Folklore of heroism and romance resound from the formidable monuments that majestically stand to tell the tale of a bygone era. The magic of vibrant Rajasthan - its rich heritage, colourful culture, exciting desert safaris, shining sand-dunes, amazing variety lush forests and varied wildlife - makes it a 
destination nonpareil. Rajasthan is often portrayed as one vast open-air museum, with its relics so well preserved that it delights even the most skeptical traveler.
It is an incredible destination for the outdoor-tourist – take a safari on horses, camels, elephants or even in jeeps, with the Aravalis - India's oldest mountain range as the backdrop. Feast your eyes on spectacular sand-dunes, take the tiger trail, or just watch the birds in the wetlands. You can also choose to pamper yourself in the lavish heritage properties. Rajasthan has something for everyone – one just has to choose an activity appropriate to one's temperament.
Today's Rajasthan | |
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| Modern Rajasthan is now offering in amenities comparable to those available elsewhere in the world. It has remarkable roads and transport systems. Its roads are trafficked by some of the latest cars and buses, rickshaws, camel carts and horse drawn Tongas as well as improvised tempos. The markets are lined with shopping extravaganzas, with some of its stores being very posh. Climate |
RHYTHM AND RESONANCE
Rajasthan is culturally rich and has extensive tradition in art and culture, which reflects the Indian way of life. The dance, music and art forms have been consciously cultivated and patronized by the erstwhile royal courts. An equally rich and varied folk culture from villages is both fascinating and mesmerizing. The music is of uncomplicated innocence and songs depict day-to-day relationships and chores, more often about the bringing of water. Rajasthan's cultural tapestry takes in simple folk to highly cultivated classical music and dance, in its own distinct style.
Music sung by women is mostly about water and the style is called panihari. It depicts daily chores and is centred on the well. In an arid area like Rajasthan, water is of immense significance. Some of the folk songs also talk about a chance encounter with a lover. Some are snipes at the incorrigible mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.Here too the music has a strong religious flavor and is sung in dedication to various deities. Some religious songs are folk idioms of Saints like Surdas, Kabirdas, Meerabai and others. These songs are mostly heard in nightlong soirées.
Entertainers like the Langas, Manganniyars, Mirasis and Dholis keep music traditions alive. Their education in music began early and passed down the generations. The folk musicians are accomplished in the classical tradition. Songs normally begin with an alap, which sets the tune of the song and then the recital of the couplet that is called the dooba. The songs also have the taan, the pitch and the tibias -the triplet, which lends variance to the tune.
The ballad traditions of Rajasthan are indeed appealing. Here bards sing about folk heroes like Tejaji, Gogaji and Ramdeoji. They sing and narrate heroic tales of battles and even of legendary lovers and their tragedies. Distinctive traditions falling into this class are the 'Phad' and the puppetry.
The accompanying instruments are various– percussion, string and wind; and even items of common use such as bells, thalis (metal dishes) and earthen pots.
The mixture and brilliance of Rajasthan's architectural heritage can amaze a visitor. Majestic forts, intricately carved temples and havelis (meaning mansion) and even step wells make Rajasthan a paradise for an architecture buff. The
desert State of Rajasthan is a land of irony and extremes. This vibrant and striking region is the home of the Rajput warrior clans who had ruled here for many years. Rajasthan is also home to some of India's most romantic cities. The Rajputs were prolific builders and have dotted the arid Aravali landscape with their legacy of some most imposing and magnificent forts and palaces in the world. Today the structures defy time to tell the story of gallantry, courage and tragedy of the bygone era and its story of survival in the harsh Thar Desert. Some of the prominent structures that represent the architectural heritage of Rajasthan are Jantar Mantar, Dilwara Temples, Chittaurgarh Fort, Lake Palace Hotel, City Palace and Jaisalmer havelis.According to the 2001 census, Rajasthan has a population of 56.5 million.
