Rajasthan is a vibrant, exotic state where tradition and royal glory meet in a riot of colors against the vast backdrop of sand and desert. It has an unusual diversity in its entire forms- people, customs, culture, costumes, music, manners, dialects, cuisine and physiography. The land is endowed with invincible forts, magnificent palace havelis, rich culture and heritage, beauty and natural resources. It is a land rich in music, Dance, Art & Craft and Adventure, a land that never ceases to intrigue & enchant.There is a haunting air of romance, about the state, which is palpable in its every nook and corner. This abode of kings is one of the most exotic locales for tourist world over. The state has not only survived in all its ethnicity but owes its charisma and color to its enduring traditional way of life.
It is one of the 28 states that, along with seven union territories, form the republic of India. So rich is the history of the land that every roadside village has its own tales of valour and sacrifice, the winds sing them and the sands shift to spread them. Rajasthan is Spicy, but then, what is life after all without little bit of spice, Rajasthan provides abundant scope to explore it.
Places to visit in Rajasthan :
Jaipur:
Established by the Kachwaha ruler Raja Sawai Jai Singh II, who lived from 1693-1743, Jaipur, or the Pink city, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Its beautiful buildings including the City Palace, Amer Fort and the landmark Hawa Mahal are truly worth seeing. Browsing through the markets in Jaipur, where skilled craftsmen display jewellery, paintings, carvings and colorful texiles, is an enjoyable experience for tourists.
Jodhpur:
This city, near the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India, is known for its impressive Mehrangarh fort. Founded by Rao Jodha, this city, is called the "Blue City" for the blue painted walls of the houses in the town. The magnificent Umaid Bhawan Palace is another landmark that must bee seen in Jodhpur. Its museum contains many artifacts of the royal times in Jodhpur.
Udaipur:
Named for its founder, the Sisiodia King, Maharana Udai Singh, Udiapur is a fairytale "White City" in Rajasthan, which you'll enjoy visiting on your India Holiday. The fabulous lake palaces in Udaipur, set like white pearls in the shimmering waters of Lake Pichola have to seen to be believed.
Jaisalmer:
Known for its golden fort, made of sandstone, Jaisalmer is an important center of handicrafts in Rajasthan. Sandstone carvings and block printed fabrics made here find their way across the world. The carved mansions and Jain temples of Jaisalmer are worth seeing. The sand dunes at Sam, near Jaisalmer are the site of the annual Desert Festival.
Chittorgarh:
This city inRajasthan India, is synonymous with bravery and sacrifice. Attacked thrice during its eventful history, Chittorgarh bears the scars of tremendous battles. The Victory Tower or Vijay Stambha in Chittorgarh celebrates a victory in 1440 of Kumbha, the ruler of Chittorgarh, over Mahmud Khalji the ruler of Malwa.
Pushkar:
The site of a famous camel and cattle fair in November every year, Pushkar consists of a collection of temples including a Brahma temple, built around the holy Pushkar Lake. Devotees bathe in the lake on the auspicious day of Karthik Purnima every year. The camel fair is a crowd puller with merchants, camel buyers and sellers, cultural performers and tourists coming together for a celebration in the desert. Ajmer: Located on the route to Pushkar, Ajmer is famous for the tomb or Dargah of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. People of all faiths come to his tomb to seek the saint's blessings. The annual Urs or festival is an event observed with great fervour.
Fair & Festivals Rajasthan
Rajasthan, is a colourful desert. The unconvincing Thar Desert and with it all the barren land of Rajasthan has much to offer through the plethora of celebrations. Festivals and fairs, music and dances, turns the land to a creative fertile basin. Season heralded with a festive favour and cattle marts turn into delightful fairs.
Rajasthan, is a colourful desert. The unconvincing Thar Desert and with it all the barren land of Rajasthan has much to offer through the plethora of celebrations. Festivals and fairs, music and dances, turns the land to a creative fertile basin. Season heralded with a festive fervour and cattle marts turn into delightful fairs.
These festivals born out of age-old traditions, adorns the golden land and unveils the best with vulnerable colours. Colours that are alive and unrestricted, and unifies each soul who visits this magic land. There's a rhythm, there's a jest, a passion, a spirit of romance, a valour, a feel of being one with the blonde landscape. This spirit of celebration is like Desert Rains, hidden in the Aravalli bosom, unfolding its feather with each festival.
