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Rural Rajasthan and Tribal Gujarat
With the Kartik Purnima and Vautha Tribal/Spiritual Fairs
October 27 – November 17 – 2014
After you have seen the Taj and visited the “Golden Triangle;” after the forts and castles of the glorious Maharaja period; maybe even after you have visited beautiful South India -‐ return to India to see the traditional rural lifestyles of the people. This tour ventures away from the chaos and congestion that India’s cities are known for and we step into the vast heartland of the fascinating states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. On this tour we attend two predominantly tribal fairs, just outside Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat. Both fairs have spiritual significance and traditional rituals. We stay in wonderful restored heritage properties with character and charm. Many of these are hosted by descendants of the royal families. There will be ample opportunities to interact with the local people. Oct 27 Day 1: Delhi Arrive Delhi, meet & transfer to Holiday Inn., near airport Oct 28 Day 2: Delhi – Alwar (160 km) Hilltop Kesroli Fort / (B,L,D) Enjoy a leisurely morning to relax after the long flight. We start our journey into Rajasthan with a drive to Alwar. Nestled in the Aravalli Hills, Alwar is one of the oldest cities in Rajasthan. Viratnagar and areas around Alwar have footprints of Stone Age men who lived in caves and drew sketches of animals on the walls. These prehistoric sites are an archaeologist's dream. On arrival, we check into hotel Kesroli Fort. The 14th century Hill-‐Fort, Kesroli is the oldest heritage site in India where you can stay. Sited atop the rare, dark Hornstone Breccia rocks, it commands splendid agrarian views from its ramparts that rise to 50-‐65 meters/ 150-‐200 feet. The origins of the seven-‐turreted Hill-‐Fort Kesroli are traced back to over six centuries. It is reputed to have been built by the Yaduvanshi Rajputs, descendants of Lord Krishna, who converted to Islam in the mid-‐14th century to be called Khanzadas. It subsequently changed hands, being conquered by the Mughals and the Jats before reverting to the Rajputs in 1775 when the princely state of Alwar was founded. It saw its golden period under the Ranawat Thakur Bhawani Singh (1882-‐1934), renowned for his equestrian skills. Kesroli makes an ideal base to visit the neighboring palaces, museums and sanctuaries of Alwar & Sariska. After lunch, we’ll visit Bala Quila and Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri in Alwar. Bala Quila meaning the ‘young fort’, also known as the Alwar Fort, is a large fort, over a hill top. From the city centre, the fort is located at a distance of 595 m and is clearly visible from the city. The extension of the fort from north to south and from east to west is 5 km and 2 km, respectively. Bala Quila consists of 15 large towers and 51 small towers. There are 446 holes for firing guns.. Apart from the large masonry works, the fort has many other structures inside it such as the Nikumbha Mahal Palace, which is built of Bengal caned marble pillars and balconies with lattice designs. Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri is the royal cenotaph of Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh and his Queen Rani Moosi. This striking monument is placed out side the main palace building. Based on a pillared sand stone, this double storied structure was built by Vinay Singh, which presents an eye catching spectacle to the viewer with its elephant structural design. Oct 29 Day 3: Alwar - Nawalgarh (Shekhawati) - Mandawa (165 km) / Castle Mandawa / (B,L,D) After breakfast we depart for Mandawa. Shekhawati is a semi-‐desert region in north Rajasthan and is situated in the triangle between Delhi-‐Bikaner-‐Jaipur. It takes its name after its ruler Rao Shekha. Shekhawati means the garden of Shekha. The towns of Shekhawati are known for their amazing painted havelis. This region is dubbed the "open art gallery of Rajasthan” for its plethora of painted havelis in rich artistic tradition. Most of the buildings are dated from the 18th century to early 20th century. The Shekhawati landscape is dotted with so many havelis that tracking them is something like a treasure hunt. Various forms of fine art adorn the walls and the ceilings of these structures, complimenting the otherwise flat and barren land. The havelis are noted for their frescos depicting mythological themes and that of huge animals. Some later-‐day frescos show the arrival of the British and highlight steam locomotives and trains, probably for the benefit of those members