Fairy Queen



A cultural extravaganza initially welcomes the guest. Local artistes dance to the welcome hoot of a Bankiya, and the beat of Dholak. The steps and the rhythm are swift and upbeat. The flowing mirrored skirts reflected the flames of the evening campfire. Then comes the man spitting fire to the night. Beside him, dance the girls with a pot of blazing flames placed on head. It’s indeed a fiery dance.

Sariska, Jeep Safari
The morning after is the ‘Operation day of sighting the Tiger’. The entrance to Sariska, the home of Indian Tiger is 7.00 am. A time when the Sun starts spreading its forceful presence on men and animals below. Peacocks, to the plenty, inhabited the forest. The prettiest are the young ones. Blue bull families, can be seen swishing their tails or munching on a high bush. Spotted Deer can be seen lazing around, not at all in a mood to jump and hop away. While the Wild Boars seem quiet content with the company of the Sambhars in the morning hours.

Dusky Beauty
The Sun disappears behind Silserh mountains, when the tour continues towards Sariska, the Tiger den. Dusk does not fall in this region at once. It takes its own pleasant time to slowly express itself. Mountains start assuming queer and weird shapes; birds can be spotted flying homewards. It is time for evening fires. An unusually sharp pair of mountains en route, which are about 200 metres away from each other, is known as Natni Ka Bara (Natni, being the Nautch girl). It is believed that one Natni tied a rope between the cliffs and crossed the distance without experiencing fear of any kind. When the ecstatic crowd showed her the distance and told her the consequence of a fall from such a height, she collapsed of a heart attack.

Museum: City Palace
A mere 37-kilometre drive back from Sariska take one to the City Palace Museum erected in 17th century by Maharaja Vinaya Singh. Though built high and grandiose, age has brought signs of decay. The durbar hall is still kept with its gold work intact, for use during ceremonial occasions. The most outstanding of exhibits is a group of 18th century Mughal Miniature Paintings, based on classical music Ragas. Each depicts the transformation of nature brought about when the raga is sung - the effect on clouds, wind, sky, human moods of that particular raga - so aptly that they singularly classify as a work beyond parallel.