I have already written a nostalgic post about Rajasthan before. So when I planned a trip to South Rajasthan, I wondered if I am doing justice by writing about it. Someone completely unaware of the green, forested Rajasthan with lakes, rivers and dams would probably be more suited to give you a wide-eyed account of the region. I can talk intimately about the state, but in most parts, I have been a guest myself. South Rajasthan, however, is where I grew up, failed, succeeded, learnt, grew roots and got married.
“I saw my first desert and sand dune at the age of 11. Before that, being from Rajasthan meant rivers and birds and waterfalls. I used to be so mad at my cousins who would ask if we get enough water or if I see a camel every day. I would never understand why.”
I saw my first desert and sand dune at the age of 11. Before that, being from Rajasthan meant rivers and birds and waterfalls. I used to be so mad at my cousins who would ask if we get enough water or if I see a camel every day. I would never understand why. In fact, early geography lessons were frustrating too because the books painted a dry and arid picture of the state I was living in, where I only saw picnic spots around the streams and lush green covers in monsoon. Before I could go to Jaisalmer or even Jaipur, I had been to the Sita Mata Sanctuary and monkeyed around from one hanging Banyan route to another, finally splashing into a stream.
The Malwa plateau merges into the Aravalis in this region, creating a ghat section and enabling some beautiful landscapes. The forests are of teak. Predominately a tribal belt, districts like Dungarpur, Banswara and Dhariyawad in South Rajasthan have agriculture as their primary occupation.
Personally, I was aware but didn’t really know of these things. It is like you knew your dad played the guitar; but to actually know the songs and notes he played and the name of the band he played for – just makes you see him in a different light! 
I knew that the ghat sections and the wide plateau when I travelled around but I never bothered to find out what they were called. I visited and lived on agricultural farms and bathe under the pumped water, with my parents being involved in the agricultural business; but I never really questioned the availability of so much water in Rajasthan. I learnt swimming in Mahi and visited tribal festivals as picnics. However, I never even knew that there are so many races of tribes in the region.
Ranakpur Jain Temple
In a way, I am really grateful that I got a chance to plan this trip. Sometimes, you need to step back and look at your home from a different eye to appreciate what it has to offer. Not just that, I could finally leave the familiarity of the touristy Udaipur and was able to choose some unique experiences to include. I finally made efforts to study the history behind those century-old temples I would play hide and seek around. I now know the topographical and ethnic names related to the region. I have a severe urge to rediscover the place of my childhood; this time, with new eyes.
Kumbalgarh Fort