Rajasthan has large indigenous populace–The Meo and Minas (Minawati) in Alwar, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Dholpur areas. The Banjara are travelling tradesmen and artisans. The Gadia Lohar is the ironsmith (lohar) who travels in bullock carts (Gadia); they generally make and repair agricultural and household implements. The Bhils are one of the oldest peoples in India, and inhabit the districts of Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh, Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur, and Sirohi and are famous for their skill in archery. The Grasia and nomadic Kathodi live in the Mewar region. Sahariyas are found in the Kota district, and the Rabaris of the Marwar region are cattle breeders.The Oswals hail from Osiyan near Jodhpur are successful traders and are predominately Jains. While the Mahajan (the trading class) is subdivided into a large number of groups, some of these groups are Jain, while others are Hindu. In the north and west, the Jat and Gujar are among the largest agricultural communities. The Gujars who are Hindus dwell in eastern Rajasthan. The nomadic Rabari or Raika are divided in two groups the Marus who breed camels and Chalkias who breed sheep and goats.
The Rajputs though represent only a small proportion of the populace are the most influential section of the people in Rajasthan. They are proud of their martial reputation and of their ancestry
the preparation of food to the level of a sublime art. It is not surprising therefore that the 'Khansamas' (the royal cooks) who worked in the State palaces kept their most prized recipes to themselves. Some recipes were passed on to their descendants and the rest were passed on as skills to the chefs of semi States and the branded hotel companies.One special feature of the Rajasthani cooking is that it has its roots in the lifestyle of the medieval Rajasthan when the chieftains were mainly at war. The focus was on edible items that could last for several days and could also be eaten without heating. Food was also prepared out of necessity rather than choice. It depended on the items available in particular regions. Furthermore, the scarcity of water as well as fresh green vegetables have had some impact on their art of cooking.
In the desert belt of Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner, cooks use a minimum of
water and prefer, instead, to use more milk, buttermilk and clarified butter. A distinct feature of the Maheshwari(a trading company) cooking is the use of mango powder, a suitable substitute for tomatoes, scarce in the desert, and asafetida, to enhance the taste in the absence of garlic and onions.
Alwar is known as “The Tiger Gate” of Rajasthan. Surrounded by the lush Green Aravali hills and presents a breath taking natural environment. Deciduous forests and lakes form the backdrop for this beautiful place. The place is dotted with architectural splendour surrounded by the harsh hills. The deep valleys and the thick forest cover is a haven for many species of birds and animals. It is one of the oldest cities of the State and its prehistoric and historic sites are an archaeologist’s delight. Paradoxically, Alwar is both the oldest and the newest of the Rajput Kingdoms of Rajasthan. It traces its tradition back to the kingdoms of Viratnagar that flourished here around 1500 B.C. It is also known as Matasya Desh where the Pandavas, the mighty heroes of the Mahabharata, spent the last year of their 13-year exile.
The grandeur, beauty and delicacy of the design of the innumerable forts and palaces of the region, the tranquil lakes, stately hunting lodges, sites of archeological importance, thick forests with numerous birds and animals intermingled with an equally diverse socio-cultural configuration have made this region a traveler’s delight.
Must see in Alwar
Kms from east and west. The fort has 15 large and 51 small towers, which contains 446 loopholes for the musketry; its eight towers all around are meant for its defence . The most magnificent were 3,599 kanguras, each containing two loopholes for musketry. The fort can be entered through six gates, namely Jai Pol, Suraj Pol, Laxman Pol, Chand Pol, Krishan Pol and Andherl Gate.
South west of Jaipur, Ajmer is an oasis wrapped in the green hills. The city was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century A.D. and continued to be a major centre of the Chauhan power till 1193 A.D. Then Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghori, after which Ajmer became home to many dynasties. Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage centre for the Muslims as well as Hindus. Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered both by the Hindus and the Muslims. Ajmer is a centre of culture and education. The British chose Ajmer for its prestigious Mayo College, a school exclusively for Indian nobility at one time. However, now it is one of the best public schools in the country. Ajmer is also the base for visiting Pushkar (14 km.) which has the distinction of having the only Brahma temple in the world. The Picturesque Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus. During the month of Kartik (Oct/Nov), devotees throng in large numbers to take a dip in the sacred lake.
