Project West :
A winter in Rajasthan
08/08/2025
TRAVEL
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal
The Impulse
It was a regular Thursday evening, March 24, 2022.
I was at my desk, half-working, half-distracted, already wondering what the weekend was going to look like. Nothing was planned. I opened IRCTC without much thought, scrolled through a few trains, and just like that, booked a seat to Agra for the next day. No big reason. No agenda. Just felt like getting out.
It was a regular Thursday evening, March 24, 2022.
I was at my desk, half-working, half-distracted, already wondering what the weekend was going to look like. Nothing was planned. I opened IRCTC without much thought, scrolled through a few trains, and just like that, booked a seat to Agra for the next day. No big reason. No agenda. Just felt like getting out.
The Ride and the Rest
Next day, Friday, March 25, I boarded a general coach around 3 PM and reached Agra by 6. It was a regular train ride with a window seat, a bit noisy, with people constantly getting on and off.
As soon as I reached, I took a rickshaw and went straight to the hostel I had booked a day earlier. Dropped my bag, rested for a bit, and took a short nap. I didn’t have any plans, and since this was my first time travelling alone, I wasn’t sure what to do next. So I just grabbed my phone and stepped out for a walk.
The streets were normal local shops, a slightly busy market, some street food stalls, and people going about their usual evening. I walked around for a while and had dinner somewhere along the way.
Next day, Friday, March 25, I boarded a general coach around 3 PM and reached Agra by 6. It was a regular train ride with a window seat, a bit noisy, with people constantly getting on and off.
As soon as I reached, I took a rickshaw and went straight to the hostel I had booked a day earlier. Dropped my bag, rested for a bit, and took a short nap. I didn’t have any plans, and since this was my first time travelling alone, I wasn’t sure what to do next. So I just grabbed my phone and stepped out for a walk.
The streets were normal local shops, a slightly busy market, some street food stalls, and people going about their usual evening. I walked around for a while and had dinner somewhere along the way.
Mutton Korma with Mughlai paratha
Mutton Korma with Mughlai paratha
The Moment
Somewhere during the walk back after dinner, around 8, I was about half a kilometer away from my hostel. I stopped at a square and heard some noise coming from a narrow street to my right. It was a small flea market. I don’t know why, but I turned and walked into it.
I didn’t buy anything. Just walked through, looking around. At the end of the market, I turned back and came out the same way. I reached the square again and sat at a small tea stall nearby. Right next to it was an old Mughal-era arch still standing.
Somewhere during the walk back after dinner, around 8, I was about half a kilometer away from my hostel. I stopped at a square and heard some noise coming from a narrow street to my right. It was a small flea market. I don’t know why, but I turned and walked into it.
I didn’t buy anything. Just walked through, looking around. At the end of the market, I turned back and came out the same way. I reached the square again and sat at a small tea stall nearby. Right next to it was an old Mughal-era arch still standing.
The Arch
The Arch
While sipping tea, it hit me. That moment when I randomly walked into the market, it made me feel free. No one to check in with. No one to explain myself to. No pressure. Just going with the flow, on my own terms.
It wasn’t a big realisation. Just calm. I didn’t miss anyone. Didn’t feel the need to share the moment. I was okay being there, alone. And that stayed with me.
No breakthrough. Just a quiet reminder, I don’t always need a plan or company to feel something meaningful.
That’s where it began. QUIET, SIMPLE, and MINE.
While sipping tea, it hit me. That moment when I randomly walked into the market, it made me feel free. No one to check in with. No one to explain myself to. No pressure. Just going with the flow, on my own terms.
It wasn’t a big realisation. Just calm. I didn’t miss anyone. Didn’t feel the need to share the moment. I was okay being there, alone. And that stayed with me.
No breakthrough. Just a quiet reminder, I don’t always need a plan or company to feel something meaningful.
That’s where it began. QUIET, SIMPLE, and MINE.
