The land that is home to the largest subtropical desert in India, is dotted with many majestic hill forts, has many pilgrimage sites, comes alive with melodious music and dances, hosts many migratory birds, serves up the best to your taste buds does not need any introduction nor any reasons enumerated to attract visitors but does it not feel good to count your medals and certificates on your finger tips? Here we tried to assimilate most of the wonders in just fifteen points. Read on …
1. Colours, dialect, attire change here every fifty kms
The land of Maharajas serves up a cocktail in terms of an eclectic mix of culture and tradition. People speak so many different tongues here, dress up differently and have diverse customs. Something as Rajasthani as the Bandhej also has different styles in different cities. And what’s more, the cities themselves too are categorised by colours; Jaipur is Pink, Jodhpur is Blue and Jaisalmer is Golden.
2. Fascinating, alluring, tantalising and intriguing places and stories
Rajasthan has Bhangarh, the fort-town counted among top-ten most haunted places in India. A visit to this town is a must and trust us can garner enough goosebumps with its many spooky stories.
Rajasthan also has Kuldhara, the abandoned village. Kuldhara has its own unique story to tell too. Do these trivia interest you? Here’s the fodder
http://rajasthanroutestrails.blogspot.com/2018/06/kuldhara-mystery.html .
Then, Rajasthan also has Chittorgarh, the fort that is an epic in itself. The fort has seen the lives and times of many a legends from Meera Bai to Rani Padmawati to the valiant King Rana Sanga. The fort also houses the chill inducing Jauhar Kund. Then, Kumbhalgarh with its own stack of facts and tales. The many temples in the state also have very many interesting stories to keep a curious tourist amused.
3. The most magnanimous Forts and most luxurious Palaces
The land that proudly boasts of the best forts – intact, restored, and preserved to take you back to the era gone by and the opulent palaces that show you what the days of Maharajas were like. The maximum number of forts and palaces are here in this beautiful desert state – wear your most comfortable walking shoes when you go sight seeing – the forts are expansive and sweeping with many slopes and inclines and stairwells to tread.
4. As many as ten GI tagged products are from Rajasthan
You know what the GI tag means, right? It is the geographical indication tag that specifies that a certain product is indigenous to the mentioned geographical location. For example, no other place in the world can lay a claim on the origin of Bikaneri Bhujiya as the product is GI tagged from Bikaner in Rajasthan or for that matter Blue Pottery of Jaipur can not be said to originate from any other place other than Jaipur. The list for all you interested friends is mentioned below :
Kota Doria
Blue Pottery of Jaipur http://rajasthanroutestrails.blogspot.com/2018/07/a-town-within-city-industries-of.html
Molela Clay Work
Kathputlis of Rajasthan
Sanganeri Hand Block printing
http://rajasthanroutestrails.blogspot.com/2018/07/a-town-within-city-industries-of.html
Phulkari
Bagru Hand Block Printing
http://rajasthanroutestrails.blogspot.com/2018/05/bagru-hub-of-block-printed-textile.html
Thewa Art Work
Bikaneri Bhujiya
Makrana Marble
5. Many World Heritage Sites
The culturally rich heritage of Rajasthan is recognised world over. UNESCO has tagged many sites in Rajasthan as World Heritage Site with Jaipur striving to be recognised as A world Heritage City too, the decision on which is pending. All the Hill Forts, Jantar Mantar and Keoladev National Park are all a part of this tribe!
6. Vibrance of many fairs and festivals
So, there is an yearly fair and festival calendar in Rajasthan with each festival unique and different in its own way. Each festival is associated with a different dance form, folk art, special delicacy and a unique purpose too. While there are animal fairs like Pushkar and Nagaur, there also are processional fairs like Teej and Gangaur, vibrant funfares like the Kite Festival, Holi and Desert festivals and then some associated with the prominent monuments like the Kumbhalgarh Fair, Abhaneri Festival too. Religious festivals like Ranakpur fair and Khwaja Mounuddin Chishti’s Urs at Ajmer are also celebrated with much fervour. Follow this link to keep abreast of the upcoming fairs and festivals
http://rajasthanroutestrails.com/upcoming-events
7. Home to the Aravalis
Did you know that Aravali ranges are India’s oldest mountain ranges? Well, yes they are and they are right here in Rajasthan nestling the many beautiful temples and forts and forests, home to diverse flora and fauna.