Ajmer was also a favourite residence for the great Mughals. One of the first contacts between the Mughal King Jahangir and Sir Thomas Roe took place here in 1616. The Scindias took over the city in 1818 and then handed it over to the British. Thus Ajmer was the only region to be directly controlled by the East Indian Company.
Place to visit
NASIYAN (RED) TEMPLE
The red temple is a Digambar Jain temple which has a double-storey hall adjacent to the main temple. The hall displays a series of large gold plated wooden figures depicting legends from Jain mythology. The entire hall is richly adorned by glass mosaic, precious stones, gold and silver work. The temple is also popularly called Soni Ji Ki Nasiyan.
PUSKAR
For a devout Hindu, Pushkar is a very important pilgrim centre. For one to visit to this holy place in a lifetime is highly recommended.
Brahma forms the great Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, each symbolising the lifecycle of creation, preservation and destruction. Brahma, the creator, is depicted as a figure with four beard heads and four hands, each holding a book of Vedas (knowledge). His vehicle is the swan and his consort is Savitri. According to the legend, Pushkar means a pond created by flower. It is believed to have been formed when Brahma dropped a lotus flower on the earth to determine a place for his yagna, a holy sacrifice. The story goes that Brahma wanted to perform the yagna at the most auspicious time but his consort Savitri whose presence at the yagna was vital for its performance kept him waiting. Irritated by this Brahma married Gayatri, a milkmaid and installed her instead. Savitri on seeing someone else in her place was infuriated and cursed Brahma that he would be forgotten by people on earth and never worshiped. She relented on pleas from other gods that he could only be worshipped in Pushkar; hence there are no Brahma temples elsewhere.Pushkar is a much loved tourist destination, many who visit just fall in love with the place and overstay. Situated on the edge of the desert, it is separated from Ajmer by the Nag Parbat (the snake hill). The town provides great excitement for tourists, with narrow lanes lined with shops selling various accessories, and rooftop restaurants. Despite its high tourist profile, the town maintains its mystical charm.
Transportation
There are plenty of autorickshaws, some cycle-rickshaws and quite a few tongas in Ajmer.In Pushkar there are no autorickshaws. One can find cycles for looking around the colourful bazaar.
BIKANER
camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel Research and Breeding farms in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. A camel besides being a mode of transport, also works on wells. These are built on high plinths with slender minarets on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance.The history of Bikaner dates back to 1486 when a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji founded his kingdom. Bikaji was one the five sons of Rao Jodhaji the illustrious founder of Jodhpur. But Rao Bikaji was the most adventurous of them. It is said that an insensitive remark from his father about his whispering in the Durbar provoked Bikaji to set up his own kingdom towards the north
of Jodhpur. The barren wilderness called Jangladesh became his focul point and he transformed it into an impressive city. He accomplished this task with 100 cavalry horses and 500 soldiers, and established his kingdom on 84 villages abandoned by the 'Shankhlas'. When Bikaji died in 1504 his rule had extended to over 3000 villages.JAIPUR
Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra andjaipur, pink city, capital city of state Rajasthan, hawa mahal ... forms the golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trappings of a modern metropolis but yet flavoured strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller. The old Jaipur painted in Pink can grip any visitor with admiration. Stunning backdrop of ancient forts: Nahargarh, Amer, Jaigarh and Moti Doongari are apt testimonials of the bygone era and a reminder of their lingering romance and chivalry.
