Karan’s Guest House

The Stone Carvers

On Jaipur-Agra Highway (NH.11) near sikandra on both sides of the high way(For approximately 6 kms)you will see an open air market -shops selling wares made out of sand stone.Their forefathers built rajasthan’s fort’s and palace’s and temples and the colonial buildings in New Delhi and else where.

Now a days they make Jali’s,pillars,idols of various gods,fountains,likeness of birds and animals in stone.They make judicious use of modern machines and artisans in their work. Their work is in great demand in the various metros of India.
There are about 500 workshops where about 7000 workers carve stones for their livelihood.Most of the artisans are from the near by villages.Some workers are from other states also.Some 100 shops sell ready to buy stone artifacts.These are the sermons in stone of master masons of Sikandra.

In theses days of nuclear families and rushed life of metros and jobs which will take you any where in India you do not have the extended family to support each other in an emergency or when you want to go on holidays.So you have to take your pet with you on a holiday too.But if you can manage it leave your pet with friends or family or a pet sitting agency.It is a good idea.Just imagine the pleasure both of you will get when you go to pick up the pet after the holiday.

Dogs come in all sizes.The bigger they are the more difficult they will be to manage in strange places and among strangers.They are just one more child of whom you have to be doubly careful.Given it is not a chore it is a pleasure to look after the gentleman who just happens to be a dog.You will never even realize when your holiday will be hijacked by your pet.All decisions will revolve around the fact whether the establishment is dog friendly or not.One disgruntled owners refusal to entertain your pet can put a cloud over the whole holiday.

Dogs do get injured on holidays.You will always have to have him on a leash.When you take him to the hotel-you will definitely want him in your room-you will have to ensure that his paws and mouth are clean,you will have to take him out twice a day, maybe even clean up after him.What if he takes a dislike to a guest or one of the staff.He can be vociferously loud in showing his displeasure.

Bring your friend on a holiday with you only as a last resort.Ensure that he has had all his shots at the Vet’s. If you have a car and a driver-it will make your life simpler on the holiday with a pet.

Morning Walk

National Research Centre On Camels,Bikaner,is situtaed 8km from the city on an arid parcel of land over 2000 acres in size.This Camel breeding farm was established in 1960( though Man domesticated Camels about 3500 years ago).It provides 50% of the nations camels.Three breeds of Camels (one humped-Camelus Dormedarius) found here are jaisalmeri (known for speed),Bikaneri(known for load carrying capacity ) & dark colored camels from gujarat.It is also researching two humped Camels-Camelus Bactrianus-found in the cold desert of Nubra Valley of Laddakh region.

NRCC has been able to cryopreserve camel semen,breed camels by artificial insemination and transfer  camel embryos among other arcane research.

Research on the shelf life and the therapeutic value  of camel milk has led NRCC to provide ice cream,flavoured milk,Kulfi and curd in its Milk Bar on the campus.NRCC has also developed a cosmetic cream made from camel milk.Camel bones are being used in place of Ivory.Camel leather is used to make items which are in great favour with the tourists.Foreign tourists greatly appreciate the camel and camel Cart rides.  

Recently URMUL Dairy of Bikaner has launched camel milk products through RCDF in Jaipur for the general public through their Saras Milk booths.These products are of great therapeutic value in people suffering from diabetes,pain in joints and tension.In Ethiopia it is considered  as an aphrodisiac.

Dairy farming of camel milk is also being done in the Sahara Desert in Africa  and  Dubai in Middle East.

Presently there are about 3.5 lac camels in Rajasthan.These numbers are decreasing alarmingly because of lack of fodder,grazing grounds,poor economic condition of the farmer and the fact that camels are slaughtered for its meat(tastes like rough beef) .

Maharaj Ganga Singh Ji formed the Bikaner Camel Corp which fought with the allies in both  WW I( Egypt) & WW II(Middle East).Bikaner had had a camel regiment since 1945.The Corp survives today as part of the Border Security Force.

It is said that when  Maharaj Pabu ji of Kolu wanted to gift his sister with some camel cows,on the occasion of her marriage, imported from Sri Lanka, he entrusted the task of delivering and day to day upkeep to Ridmal Raika. Ever since The Raikas consider the Camels as no less than their Gods.

 So if you would like to do your bit to save this ship of desert- have a Glass of Camel Milk Everyday.

