Rajasthan Orientation

"…architectural perfection of the Dilwara temples…world's biggest turban in Udaipur, 'the city of lakes'...few of the world's oldest, mightiest and aesthetically profound forts at Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Kumbhalgarh, and Jodhpur… interesting holy Kaba rats at the Karni temple… camel safaris on the unending sand dunes of the great Indian Thar desert at Bikaner…elephant ride to climb the Amer fort… the swirling ghoomar dance…full throated folk songs…delectable Daal-bati… camel trade festival of Pushkar …exciting tiger trails at Ranthambore… heritage bird's sanctuary of Bharatpur…"
No doubt, the above excerpt only beats about the endless list of royal, folk and natural appeals of Rajasthan, a destination so unique. As is the size and varieties in its rajasthani thali (food plate of rajasthan) so is the magnificence and touristy composition in its vast desert potpourri. With its rich, unique and living heritage of architecture, arts, crafts, music, dances, cuisines et al that evolved over a period of around 1000 years, this "Land of the Kings" offers a wholesome cultural feast. The feast is spiced up at the numerous local fairs and festivals when these colorful aspects of rajasthan come together and get unfolded on a grand scale. A wild & exciting turn to the rajasthani course comes at its treasure houses of exclusive biodiversity that the other regions of this world are falling short of.
A rich and strong cultural fabric woven out of the legacy of warriors, saints, artisans, musicians and the need of the time and a nature's blessed habitat for the wildlife, there are aspects that set rajasthan apart from the rest of the tourist's haunt:
Awe-inspiring architecture - Commanding forts, palaces, havelis, temples and other monuments embossing the rock and desert landscape
- The life-instilling and fine stonework and frescoes on the walls, jalis, friezes etc of these architectural masterpieces.
Not-to-be-missed are the Forts of Amber (Jaipur), Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh; Palaces of Jaipur and Udaipur; Havelis of Shekhawati and Jaisalmer; Temples at Ranakpur, Mount Abu (Dilwara) and Osiyan
Colorful Arts and crafts- Clay work and blue pottery
- Interesting & beautiful art of bhandani (tie & dye textiles) and chapayi (hand block prints) of decorating bright colored ghagra (skirt), odhni (stole) and pagri (turbans) and bedcovers, cushion-covers etc
- The world famous gems and jewelries and minakari (enameling) & kundankari technique (lapidary)
- Miniature rajasthani paintings in their bright and bold lines depicting social, religious, ethnic, or royal influences of different times and regions
- Durries or Carpets of Persian design and depicting various themes, scenes and patterns
- Leather work to make jootis (shoes), purses, saddle, musical instrument like tabla, dhol etc
One can shop these arts and crafts of Rajasthan from Jaipur, which is the shopping center for the state.
Multi-Cuisine kitchenA wide array of delicious spicy rajasthani cuisine prepared out of pure ghee be it sulas (chicken, pheasant, mutton, or fish) for the non-veggies or daal-bati, misi-roti etc.
Folk Music and DanceLively ethnic Music and Dance mark festivities and are accompanied by interesting folk instruments, props and songs - kalbeliya dance (snake dance), ghoomar, chari, gair dance etc.
Fairs & festivalsThere is no better place than Rajasthan to realize that India is a land of Festivals and fairs. Irrespective of their purpose - mythological, livestock trade, commemorate a hero or a saint or harvest or a new season or tourism demanded - more or less, these are the showcase of rajasthan's colorful and spirited social & cultural heritage that lives in its arts, crafts, music, dance, people and their camels and cattle.
Heritage Wildlife Rajasthan also boasts of a rich wildlife in the wetlands around the Bharatpur, sub-tropical forests of Mt.Abu, dry deciduous hill forests of the Aravallis and arid desert of the Thar. Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur is a UNESCO World heritage property' for its unique resident and migratory bird's collection like Saras Crane (one of the world's rarest birds) and black-necked Stork (world's tallest stork). Ranthambore National Park is one of India's most frequented tiger reserve
Heritage Accommodations and TrainBeing in and around the dominating desolation and sandscapes of this largest state of India seems testing on its face. Instead, one experiences the full flavor of rajasthan from the royal comforts of around 40 heritage accommodations at forts, palaces and havelis, the 'Palace-on-wheels' train or overland safari across the vast and beautiful countryside. Above all, a colorful and very hospitable human touch offsets the otherwise inhospitable terrain.