  |
Stay in an 18th century fortified palace surrounded by unbelievable art
treasures. Surajgarh is positively astonishing!
Includes
hotel accommodation, breakfast, dinner, entrance charges to places visited, transportation throughout using a comfortable, air conditioned late model car with chauffeur. Not included: other meals, admission to places not shown in the itinerary, items of a strictly personal nature.
|
The Kingdom of Marwar was established in the 6th century on the edge of Rajasthan's Thar Desert. The Marwari accumulated enormous wealth from their trade of rice, opium, cotton, spices and textiles. Affluent Marwari families tried to outdo each other by building lavish mansions, giving birth to fine and colorful architecture in an otherwise bleak region where it was least expected. Many of these mansions, or "havelis, remain today, and most are completely unretsored. All are decorated with unbelievable frescos on walls an ceilings. Artists spread a thin layer of lime plaster, then painted scenes of Marwari life. Although fragile, you can still enjoy many of these painted surfaces as you wander through the havelis you visit.
Deli or Agra to Surajgarh. After breakfast you journey through the
vastness of the Rajasthan desert to to Surajgarh, a fascinating Rajasthani village practically untouched by time. On arrival check in at Surajgarh Fort
for your overnight stay. The Fort is an 18th century fortified palace owned by the son of the Princess of Jodhpur. In itself, the Fort is an amazing experience. The comfortable and attractive accommodations, the magnificent food and the enchanting local entertainment will make you feel like a maharaja (or perhaps even a maharani).
The Shekhawati region of Rajasthan is popularly known as an open air art gallery. Surajagrh is at the heart of it and boasts of many havelis. Walking and camel cart tours are organized to the havelis. In the evening, visit the old mansions around the fort and walk the quaint bazaar of this hamlet. Your "guide" is not really a guide at all, but more like a local person with knowledge of broken English but with endearing personality who will show you around once-grand mansions that have become home to many families.
Surajgarh/Delhi OR Jaipur. After Breakfast your driver will take you to some of the interesting Mansions of the region famous for its wall paintings. Founded in 1737 by Thakur Nawal Singh, a warrior-statesman, Nawalgarh boasts of some of the finest frescoes in the region. The town exudes an Old World charm and the colorful bazaar has the largest number of painted havelis in Rajasthan. The fort, now a little disfigured, is
still worthy of your attention.
There are numerous havelis to see here. Prominent among them are the Aath (eight) Haveli Complex, Anandi Lal Poddar Haveli, Jodhraj Patodia Haveli, ansidhar Bhagat Haveli, Chokhani Haveli, and Hotel Roop Niwas Palace. These havelis still bear witness to the rich and prosperous Marwari era of the 19th century. The stone walls, split by four gateways, were erected to encircle the town.
Later, drive on to either Jaipur or Delhi according to the itinerary we have planned for you.
|
Costs for this package are generally at from $350 to $550 for one or two people travelling together depending on when you plan to visit, what kind of room is available, and how Surajgarh fits into your entire itinerary. Because of driving distances involved, costs are likely to be lower if Surajgarh is part of a more extensive Rajasthan itinerary. Prices in India are seasonal, with high season October through March and low season April through September. Rates change frequently so we have to get ask for the rate when making your booking. Keep in mind that India is a fairly costly destination, with prices comparable to Europe. If you are looking for a cheap India tour, read this.
 |
Surajgarh is available only
as an add-on to Purple Dragon's
Golden Triangle
or
Path to the Ganges
tour packages and is not available separately. |
  
|
|
