A thick foliage of fog shrouds the capital and most of North India, and we think it’s time to look for greener pastures. What if we told you that on the coming long weekend, falling between the 24thto the 26th January, Rajasthan is playing host to an assortment of really interesting activities. What we at @WAH are doing this time, is creating a really nifty itinerary for you, so you have an amazing time in these 3 days! Guess it’s time to throw that blanket aside and come out of the winter reverie.

P.S. Don’t forget to pack some sunscreen.

January 24th – Bharatpur bird sanctuary
January 25th - Jaipur Literature Festival (last day of the fest)
January 26th – Nagaur Festival (first day of festival)

Day 1: 24th January

Flagging off the extended weekend, you can head for Bharatpur or Keoladeo Ghana National Park either on Friday evening or early Saturday morning.The nearest airport is situated at Agra, which is 56-kms from Bharatpur. While Delhi is 184 Kms from Bharatpur, regular rail services also connect it with all the major cities. The railway station is about 5 Kms from the national park.

Image Source: The Belurs

Why you should go:

Formerly known as Bharatpur, Keoladeo Ghana National Park plays host to more than 230 species of birds, especially during the winter season. This national park is a major tourist centre with scores of ornithologists and wildlife enthusiasts arriving here in the hibernal season.

The park opens from sunrise to sunset around the year and there is a lot you can do once you are inside the premises. Private Vehicles are permitted up-to Shanti Kutir which is about 1.7 kms inside, post which you can choose to walk, cycle, or hire a cycle rickshaw. Accommodation is available inside the park, so book well in advance. Once there, you can explore the park with an experienced guide. And though there is enough bio-diversity to enjoy, you must definitely visit the Ganga Temple and Lohagarh Fort Museum. The temple is an exquisite red sandstone two-storey structure dedicated to the goddess Ganga, with elaborately carved stone terraces. Lohagarh, an 18th-century Iron Fort, is a peaceful, evocative place capturing the cool breezes in a series of pavilions. The evening can be enjoyed with a sumptuous dinner by the bonfire and some local music usually organized by the hotels.

Day 2: 25th January

You can make the most of the 25th morning by heading out for an early morning jungle safari and witness nature at its immaculate best. But things would have to be wrapped up by 8 am, as you have hit the road for Jaipur. The commute from Bharatpur to Jaipur would take you approximately 3 hours and if you time your drive well then you would make it to the Lit Fest by noon.

Why you should go:

Whether reading is your thing or not, there are enough attractions and distractions to be at the Jaipur Literature Festival. An initiative of the Jaipur Virasat Foundation, the festival is usually hosted at the very vintage Diggi Palace Hotel. JLF is also credited to be the world’s largest free literary festival; rub shoulders with the who’s who of the literary world, maybe exchange numbers too. The event overflows with art, literature, good food and excellent musical performances, usually reserved for the evening. Since you would be arriving on the 25th, you are in luck as the likes of Arvind Subramanian, Narayan Murthy and Rahul Jacob take the stage to review the state of Indian economy, starting 12:30 pm. Post that, our very own style diva Sonam Kapoor along with noted movie critic Anupama Chopra would launch the latter’s book. You could end this breezy Jaipur evening with some Pinot Noir and a hint of soulful sufi by Rashmi Agarwal, or head out to explore rest of the city.

Day 3: 26th January

You should start as early as possible for Nagaur, as the drive may take close to 4 hours. Some 250 kms and many small towns away, the city lies about midway between Jodhpur and Bikaner.

Image Source: Nick Leonard

Why you should go:

The Nagaur Cattle Fair is the second biggest fair in India. The event goes on for eight days and is held every year between Jan-Feb. The fair is well received and considered huge foreign tourist attraction and only getting more popular with each passing edition. The festival features games such as tug of war, camel races and many more. All the adventure happens with the echoing melodious songs of desert folk musicians in the background, who give ethereal performances in the picturesque backdrop of the setting sun. The other most important trading event is its ‘Mirchi Bazaar’ (Red chilli market). However, there are some quality wooden items, iron crafts and leather accessories available for the tourists too. One can see some of the most handsome thoroughbred horses up for auction over here. The fair is all about the charm of the rustic countryside and you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time here. Mainly a cattle fair, the Nagaur fair is a reflection of the enthusiasm and genuine hospitality of the people of Rajasthan.

The unwavering dedication with which you sit in front of the television or relinquish your salary on online shopping has to end and it will this coming weekend. With this itinerary we hope to have made this trip exceedingly simple for you. Now the least you could do is, get your ass there and revel in Rajasthan’s folksy hospitality.
Cheers!!

Shubhra

After spending almost 3 years creating buzz around brands, I decided to quit the world of PR and pursue my true calling which was all about traveling and yoga. If not planning my next trip then I could be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Though born and raised in the hillside town of Dehradun I am a beach bum at heart.

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