|
Samode |
|
Samode is situated only
about 42 kilometers
north west from Jaipur.
Samode is nestled in the
foothills of the Aravali
range and is inhabited with
about 8000 people.
This
small village offers a
relaxed atmosphere away from
the polluted, traffic and
bustle of city life. Samode offers
various attractions to
the tourists like the
old bawries (water
well), chhatries, 400
year old gates, three
forts, temples, gardens
and a palace. Besides this, in Samode
you will be able to
discover a great
diversity of local arts
and crafts like
miniature paintings, lac, iron work,
jewellery,
leather, carpet
weaving, stone cutting
etc. In Samode you can
dine the Rajasthani cuisine,
enjoy the traditional
Kalbeliya dance,
have a nice walk on the
hills and experience the
traditional ways of life by
staying in a home with a
family. |
|
|
|
|
Location: |
|
Samode is located on the
Agra - Bikaner highway,
about 42 kilometers north
west of Jaipur city in the
state of Rajasthan. Jaipur
is the capital city of
Rajasthan and hence is well
connected to most of the
cities by rail, road and
air.
|
|
History of Samode |
|
|
The Nathawats of Samode played an important role in
the durbar of Jaipur where they served as prime
ministers. Their thikana, which is located in a
charming village, in surrounded by fertile fields,
while a ring of sharp hills was the seat for their
fortifications. Awarded by one of the Kachchwaha
rulers of Amber to one of his twelve sons four and a
half centuries ago, the palace became to be known for
the high quality of its frescos, and particularly in
the use of indigo colours, and the richly painted
Durbar Hall. |
|
|
|
Attractions of Samode |
|
The major tourist
attraction in Samode is
the luxurious Samode
Palace. This palace was
originally built 400
years ago as a simple
fortified Rajput
stronghold, then
developed into an
exquisite example of
Rajput and Mughal
architecture with ornated
and elaborate decoration
set in beautifully
landscaped gardens. The
main attraction of the Samode Palace is the
incredible Sheesh Mahal
(hall of mirrors) and
Sultan Mahal (decorated
in murals depicting
ancient hunting and love
scenes). Besides this, the chattries,
havelis
and 250 year old
bawries upon which
the entire village once
depended can
only be found in Samode. |
|
|
|
The
architecture of the havelis expresses
the culture and
traditions of
villagers. Inside
the havelis you will
be able to view the
colorful patterns
and frescoes of
surrounded clustered
rooms. The famous
temples in Samode
are the Lord Hanuman
and Mahadeva
temple. In Samode you
can also visit the
Govind Dev Ji Ka
Mandir Temple, which
was built in the
year 534 AD and is
dedicated to Radha
and Krishna. Samode is
also known for the
famous temple known
as Samode Ke Veer
Hanuman Ji. This
temple is perched on
a hill top with
panoramic valley
views. |
|
In the evening you can
watch performances of
traditional folk dance
and song by members of
the famous Kalbelia
caste. You can also take
a camel or horse ride
through the village or
use a jeep to explore
the surrounding desert
landscape. |
|
|
|
|
|
Handicrafts |
|
Besides visiting the
above attractions you
can also have a look at
the various masterpieces
of art and craft of the
villagers. The villagers
of the Samode are well
known for its artistic
production. It is the
home of various artists
like the bangle and
jewellery makers, stone
and paper painting
artists, carpet weavers,
potters, metal workers,
lac makers, gem cutters
and traditional mojadi (jooti)
as well as bed and
cushion cover makers.
You can also enjoy the
free lessons in
producing handicrafts,
and even buy the
Rajasthani products for
a good price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The NGO Jan Kala
Sahitya Manch
Sanstha (JKSMS) |
|
 |
In 2003, the Indian
Ministry of Tourism and
Culture started, in
association with the
United Nations
Development Programme, a
project called
“Endogenous Rural
Tourism”. “Endogenous”
or “Transformative”
tourism means to travel
both domestic and
international – not only
for pleasure but also
for broadening the
traveler’s horizon as
well as the horizon of
the local host
communities.
|
|
The NGO Jan Kala
Sahitya Manch
Sanstha (JKSMS) from
Jaipur, is working
on the project for
“Endogenous Tourism”
in Samode. Mr. Kamal
Kishore, the
secretary of JKSMS,
has selected 134
families as host
families for
visitors. Experience
the rural and
cultural life of
India by staying
with one of the host
families of Samode.
Thus you have the
possibility to
interact with the
families and as well
as participate in
the cooking of
traditional
Rajasthani food. One
night stay inclusive
of breakfast, lunch
and dinner will
approximately cost
you 500 Rs (10 Euro)
for two people. |
|
|
|
|
Accommodation in
Samode
|
|
Experience life in
an Indian home by
staying with a
family. 134 homes in
Samode open their
doors to visitors.
Participate in
cooking and daily
activities. One
night including
meals for 2 people
will cost you about
400 to 500 Rupees (8
to 10 Euro). To
organize contact
via email
jksmsjaipur@yahoo.co.in.
You can also contact
the tour operator
indovacations in
Jaipur under
www.indovacations.net
(Phone: +91 98 291
53 949)
You also have the
possibility to spend
the night in one of
the old and
wonderful painted
havelis of Samode.
For information
contact
via email
jksmsjaipur@yahoo.co.in
1.5 kilometers from
the center of Samode
you will find Hotel
Maharaja Palace.
Only opened in the
last year, this
hotel offers modern
and thematic
surroundings.
For
information:info@indovacations.net
The Samode Palace
was converted into a
5 star heritage
hotel in 1987. All
suites are with
royal bathrooms and
exquisite decor. The
rooms cost between
9000 and 19000
Rupees per double
room (between 180 and 380 Euros)
.Contact:
info@indovacation.net
The palace has
snacks available in
its central
courtyard along with
a bar and restaurant
serving Rajasthani,
Asian and European
cuisine.
For the idyllic
Indian tent
experience try the
Samode Bagh.
Luxurious tents line
a garden full of
flowers, fruit trees
and water fountains
based on the
geometric Mughal
garden design.
Members of the
Samode family used
to come here for
moments of privacy
and relaxation. For
more information
Contact
info@indovacations.net
Stay
with a family in a
village of Rajasthan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
