Tails to Pushkar – A Different Tale

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Date of Journey: 26-28 January 2018
Route: Delhi – Gurgaon – Jaipur bye pass – Kishangarh – Pushkar - Ajmer and back
Total Distance covered: 825 kms


Republic day was fast approaching. Combined with the weekend, it presented a beautiful opportunity to travel. My coterie of Praveer and Rakesh started hounding me for the trip since I had went with Manish during my last trip in December (Kamrunag Lake, Himachal). Rahul the last member of the travelling quartet too confirmed his participation albeit on the penultimate day. His participation ultimately lead us to visit Pushkar. He was the one who initially proposed Pushkar against our wishes of travelling to hills. Praveer insisted on going to Parashar Lake and we were almost set to visit Parashar Lake near Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Those who live in north India might remember that this was the time of Jaat agitation in Haryana, NCR, Rajasthan and MP with news of violence emanating from these places. By the evening Rahul became apprehensive of visiting Pushkar due to disturbing occurrences in Rajasthan. We slept packed for Parashar Lake.

Our rendezvous point in the morning was Janakpuri West metro station at 9.15 am from where we would head directly to Karnal bye-pass. By 9.30 am we all assembled and were ready to go when I once again I popped up the question – where we should head? On our left, the roads lead to Karnal bye-pass which would have taken us to Parashar Lake while a right turn would have taken us to Dhaula Kuan and further to Pushkar. With no firm answer from any one, we decided to toss. Heads – we go Parashar, Tails – Pushkar. Eventually we got a tailwind which set us sailing on the road to Pushkar. I personally was relieved to head to Pushkar as I was in the grip of cough and cold, my old nemesis and Parashar would have been too cold for my comfort.

waiting for Praveer, Rahul and Rakesh at Janakpuri West Metro Station

We were sailing through the NH9 by 10.15 am. Delhi roads were empty but there was little heavy traffic on the highway. We stopped at Basant Dhaba, a little ahead of Gurgaon, for late breakfast. We had a wonderful spread at the table. The food was good. With tummy full, we moved merrily till the road diversions and toll-centric jams struck us. We started enjoying the drive once we reached the Jaipur bye-pass. With sparse traffic and great roads, we sped along munching miles. In between we stopped for evening replenishments at Hotel Raj Palace near Dudu. However the experience was not good. We ordered pakodas to begin with, which was complete disaster. We ordered nothing more. Only tea was the saving grace.

Breakfast break at Basant Dhaba after crossing Gurgaon

food was good

Rahul, Praveer, Rakesh - from left to right

 

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With no more breaks in sight, we continued non-stop till we reached Pushkar. It was around 6.00 pm when we reached near the holy Brahma Sarovar Lake. Praveer and Rakesh went in search of a hotel offering lake view. Their search continued for more than two hours as they could not find any hotel overlooking the lake. Everything was occupied. Finally, we could get a suite in hotel Pushkar-Lake Place which was not exactly on the lake-shore but we could not complain much. With luggage transferred to our rooms we ordered simple meal consisting of daal-roti-sabzi-rice and slept off while watching 3 idiots on television.

our abode for two nights

went for a walk after dinner - Badri ghat

Paan shop near Badri ghat

khai ke paan pushkar wala

serene Brahma sarovar

We were greeted by a beautiful morning. It was a lovely day with clear sky and pleasant sunshine. It was a great beginning to a perfect lazy day which I always seek for. While Rakesh and Praveer were yet to get ready, Rahul and I decided to check out the roof-top restaurant of the hotel. We ordered tea and Nutella-pancakes. Unknowingly we stared a quest of marathon breakfast session which lasted till late afternoon. With all of us ready, we headed on foot towards the Brahma temple. But before that we washed ourselves at the Brahma ghat.

Roof top restaurant of the hotel

Nutella pancake was okeyish - one advise only order Indian food at this hotel

 

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The lanes leading to the temple were all crowded up. But the lanes were line up with desi fast-food stall. Kachori, samosa, mirchi-bada, pakodas of all kinds, maal-pua, lassi and what not. But before we could lay our hands to all these stuff, we first paid our respects to Lord Brahma. Once we had the blessings of the Lord, we ransacked all the food stall one by one.

heading to Brahma Temple

campaigning for Ajmer bye-polls were in full flow

supporters of Congress candidate - eventually Congress won the bye-poll of Ajmer

let the fun begin

Pushkar me hain to ek Camel ki photo to banti hi hai

masala poha

 

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After plundering the food stalls, the rampaging quartet moved on to Pink Floyd Café. Rahul being a big Pink Floyd always wanted to visit the sacred Pink Floyd Café which was little away from the hustle and bustle of main market. We ordered pasta and pancakes. After getting completely stuffed we walked back to our hotel and rested for a while before again hitting the roof-top restaurant of the hotel. We ordered chowmein and veg-pulao which was awful. It was finally time for some rest for our overworked tummies.

Pink Floyd Hotel and Cafe

views of the town from the Cafe

the roof top sitting area

Rakesh and Praveer waiting for their pancake to arrive

once again we hit the bye-lanes of Pushkar

Breakfast marathon was officially closed with Namo tea

we were not yet satisfied - we again ordered some food at the roof top restaurant of the hotel

 

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After a short break, we were again ready to stroll around the town. This time we were focused on one particular joint – the La Pizzeria. It is one of the most recommended restaurant of Pushkar and we found it to be absolutely amazing place for Italian food. There was a good amount of waiting time before we could get a seat. We ordered a variety of item and all of them were delightful. We came out satisfied with our tummies full.

evening tea

kulhad wali chai - kulhad cost us additional 15 rupees

La Pizzeria - one of the best place to eat at Pushkar

 

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Again after La Pizzeria, we circumvented the lake before heading back to our hotel. We again watched some movies before snoring out the night away. In the morning we checked out early and visited Ajmer Sharif dargah. It was my second visit here after the year 2008. It was same old story – crowded and felt like we were visiting temples at Gokul and Mathura with people hounding you for money at every nook and corner of the dargah. We made a hasty retreat and treated ourselves to a hearty breakfast outside the dargah before starting our return journey. Another stop for late lunch was made at Prem bhog dhaba well before Gurgaon. We reached home completely relaxed.

entrance of dargah sharif

street in front of the dargah

breakfast at Ajmer

last supper at Prem Bhog dhaba well before Gurgaon

This time the DSLR never came out of the bag. With age I am getting lazier by every passing day. There was no usual sand dunes, camels and the fair at Pushkar. It was mostly about lazing around and eating away, hence most of the pictures are be of food items only. All pictures presented before you were taken by phone camera. I am sure the audience would have enjoyed this treat.

***THANK YOU***

 

[skysat2005]

Short however beautifully presented t'log, thanks for sharing your experience, Alok bhai.
Cheers...

 

[nadz11.ns]

Beautiful..

Rajasthani street food is awesome.

 

[classicrajat]

bahut badiya..alok bhaiya

 

[mousourik]

Brahma ke nam pe kya nahin khaya. Food was awful, but still ordered there and woh bhi kha liya.

Brahma with his four mouths could not have eaten what four with one mouth each have consumed. Aur bol raha hai ki uska ashirvad le liya pahele.