of the household who did not want to travel to distance places by train or see this newly introduced mode of transport. Nawalgarh, founded in the 18th century by Nawal Singh, has some of the finest frescos in the Shekhawati region. A huge fort with a colorful bazaar and numerous havelis with elaborate architecture makes it an interesting destination. We will visit some of the prominent havelis such as Anandilal Poddar Haveli, Aath Haveli and Hodh Raj Patodia Haveli. This afternoon we explore Mandawa by visiting the famous "The Open Air Art Gallery of Rajasthan" known for the plethora of plain red havelis, and this rich artistic region known as Shekhawati. The havelis, painted predominantly in blue, maroon, yellow green and indigo have beautiful wall paintings that adorn there walls. Our Accommodation: Castle Mandawa was founded in the mid-‐18th century. Mandawa’s skyline today is dominated by an imposing mirage-‐like fort, now a heritage hotel that is maintained in classic medieval themes with modern facilities. The archway is painted with interesting forms of paintings of Lord Krishna and his cow herds. The sprawling architecture houses a different theme in different wings. The spacious rooms are adorned by intricate interior wall paintings and mirror work with an open terrace that offers a panoramic view of the whole town. The women folk of the Mandawa family, who lived in a royal style, once used this floor. The ambiences of those years still linger around the rooms. The Mandawa family has a unique collection of their preserved paintings and antiques that adorn the main huge hall in the center of the castle, originally the durbar hall and now an exotic lounge. The ceremonial costumes of the family collection and the precious arms with handles of jade and beautiful curios brought by the British as a gift for the nobles are well placed like the showcase of a museum. The hotel is well equipped with modern facilities in an ethnic set-‐up. A night stay is an experience in itself with thematic evenings and medieval cuisine. Oct 30 Day 4: Mandawa – Chomu Village (170 km)/Hotel Chomu Palace / (B,L,D) After breakfast we depart for Chomu Village. En-‐route to Chomu, we shall stop to visit Samode Village and enjoy lunch at the Samode Palace. Continue 30 km further to Chomu village and check in to our hotel. Our accommodation: Chomu Palace, a reflection of the Royal Palaces of India, is a 300 year old elegant fortified palace hotel. It revives the gracious lifestyles of the princes of Rajasthan and the heritage of India. It is an authentic and historic palace that discreetly blends with the modern amenities and facilities. This historic monument is designed according to the Indian Vastushastra philosophy. Oct 31 Day 5: Chomu Village – Kishangarh (120/3 hrs km) / Phool Mahal / (B,L,D) This morning’s drive brings you to Kishangarh, a sleepy town about 27 km from Ajmer, founded by Kishan Singh, a Rathore prince in the first quarter of the seventeenth century. En-‐route to Kishangarh, we shall visit Roopangarh Fort, which houses a good number of exquisite miniature paintings with the deities and the religious epics as their subjects. A pointed arched gateway adorned with painted elephants and guards, offers entry into the fort. On arrival, check in to the hotel. Kishangarh is a treasure trove of art and handicrafts. The town claims one of India’s foremost schools of miniature paintings, founded in the 18th century. One of the most famous paintings representative of this school is that of Radha, Krishna’s consort who is portrayed as an exceptionally beautiful woman with enamoring almond eyes. The Bani Thani style of miniature painting in Kishangarh went through a spurt of excellence under Nihal Chand -‐ painter in court of Raja Sawant Singh. Today Kishangarh is renowned for its wholesale market of red chilies, marble and granite cutting industry and a cotton weaving center. The handicraft of Kishangarh has earned a name for itself in the world market. On arrival, check into hotel and enjoy lunch at the hotel restaurant. After lunch, explore Kishangarah village, visiting the school of miniature paintings, galleries and bazaars. Late afternoon, an excursion to Pushkar (approx 20-‐25 min drive each way). Enjoy a walking tour of the small holy town that surrounds the holy lake. We visit Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. It is marked by a red spire, with the hans, or goose, symbol of Brahma, over the gateway. We shall wander about the fair grounds and see the camel herders and nomads arriving and preparing for the Pushkar Camel Fair that officially starts in four days. Our accommodation: The Phool Mahal, was constructed in 1870. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and located in close proximity to the Kishangarh Fort, it offers grand views of the Fort and Gundalo Lake. Nov 1 Day 6: Kishangarh - Bundi (172 km) /Hadoti Palace / (B,L,D) This morning we drive to Bundi, an oasis in the desert state, a serene civilization far from the maddening crowds and chaos. In ancient times, the area around Bundi was apparently inhabited by various local tribes, of which the Parihar Meenas were prominent. Bundi and the eponymous princely state are said to derive their names from a former Meena king called Bunda Meena. Bundi was previously called “Bunda-‐Ka-‐Nal", Nal meaning “narrow ways”. Later the region was governed by Rao Deva Hada, who took over Bundi from Jaita Meena in 1342, renaming the surrounding area Haravati or Haroti. A substantial wall with four gateways encircles the city. Bundi is one of the few places in India that can lay its claim to an authentic school of painting, "The Bundi School." The splendid paintings in the Chitrashala in the Bundi Fort are par excellence and can be compared with probably the best anywhere in the world. Afternoon tour includes: Sukh Mahals evokes memories of Rudyard Kipling who not only stayed here but found inspiration for his famous work KIM. Sar Bagh has 66 royal cenotaphs. Step wells (Bawari) are another prominent highlights of Bundi, these served as water reservoirs in the months of summers (drinking and washing). There were originally 50, now 32 remaining; built by Mother Queen of Bundi in 1699 and were donated for public welfare. The most beautiful step well is Rani Jiki Barol, which we will visit. It's a fine example of Hindu and Jain architecture. Taragarh Fort was built in 1345 and is great to ramble around at your leisure. The fort is reached by a steep road leading up the hillside to its enormous gateway. This fort counts amongst the most famous ones in Rajasthan for its intricate structures and a highly-‐regarded painting gallery (from here originated the Bundi style of mural painting). The view over the town and surrounding countryside from the top are magical, especially at sun set. Inside the ramparts are huge reservoirs carved out of solid rock, and the Bhim Burj, the largest of the battlefields, on which there is a mounted cannon. The Chhatar Mahal is adorned with beautiful wall paintings of the famous Bundi School. And so are the Zanana Mahal (palace for the queens) and Badal Mahal. Our Accommodation: Hadoti Palace with its colonial architecture blends in beautifully with the characteristic construction style of Bundi that still has a medieval look to it. The beautiful landscaping and comfortable and luxurious facilities include swimming pool, vintage and classic car museum, ayurvedic massage. Nov 2 Day 7: Bundi - Bijapur (110 km) / Castle Bijapur / (B,L,D) After breakfast we drive to Bijapur. We shall stop en-‐route to visit Bassi village, known for its marvelous historical forts, temples and 'Kurds' as well as for its sculptures and woodcraft.. On arrival, we check in to the hotel and have lunch. This afternoon, we visit Bundi Palace and Chittashala Gallery that exhibits great Indian miniature paintings; and explore nearby villages. Nov 3 Day 8: Bijapur – Ranakpur Jain Temple Complex-Narlai (250 km) / Rawla Narlai / (B,L,D) We depart after breakfast for the drive to Narlai, visiting Ranakpur Jain Temple Complex en-‐route. Surrounded by tangled forests with monkeys abounding in the courtyard, Ranakpur is one of five important pilgrim centers for the Jain community. Noted for its grandiose scale and elaborate ornamentation, of the three temples, the Adinatha is the most outstanding. Built by Daranshah in 1439, the temple is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara saint. The whole, including the extraordinary array of 1144 sculptured pillars each distinct in design, carved ceilings, and arches decorated with friezes depicting scenes from the lives of the Jain saints, Jain mythology and cosmology; is quite extraordinary! NOTE: We have just been informed that the guides / tour escorts will no longer be allowed to go inside
the temple with visitors or do any guiding on the Temple premises. Guests are required to take an audio
