Travelogue of Royal Jodhpur in heart of Desert

My soul was again obstinate for a”Ghummi” (Travelling).This time we decided to live in lap of desert close to nature.

Our first destination was Royal Jodhpur, the second largest city of Rajasthan, the Gateway to the mighty Thar Dessert! Once the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Marwar.

The Marwar region includes the present-day districts of Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagaur, and Pali. The people of this region are commonly known as Marwaris, as also the rare breed of horses which are only found in Jodhpur.

The trains to Jodhpur originate from Old Delhi Railway station.Distance between Delhi and Jodhpur is 619 Km. So we hired a taxi from Aligarh to Delhi.

Train arrived on platform in time as it originates from here, we kept our luggage on our reserved births.It was Mandaur express is a super Fast Express Train; it takes about 7 hours night journey upto Jodhpur.

The Blue City Jodhpur.

I wake up early in the morning, the train was passing through barren land, without any green. On the name of green there were dry thorny shrubs.Sun was rising in East, it was morning but sun rays were were turning wild.

My camera was in thirst to click the scenes.I could n’t wait more .The train entered in railway station of Jodhpur. I always prefer to stay in retiring rooms of Indian Railway. I feel here more comfortable than any commercial hotel.We have already got  reserves a deluxe  retiring  room.

It was the day of Holi, so we decided to stay in room till evening. After a shower bath and rest, went to canteen for breakfast .We were surprised to see the well managed, clean and a peacefull atmosphere of canteen hall. Tea and Coffee @Rs.10/= King size bread, Omelette @Rs 30/=and simple lucnch thali @Rs 6o/=

Kaylana Lake

In evening we hired a three wheeler @Rs 500/=to visit the city.Our firsr destination was Kailana Lake.When we reached lake, the angry sun was cool, a soft breeze welcomed us. The lake is spread over an area of 84 sq.km.

Kaylana Lake lies west of Jodhpur at a distance of around 8 km from the city.The artificial lake was constructed in 1872 on the site of two former palaces and gardens. Built by Pratap Singh, the then Prime Minister of Jodhpur.

The area around this lake was once full of wild bears. Owing to this, the area once served as a secured hunting place for the royal members. Here I clicked some good shots.

Masuriya Garden

The most striking feature of this garden is that it is situated at a height from where one can get a breathtaking view of Jodhpur from different corners.

There is a big statue of Veer Durgadas Rathore in Masuriya Garden.He is a famous folk hero of Marwar. Over the hills with the air breezy was awesome to hangout with family friends and kids.The top view of blue city was amazing and the garden too was beautiful !!Sun set is amazing from here.

Here I clicked some beautiful landscape of garden, a part of aerial view of Jodhpur city in lap of silence of sun set.After staying here about one hour we left to next destination in hired three wheeler.

Shastri Circle

He drove us to Shastri circle. It is beautiful local posh market, has many road side food stalls.  This place is  similar to Center point of our Aligarh as related to street food stalls.Many roads pass through here,in the mid of area,there was a  large circular  garden with fountains and colorful magical light with beautiful land escape and garden.

After our dinner, three wheeler left us on railway station, the place of our stay.After a shower, in retiring room, we went to dinning hall and refreshed us with a cup of Coffee.The first day of our journey in Jodhpur was over.

Second Day in Jodhpur.

After refreshing us, and breakfast in dining hall of railway station, we hired an auto rickshaw for Rs.500/= to see places of for tourists attraction. Our first place of visit was Umaid Bhavan.

Umaid Bhawan Palace.

It is located on top of of a high hill .One of the world's largest private residences. A part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh.Construction was started in the year 1929 and it was completed in 1943. The 347-roomed massive palace is named one of the largest private residences in the world.

The palace boasts of a combination of Indian and European style of architecture. A part of the palace still serves as a residence to the former royal family, while other two parts of the palace are converted into Taj Palace Hotel and museum.

The Palace was originally envisaged as a drought relief measure and the intention was to provide employment to over 3000 people afflicted by consecutive years of drought.

Mehrangarh Fort.

Beyond question, Mehrangarh Fort tops the list of ‘must visit’ places in Jodhpur. It is one among the largest Indian forts. This invincible fort stands magnificently 400 feet above the city.

Rao Jodha constructed the fort in 1459 AD. Though the attempt to construct the fort was started in 1459, the fort had seen many centuries before it was completed. Hence, you could find that the style of architecture represents various periods.

