A Visual Journey of Chasing Monsoon in Jaisalmer.
Ready for the magic of monsoon in Jaisalmer?
I’m no monsoon chaser. In fact, I’ve spent most monsoons running away from the rains.
But when the luxury boutique hotel Suryagarh Jaisalmer invited me for a bloggers’ getaway in the Thar desert, to experience the magic of monsoon in Jaisalmer, I got curious.
I had never, until then, imagined that the vast wilderness of the Thar Desert could be covered in green pastures and small oases. Or that the clear blue desert sky could be engulfed with grey clouds on a terrain so flat, you could literally see them burst into rain at the far end of the desert.
Monsoon in Jaisalmer was magical alright, but you shouldn’t believe me until you get a glimpse yourself:
ARRIVING IN THE OLD FASHIONED LUXURY OF SURYAGARH
A unique resort built in the style of a Rajasthan fort. A warm welcome by musicians of the Manganiyar tribe, who tug at your heart with the tunes of the desert.
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STUMBLING UPON A TYPICAL DESERT SCENE
during monsoon in Jaisalmer; a young boy herding his camels. This untouched desert wilderness is far from the popular Sam Dunes of Jaisalmer, and there are no camel safaris for tourists here. This is real desert life.
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SPOTTING GREEN PASTURES IN JAISALMER
literally in the middle of nowhere, with herds of sheep, goats, cows and even camels grazing on them.
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COOLING OFF AT AN OASIS IN THE THAR DESERT
formed during monsoon in Jaisalmer! This lake is formed in the rains every season, with a strange half tree growing in the middle of it. All around lies the stark contrast of the vast wilderness of Jaisalmer. This location has no name, and we made it here after off-roading in the desert. Manvendra Singh Shekhawat, the owner of Suryagarh, personally drove us here, and seems to be one of the few people who know this little secret in the desert.
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CELEBRATING THE RAINS LIKE THE LOCALS
with a special halwai breakfast at Suryagarh Jaisalmer. Mirchi vadas and local sweets are only the first course. Hungry yet?
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DRIVING ALONG AN ABANDONED VILLAGE IN JAISALMER
called Khaba, in the backdrop of the monsoon greens. Legend has it that 84 such Paliwal villages in Jaisalmer were abandoned overnight some 300 years ago, and cursed never to be inhabited again. These ruins show just how well-planned the Paliwal community must have been.
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SAMPLING LIFE IN A TYPICAL RAJASTHAN VILLAGE
in Jaisalmer, where the monsoon rains form oases like these, providing much needed relief to the locals, kids and cattle from the harsh desert heat.
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CHASING MONSOON IN JAISALMER ACROSS THE THAR DESERT
and watching ominous grey clouds unleash themselves across the vast nothingness.
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LITERALLY WATCHING THE MAGIC OF MONSOON IN JAISALMER
as the shadows of a grey sky paint such surreal scenes in Rajasthan’s golden desert.
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FEELING LIKE ROYALTY AT SURYAGARH
after the rains stop, and the pitch dark night engulfs the vast wilderness of the desert.
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Have you experienced the magic of monsoon in Jaisalmer?
ALSO SEE:
In Photos: Bhap Village, Rajasthan
In Photos: Majuli Island, Assam
In Photos: Sangla Valley, Kinnaur
ALSO READ:
Offbeat Rajasthan: 10 Awe-Inspiring Experiences
Wild, Adventurous and Quirky Things to do in Jodhpur
Lakshman Sagar: Add it to Your Rajasthan Bucket List
Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.
Beautiful and artistic shots. Equally good informative description.
http://www.bnomadic.wordpress.com
Thanks! Glad you liked them. Ever visited Rajasthan in the rains?
Never really but would want to visit after reading your posts.
I visited Jaisalmer in March…wish I could visit it now…I am sure you had a great time, Shivya! Great Photos!
I really did, Renuka. You have to plan a trip back there while it’s still raining, and do before-after comparison 🙂
Planning to visit Jaisalmer in the next week… found your piece informative…. would like to know places where we we can see a normal desert life and its location… thanks in advance 🙂
That’s great Durgesh, you’ll love it! Most of these places have no names, but I would suggest popping by at Suryagarh (15 minutes out of the city, ask anyone) for tea even if you’re not staying there – and ask for Karan, the manager. He’ll be able to guide you on the routes you should take. Feel free to give him my reference 🙂
Just beautiful. Very well clicked my friend. Quite informative post
Thank you, it was really something seeing the desert covered in greenery. Glad the “aamjunta” enjoyed it 😉
Wow lovely captures all if them….Sigh wish I was thr right now!!
Thanks Aditi! Plan a trip, the effect of the rains should last for another month atleast 🙂
Great Clicks..Crisp and Clear narration..Yet another lovely post
Thanks Sunil, glad you liked both!
I have never visited Rajasthan, and never visited a desert either. Would love to, after seeing your pictures. 🙂
Fantastic Shivya! I missed being there this year…
Lovely pictures Shivya! I was in Jaipur last week visiting Samode palace and it was beautiful. Would love to share travel stories sometime 🙂
And that is Rajasthan. and you captured it well!
There is something very ravishing, very thrilling about rain on a parched land. Like the beloved coming to the lover after years of separation. Okay, forget about the rain, that spread of delicacies looks absolutely divine. Did you devour all of the items? Life suddenly seems so dull without those goodies.
wow what a beautiful place and the way you chase monsoons is like me and sunsets 🙂
good photos and information