guide from the temple office (cost included in our tour price). After the visit, we will enjoy lunch at Maharani Bagh (Mango Orchard of the Maharaja of Jodhpur) near the temples. We continue driving 1.5 hours to Narlai -‐ a royal hunting retreat, between Jodhpur and Udaipur is an enchanting new destination. Our Accommodation: The Rawla, lies at a foothill of a stupendous 350 -‐ foot single rock granite hill amidst dramatic boulders and ancient temples. Maharaj and Rani Swaroop Singh and their sons oversaw the careful restoration of this 15th century home of Marwar nobility. The ambience is a special blend of aesthetics and comfort that envelope the senses. Nov 4 Day 9: Narlai / Rawla Narlai / (B,L,D) Full day explore the surrounding region including bustling bazaars and temples where a miraculous flame has burnt for centuries producing saffron instead of soot! Wishes made here, it is said, come true. Nov 5 Day 10: Drive Narlai – Dungarpur (180 km/4-‐5 hrs) Udaibilas Palace/ (B,L,D) We shall depart the hotel at 9 am for the drive to Dungapur, a picturesque town inhabited by the Bheel tribe. One can get an insight into the life of the local people of Dungarpur while visiting. The city of Dungarpur is well known for its distinguished style of architecture that has been extensively followed in the royal palaces and havelis (mansions). These royal residences are adorned by 'jharokhas' built in stone in a unique style typical of the area developed during the reign of Maharawal Shiv Singh (1730-‐1785 A. D.) The district gold and silversmiths are renowned for lacquer painted toys and picture framing. On arrival, lunch and an afternoon tour of the town including: The Old Fort of Dungarpur is the major landmark of Rajasthan. The fort renders the spectacular view of the town of Dungarpur Juna Mahal is a seven storied structure, resembling a fortress with crenellated walls, turrets, narrow entrances and corridors. The interiors are embellished with beautiful frescoes, miniature paintings, glass and mirror work. Our Accommodation: The history of Udai Bilas Palace dates from the mid-‐19th century, when Maharawal Udai Singhji-‐II, a great patron of art and architecture, built a wing of bluish grey local stone “Pareva” overlooking the lake and the “Ek Thambia Mahal”, featuring intricate sculptured pillars and panels, ornate balconies, balustrades, bracketed windows, arches and frieze of marble carvings, a veritable marvel of Rajput architecture. Nestled in idyllic splendour, with the blue waters of Gaibsagar lake on one side and a cove of private reserve forest on the other, Udai Bilas Palace is the embodiment of the old world charm of princely India. Still under the control of the royal family of Dungarpur and remaining a royal residence, Udai Bilas Palace has been now converted into a heritage hotel (lucky for us!) Nov 6 Day 11: Dungarpur – Kartik Purnima Festival– Ahmedabad (180 km) / Lemon Tree or Four Points Sheraton (BL,D) We’ll depart after breakfast and stop after two hours drive to attend Kartik Purnima Festival in Shamlaji. Kartika Poornima (Kartika purnima) is a Hindu holy day celebrated on the Purnima (full moon) day or the fifteenth lunar day of Kartika (November–December). It is also known as Tripuri poornima and Tripurari Poornima. It is sometimes called Deva-‐Diwali or Deva-‐Deepawali -‐ the festival of lights of the gods. The Kartik Purnima festival is also a holy day for the followers of Jainism and Sikhism. A large number of devotees arrive to the Shamlaji Fair on foot or on camel carts, singing devotional songs, some even dancing and carrying banners bearing sacred symbols. They go to worship the deity and bathe in the sacred waters of the Meshwo River. Among the Adivasis, the Bhil community has incredible faith in the powers of Shamlaji who they lovingly refer to as Kaliyo Dev (Dark Divinity). The fair is also an important trade destination for people to buy silver ornaments, metal-‐ware, cloth and garments, along with many other annual household items. The temple of Shamlaji stands on the banks of the river Meshwo, in veneration of Lord Vishnu. The river Meshwo meanders over its rocky bed in the valley immediately below, and the waters of a splendid natural lake, of great beauty sparkle amid the well-‐wooded hills. It is believed that this shrine has existed for at least 500 years. Built of white sandstone and bricks, it has two stories supported on rows of pillars. It is profusely carved and episodes from sacred epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharata are engraved on the outer walls. It’s beautiful domed ceilings and a traditional north Indian spire over the main shrine add to the magnificence of its open courtyard accompanied by the carving of a life-‐