The grandeur in architecture is awe-inspiring. It offers stunning views of the city. The fort stands as a symbol of power.

Mehrangarh Fort is photographer’s heaven .My camera was hungry for beautiful clicks.I came back with my camera full of memories.

Jaswant Thada Overvie

The Jaswant Thada is an architectural marvel with intricate carvings. Famed as one of the most beautiful white marble cenotaphs, it was built in 1899 by Maharaja Sardar Singh in commemoration of his father Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.

This white marble wonder of Rajasthan is often called the Taj Mahal of Marwar. The splendid edifice is a perfect example of Rajputana style of architecture. Its impeccable design and architecture is symbolic of the fine craftsmanship of the bygone era.

The main memorial is built like a temple, with beautiful domes and finely carved sculptures. Visitors can see here beautiful portraits of the various rulers of Jodhpur. The complex also features a memorial of a peacock that flew into a funeral pyre. Magnificently carved gazebos, an exquisite multi-tiered garden and a small lake surround the cremation ground.

Now it was around 2.00P.M. We were hungry and tired. Asked driver to drop, us for lunch in a good hotel near railway station.We paid his rent and let him free to go.Ordered vegetarian thali meal.

One more Woow to see thali, roti (bread) well socked in pure desi ghee, fry daal, two dry vegetables, shahi paneer, curd, salad, pickles and one sweet. This rajasthani flavored meal thali costed only Rs.100/=.

After lunch we came back in our retiring room for rest.In evening I decided to visit local market.

Walk Around Sardar Bazaar at Ghanta Ghar

Even if you are not into shopping, this place is ideal to soak in the vibrant atmosphere and the rich colors on display.

Clock Tower is a famous landmark in the Old City. It was constructed by Maharaja Sardar Singh during his tenure between 1880 and 1911. The clock tower offers a good view of the fort.

Sardar Market is adjacent to Clock Tower. You can find handicrafts, saris, spices, vegetables and a lot more. There are over 7000 shops and you can have a great shopping experience here.

I was amazed to see that a number of foreigners were walking here with their cameras busy in clicking the vibrant colored local people, road side shops and food vendors.

A walk around Sardar Bazar was really a life time memory for me.I photographed here and captured technicolor atmosphere here.

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The Tragic End of Marie Antoinette: The last queen of France

The Tragic End of Marie Antoinette: The last queen of France

Marie Antoinette (1755–93), was the last queen of France who helped provoke the popular unrest that led to the French Revolution and to the overthrow of the monarchy in August 1792.

She was the youngest daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa, born 1755.Marriage was arranged between Marie Antoinette and Louis XV’s grandson to create and hold an alliance between Austria and France.

Marie Antoinette became a symbol of the excesses of the monarchy and is often credited with the famous quote "Let them eat cake," although there is no evidence she actually said it. As consort to Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette was beheaded nine months after her husband by order of the Revolutionary tribunal. She was 37 years old.

Marie soon became involved in the extravagance of French court life, attending lavish balls and gambling. Her husband, however, shied away from public affairs. The couple would not consummate their marriage until seven years later – this became a popular matter of discussion and ridicule both at court and among the public.

King Louis XV died on 10 May 1774 after contracting smallpox. Marie, who was not yet 19 years old, became Queen of France when her husband inherited the throne as King Louis XVI. Marie gave birth to the couple’s first child, Marie Thérèse Charlotte, in December 1778.

Marie Antoinette

King Louis XVI and the French Revolution

France experienced poor harvests during the 1780s, which consequently increased the price of grain, and the government faced mounting financial difficulties. As a result, Marie’s lavish lifestyle at court came under attack. Numerous pamphlets and satires were distributed across the country demonstrating peoples’ disgust towards the queen’s extravagant spending.

King Luis xi of France

During the French Revolution, the monarchy deteriorated and in 1789 the royal family was eventually imprisoned in their own palace. Marie had planned to flee France with her family and return to her birthplace of Austria, but they were captured during the attempt and taken prisoner.

The French Revolution completely changed the social and political structure of France. It put an end to the French monarchy, feudalism, and took political power from the Catholic Church.

It brought new ideas to Europe including liberty and freedom for the commoner as well as the abolishment of slavery and the rights of women.