Camel Festival
(Bikaner, January) A unique celebration highlighting camel & cultural heritage of northern Rajasthan. The camel festival begins with a colourful procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh fort, the festivity advances to the open sand spreads of the grounds, followed by the best breed competition, the tug of war contest, camel dances & acrobatics. The camels dance gracefully to the slightest direction of their trainers their bejeweled necks, jingling anklets cast a magical spell.Glorious Gorbandh dance, local folk performs and dazzling fireworks offer a different tenor & tempo altogether.
Nagaur Fair
(Nagaur. Jan.-Feb.) Essentially an animal fair is one of the largest in the colmtry. The fair is renowned for the trading in cows, bullocks, camels & horses Mirchi Bazar is the main attraction and wooden items, iron craft & leather accessories are available in plenty during the fair. As the Sun goes down, a joyous atmosphere is created by the folk musicians whose voices echo far & wide across the tranquil desert sand. Nagaur is well connected to the mal or tourist centers of Rajasthan. The nearest airport is Jodhpur (135 Km.).
Desert Festival
(Jaisalmer, Jan.-Feb.) A unique three day show on the sands, when the desert blooms with the riotous colour of Rajasthan 's desert heritage. The traditional dances (famous Gair & Fire dances) backed by high pitched music take the folk dances and the audience on an Euphoric trip. The turban tying competition & Mr. Desert contest coupled with camel race & acrobatics add a touch of excitement to the celebrations. One can enjoy the pleasure of a camel ride to the sand dances and view musicians & dancers performing.
Baneshwar Fair
(Baneshwar Dungarpur,Jan.-Feb.) A religious festival with simple & traditional rituals. Quaint rhythms conjure up the tribal cultural identity of the Bhils of Rajasthan, Gujarat & M.P. Baneshwar means the master of the delta and this name was given to the Shiva linga. The Beneshwar fair is held at a small delta formed by the river Som & Mahi & prayers are offered toLord Shiva locally named as Baneshwar. The fair resounds with the gaeity of traditional folk songs, folk dances, Raslila, animal show, magic shows acrobatic feats. Adding to the excitement are me joy ride." on merygo rounds & swings and more at Tourism of Rajasthan, Rajasthan Tourism.
Elephant Festival
(Jaipur, March) A magnificent spectactle, it unveils the majesty and grandeur of elephants celebrated around Holi. The Mahavats or owners proudly decorate their elephants with bright colours, jhool., (saddle cloth) and heavy jewellary. A royal procession of decorated elephants, a match of elephant polo, an elephant race and playing Holi on elephants are main events.
Brij Festival
(Bharatpur, March) Held on the eve of Holi in honour of Lord Krishna, this festival is marked by verve & east Villagers, in gay, multitude attire can be seen singing and performing the Raslila dance the immortal love story of Radha & Krishna.
Mewar Festival
(Udaipur, MarchApril) Coinciding with the festival of Gangaur the Mewar festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring. Once the religions part of the festival is over it is time for potrayal of Rajasthani culture through songs, dances and other programmes. The festival culminates with an impressive fire works display.
Summer Festival
(Mt. Abu, June) The steep rocks, tranqillake, mango grooves, bauhinia trees & thickets of wild berries cover this hilly mount. The three day festival is a feast of folk & classical music and a window to the tribal life & culture of Rajasthan. Cail; Choomar & Dhap folk dances enthrall the spectators. Sporting events such as the boat race on the Nakki lake add variety to the festival. Udaipur (185 Kms.) is the nearest airport and Abu Road (29 Kms.) is the nearest Railway station and, there is a good network of bus services connecting Mount Abu to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur & Ahmedabad.
Teej Fair
(Jaipur , July-August) The festival celebrating the reunion of Shiva & Parvati, is celebrated at the onset of the onsoon. Teej is the festival of swings. Young girls & women dressed in green clothes sing songs & swing in celebrating the advent of the mansoon. An elaborate procession is taken out in Jaipur for two consecutive days with ornately dressed elephants, horses & camels, bands, performing artists & coluorfully dressed people Goddess Parvati is invoked to bless her worshippers with conjugal harmony & bliss.
