By Ishita Kanwar
Some school trips are fun. Some are unforgettable. But this one? It was magical. Our visit to the Nahargarh Wax Museum in Jaipur wasn’t just another outing. It was an experience — one that made me laugh, stare in awe, feel goosebumps, and walk away with a heart full of memories. I was lucky to be chosen for this trip — part of the Saksham Sanskar Mass Media team, along with a few other specially selected students from our school. And together, we went on a journey we’ll never forget.
That morning at Army Public School, Jaipur, everything felt special — even the breeze. There was excitement in the air as we boarded the van — some of us chatting nonstop, others already taking selfies, and someone even playing music. The city slowly faded behind us, and ahead was something new… something big. As soon as we saw Nahargarh Fort, I just stared. It felt like a place from a royal storybook — grand, quiet, and full of secrets. Our mentors were waiting, smiling, as we arrived. There was this spark in everyone’s eyes — that feeling when you know something amazing is about to happen.
The first thing we saw inside the museum was a five-seater bike called Gati Gamini (1980). It looked old, but strong — like it had carried so many people through time. I couldn’t help but smile. It reminded me of how families stick together — even on a tight seat, there’s always space for love.
Then we walked under a replica of India Gate into a section called Kartavya Path. And that’s where I saw them — Gandhi ji, Nehru ji, Rabindranath Tagore — standing there, as if frozen in time, yet somehow alive. In that moment, I felt proud. I whispered a quiet “thank you” without even realizing it. And in the Freedom Fighters’ Gallery, when I saw Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and others… I just stood there. Imagining their courage. I felt small — and inspired.
Then came the Sports Zone, and wow — what a shift! The energy changed the moment we walked in. A giant bat with signatures, a statue of Virat Kohli, and even a tribute to Kalpana Chawla. Seeing her made me think, “If she could touch the stars, why can’t I at least try?” And then came the part we were secretly most excited for — the Bollywood Zone! There was Amitabh Bachchan, looking taller than ever. Then Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar — all standing like they were about to say their famous dialogues. Even though they were made of wax, they felt real. And yes — we took a lot of photos! Just around the corner, we met Lionel Messi, Queen Elizabeth II, Saina Nehwal, and even Swami Vivekananda — all in one place. Can you imagine?
After all the laughter and fun, we entered a calm, softly-lit space. Gentle music played. And there they were — Mother Teresa and the 14th Dalai Lama. I don’t know what happened… but I felt still. Peaceful. Like my heart had paused to breathe. That was one of my favorite moments — quiet, but powerful. And then — boom! — there stood Michael Jackson, mid-dance! We burst out laughing.
Right next to him, Jackie Chan, looking ready to kick. Then came the Cartoon Zone — and my inner child screamed with joy. Doraemon, Nobita, Spider-Man, Iron Man — even Albert Einstein, looking like he might be wondering how he ended up in a room full of superheroes!
Next, we stepped into a regal hall filled with Rajasthan’s royal past. We saw Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, and our guide explained how Jaipur was designed using ancient knowledge from texts like the Garud Puran — built with 9 zones and 7 protective gates. Listening to that, I didn’t just feel like a Jaipurite — I felt like I belonged to something timeless. And then… I saw her. Maharani Gayatri Devi. I stopped in my tracks. There was something magical in the way she stood — so elegant, so strong. Her eyes, even though made of wax, felt… real. She didn’t need words. Her presence said everything.
And then — the grand finale: Sheesh Mahal. I had seen pictures before, but nothing compares to standing inside it. The walls and ceiling were covered with over 25 lakh hand-cut mirrors. Everything sparkled. I turned slowly in a circle, taking it all in, feeling like a princess in a story. There were three parts: a royal court in rich colors with a shining throne, a golden room with the Kohinoor diamond replica, and a soft blue-and-white space where I just wanted to sit and stay forever.
We came for a school trip. But we left with something deeper — stories, emotions, pride, and a quiet spark inside us. The Nahargarh Wax Museum didn’t just show us statues. It showed us our heroes. Our history. Ourselves.