My Adventure through Horse Safari

As an adventure enthusiast right from the beginning I had never left any opportunity unturned that came my way and, what to talk about adventure if it is on the back of the horse. Horse Riding is my passion, I had tried horse riding on every kind of terrain, this time I wanted to try on sand- where else I could have got better opportunity then Thar Desert in Rajasthan. I went for a Horse Safari Package through Rajasthan and finally landed up in beautiful city of Udaipur. My friend told me that these packages are the complete guide to the horse safari tour of the desert region.

I head towards the guided city tour, visiting exquisite City Palace-the museum treasuring antiquities, royal dresses, paintings, a worth visiting sight. I also visited famous Nagada, Eklingji Temples and Pratap Memorial of the great warrior Rana Pratap Singh, it was a huge, magnificent bronze statue that was attracting the tourist from all over the world.

Later there was motor boat cruiser at Lake Pichola up to the Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir, an island palace amidst Lake Pichola. The picturesque splendor of the entire scenario was just breathtaking.

Then I was driven to Nawalgarh famous for some of the finest frescos located in the Shekhawati region. It took almost 4 hours from Udaipur to reach the palace. Then the time came for which I was eagerly waiting for- Royal Equestrian and Polo Center 30 km from the city was the starting point for my horse safari. My guide told me that it is the only horse safari center in the country to be acknowledged and affiliated by the Equestrian Federation of India.

I started my horse safari driving past the terrain comprising of desert, hills, sand dunes, forests, remote villages and hamlets- I also encounter the real village life.

My next destination was Ranakpur with my horse, I visited the famous Jain Temples famous for their exquisitely carved walls and sculptures. I was absolutely awe-struck at the sight of Adinath temple with its 1444 columns. I continue my horse safari and reached a small village- Kotri. My stay was arranged in the fabulous tented camps for the night, adding the charm of a typical Rajasthani delicacy. There was much more in the store for the evening, the entire panorama was lighted with the soft music and folk dances performed by the local artisans around the bonfire.

Morning after a hot breakfast I started with my horse to visit Barkana a famous Marwari stud farm and also Jain pilgrimage center. I continued my horse safari to Kotri crossing the farming hutment, followed by a dry riverbed garnished with Accatia plant. Whole vista was breathtaking, it seemed as if I was in a fairy land in a celestial world. Today also our accommodation was arranged in tents with hot dinner by the side. Normally after travelling about 25-30 km by horse we use to take halt, with hot lunches served en-route.

Next morning after breakfast I started my ride to Hemawas, passing through many small village settlements. It was really wonderful to experience a village life from such a close quarters, intermixing with the locals, they welcomed me with real graciousness. I was amazed at their simplicity, men folk busy rearing camels, their ladies adorned with beautiful silver jewelry and colorful skirts indulged in their household work. I spent some time at the lakeside enjoying day to day activity of the people, then resumed my horse ride to Kharwa. There I visited the tomato cultivation farm, exquisite artificial lake and a massive fort. Evening was hosting a cultural show of music and folk dance performed by the local artisans at our tented accommodation, the thrill continues beneath the open sky in the warmth of fire.

My horse riding through Rajasthan was a memorable experience. There is so much to see and do - the sights and sounds are almost spirituous. I came away meticulously wonder struck by the splendor of small villages, unexplored regions that has so much to offer, in terms of there natural pulchritude, history, rich culture and tradition. I know that this is not my ultimate sojourn to this beautiful land - yet, there is so much left to explore.