Trip to Udaipur 6: Visit to Sajjangarh Fort

While we were boating in the Lake Pichola during evening, I was watching the many beautiful picturesque forts/hotels/properties lighted beautifully far amidst the hills. I was not sure what were they but the Boat driver was telling us about them which I can’t recall now. He was telling us about the fat weddings and parties that took place here and there. He was telling about the famous movies that were shot here. One of the songs of the Bollywood movie “Yaadein” was picturized here in Jagmandir, an island on Lake Pichola. Also, once during the birthday bash of one of business tycoon, Shakira (You’re correct, same Shakira who is known for her number “Hips Don't Lie”) also fascinated the crowd with her sizzling performance.

Then there was another beautiful place which was Hotel FatehGarh Palace and where the famous “Rakhi Ka Swayamwar” reality show filmed. He also told us about the Yeh Jaawani hai Deewani movie starring Ranbir Kapoor was also shot in Udaipur and yes we have watched the film and can feel the same. We were staying in hotel Wonder view Palace and near the same place, many scenes were shot. And one of the upcoming movie Prem rattan Dhan Payo starring Salman khan was also shot in City palace in Udaipur. Apart from above, there were many famous movies and songs while were shot here but let’s not divert. All that I will cover in a different post covering City Palace.

During boating only, one of the places high amidst Aravali hills that caught my attention was Sajjangarh Palace. It was illuminated with beautiful orange light and the Boat driver told that is another must visit place in Udaipur. Since it is famous for sunset, we planned to visit it next day while returning from Haldighati trip. 

Next day, we reached at the foothills of Sajjangarh fort at around 4 pm. The first shock was ticket. Tickets were very expensive. For camera also, there was special ticket and also, for going up to the fort, you have to take their taxi whose ticket was also significant. I didn’t remember the cost but total cost me around 800 bucks which were expensive by Indian standards. Their taxi took 20-25 minutes to take us to the top and that route was very scenic. In a small distance consisting of steep elevation, you will gain great heights. Once reached at the top, be ready to get mesmerized by the beauty of the Fort, Panoramic views of the city and the connecting wild life sanctuary. 

Panoromic view of the city. On left, there is Fateh Sagar lake and on Right, Pichola

Enterane gate

From the top, you can also see the famous lakes of Udaipur, pichola and Fateh sagar along with glimpse of entire Udaipur. One can see how beautifully Udaipur is surrounded by hills from all the sides. In the earlier days due to its strategic location surrounded by Aravallis hills from all the sides, it was considered to be very safe as this place was difficult to find.Initially, Chittorgarh was the capital of Mewar kingdom. One day, Maharaj Udai Singh meets 1 sage in forest who advised him to shift his capital from Chittorgarh to Udaipur. As there were quite frequent attacks in Chittorgarh, Maharaj Udai shifted the capital to Udaipur. The advice of sage came out to be so true that today in City Palace, there was special temple in City Palace dedicated to that sage.

This fort was built by Maharana Sajjan singh primarily to watch the monsoons clouds and also to view his ancestral home in Chittorgarh. That’s why, it is popular as Monsoon Palace. It is said that on a clear day, one can see the Chittorgarh. 


  

Some other route closed for public, opened only for  forest officials

Beautiful Udaipur surrounded by Aravalis from all side ,thius making it quite safe from attacks as no one can imagine that there is city over there after crossing Aravallis hills. Same reason why Maharana Udai singh shifted capital to Udaipur

View from the top

Sunlight filtered through clouds. 

Presently this is owned by Forest department. It is one of the cleanest and close to nature place and there is no reason you should not visit this palace. I highly recommend this place. And yes, this is famous for sunsets.

However, when we visited, the weather was cloud and we couldn’t see the very clear sunset. Looking at my pictures, I felt I missed the great opportunity for taking very good photographs. All these pics are taken from Nokia Lumia.

No doubt, this place is heaven for photographers. Just go to this link to enjoy the true beauty of the place. Thanks to this link for helping me to truly bring out the beauty of this fort.

 If you like this post, please like my Facebook page

Trip to Udaipur 5: Visit to Badshah Bagh and Rakta talai

 We reached Badshah bagh at around 2 pm and it was quite hot. There is no entry fee over there and it will just take 30 minutes for you to see that place. It is surrounded by hills. 

Badshah Bagh enterance

Many people will be surprised and will not like this place as tourist destination along with Rakta talai as nothing much was there. But yes historically, these sites are of great importance. I enjoyed walking and imagining the battle of haldighati and significane of all these places.Mughal were camping at Badshah bagh. It is at this place they were attacked by the Maharana Pratap’ army and were pushed to nearby village known as Khamnor. Hundreds of soldiers were killed and it also rained heavily that day and as a result, soldiers’ blood flowed towards the low lying area forming a pool (talai) of blood (Rakht). And that is why this place later came to known as Rakh talai.  

Inside Badshah Bagh

Badshah Bagh site where Mughals were resting

It was also said there was so much blood flowed over there that it changed the color of the soil to red permanently. Even today, it is slight red in color.