Singh (ruled 1688 to 1744). The decision to move out of his hilltop capital Amer was also compelled by reasons of growing population and paucity of water. Moreover in the early 17th century the power of the great Mughals was dwindling with its aging Monarch Aurangzeb. After several centuries of invasions the north was now quiet and the wealth of the kingdom had considerably increased. Seizing upon this opportune time, Jai Singh planned his new capital in the plains. Jaipur is a corroborative evidence of Sawai Jai Singh's strong grounding in science and astrology and of a Bengali architect Vidyadhar with a strong instinct for planning.Must visit in Jaipur
City palace
Located in the heart of the walled city, the City Palace Complex gives you an idea about the farsightedness of the founder of Jaipur Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. He left behind a legacy of some of the most imposing and magnificent architecture in the city. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh built many buildings but some of the structures were also built by later rulers. The palace is a blend of
Mughal and Rajput architecture and the ex-royal family still lives in a part of the palace.On entering the complex and before the proper palace lies the Mubarak Mahal, the palace of welcome or reception. Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh built the palace in the nineteenth century. It was used as a reception centre for the visiting personage. The building now forms the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and on display here are a wide array of royal costumes, some very exquisite and precious Pashmina (Kashmiri) shawls, Benaras silk saris, Sanganeri prints and folk embroidery. An unusual display is that of voluminous clothes worn by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I (ruled 1750-68).
The Maharani's Palace, the palace of the Queen paradoxically puts on a display of the Rajput
weaponry. The inestimable collections of weapons date back to even 15th century and are in a remarkable state of preservation. Remarkable amongst them is scissor-action dagger. This deadly weapon were so designed that the handles were released to spread the blades when thrust into bodies. The dagger was then withdrawn fatally tearing limb to limb of the body of the hapless victim. Other exhibits include protective chain armours, pistols, jewelled and ivory handled swords, a belt sword, small and assorted cannons, guns, poison tipped blades and gun powder pouches. The frescoes on the ceiling are amazing and well preserved.JODHPUR
This bustling desert city is the second largest in Rajasthan after Jaipur. It was founded by Rao Jodha, the leader of the Rathore clan, in 1459 AD. The mammoth, imposing fortress (Meherangarh) has a landscape dominating a rocky ridge with the eight gates leading out of fortress. The new city is outside the structure.
The Rathores enjoyed good relations with the Mughals. Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1678) supported Shah Jahan in the latter's war of succession. The relations with the Mughals soured during the reign of Aurangzeb who launched a crusade against the Hindus, made preparations to bring the state of Marwar under his control, ordered demotion of temples and revival of Jeziya. After Aurangzeb's death,
Maharaja Ajit Singh drove out the Mughals from Ajmer and added it to Marwar. In the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh Jodhpur grew into a modern city. The quintessence of Jodhpur was its valour and equestrian skill. Polo has been the traditional sport of the Jodhpur nobility since medieval times.
UMAID BHAWAN PALACE, JODHPUR
architecture of the 30s. A unique feature of this palace is the fact that the manually chiselled sandstone blocks have been put together in a special system of interlocking. There is no mortar binding. A portion of the palace has been converted into a hotel, the other remains on view to visitors in the form of an excellent museum which houses model aeroplanes, weapons, antique clocks, bob watches, priceless crockery and hunting trophies. Both sections retain the ambience of royal splendour. Entry fees:
Indian -INR 15.00
Foreigner -INR 50.00
Timings -09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
GOVT. BANGUR MUSEUM:
This Museum was opened for public on 19 July, 1991. The main attractions of this museum is the idol of Sukali Mata brought from Auwa. The idol of Vishnu, paintings from the Jodhpur school of painting and a rich collection of coins and idols are other attractions. It is situated in the Pali City, near the old bus stand. Timings : 10:00 AM to 04:00PM, closed on a Gazetted Holidays. Entry Fees for General Rs.3.00 and For Students Rs.1.00.
Udaipur is often called ‘Venice of the East’. It is also the ‘city of lakes’. The Lake Palace (Jag Niwas) located in the middle of Pichola Lake is the finest example of architectural and cultural marvel. The grand City Palace on the banks of the lake along with the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh) on the hill above enhances the beauty of this magnificent city. Udaipur is also the centre for performing arts, crafts and its famed miniature paintings. The Shilpgram festival is a great crowd-puller on new year.
