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Rajasthan is the geographically
largest state in northwestern India. It borders Pakistan
to the west, Gujarat to the southwest, Madhya Pradesh to
the southeast, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast
and Punjab to the north.
Amazing legends of heroism and romance still
resound from its equally amazing architecture, that still
stands to narrate its tale of a bygone era. The magic of
Rajasthan is unequalled in the world for its heritage,
culture, safaris, sand dunes and lush green forests with
its wildlife. Rajasthan is often expressed as huge
open-air museum with relic so well preserved for the
travelers and the curious of the day.
It is action-packed with outdoors too; take a safari on
horses, camels, elephants or even jeeps with the Aravalis
- India's oldest mountain range in the backdrop, or caress
your eyes on the sloppy sand dunes, or trail a tiger or
just watch birds on wetland. Or you can choose to pamper
yourself in the lavish heritage properties
If you are looking for about of the ordinary travel
experience, explore Rajasthan heritage tours, Rajastahn
cultural tours, Rajastahn festival tours, camel safari in
rajasthan deserts. With a destination as unique and yet so
diverse as Rajasthan, there is always a never ending
desire to explore more. Travelers can enjoy both standard
travel packages of rajasthan as well as Taylor Made
Rajasthan Tours.
History
The history of India dates back almost five thousand
years, and Rajasthan plays a crucial and unique role,
especially with regard to the development of Indian
culture. Its impressive story reaches through a heroic
past. Its extravagant splashes of bright hues against the
desert landscape and the purity of its dry and sandy
reaches, the miniature elegance of its small villages and
impeccably maintained forts brings alive the story of the
yore. The appearance of its grand forts perched on rocky
hills still tell the story of the bravery of its men and
the stoic sacrifice of its women, and the chivalrous old
world manners of all.
The Architecture of Rajasthan
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
well 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.
People
Rajasthan has a large indigenous populace Minas (Minawati)
in Alwar, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Dholpur areas. The Meo
and the Banjara are travelling tradesmen and artisans.
Music and Dance
Rajasthan is culturally rich and has extensive tradition
in art and culture, which reflects Indian way life. The
dance, music and art forms have been watchfully cultivated
and patronised by the erstwhile courts. An equally rich
and varied folk culture from villages is both fascinating
& mesmerising. The music is of uncomplicated innocence and
songs depict day-to-day relationships and chores more
often focal around bring of water. Rajasthan's cultural
tapestry takes in simple folk to highly cultivated
classical music and dance in its own distinct style.
Rajasthan fact File
Capital : Jaipur.
Area : 3,42239sq km.
Population : 49.7 million.
Languages : Hindi, Rajasthani.
Literacy Rate : 38.6%.
Geographical Description : Rajasthan comprises of
the Aravalli Range of hills running south west to north
east. The harsh and arid southern part is the Thar desert,
which houses Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, all forming a
picturesque view of the deserts.
Best Season : The fourth season is the
winter or cold season, from January to March. There is a
marked variation in maximum and minimum temperatures, and
regional variations across the state. January is the
coolest month of the year. And temp may drop to 0oC
in some cities of Rajasthan, like Churu. There is slight
precipitation in the north and north-eastern region of the
state, and light winds, predominantly from the north and
north-east. At this time, relative humidity ranges from
50% to 60% in the morning, and 25% to 35% in the
afternoon.
Destinations : Main cities of Rajasthan
are Ajmer , Bundi , Bikaner , Bharatpur , Jaipur ,
Jaisalmer , Jodhpur , Ranthambore , Sariska , Shekawat ,
Udaipur etc.
Rajasthan Culture
Hindi is the official language of the state. But the
principal language is "Rajasthani", and the four major
dialects are Marwari in the west, Jaipuri in the east,
Malwi in the southeast and Mewati in the northeast. But
Hindi language is replacing Rajasthani. Moreover, you will
find English speaking people in all the major cities, and
in remote villages also you will find someone who can
speak and understand English. But other languages are
completely unknown. You may ask Tour Operators to help you
on this and they do have guides who knows almost all the
languages.
Music & Dance
Every region has its own very dialect of music and dance.
The Ghoomar dance from Udaipur and Kalbeliya dance of
Jaisalmer have international recognition. Folk music is a
vital part of Rajasthan culture. Songs are used to tell
the legendary battles of Rajputs. Folk songs are commonly
ballads which relate heroic deeds, love stories, and
religious or devotional songs known as bhajans and banis
and often accompanied by musical instruments like dholak,
sitar, sarangi etc.
Religion
Hindusim is the main religion of Rajasthan. Other
significant religious groups in the state are the Jains
and the Muslims. There are many local folk heros and local
deities such as Pabuji, Ramdeoji, Gogaji, Mehaji, Tejaji &
Harbhuji.
Art & architecture
Rajasthan is known for its traditional and colorful art.
The block prints, tie and die prints, Bagaru prints,
Sanganer prints, Zari embroidery are major export products
from Rajasthan. Handicraft items like wooden furniture and
handicrafts, carpets, blur potteries are some of the
things you will find here. Rajasthan is shoppers paradise.
Rajasthan is famous for the majestic forts, intricately
carved temples and decorated havelis. Jantar Mantar,
Dilwara Temples, Chittauragrh Fort, Lake Palace Hotel,
City Palaces, Jaisalmer Havelis are true architectural
heritage.
How to Reach
By Road :Rajasthan has an
extensive network of bus services run by the state owned
Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation. The
corporation connects every conceivable hub to its regional
principle town. It has a well-connected and frequent bus
service from Bikaner House, ISTD Bus Stand and Kalle Khan
from Delhi. Beside a bus to Jaipur can also be boarded at
Dhola Kuan, which is closer to the airport. There is a bus
service from Delhi to Jaipur at a frequency of almost one
service for every fifteen minutes. Similarly Agra-Jaipur
is also well connected.
By Rail : Rajasthan has well connected
network of railways and well managed railway stations.
Most important Rajasthan town are well connected by daily
services from New Delhi, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta and other
principle cities of India.
By Air : Rajasthan has airports at Jaipur, Jodhpur
and Udaipur, while the airport at Jaisalmer opens from 1st
October to 31st March. Government run airline Indian
Airlines and private airline Jet Airways operate daily
services to all airports in Rajasthan from New Delhi and
Mumbai. The domestic airport at New Delhi and Mumbai are
located near the international airport and flight to
Rajasthan operates from domestic airports only.
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