For those who are not able to read the above stuff, below is the content:

"This is the historic site where a fierce battle was fought on 18 June 1576 between the forces of Mughal emperor Akbar and Maharana pratap. Hundreds of soldier from both the sides were killed and so much blood was shed here that a pool of blood was formed. Thereafter this place came to be known as rakt talai (the pond of Blood) "

Apart from this, there were also monuments erected in honor of Gwalior who supported the Maharana Pratap in his battle against Mughals. During the battle, Maharana Pratap was injured along with his horse and managed to escape the sight to a safer place and at the same time passing the royal crown to one of the loyal soldier, Jhala Maan, who died fighting with Mughals and making them believed that they are fighting with Maharana Pratap.

All these places Rakh talai, Badshahi bagh, haldighati, Maharana pratap’s Museum and Chetak’s tomb are near to each other and you can actually imagine how the war happened and the significance of all these places. It was a great feeling to know about Maharana Pratap who is still alive in the hearts of local people and the glory of this place.

Also, Maharana Pratap belonged to the Sisodia clan of rajputs. At once, I recalled one of my friend Gagan deep sisodia in college who was also very brave and known for his valor at least in our college. Today, I understood.

  

It was quite hot durig that time at Badsha bagh and Rakta talai

 If you like this post, please like my Facebook page

Trip to Udaipur - 4: Visit to Chetak samadhi and some emotional moments

Chetak was the faithful horse of the king of Mewar, Maharana Pratap Singh. In the middle of the Battle of Haldighati, a sword hidden in the trunk of elephant tore through one of Chetak's rear legs and injured it badly. But the Chetak didn’t give up. To save his master life, injured Chetak carried his wounded master on his 3 legs and jumped over a big canal to reach a safer place. 

As soon as the canal was crossed, Chetak collapsed in lap of his master thus saving the life of Maharana pratap singh. 

According to folklores, it was said that during that time Brave Maharaja cried badly taking the dead Chetak in his lap. Today, this place is known as Chetak Samadhi/tomb where Chetak breathed its last in lap of Raja.

The content is not very clear in the above picture. Please read it below:

"Chetak was the beloved and favorite horse of Maharana Pratap. Inspite of being badly wounded in the battle of Haldighati on 18 June 1576, Chetak saved the life of this master by carrying him from Rakt Talai to this place by jumping across a stream where he fell and breathed his last in the lap of his master.
This memorial was built in the memoir of the supreme sacrifice that the loyal Chetak made while saving the life of his master."

We felt very emotional especially at that time when we were listening it by the guide.  

Also, Chetak was disguised as Baby elephant to confuse the elephants in the war by placing an artifical trunk on his face.

There was a very beautiful poem called Chetak ki Veerta which I read on internet. Please click here to read that poem.

If you like this post, please like my Facebook page.

Trip to Udaipur - 3: Imagining moments of Battle of Haldhigati at Haldighati

Please Zoom if content is unclear

The remarkable battle of Haldighati was fought between Maharana Pratap singh, the great Rajput ruler of Mewar and Raja Man singh, who was also a Rajput but owing to wish of his grandfather Raja Bharmal joined the Mughal Army. 

Akbar has already conquered the eastern part of Mewar including Ranthambhor and chittor continuing his desire to rule all over India. Akbar was not using his army but based on diplomacy and power, he is asking rulers to accept his suzerainty. Many of the Rajput rulers surrender to Akbar. There was only 1 ruler of Maharana Pratap singh that did not accepted the Mughal ruler. Maharana was not willing to compromise on the independence of Mewar. Akbar sent Raja Maan singh but Maharana refused to meet him. Maharana was raja himself and Maan singh was just Raja’s son. Akbar also sent Maan Singh’s father Raja Bhagwan Das to sign peace treaty but all his efforts went in vain. Maharana Pratap openly declared that he would not come under the leadership of any other ruler. 

Taken at Rana Pratap Museum

Finally, when nothing happened for 3 year, Akbar sent Maan singh Led army to fight with Maharana Pratap. There were many rulers that came in support of Maharana Pratap. Fierce battle was fought. Rana Pratap was surrounded by small army of Mughals. Maharana got injured along with his horse, Chetak. During this time, one of the loyal soldier took the crown of Rana Pratap to disguise enemies. As a result, Maharana escaped and the loyal soldier died fighting. The result of the war is not very clear but it was clear demonstration of spirit, valour and bravery of Rajputs. 

Mughals considered themselves as victorious only for some time until they came to know the truth that Maharana Pratap was escaped and they have killed his soldier. 

This is how the battle came to an end. Next day, when Mughals reached the battleplace there was no one from Maharana pratap side to fight. Histroy text books classified the result of this battle indecisive although it was a great loss to Mewars. I think it is because of the indomitable spirit with which Maharana pratap fight against Mughals despite the fact that Mughals army was more than 5 times than that of Maharana pratap’s army.