Although the revolution ended with the rise of Napoleon, the ideas and reforms did not die. These new ideas continued to influence Europe and helped to shape many of Europe's modern-day governments.

Louis XVI’s policy of not raising taxes and taking out international loans, including funding the American Revolution, increased France’s debt, setting in motion the French Revolution. By the mid-1780s the country was near bankruptcy, which forced the king to support radical fiscal reforms not favorable with the nobles or the people.

Louis XVI declared the Assembly null and void and called out the army to restore order.Public dissension grew, and a National Guard formed to resist the King's actions.By July 1789, he was forced to acknowledge the National Assembly's authority.

On July 14, riots broke out in Paris and crowds stormed the Bastille prison in a show of defiance toward the King. The day is now commemorated in France as a national holiday and the start of the French Revolution.

For a time, it seemed that Louis XVI could soothe the masses by saying that he would accept to their demands. However, he accepted bad advice from the nobility's hard-line conservatives and his wife, Marie Antoinette. He talked of reform but resisted demands for it

King Luis xi and Queen Marie Antoinette

Escape Attempt of Marie Antoinette

The royal family was forcibly transferred from Versailles to Paris on October 6, 1789. Louis ignored advice from advisers and refused to abdicate his responsibilities as king of France, agreeing to a disastrous attempt to escape to the eastern frontier in June 1791. He and his family were brought back to Paris, and he lost all credibility as a monarch.

Execution of Queen Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed for treason. Louis had failed to address France's financial problems, instigating the French Revolution that eventually descended upon him.

He made matters worse by often escaping to more pleasurable activities like hunting and locksmithing. Modern historians attribute this behavior to a clinical depression that left him prone to paralyzing indecisiveness.

On September 21, 1792, the Legislative Assembly proclaimed the First French Republic. That November, proof of Louis XVI's secret dealings and counter-revolutionary intrigues was discovered, and he and his family were charged with treason. Louis was soon found guilty by the National Assembly and condemned to death.

Trail of Marie Antoinette

Louis XVI was guillotined in the Place de la Révolution on January 21, 1793. His wife, Marie Antoinette, met the same fate nine months later, on October 16, 1793. Their young son, Louis-Charles, died in prison where living conditions were horrible. Daughter Marie-Thérèse was released from prison in December 1795 into the custody of her family in Austria.

Note---this story “the tragic end of marie antoinette: the last queen of France”,has been prepared with help of various articles and photos available on net,with great thanks to original writers.

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Travelogue of Ajmer: The City of Spirituality.

It is an old saying that:--“Only he travels to Ajmer, who are called by Khawaja Saheb”. Perhaps it was a call of Holy sprit from Ajmer”, that I was in a holy trip of Ajmer the city of spirituality.

After a shower, we came down stairs, out side Railway station for lunch. In a near by hotel we took our lunch.  During travelling I prefer vegetarian meal .Wow the same Rajasthani style of meal. Chapatis (bread) soaked in desi ghee.

An Arial view of City Ajmer from Tragadh Fort

Do you know: Even the first contacts between the Mughals and the British occurred in Ajmer when Sir Thomas Roe met with Emperor Jahangir here in 1616?

Taragarh Fort.

Taragadh Fort is most spectacular monuments in Ajmer, which should not be missed by any tourist. Taragarh is the main hill looming over the city of Ajmer.

The fort on top of this hill dates back to at least 11th century AD and came to be known as Taragarh fort. During the Mughal and Sultanate period, there were many wars that were fought here and the fort served as a key military base

Now it is known for the dargah of Miran Shah, a governor who was killed in one of these wars at the hands of Rajput warriors.

He is refereed to as shaheed and it is his mazaar that many pilgrims come to visit. This is Ajmer's little hiking spot. The view from the hill makes a visit to Taragarh fort worthwhile.The bird's eye view of the city below is a vantage point that stays in your memory.After one hour stay and offering fateha on mazar shareef of Hazrat Miran Shah (R.A), we hired a shared taxi and back down in city.

From Roads of Ajmer

Ana Sagar Lake.

Legend of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti (R.A).When the saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chish

ti (R.A) arrived in Ajmer, he and his followers were banned from using water from Ana Sagar. He requested to get a cup of water that was granted.

When the cup was filled the water of the lake got dried up miraculously. People requested to return the water, the saint gracefully did so. Since then Moinuddin Chishty got multitude of followers.