Pushkar Fair
(Pushkar-Ajmer, November) Excitement, gaiety and a keen sense of competition fill the air as the long journey to Pushkar begins. The only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma (the creator) is located at Pushkar. The Pushkar lake is surrounded by 52 flights of steps called ghats. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu appeared at the Varah ghat in the form of a boar. Brahma took a bath here and performed yagna at the Brahma Ghat accompanied by Vishnu & Mahadev. The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation) were immersed at the Gandhi ghat. Pushkar is among the five principal places of Hindu pilgrimage. People consider the water of the Pushkar lake to be very sacred and the ritual of taking dips in the holy water IS believed to bestow salvation. It I s customary to float lighted eastern lamps ed on pattals (plates made of leaves) on the waters of lake. This creales a spectacular view when the sacred lake takes on a mystical tint sprankled with twinkling spots of light. In conjunction with he religious fair, a cattle fair is also organised. The ancient town of Pushkar is transformed into a spectacular fair ground. The fair grounds reverberate with festivity and woman folk shop for bangles, clothes, utensils, sundry household items & leather goods. The highlight of the Pushkar fair is the trading in camels. The camel, horse & donkey races are events that draw huge attendance. Body tatooing is yet another favourite activity. Come dusk, and the rich strains of haunting music are carried across the desert sands as the merrymaking continues deep into the night.
Art & Culture
Paintings of Rajasthan
Rajasthan's role in the development of Indian art has been very important. The decoration of dwellings and other household objects was but one aspect of the creative genius of the Rajasthani - the world of miniature paintings is perhaps the most fascinating and the distinctive styles that have existed here are renowned the world over. From the 16th century onwards there flourished different schools of paintings like the Mewar school, the Bundi-Kota kalam, the Jaipur, Bikaner, Kishengarh and Marwar schools.
Jewellery & Gems
Rajasthan, men and women traditionally wore necklaces, armlets, anklets, earrings and rings. With the advent of the Mughal Empire, Rajasthan became a major centre for production of the finest kind of jewellery. It was a true blend of the Mughal with the Rajasthani craftsmanship. The Mughals brought sophisticated design & technical know-how of the Persians with them.Art Galleries & Museums
RAJASTHAN - the land of massive forts, sprawling palaces and intricately carved temples ofcolourful tribes and brave warriors, of unrivalledform of arts and crafts, unique dance and music traditions, is changing at rapid pace. Its vast network of Museums in large and small towns, archaeological sites and the recently opened museums and art galleries in the palaces of erstwhile rulers of old states help to preserve this great heritage for posterity.Folk Dance and Music
There is a great tradition of popular poetry, which is written under the rival banners of Turru and Kalangi. This is a sung in groups in Jikri, Kanhaiyya or Geet(of the Meenas), Hele-ke-Khyal and Bam Rasiya of Eastern Rajasthan. Group singing of classical bandishes, called the Dangal or taalbandi is also unique to this region. Bhopas are singing priests of various deities or warrior saints.The Bhopas of Mataji wear costumes and play the Mashak.Fairs & Festivals
The Rajasthani’s love for colour and joyous celebrations is proved by the elaborate rituals and the gay abandon with which he surrenders himself to the numerous fairs and festivals of the region. In addition to the festivals celebrated by the Hindus,Muslims and others,there are also the traditional fairs.The five star deluxe hotels in Rajasthan
Jaipur Palace
Chokhi Dhani Resort
Clarks Amer Hotel
Mansingh Towers
Jai Mahal Palace Hotel in Jaipur
Taj Hari Mahal Hotel in Jodhpur
Rambagh Palace Hotel in Jaipur
Taj Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur
Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur
Rajputana Palace Sheraton in Jaipur
View some images of Rajasthan Hotel
Rajasthan Travel Guide
Rajasthan Climate
The climate of Rajasthan can be divided into four seasons: Pre-Monsoons, Monsoon, Post-Monsoon and Winter.
Pre-monsoon, which extends from April to June, is the hottest season, with temperatures ranging from 32oC to 45oC.
The second season Monsoon extends from July to September, temp drops but humidity increases making it very un
comfortable, even when there is slight drop in the temp (35oC to 40oC). We have about 90% of our rains in this period.
January to March
50oF - 80oF
4MM – 7MM
April to June
75oF - 105oF
11MM – 30MM
July to September
70oF - 95oF
100MM – 165MM
October to December
55oF - 85oF
3MM - 8MM