by a holy man meditating on the hill near Pichola Lake to establish his capital on that very spot. Surrounded by Aravali Ranges, forests and lakes this place was less vulnerable to external invasion than Chittaurgarh. Maharana Udai Singh died in 1572 and was succeeded by Maharana Pratap who valiantly defended Udaipur from Mughal attacks. Maharana Pratap is the most revered Rajput icon who gallantly fought the Mughals at the battle of Haldighati in 1576. Mewar continuously defied foreign invaders and has a history of bloody battles until the British intervention in the nineteenth century when a treaty was signed to protect Udaipur. Upon independence, Udaipur merged with the union of India.Place to visit
Lake Pichola
Pichola Lake derives its name from Pichola Village that got submerged when Maharana Udai Singh enlarged the lake after he founded the city. He built a masonry dam known as Badipol. The lake is 4 km long and 3 km wide. This picturesque lake encloses the Jag Niwas Island and the Jag Mandir. The City Palace extends along its eastern banks.
Palace on Wheels
the personal railway coaches of the erstwhile rulers of the princely states of Gujarat and Rajputana, the viceroy of British India and the Nizam of Hyderabad. See Rajasthan in all its splendour and the Taj Mahal at Agra. A celebration of everything that is beautiful. A journey into the past on a luxury train.Traveling in the famed Palace on Wheels is one of the most memorable ways to explore India's stately splendour. Unquestionably it's an unparalleled experience to ride the replica carriages refurbished to look like the original saloons of the Maharajas, the erstwhile rulers of India. The Palace on Wheels is one of India's most fascinating sojourns
covering the pink state capital, Jaipur, the golden citadel, Jaisalmer, the blue city of Jodhpur, the National Park Ramthambhor; the symbol of chivalry, Chittorgarh, romantic city of Lakes Udaipur, the bird sanctuary Bharatpur and the mughal capital, Agra before returning to Delhi.Fairs & Festivals
great Thar Desert has much to offer through a plethora of celebrations. Festivals and fairs, music and dance, are a part of life in the State as well as in the desert. The year long festive fervour and cattle marts turn into delightful fairs. Festivals hold an unusual lure for the Rajasthanis and they have any number of reasons to celebrate. Pageantry is in the form of weddings or rituals, or to promote trade. Each region has their own form of folk entertainment, traditions, dialects adding to the Indian diversity. Some of the fairs are: Pushkar Fair, Desert festival, Elephant Festival and Camel festival. Having attained international repute, they are not to be missed.
These festivals born out of age-old traditions, adorn the land with innumerable hues. Colours that are alive and unrestricted, and unify each soul who visits this magic land. These celebrations are characterized by rhythm, jest and passion. The spirit of romance, valour are all too apparent in some of the festivals.
Wild Life Of Rajasthan
forests of Mount Abu to dry grasslands of the desert, and from the dry deciduous thorn forest of Aravali to wetlands of Bharatpur.
the sprawling meadows of flora. Rajasthan is the haven of the tigers and many endangered species.The leopard also called the panther here is found in forests and in open degraded forest areas with rocky outcrops adjoining towns and villages. The sneaky predator finds easy prey of unsuspecting village dogs, asses, calves and goats. There five lesser cats besides the two big cats. Besides a host of fauna there is a handsome variety of avian life too. Wetlands at Koeladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur are a bird watcher’s delight.
Adventure & Sports
Sir Edmund Hillary, the great Everester, who's thirst for adventure had proved enduring and never-ending, had found Rajasthan ideal for undertaking a journey on a camel caravan. It was an unusual way to choose to cross the arid Thar desert. And, following in his footsteps, one can re-live the adventure.
Fortunately, one can choose from a number of adventure sports options. Relax with golf, go vintage, or practice archery, go boating - in the Chambal river through the gorges of the Vindhayan plateau of Hadoti, or, go up in the air, for a bit of aerial sightseeing over heritage cities by small aircraft or in hot air balloons.
The terrain in Rajasthan is tailor-made for most adventure sports, what with its Aravalli and Vindhayan hills, the open desert tracts, the vast lakes and rivers, the wildlife parks, and little villages abandoned by the march of civilization as is known, but no less hospitable for it. And threading these together, a landscape where the paths and trails weave through a history rich with forts and palaces, mansions and cenotaphs. And a culture that binds these together into a fascinating journey. Just spot and sport it out.
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