accommodations...clean and well appointed properties...many classified as "Heritage" meaning that they were once the residence of "Princes/Princesses) or Mughals. We unpack and head-out to visit the Junagart Fort. You would think that we would get tired of seeing another fort but each is different and has its own story to tell. What is unique about this fort is that has been maintained and still is the residence toone of India's last living rajahs.
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| Stairs...Stairs..Stairs |
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| King's Throne Area |
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| Princesses Viewing Screens |
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| Tiled Courtyard |
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| Ceiling Fresco |
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| Wall Fresco |
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| Arms and Shields |
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| Viewing Area |
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| More Beauty |
Our guide, Kuldeep, has promised us a special evening. First we go back to the Fort to witness the beginning of a 5 day festival. The woman are dressed to the "9s"...notice the number of red saris. The procession is short for it is the 1st day led by local dignitaries....
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| Crowd Gathers |
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| Dignitaries March-In |
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| Armed Escorts |
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| Adorned Camel |
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| Honored Guard |
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| Colorful Saris |
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| Colorful Ladies |
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| I Love Red |
After the short festival parade, Kuldeep tells us that we are going to a farm for dinner. "Kuldeep...what's the surprise?" keeps asking Leah...she like the kid in the back-seat asking the repetitive question..."are we there yet?". We drive for about a 1/2 hour into the county-side to have dinner at a farm house. After we arrive, we are served drinks and appetizers whilw a small local band and dancer entertain us...we settle down to enjoy the evening and wait for dinner. The surprise...we must dress-up as Indians for dinner and we all retreat to our respective dressing rooms...out we come as handsome "Rajahs" and lovely "Princesses". It's like "dress-out" day in grade school. We dance, enjoy dinner...dance some more before calling it a day.
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| Is This a Bra Strap |
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| Head Case |
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