size elephant. Sakshi Gopal or Gadadhar is a black representation of Lord Vishnu worshipped at the Shamlaji Temple. This is one of the rare temples of Lord Krishna in which cow idols are also worshipped depicting his childhood as a cowherd. For the Vaishnavites, Shamlaji is one of the one hundred and fifty four most important places of pilgrimage in India. Continue 60 km to Ahmedabad for dinner and overnight. Nov 7 Day 12 Ahmedabad - Vautha Fair - Sayla / Old Bell Heritage Guest House / (B,L,D) Today we start extra early to venture out of the city for a full day of exciting activities. First we drive 40 km/approx one hour, southwest of Ahmedabad to attend the Vathua Fair held every year where two rivers, the Sabarmati and the Vatrak meet. Like most fair sites in India, this also has both mythological and contemporary religious associations. The Vautha Mela site is 3 square miles in area. Legends say that Kartik Swami or Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, visited the site. This is why the fair is held during Kartika Purnima, the full moon night of the month of Kartik, corresponding with November. The site is also known as Saptasangam, at the confluence of seven rivers. The most important Shiva temple here is the temple of Siddhanath. What is most significant about this fair is that it is the only major animal trading fair in Gujarat. However, most of the times, the only animals traded here are donkeys. About 4,000 donkeys are brought every year for sale, usually by 'Banjara' (gypsy) traders. These donkeys are painted in an array of colors and decorated. Camels are also well decked out and sold on the sand dunes by the river shores. We continue to the village of Sayla (aprox 2 hrs drive) where mirrors are made for Gujarat's famous mirror work embroidery. We shall visit the Bharwad and Kathi villages where beadwork traditions thrive, the silk weavers who use the ikat technique, and the town of Wadhwan where women work on bandhani or tie-‐and-‐dye. Wadhwan's walled town has historic buildings and a living heritage of metalwork crafts. The state of Sayla was founded in 1751 by Seshmalji, who is said to have fought many battles and to have captured Sayla from the Kathi Darbars and made it the capital of his state. He is credited with building the fortified wall around Sayla and founding the Darbargadh or Rajmahal (palace), which is still the residence of the Jhala family. The palace has halls for audiences, administrative and judicial meetings of the rulers, life-‐size portraits of successive rulers and attractive carvings. Among the progressive rulers of Sayla was Thakur Saheb Vakhat Sinhji who set up rural industries and a thermal power house in the 19th century. Our Accommodation: The Old Bell Guest House, said to be the British residency and European guesthouse of the princely state, has been renovated and restored by the ruling family of Sayla. The charming and homey hotel offers accommodations in 10 a/c double bedrooms with attached baths featuring hot-‐and-‐cold showers and western toilet fixtures. Each of the rooms has a TV, a telephone and other modern conveniences. The galleries are lined with historic photographs of Sayla. Nov 8 Day 13 Sayla-Ahmedabad / Hotel Lemon Tree or Four Points Sheraton / (B,L,D) We shall depart at 7 am. After an early breakfast and go directly to the wonderful and fascinating Calico Museum of Textiles. Visiting hours are 1030 am-‐12 noon. Note: we must inform you that visiting the museum is pending availability; it is private museum and restricted to a very limited number of entrances per day and they do not allow advanced booking, though we always managed to get in. Do bring your own water inside, it is stuffy and there are no vendors inside. The museum exhibits spectacular antique and modern textiles including rare tapestries, wall hangings and costumes from all the regions of Gujarat as well as the rest of India. See a variety of textiles ranging from incredibly long, colorful embroidered wall hangings to Zari saries embroidered in gold and weighing 9kg. Also on display are old weaving machines. After visiting the museum, we shall have lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon we visit the Sabarmati Ashram, situated on the western bank of the Sabarmati River. This ashram, founded in 1918 by Mahatma Gandhi, who revitalized the textile industry here, became the headquarters during the struggle for Indian Independence and it is befitting that it is now primarily a spinning wheel factory. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. This evening we enjoy a traditional Gujrati vegetarian dinner with local dance and music at Vishala, an authentically created Gujrati crafts village complete with traditionally decorated mud huts where potters and weavers are at work. Here we visit the Vechaar Utensils Museum with its collection of 2500 Gujrati utensils. Nov 9 Day 14: Ahmedabad / Hotel Lemon Tree or Four Points Sheraton / (B,D) This morning we shall participate in the Heritage walk of Ahmedabad, 8 am-‐10 am, conducted by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation with CRUTA Foundation. There is also a half hour special slide show running through the city's history from a 10th century AD ancient site known as Ashaval to the present walled city re-‐founded during the period of Ahmedshah and onwards. A special feature of Ahmedabad is the plan of the old city, comprising numerous pols, self contained neighborhoods, sheltering large numbers of people, traversed by narrow streets, usually terminating in squares with community wells and chabutaras for feeding birds. The walk begins from the picturesque Swaminarayan Mandir in Kalupur and ends in the most glorious architectural legacy, the Jumma Masjid. In between there are numerous pols, havelis, ornamental facades, workplaces of artisans and number of magnificent Hindu and Jain temples. The walk is guided by volunteer Rajesh Gajjar, proceeding from Kavi Dalpatram Chowk -‐ which housed the great 19th century Gujarati poet in Lambeshwar ni Pole, to the classic reminisces of the city's textile era -‐ the Calico Dome, to the century old Kala Ramji Mandir in the Haja Patel ni Pole with a unique idol of Lord Rama in dark color and in a sitting posture. The walk moves through Doshiwada ni Pol, Zaveri Vad to Chaumukhji ni Pol as you view ornate temples with their fascinating wooden carvings hidden under plain exteriors camouflaged beneath the aura of Mughal rule and lanes punctuated with intriguing chabutras (bird feeders) to a three foot wide alley leading into the 110-‐
year old Harkunvar Shethani ni Haveli. Moving through the historical Fernandez Bridge brings you to Manek Chowk where amidst the deafening traffic and full of parked vehicles Rajesh tells of the legend of Manek Baba after whom the chowk was named and the Manek Baba Mandir at the site where he shrank and entered a bottle to show his magical powers to Ahmed Shah, the founder of the City. The walk continues into the Rani no Hajiro through the Badshah no hajiro and finally culminates at the magnanimous Jama Masjid. Return to the hotel for lunch on your own and a bit of rest. This afternoon we visit the Adalaj Step Well, built in 1499 by Queen Rudabai, wife of the Vaghela chief, Veersinh, this five-‐story step well was not just a cultural and utilitarian space, but also a spiritual refuge. It is believed that villagers would come everyday in the morning to fill water, offer prayers to the deities carved into the walls and interact with each other in the cool shade of the well. Afterwards some independent time to browse the textile shops if you so desire. Nov 10 Day 15 Ahmedabad-Jambughoda (190 km) / Jambughoda Palace, heritage home stay / (B,L,D) Today we set out to the Jambughoda Palace, a simple royal mansion in the midst of mature gardens -‐ a beautiful retreat for nature lovers. On the way, we visit the World Heritage Site of Champaner (the site of Pavagarh Archeological Park) to see the vast complex of mosques built by Mahmud Begada. We shall stop for lunch at a traditional restaurant. The rest of the afternoon is independent to enjoy the grounds. Our Accommodations: Jambughoda Palace is a 1000 year old residence belonging to the royal family who are descendents of the Parmar Dynasty from Dhar in Madhya Pradesh. Their ancestors ruled the state until its merger with the Indian Union in 1948. His Highness Maharana Vikramsinghji still resides at the palace with his family. There are 20 rooms and suites with western bathrooms. The accomodatons are simple yet dignified. Fruits and vegetables are grown organically on the farm. Meals are served in an informal homey ambiance. Laundry facilities available. http://www.Jambughoda.com Nov 11 Day 16: Excursions to Tribal Villages / Jambughoda Palace, heritage home stay/ (B,L,D) We shall engage with the local people today on a full day excursion to the tribal villages of Jambughoda. Most of the indigenous people living in and around Jambughoda are ‘Rathwas’ & ‘Nayaks’. They are superstitious and God-‐fearing people. The entrance to their home is through a richly carved wooden door with figurines and tribal icons. The front is usually decorated with Pithora paintings for which the ‘Rathwas are known for. Their dwellings are separated from each other by considerable distance, rather than living together in a community close together. The tribal museum of Chhota Udaipur has a large collection of tribal artifacts. Many tribal artifacts are also brought for sale in the ‘haats’ (weekly markets) in the city and nearby villages. Nov 12 Day 17 Drive