It was constructed by Anaji Chauhan, the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan by excavating as a dam on in early 12 Th century as a dam on river Loni.The lake carries its name from Anaji.

We then headed towards the Ana Sagar Lake; the beauty of the lake was accentuated by the setting sun. The lake also has a boating option; however we decided to just enjoy the beauty from the sides. We could also see a small group of local musicians playing Qawwali.

It was a perfect time to be on this lake. People from all walks of life were having the pleasure of sitting and walking on the garden or on the banks. The reflections on the surface of the water were creating a mesmerizing spells.

Bara Dari of Ana Sagar Lake

We stood motionless for some time and admired the beauty of the nature. The silhouette against the setting sun was absolutely picturesque. I felt that sometimes, cameras cannot capture the real beauty and colorful display of the nature.

We saw people throwing bread-crumbs, rice flakes and other edible items into the lake. Immediately, we guessed the presence of fish in the lake.

At that time, a small group of young children was sitting on the banks of the lake and singing a “quwwali” in the name of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti alias Garib Nawaz.

Qawwali in Bara Dari of Ana Sagar Lake

When we came out of the Ana sagar Lake, it was a perfect time for an evening snack. The street food stalls, that we had avoided so far, ultimately dragged us into their charm of spicy mouth watering Pni Puri, Dal Kachauri and finally cold and sweet ice cream with faluda.

The day gets ready for a gorgeous end as the powerful sun rays turn in to warm cover for the cold breeze.

Dargah of Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti (R.A)

Born in Afghanistan in 1156, Khwaja Muin-ud-Din Chishti (R.H), India’s most revered Muslim saint began his religious career at the age of 13.

Dargah-Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti (R.A) in Ajmer

On his travels, he soaked up the teachings of the great Central Asian Sufis, whose emphasis on mysticism, ecstatic states and pure devotion as a path to God were revolutionizing Islam during this period. Khawaja Sahib and his disciples settled in Ajmer at the beginning of the thirteenth century.

Our next destination was “Dargah Sharif” for which Ajmer is famous. We hired a three wheeler. Distance of Dargah sharif and Ana Sagar is about 2 Km.He left us at Delhi gate, and told us we could walk straight to the Sharif shrine ahead.

When I looked at the crowd my resolve wavered but we somehow proceeded to the entrance. I could see a lot of threads tied to the jali. You come back and untie them if your wish comes true.

I was carrying my small backpack which had my camera, a few lens and all valuables. A back pack or any other luggage is not allowed. The lady police at the entrance of the Nizam Gate was very polite and friendly. She told to deposit all goods with camera out side.

As I was walking barefoot my feet were a mess. But there is a water tank inside where you can clean your feet before entering the main shrine and I happily freshed my wazoo to physically purify for a Fateha, Dua and Namaz.

It is my faith that it is power of Allah to grant “yes” to wishes and duaen of evry human. I offered my Fateha on grave of Khawaja saheb, asked Allah to make true my wishes .Ameen.

Now it was time of isha prayer, I entered in masjid adjacent to main shrine chamber .This was a beautiful masjid built by Gt. Moghul king Shahjahan.

If you have time, make sure you attend a ‘qawwali’ (musical performance) at the dargah, usually held on every Thursday and Friday evening. These melodious performances include verses sung in praise of the Prophet and various Sufi saints.

It is bad habbit of officials and care takers of Dargah to ask and exchange mony at every step. I did’t obliged them.This tradition must be banned.It leaves a bad impression of spiritual places.

I cold’t stop my carving of a non veg foods .All hotels were full of devotees; we waited few minutes to get seats.we ordered  Butter chicken , chiken fry ,chicken masala biryani and tandoori roti. Food was taisty and spicy.

Dinners are incomplete without some sweets. We stopped on a sweet shop. It was difficult to choose a sweet from dozen varieties of sweets; we ordered “Ras malaee” ,and packed famous Hawa Sohan of Ajmer. Hired an auto and reached retiring room at railway station for night stay.

Second Day

We had half day more to stay in Ajmer. Our next destination From Ajmer was Jaiselmer.We decided to see Adhai Din ka Jhopra , which is situated near dargah.

Adhai Din ka Jhopra

The Adhai-Din-Ka-Jhonpra, The two and half days Masjid, legend said the constructed was constructed in 2.5 days.