8. Shoppers’ Paradise
Each city here has a distinct product that it is known for and equally distinct markets where these products are displayed and sold. Be it the Tie and Dye or the Bagru or Sanganeri Block prints or potteries from different areas, leather craft from Jaisalmer or Bikaner or Kota Doria from Kota, Thewa from Pratapgarh… the list goes on and on and on… Visit one such vibrant bazaar here
http://rajasthanroutestrails.blogspot.com/2018/06/rural-market-at-jojawar-shopping-with.html
9. Largest subtropical desert and the ship of the desert
See the marvel of the shifting sand dunes and go for a camel safari. Rajasthan houses the world’s 18th largest desert, India’s largest. The deserts are alive though, with folk music and dance and fairs and festivals and many tourists who visit this mesmerising land to witness the horizons and sunrises and sunsets.
10. Many pilgrimage sites for people from all religions
Jain temple trail in Rajasthan attracts pilgrims and tourists alike all the year round. These temples are an example of architectural wonder in themselves. Carved out of marble, most of these temples are intact and well-preserved. Besides the Jain temples, we have the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Govind Dev Ji temple, Karni Mata Temple at Deshnok where you witness a million rats being worshipped and taken care of, Tannot Mata Temple right near the International Borders and Baba Ramdevji’s Shrine too. Some unique ones like the Bullet Bike temple- http://rajasthanroutestrails.blogspot.com/2018/03/of-many-intriguing-stories-that-are.html
11. Cities that hold unique records
Kota holds the record of housing maximum number of students in the country and also for producing maximum number of future Engineers and Doctors. Udaipur holds the record for hosting maximum number of destination weddings and corporate events, Jodhpur has Umaid Bhawan Palace which is one of the world’s largest private residences and Amer Fort gets maximum tourist visits in the country to a fort (very close to The Taj Mahal’s visitors’ numbers) and Abhaneri holds the record of having the largest step well. The longest wall after the Great Wall of China is right here in Kumbhalgarh – 36km! Want to walk, anyone?
12. The diversity of cuisine – sweet and spicy
Dal Bati Churma, mirchi bada, pyaaz kachori, Kota kachori, Ghewar, Pheeni, Gulab Halwa, Ghodwa, Lal Maas, Safed Maas, Masala Bati, Kadhi or Khato, Ker Sangri, Gatte ki Sabji, Rabori, the list is endless my dear friends. Rajasthan’s kitchens cook up some most amazing curries, namkeens and mithais. Imagine a dish so unique as Gulabjamun ki sabji and you know what we are talking about! Indulge in a Rajasthani Thali to satisfy your taste buds. Take away some different varieties of mouth watering Churma boxes with you.
13. Folk dances and Music
Artistically inclined, the folk artists from Rajasthan have earned many a national and international laurels. So many dance forms and so many musical instruments that Bollywood music directors come here to seek inspiration. Ghoomar, Gowari, Kaalbeliya, Chari, Kathputli, Bhawai are the many dance forms from the state. And Ravanahatha, Kamaicha, Morchang, Sarangi, NaagPhani, Khartal and Algoja are just a few of the many musical instruments that are indigenous to this land. Manganiyars, Langas, Kaalbeliyas, Sapera, Bhopa, Jogi are few of the tribes that have still preserved this musical heritage of theirs and are now taking the World Stage.
14. Padharo Mhare Des
True to this tagline, the people of Rajasthan are the most hospitable and amiable. Maximum number of village safaris, rural visits, rural home stays and cook-in sessions happen here. People are more than willing to open their homes and hearts for the tourists. People here take pride in showcasing their culture and traditions. You come as a visitor and go back as a family member to return more and more often.
15. Distinct and clearly demarcated seasons : each with its own colours and hues
Summers are scorching hot and dry with a dusty yellow haze, Monsoons bring in the colour green, winters surprise you with a variety of lovely flowers and an icy tint on everything and then again the colours change as we move from winters through Holi festival to summers again. Stay a whole year to experience this magic.
We are sure after reading this, first break and you are packing your bags and heading here. Let us guide and help you in exploring the Best of Rajasthan. Click Here and we will get in touch with you.
By : Pooja Bhatnagar