Jambughoda – Poshina (290 km/6-‐7 hrs) / Darbargadh Poshina / (B,L,D) We’ll depart after breakfast for our drive to the Poshina, a beautiful place surrounded by Garasia and Bhil villages. On arrival, we check into Darbargadh Poshina and enjoy a home-‐cooked family lunch. This afternoon, we visit Poshina Village, demonstrating the realization of the sacred horses in terracotta, processing knives, silver, painted camels and visit to the Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva Nilkanth Mahadev You’ll have this evening at leisure to enjoy the property and/or engage in conversation with the hosts. Our Accommodations: Darbargadh Poshina is a heritage home set in the tribal lands of the Arravallis. The owners of this ancestral fort are your hosts to explore the Adivasi and Garasia tribal cultures of North Gujarat and South Rajasthan. You will enjoy fresh home cooked meals featuring recipes passed down from generation to generation and indulge in the hospitality of a family that ruled Poshina for eight generations before independence. Nov 13 Day 18: Poshina Villages / Darbargadh Poshina / Darbargadh Poshina (B,L,D) Today’s excursion by jeep offers fascinating glimpses into rural Indian life. The drive through the picturesque countryside will include visits to the remote villages of the ‘Adivasi’ and ‘Garasia’ tribals who will also give you archery demonstrations and pastoral people like the ‘Rabaris’ who keep camels, sheep and goat. We begin with a walk through Poshina village. Imagine a market bustling with activity where you can watch colorful women from the tribal hamlets and tribal men unloading their produce. You will be able to observe craftsmen at work-‐forging swords, daggers, bows and arrows, potters making terra cotta horses and other figurines, besides clay utensils, jewelers sell chunky ornaments to the residents. The Jain temples built in 1214 A.D and the ancient richly carved Shiva temple are also a wonderful visit. Next, we travel to Chatrang and Bedi Villages of Gowala and Garacia tribes. You will also visit the Kumbharia Jain temple, pottery & terracotta horse village of Saleka and few tribal temples. Nov 14 Day 19 Poshina -Patan- Modhera –Bajana (210 km) /Royal Safari Camp (B,L,D) We depart by 8 am this morning for the drive to Patan to visit some of its 100 Jain Temples and Rani Kava Steps (ancient step well). A short 10 km further, we visit the exquisite Sun Temple in Modhera, situated on the banks of the Pushpavati River. Here you will see women of all ages from very young girls to elderly, dressed in bright yellows, orange and reds representing and honoring the sun. Next stop is to visit the Salvi family, master weavers of the colorful Potala silk including the ancient art of double ikat. This is quite a special treat! We continue to Bajana Village (Little Rann of Kutch). The area is surrounded by tribal villages, making the stay here fascinating and especially exciting for photographers. The area is also known as Dasada. It is famous as the world's last refuge of the Indian Wild Ass (Khur). It has been declared as the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary with the aim to protect them. Capable of reaching high speeds when galloping across the Rann, the wild ass is usually seen in small herds. The area is also home to various unique mammals such the Indian Wolf (Canis indica), Desert Fox (Vulpes vulpes pusilla) and Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus). Late afternoon/early evening we will embark on an excursion to see the nearby villages, observe lifestyles. You may also see some wildlife! Overnight at Royal Safari Camp (cottages, western toilets, running hot/cold water). A fantastic mix of rustic comfort in a rural setting in Bajana Village. Nov 15 Day 20 Drive Bajana - Bhujodi – Hodka Village / Sham-‐e-‐Sarhad Resort in Hodka Village/ (B,L,D) We’ll depart the resort early for safari to view wildlife including the wild ass. Return to resort for an early lunch and continue to Hodkha Village. NOTE: Bring a wad of toilet paper for the drive today. There are very clean roadside toilets, traditional style. On the way we’ll visit Dhamaeka, the block printing village and Bhujodi Village to meet the nomadic Rabari who weave camel wool on pit looms into blankets and shawls. Time permitting, we also visit Chandaben Shroff's project. The Shrujan organization, which started as a small family project, now has a network of over 2500 craftswomen spread across 85 villages. Currently, Shrujan works with 16 different styles of embroidery, done by a variety of communities and tribal groups. Their excellent exhibit displays the various embroidery