6 Kms. from  Bandikui railway station in Dausa District (62kms from Jaipur off Jaipur-Agra Highway) is Abhaneri-an ancient town best known nowadays for the 8th century stepwell and Harshat mata Temple.This ancient city is said to be the capital of Nikumbh Rajputs before they founded Alwar.Some 1000 years old this is one of the sites chosen for the rural tourism project by the Co-operative Department along with Bichoon( If successful this project will encompass about 26 villages in 15 districts).These villages will be known as Tourist Dhanis.

At present only day tours are proposed.Tourists will be welcomed in the rajasthani village style and offered a glimpse in  the day to day life of a rajasthani villager.Their food,games,dances and songs and customs and costumes all will be on display.Far from the Five star culture of the metros this will be a unique experience for the jaded tourist of today.They will also be given bullock cart or camel cart rides.Camel/Horse safaries and overnight stays will be on request.

The main attraction of Abhaneri are Chand Baori and Harshat Mata Temple.Built by Raja Chand of Nikumbh Rajputs of Chauhan dynasty during 8th and 9th century.

The temple,built in Mahameru style-situated on a double platform, was a shrine to the standing idol of Durga which was said to be stolen  some time back.The local people have installed an idol of Goddess Laxmi.A three day annual fair is held in honour of Harshat Mata. 

Chand Bori-earliest step wells of Rajasthan-is the most magnificent example of architecture of india.It is about 100 feet deep and square shaped.There is a veranda on all four sides.There are steps on three sides.About 3500 in number they are steep and narrow with 13 landings.These steps produce such a psychedelic effect that it is not possible to retrace you steps.People say that  a  tunnel connects Chand baori with the baori in Bhandarej village and further to  Bubaniya Kund in Aluda.

                      Jaipur (IV)

Here in Jaipur the old and new worlds meet;

The forts,the temples,and the palaces

Look out on legislative offices

And schools and hospitals.This wide grave street

Worn by three centuries of slippered feet

And tripping pads of camels branches out

In roads that go impartially to meet

Old pleasure-gardens and new factories.

Here is a future growing from past beauty

Owning past inspiration-and a duty

To all men of all trades to build a city

Known for flourish of its industries;

Its roads made smooth for ordinary men

And knowledge climbing stairs to soar again.

R.N.CURREY,INDIAN LANDSCAPE:A BOOK OF DESCRIPITVE POEMS,PUB.ROUTLEDGE,LONDON,1947

R.N.Curry spent three years in India and was prize winner of Lord Wavell’s All India Poetry Competition.

aipur

A Princess Remembers:The Memoirs of The Maharani of Jaipur By Gayatri Devi , Santha Rama Rau

The Last Maharaja: A biography of Sawai man Singh II,Maharaja Of Jaipur by Quentin Crewe

Building Jaipur:The Making of an Indian City By Vibhuti Sachdev

History Of The Jaipur City by Ashim k. Roy

A History Of Jaipur, C.1503-1938 by Jadunath Sarkar,Raghubir Sinh

Jaipur The Last Destination by Aman Nath,Samar Singh Jodha

Reversing The Gaze:Amar Singh’s Diary,A Colonial Subject’s Narrative of Imperial India By Amar Singh,Susanne Hoeber Rudolph,Loyd I. Rudolph and Mohan Singh Kanota

Jaipur And Its Environs by Harnath Singh Dundlod

The Relations Of Jaipur State With East India Company,1803-1858 byH.C.Batra

Notes On Jaipur ByH.L.Showers

Homage To Jaipur by Mulk Raj Anand

Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur Life And Legend by R.P.Singh,K.Raj Pal Singh

Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II Of Jaipur The Photographer Prince By Yaduendra Sahi

Jaipur Nama: Tales From The Pink City by Giles Henry Rupert Tillotson

Jaipur City Palace by Giles Henry Rupert Tillotson and Vibhuti Sachdev

Postage Stamps Of Jaipur byJ.R.M.Albrecht

A History Of Rajasthan By Rima Hooja

Travel

Rajasthan by Outlook Traveller Getaways

Jaipur City Map by The RTDC

Jaipur City Guide

Cookery

Marwari Kitchen Published By Roli Books

Cooking Delights of Maharajas:Exotic Dishes from the princely house of Sailana by Digvijay Singh

Newspapers

Rajasthan Patrika

www.rajasthanpatrika.com

Dainik Bhaskar

www.bhaskar.com

Times Of India, Jaipur Edition

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Hindustan Times,Jaipur

http://www.hindustantimes.com

Web Portals

www.jaipurshop.com

http://www.pinkcity.net/

RTDC

http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/new/site/index.htm

There is a book store near you in Jaipur almost everywhere so buy a book and read it-that’s what they are there for.

