They left behind some memories

Pop stars, singers, filmmakers, corporate honchos, celebs from all parts of the world, and all walks of life walk in and out of Rajasthan every day. They leave behind some memories...
Sources from Shiv Vilas hotel speak about Gerard Butler’s visit to Jaipur
It was strange that nobody – even in the hotel – came to know that such a big Hollywood star was staying with us until we started getting media queries.He came across as a simple, sweet guy, with none of the celebrity airs about him. He was here during a film shoot with actor Priyanka Chopra and while Priyanka used to shoot during the day time, he used to cover his face with a turban and go around the city. He really enjoyed his trip to Amber and clicked lots of pictures that he used to show to Priyanka. He enjoyed a special pool side dinner with Priyanka and her mom. He was so impressed by the beauty and architecture of Jaipur that he said he’d love to come here to shoot a film some day.
Karni Singh Jasol, Assistant Curator, Mehrangarh Fort and Museum, shares his experience of taking Bill Gates around the place
He is known as the richest person on this planet, and still, he was so humble. Bill Gates is one of the most wonderful person I have met in my life. He was here last year with his family and his dad was the one who was really excited about being Rajasthan. The history and architecture of Jodhpur and Mehrangarh Fort really impressed Gates and he wanted to know everything about it. He never hesitated and kept asking questions all the while he was here. One small thing that I still remember, something that impressed me very much, was that while they were going around the fort, they were given a ‘clean entry’, whereas other guests were being stopped for security checks. He resisted that move, and felt bad about it. ‘We don’t want that others should face any problems because of us,’ he told me. That was just so nice of him, I will never forget it.
Sources from the amber fort speak about what this jodi did on their visit
While the media and fans thronged the Ram Bagh Palace hotel, and kept an eye on every foreigner enjoying an elephant ride near Jal Mahal to spot them, pop singer Katy Perry and her fiancé Russell Brand roamed around casually in chappals and shorts around the small lanes of Amber, exploring the temples and handicraft shops. And it was only after the singer tweeted about how much she liked the henna on her hands that her fans got to know what they were up to in Jaipur. Katy and Russell’s exotic vacation across Rajasthan earlier this year has been the most famous celeb visit of 2010 so far. The couple loved the desert state and chose to go around the villages of Pushkar and around Jaipur rather than just visiting the famous forts and palaces. The duo is even said to have attended a traditional Indian ceremony in Pushkar and only after attending that did they decide to get married in Rajasthan, in the same traditional style.
Says Manvendra Singh, owner of Rohetgarh where Madonna and Guy Richie stayed when they came visiting...
Rohetgarh is known to be one of the most exotic holiday locations of Rajasthan. And when Queen of Pop Madonna and her then husband, Guy Richie came here for a week-long vacation, all eyes were on this retreat. Madonna was completely thrilled to be here and she was accompanied by a huge group of people that also included two yoga teachers who would help her meditate and relax. She wanted to be away from the world of glamour and everything around her and that’s why she chose a location that is away from the mainstream tourist spots. Her first condition was that she would not allow any photographs. She was in love with the colours and traditions of Rajasthan and requested to organise a night of just Rajasthani food, dance and music. She dressed in traditional Rajasthani dress that night and for a while, she was just watching people dance. A little later, she too joined them and from ghoomar to dandiya, she danced to every beat for one-and-a-half hour. Before leaving, she said she’s fallen in love with Rajasthani culture and the simplicity of people here.
Compiled by Divya KaushikFollow us on Twitter for more stories