styles. Nov 16 Day 21 Hodka Village / Sham-e-Sarhad Resort in Hodka Village / (B,L,D) A full day to visit various fascinating tribal villages surrounding Bhuj. Each tribe can be identified by its traditional attire and specializes in a different form of handicraft. Among others, you shall visit Banni settlements to see the traditional handicrafts of these Abyssinian settlers, who migrated to India from Abyssinia around the 10th Century. Their work is the famous glass embroidery. (Special Permission is to be obtained from the police /collector’s office). The Banni tribal dwellings are made of round mud huts called `bhungas‚ with a single central support pole and a thatched or tiled roof, all surrounding a large community courtyard. The women tend to be shy with male visitors, but are hospitable and will welcome you into their homes. They have an exquisite personal collection of embroidered quilts and garments. Walls, shelves, grain containers and cupboards are fashioned in mud with decorative designs washed with lime paste and embedded with mirrors that throw hundreds of shimmering reflections. You will also see a variety of handicrafts, including textiles, vegetable color dye printing, Rogan art (wax printing), glass beadwork, woolen shawls, leather articles and more. Next, a visit to Kala Raksha Trust in Sumrasar Sheikh village, a grassroots social enterprise, dedicated to preservation of traditional arts. Kala Raksha produces some of the most exquisitely hand embroidered and patch-‐worked products made in Kutch. Also visit their museum and Kala Raksha Vidyalaya (Institute of Design). We then visit some local weaving families in Sumarsar village, famous for Scoof Embroidery, Nirona Village with its fabulous Rogan art (wax printing) & bell making and Ludiya (aka Ghandi Gram) village. Return to Hodka Village for overnight. Nov 17 Day 22 Fly to Bombay-Depart (B) This morning we drive 1.5 hours to the town of Bhuj. We’ll viist the Kutch Museum and Prag Mahal followed by a walk in the old city. We’ll enjoy our last Indian meal, a traditional Gujarat Thali lunch (all veg) at the Hotel Prince restaurant. After lunch there will be a short visit to the house of Mr. Alli Mohamad Isha, a tie and dye specialist, for an interactive workshop on the art. Afterwards we transfer to the airport for the flight to Mumbai, 9w328 departing 4:40 pm, arriving 6:00 pm. Transfer to hotel by airport. Rooms available for wash/change. Transfer to intl airport for flt home. PRICES based on min 6 people: $4525 per person, single room supplement: $1275 Plus Airfares: (estimate/exact prices when booked): Bhuj-‐Bombay: $150 Includes: Accommodation with all meals, except one day Ahmedabad B,D (no lunch-‐to give you freedom) 1 night Delhi at Holiday Inn, near airport (B) 1 night Alwar at Hilltop Kesroli Fort (B,L,D) http://the-‐hill-‐fort-‐kesroli.neemranahotels.com/ 1 night Mandawa at Castle Mandawa (B,L,D) http://www.mandawahotels.com/castlemandawa_intro.shtml 1 night Chomu Palace (B,L,D) http://www.chomupalacehotel.com/first.html 1 night Kishangarh at Phool Mahal (B,L,D) http://royalkishangarh.com/default.aspx 1 night Bundi at Hadoti Palace (B,L,D) http://www.hadotipalace.com/ 1 night Bijapur at Castle Bijapur (B,L,D) http://www.agoda.com/asia/india/chittorgarh/hotel_castle_bijaipur.html 2 nights Narlai at Rawla Narlai (B,L,D) http://rawlanarlai.com/ 1 night Dungarpur at Udai Bilas Palace (B,L,D) http://udaibilaspalace.com/ 2 nights Jambughoda at Heritage Home Stay (B,L,D) http://jambughoda.com/ 4 nights Ahmedabad at Lemon Tree Hotel Or Four Points Sheraton 4* (B,L,D)* 1 night Sayla at Old Bell Heritage House (B,L,D) http://www.ahmedabadcity.com/sayla/aboutsayla.htm 2 night Poshina at Darbargadh Palace (B,L,D) http://www.poshina.com/ 1 night Bajana at Royal Safari Camp (B,L,D) http://www.theroyalsafaricamp.com/ 2 nights Hodka Village at Sham-‐e-‐Sarhad (B,L,D) http://hodka.in/shaamEsarhad.aspx?SId=3 Room for wash & change in Bombay at Kohinoor Continental until 10 pm *At Lemon Tree in Ahmedabad, the deluxe rooms have river views but only one queen or king bed. The premier rooms are larger, offer twin beds. Some have river views, but we cannot guarantee river view. Transport in A/C Toyota Tempo Traveler as per itinerary All arrival / departure transfers as per Itinerary Professional accompanying guide throughout Entrance to Monuments/Museum Still Camera Fees Bottled water in the vehicle (2 liter bottles per day per person) India Gov Service Tax 3.09%. Does Not Include: International flight, insurance, visa fee, video camera fees, tips, expenditure of personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, drinks