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A Royal Honeymoon in Rajasthan
Part 2 [from page 1] SARDAR SAMMAND PALACE, PALI-JODHPUR After the picturesque hills of Mewar, the drive through the arid plains of Pali was rather an anti-climax, and we were happy to reach the Sardar Sammand Palace, set in a large complex of greenery and gardens, overlooking the Sardar Sammand lake. This palace, built in 1933, was the lakeside retreat and hunting lodge of the Maharajah of Jodhpur. It is impressive, but with a modern look, and has a lovely garden, tennis courts, swimming pool, terraces and outdoor dining areas. We were fortunate enough to get room no. 102 with the best lake views. We watched pelicans, ducks. herons and storks on the lake. and finally witnessed the sunset reflected on the lake waters. The food was good too--we had kheema mutter, paneer kurma, besan sabji, aloo mutter and kheer in the well appointed dining hall.
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the 1 1/2 hour journey to the city was extremely
eventful. We passed Khejarali, the picturesque village of
the Bisnoi community, who are known for their religious
commitment to conserving wildlife, trees and
environmental resources. The Bisnois of Khejarali are
said to have saved a scrub forest here from being felled
by the armies of Jodhpur by hugging the trees. Many of
them died in the attempt until the king ordered the
soldiers to stop the cutting. The Guda sanctuary,
protected traditionally by Bisnois and now by the forest
department, came next-we saw small herds of the elegant
Indian gazelle, blue bull in batches of 6 or 7, a
handsome blackbuck antelope, a desert fox, a desert cat
and some grey partridge families. Potters were at work in
Singasini, Raika shepherd boys were herding sheeps,
goats, and camels toward the grassfields, Jhalamand has
an 18th century country castle with
comfortable rooms, good food and superb views of the fort
and palace of Jadhpur, and we detoured to Salavas where
durrie rugs, carpets and blankets are woven from camel
hair,wool and cotton on traditional pitlooms.