March 2023 Issue
Trip to the Architectural Marvels of Rajasthan: Pallavan School, Jhalawar
Pallavan believes that the purpose of education is the actualization of individual potential. Pallavan Jhalawar is located on a beautiful pollution-free lust green landscape of 10 acres. All systems in the school are geared towards what is best for the children. The school follows a pastoral system and has a specially designed curriculum and a dynamic and individualized assessment pattern. Pallavan’s endeavour is to motivate each child by helping them learn the right skills and also give them ample opportunities to display these skills. This facilitates the early establishment of a positive self-image, a feeling of self-worth and a positive view of learning. The environment at Pallavan, the interaction with the children, the activities planned are conducive to doing just that.
This year’s field trip for Grade 7 -12 students was organized from 23rd to 26th December 2022 to Udaipur and Kumbhalgarh, the places well known for their well-preserved architectural heritage. This trip was led by the principal and 6 other teachers that took four and a half days to complete. 50 students accompanied by seven teachers, departed in a bus from the Junior school Jhalawar at 9:00 am. As expected, the ambiance was of excitement and enthusiasm. The first lunch of the trip was served en route in a very luxurious resort. After a delicious lunch they headed towards Sanwariya Temple and Shilpgram, Udaipur also known as an artisan village. The Shilpgram is an ideal place to interact and explore the artistic fervour of the Indian culture. It is a place where history, culture, and heritage are bound together to offer a ravishing image of a glorious Indian past. During this visit, students watched dance performances of tribals from Rajasthan and Gujarat, and interacted with locals who were selling their products at Shilpgram. After exploring this small village for an hour. They then spent the night.
The next day the students were excited to go to Udaipur City Palace as it is one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan, located peacefully on the banks of Lake Pichola. This majestic City Palace is the most-visited tourist attraction of Udaipur and often called the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. During their visit to the City Palace, they saw the wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese architecture. The tour guide showed them around exploring the history of the palace. The Udaipur Palace has various towers, domes, and arches, which add to the flavour of the heritage site. Towering on the banks of Pichola Lake, City Palace is truly a feast to the eyes. The City Palace is a marvellous assortment of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms, and hanging gardens. The students did not miss the opportunity to save this beauty with their cameras.
The Udai Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola, Jaisamand Lake, Fateh Sagar Lake, and Rajsamand Lake together make the city an incredible land of beauty and pleasure.In the afternoon, they departed for Kumbhalgarh Fort, the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great king and warrior of Mewar. They spent the night at a resort and enjoyed bonfire, dinner and dance performance.
The Kumbhalgarh fort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan. The fort is humungous with a wall over 22 miles/ 36 kilometers long. It is spread across a vast area and is among the largest wall complex in the world. The students also visited the Nav Durga temple inside the fort, where a flame has been burning for seven centuries.
They then visited Haldighati, a historic place that witnessed the great battle between the Mughals and Maharana Pratap. The students visited the museum which tells the tale of Maharana Pratap and his favourite horse Chetak. The king’s courage, valour and his sacrifices for his state have been beautifully showcased by murals, hand paintings, and a short animated film. The students also witnessed the various aspects of Maharana Pratap’s life through light and sound shows. One couldn’t avoid the goosebumps while listening to the historic battle fought at Rakt Talai. The visit to Haldighati was undoubtedly enriching and informative.
They headed back to Jhalawar with a collection of many experiences - lovely pictures with friends and many memories to share. The trip was excellent exposure for the students to understand and appreciate the language, culture, traditions, and practices of their state of Rajasthan.
Outcomes of the trip:
*The tour bequeathed the students with a pleasant and exceptional educative and informative experience, which absorbed them into the culture of India’s most attractive cities.
*The students had the chance to explore the natural charm and its hidden treasures. Also, they engaged in its colourful history, starting from its colonial and indigenous beginnings to its current booming present, filled with culture and tradition.
* The students will forever cherish the memories of this trip which enabled them to get acquainted with Udaipur’s rich heritage. Apart from the knowledge, such excursions bring alive the spirit of camaraderie and friendship.