Dhai Din Ka jhopra-in Ajmer

According to legend, after defeating Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain, Shahabuddin Ghori passed through Ajmer. There he ordered his slave general Qutb-ud-Din-Aibak to construct a Masjid — all within 60 hours (that is, two-and-a-half-days).

The artisans could not build a complete Masjid in 60 hours time, but constructed a brick screen wall where Ghori could offer prayers. Another theory says that this mosque hosts a two-and-a-half-day fair and hence the name, but no one really knows how this name came.  By the end of the century, a complete mosque was built.

Railway Station of Ajmer

End of itinerary of AJMER...Next destination Jaiselmer. The train to Jaiselmer was scheduled to depart at 1.30 P.M. packed our luggage, stepped down at platform in wait of train.

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Diary of young Girl Anne Frank: Secrets of Second World War

Who Was Anne Frank

Anne Frank was a German-Jewish teenager. She was Born Annelies Marie Frank on June 12, 1929, in Frankfurt, Germany, to Otto and Edith Frank. He was forced to go into hiding in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, Holland during the Holocaust.

Anne Frank’s father Otto Frank had been a lieutenant in the German army in World War I and then became a businessman. Anne's sister, Margot, was three years older.

Shortly after receiving a diary for her 13th birthday,Anne Frank started recording entries on June 14, 1942, and she continued writing down her impressions while confined with her family and four other fugitives as they hid behind a bookcase in a concealed attic space in her father's office building.

Fleeing Nazi persecution of Jews, the family moved to Amsterdam and later went into hiding for two years. During this time, Frank wrote about her experiences and wishes. In 1945 the family was found and sent to concentration camps, where Frank died at the age of 15.

She was designated to be erased from the living, to leave no grave, no sign, and no physical trace of any kind. Her fault—her crime—was having been born a Jew, and as such she was classified among those who had no right to exist: not as a subject people, not as an inferior breed, not even as usable slaves.

One month before liberation, not yet sixteen, she died of typhus fever, an acute infectious disease carried by lice. The precise date of her death has never been determined.

The house ,where Anne Frank with her family was caged in 

She and her sister, Margot, were among three thousand six hundred and fifty-nine women transported by cattle car from Auschwitz to the merciless conditions of Bergen-Belsen, a barren tract of mud.

The “Diary” Anne Frank received for her 13th birthday was actually an autograph book.

It was first published in Germany and France in 1950, and after being rejected by several publishers, was first published in the United Kingdom in 1952. The first American edition, published in 1952 under the title Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, was positively reviewed.

The book was successful in France, Germany, and the United States, but in the United Kingdom it failed to attract an audience and by 1953 was out of print. 

It’s most noteworthy success was in Japan, where it received critical acclaim and sold more than 100,000 copies in its first edition. In Japan, Anne Frank quickly was identified as an important cultural figure, who represented the destruction of youth during the war.

Its immense popularity inspired award-winning stage and movie versions.

Otto Frank in the attic of Anne Frank House,Amsterdam,1960.Arnold Newman Collection

The young girl's entries were made in the form of letters to several imaginary friends and she also employed pseudonyms to conceal the identities of her fellow fugitives and accomplices. Like many other normal teenagers. 

Anne agonized over her conflicted feelings about her family and a possible romantic interest, as well as her evolving thoughts about life. But her extraordinary depth and fine literary ability, combined with her optimism in the face of such adversity made her account a literary and historical treasure.

"It's a wonder I haven't abandoned all my ideals," she wrote shortly before her arrest. Anne was a lively and talented girl, expressing her observations, feelings, self-reflections, fears, hopes and dreams in her diary. Her words resonate with people all around the world."

Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart… I see the world being slowly transformed into a wilderness; I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too.

I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more.

Anne would end up spending two years and one month closeted in the hideaway, before the group was betrayed and sent off to concentration camps. Of the eight persons in hiding in the attic, only her father would survive. Anne succumbed to typhus in Belsen-Belsen in March 1945. She was just fifteen.

A family friend later retrieved the diary from the attic and presented it to Anne's father after the war. Upon reading it, Otto Frank persevered to get it published.

  

To date the book has sold more than 30 million copies in 67 languages. The original manuscript was bequeathed to the Netherlands Institute for War Documentation.

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Note—This blog has been written with help of different materials, sources, articles and photos available on net with thanks.

Is It The Same Chai, Which Runs In Our Body As Blood?