Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Favorite activities
Free time can be utilized to do various activities like reading, writing, blogging, netsurfing, meeting friends, etc. These recreational activities not only freshen you up, but also improve your though process. In my free time, I like to catch up on my sleep or turn the pages of a magazine. A good book that is really engrossing can hold me up for hours and hours.... on... I also love travelling and visiting new places, exploring places
Choki Dhani : The cultural village
A beautiful hamlet in Rajasthan, Choki dhani is a small sleeping village which awakes at night to its full swing. Dimly-lit huts, traditional dancers swaying to folk tunes and rich exquisite cuisine is the highlight of the small village. Camel rides, horse rides, bhil dance, games and fun....And the excellent service and culinary skills.... It was a delight.......
We left our hotel sometime early evening and headed towards Choki Dhani. Bubbling with enthusiasm and singing songs, we were a motley group of 15 people. The place was a 40-minute drive from our hotel . As we entered the gate of the village, we were received by a traditionally dressed Rajasthani couple with a metal pooja thali in hand. They applied vermilion on out foreheads and put a marigold garland around our necks. We then headed towards the village area. The entire place was dimly lit with clay lamps and candles with traditional folk music in the background. We could see mud huts and folk dancers everywhere. We could also see camels, horses and bullock carts. We all went for a camel ride and screamed at the top of our voices when the camel stood up to walk. It was very thrilling. Then we met some local tribes dancing away to glory. They dragged all of us to join their folk dance around the fire. After enjoying all the rides, we finally decided to buy some colourful glass bangles and handicraft. By that time, most of us were starving and eager to go for some food.
We entered the huts where they were serving food. Men in traditional attire had spread jute carpets on the floor where people were lined up to sit and eat. They spread plates called pattals made out of huge dried leaves on the floor and started serving food. The dinner comprised dal, kadhi, baati, choorma, bajra roti, sangri, aloo bhaji, badi sabzi and loads of butter in small earthern pots. The person advised me to finish my food completely otherwise he would not let me leave the place (haha). ... I was shocked at this great hospitality.... He kept on putting more and more food on my plate. By the time he came for a second round, my stomach was about to burst and I prayed him not to add any more food. We finally got up for a moonlight walk in the village and then headed back to the hotel.
Rajasthan is a state full of culture, tradition and history. Other places to visit are Jaipur, Amer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mt. Abu, Udaipur....City of lakes...... It is well known for the traditional costumes, food and folk dances.
We left our hotel sometime early evening and headed towards Choki Dhani. Bubbling with enthusiasm and singing songs, we were a motley group of 15 people. The place was a 40-minute drive from our hotel . As we entered the gate of the village, we were received by a traditionally dressed Rajasthani couple with a metal pooja thali in hand. They applied vermilion on out foreheads and put a marigold garland around our necks. We then headed towards the village area. The entire place was dimly lit with clay lamps and candles with traditional folk music in the background. We could see mud huts and folk dancers everywhere. We could also see camels, horses and bullock carts. We all went for a camel ride and screamed at the top of our voices when the camel stood up to walk. It was very thrilling. Then we met some local tribes dancing away to glory. They dragged all of us to join their folk dance around the fire. After enjoying all the rides, we finally decided to buy some colourful glass bangles and handicraft. By that time, most of us were starving and eager to go for some food.
We entered the huts where they were serving food. Men in traditional attire had spread jute carpets on the floor where people were lined up to sit and eat. They spread plates called pattals made out of huge dried leaves on the floor and started serving food. The dinner comprised dal, kadhi, baati, choorma, bajra roti, sangri, aloo bhaji, badi sabzi and loads of butter in small earthern pots. The person advised me to finish my food completely otherwise he would not let me leave the place (haha). ... I was shocked at this great hospitality.... He kept on putting more and more food on my plate. By the time he came for a second round, my stomach was about to burst and I prayed him not to add any more food. We finally got up for a moonlight walk in the village and then headed back to the hotel.
Rajasthan is a state full of culture, tradition and history. Other places to visit are Jaipur, Amer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mt. Abu, Udaipur....City of lakes...... It is well known for the traditional costumes, food and folk dances.
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