Cafe Coffee Day,Gaurav Tower,( with Coffee Shop)

Cafe Coffee Day,M.I.Road,(Book Shop Only)

Barwara Book House,in Barwara House,near Ajmer Pulia,(2223042)

Books & News Mart,M.I.Road(2370252)

Books Corner,M.I.Road(2366323)

Bookwise,Mall 21,Bhagwandas Road(2364755)

Universal Books,M.I.Road(5105640)

Prakash Books,129,sunder Path,Banipark (5067175)

Book World,Rajasthan University Campus,(shopping complex)(2705773)

Rajat Book Corner,Narain Singh Road,near Trimurthy Circle(2568833)

Hindi Literature on the net
Hindi Poetry

BHOJPATRA
Hindi Prose

A Hindi Magazine

A Princess Remembers: The Memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur

In this day and age of globalisation when on holiday one does wonder-what to buy? What to take home?Because a franchisee is selling just the thing you are going to buy today back home too. What he can not sell you is the proud comment from your six year old-my mother got it for me when she went for  a business trip to Jaipur.So buy you must for somebody back home.Or for yourself-no harm came from spoiling ones self just a little bit.

Let us start in the walled city where it would seem all of Jaipur comes to shop all at once.

Tripolia Bazar - Stationery items,Utensils,Hardware,Tin Trunks

Badi Chaupar-Turbans,Tie and Dye Fabrics

Chandpole Bazar-Grocery and Electric goods,Pickles and Sherbets

Chaura Rasta-School and College Text books and Jaipuri Quilts,Namkins,Traditional ladies Tailors

Outside Hawamahal-Mojari,Handmade Crackers,Costume Jewellery 

Goplaji ka Rasta-Semi precious stones

Kashinath Ji Ki Gali-Wholesale Market for Wedding Cards

Lal Ji Sand Ka Rasta-Sarees(Lahareya), Ready-made Garments

Gheewalaon ka Rasta and Haldiyon Ka Rasta-Sweets,Churans,Supari

Pitaliyon Ki Galli-Jewelery,Garments,Indian snacks

Partaniyon Ka Rasta-Precious & Semiprecious Stones

Barah Gangaur Ka Rasta-Lac Bangles,Jaipuri Quilts,

Johri Bazaar -Jewellery,Textiles,Bandhani Sarees,Lehariya,Zari,Gota work

Agrasen Market, Johri Bazar,Sarees with Zardozee,Resham,Sequens work,Bhandej, Natural Georgette

Khajano Walon Ka Rasta-Marble Idols of various Gods

Maniharon Ka Rasta-Lac Jewelery and Bangles

Kishan Pole Bazar-Silver jewelery,Ayurvedic Medicines,Kites,Crackers,Cots

Bapu Bazaar & Nehru Bazar-Rajasthani Print Textiles,local perfumes,Suparies & Churans,Camel skin shoes.

Koli Basti-Carpets

Kumharon Ki nadi-Pottery

Nahargarh Road-Local musical Instruments

Raisar Plaza-Mobile & Computer Accessories & Readymade Garments 

M.I.Road-Jewelery,Ready-made Garments,Handicrafts,Books,Restaurants,Bangles,

Rajasthali-A Government Emporium offering all that is the best of Rajasthan in one place.

Chameliwala Market-Electricals, Silver items

Saraogi Mansion- Imported stuff,Sarees,Footwear,Cosmetics

Jayanti Market-Electronics,Electricals,Mobiles,Computers

Jalupura-Wholesale Iron Market,Second Hand Vehicles Sale Purchase and Modification.

Sanganer-Handmade paper,Block Print Sarees,Furnishings

Bagru-Vegetable Dye Block Print Sarees,Furnishings

Lavan-Colorful Daris

Besides these traditional bazars there are malls all over Jaipur which offer a particular item.And some shops are in colonies.If you shop in the day time(Happy Hours) when there is less rush some  Malls & Restaurants  give discounts or gifts.

Neerja International Inc.( 2224395)S-19 Bhawani Singh Road Blue Pottery Items Jewelery Top of The Line.