This is how the battle came to an end. Next day, when Mughals reached the battleplace there was no one from Maharana pratap side to fight. Histroy text books classified the result of this battle indecisive although it was a great loss to Mewars. I think it is because of the indomitable spirit with which Maharana pratap fight against Mughals despite the fact that Mughals army was more than 5 times than that of Maharana pratap’s army.

Also, There is 1 museum where I clicked all the pictures used in this post. This museum is very beautiful and will cover the entire story of Maharana Pratap’life through 10 minutes video followed by the some animated light and sound show. It was terrific. Though the infrastructurally it wasn't great but the message was clear.

If you like this post, please like my Facebook page.

Trip to Singapore - 4 : Southern Ridges Nature Trail

13 September 2015

The southern ridges consist of 9 Km beautiful track that offers splendid views of Singapore and nature. This place is again not so famous among tourists but being a nature lover who loves to walk in open and green spaces to breathe some fresh air, I was very much attracted towards it.

There are various small nature trails interconnected by bridges each having identity of their own but still they are called as Southern ridges.

Below route that starts with Marang trail and terminates at West coast park. It passes through numerous famous places in sequence below:

Marang Trail à Mount Faber Parkà Henderson waves àHilltop walkàForest walkàAlexandra Archà Hort parkàKent ridge park.

Sequence that I covered as part of my walk is as below (took me 2 hours to cover below 4-5 km track at leisure pace) :

 Marang Trail à Mount Faber Parkà Henderson waves àForest walkàAlexandra Arch

The Marang Trail obtained its name from 

the Marang fruit, more commonly 

known as Johey Oak

There are many entry and exit points. Most famous entry is either through Marang trail or directly starting from Mount Faber Park if you are not interested in taking too many stairs ( Marang to Mount Faber consists of only .8 km but with elevation of 70m) and ending your journey at Alexandra Arch passing through Henderson waves and beautiful forest walk.

I started my trail from Marang trail which is simply exit ‘D’ from Harbour Front MRT station. This trail is less than 1 Km and should take you to an elevation of 70 meters (equivalent of a 24-storey building) at top of Mount Faber which is 2^nd highest point in Singapore. It is bit difficult and I was sweating profusely when I reached at the top but the views were worth it. Cable car was starting from this point to take you to Sentosa Insland. But today I was on my mission of visiting southern ridges. 

This sudden elevation is the reason that many people booked cab till Mount Faber and starts their walk from this place.

View of Cable cars on their way to Sentosa Island Via Harbour Cable point

Mount Faber Park. Very Clean. Cars and Tourist
Buses were quite frequent on this track. It has
dedicated shaded place for peddlers.

After capturing some panoramic views and continue my path, I reached Henderson waves, structure not to be missed.

Me posing at Henderson Waves

Various small tracks of Southern ridges and their distinct identity

 It’s the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore         and constructed in wave like fashion.           It would be difficult for me to further describe it in words so sharing its pictures. Wave forms will be lit from 7 pm -2am every day and looks magnificent. 

View of the city from Henderson Bridge

Continuing on my path and saw numerous paths going in different directions with proper signboards however at 1 or 2 places they were missing so I had to wait until I saw some joggers to inquire the route to forest walk. It was quite easy.

I was very excited once the Forest walk started. It looks amazing. It consists of 1.3 km track of crisscross metallic structure that offers you an unique experience of walking through the forest at a height of 3 to 18 meters from ground. It was descend for me so I didn’t feel tired. This part of the route I enjoyed most and covered with very easily.

1 point to note that I saw most of the people going in opposite direction and it looks to me that that path is also quite famous among locals. Then there is Alexandra Arch that connects to the HortPark but as this point, I took exit and begin to wait for bus for my Hotel at Orchard Road. Lighting hours for Alexandra Arch are  7 pm – 12 am daily when LED lights keep on changing and keep you spellbound.

Alexandra Arch

It is at this location famous B-school SP Jain Institute of management is located having main branch at Mumbai.

I took this exit from Alexandra Arch to take Bus
 from SP Jain School of management.

Finally, I can say this trail is not as difficult as MacRitchie trail and offers numerous entry and exit points. People can directly come by Cab to see the Henderson waves.

Finally, when I completed this track I started dreaming of covering this trail in a rainy season with carrying umbrella and thought how beautiful it will be. Thought not the entire track, but Forest walk is pretty much safe in a rainy season. Also, Forest walk is lighted from 7 pm – 12 am & 5 am – 7 am daily. Seeing this , I came to know this place is more famous for evening and night time walks as compared to morning walks.

This place is worth and every nature lover must visit this to experience bliss especially in a densely populated urban jungle of Singapore.

Also, Henderson waves and Alexandra Arch along with the Forest walk were selected for the competition to seek the best concepts for bridges. Being at such places, one can imagine cultivating greenery and nature is a culture and if people really want they can create gardens and nature friendly places anywhere. Shortage of space is not an excuse for the government to shy away from developing the parks. This is 1 important lesson that every country should learn from Singapore.

  

For the more information refer the below site literally having all the details one wants to refer before beginning his trail: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

If you like to read about my other blog on MacRitchie trail, refer here

 If you like this post, please like my Facebook page.