Rajasthan-Overview

The magical land of Maharajas set amidst the desolate desert of beauty is well known for its romance, chivalery, glory and tragedy.

Romance still resound from its equally amazing architecture, that still stands to narrate its tale of a bygone era. Immensely rich in culture, history and natural beauty. 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. Always temming with colour, joy, and friendliness that's unique to this part of the country. Everything about Rajasthan fascinates - from miles of golden stretches of sand to the kaleidoscope of magnificent forts, opulent palaces and marvellous havellis , each a splendid architectural creation having a legend of its own. The beautiful laid out gardens and lakes contrasting perfectly with the hilly ranges are a sight to the gladden eyes.

Enjoy your holidays in grand palaces, majestic forts and a land of rippling sand dunes. Ride a camel across the Thar Desert, or an elephant up to Amber fort, see a magnificent tiger in the forests of Ranthambore. Listen to the songs of days gone by and be amazed by the beauty of the arts and crafts of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is one of India's prime tourist destinations. Nobody leaves here without priceless memories, a bundle of souvenirs, and an address book full of friends.

Wild Life

Rajasthan surprisingly is the abode of a number of mammal and bird life such as tigers, leopards, deers, monkeys, pythons and water-birds that come here in winters. In the season time, the whole place echoes with enchanting sounds and fascinating visuals against the sprawling meadow of flora. Rajasthan is the haven of the tigers and many endangered species. Some of the famous wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks of Rajasthan are:-

Ranthambhor National Park

Stretching almost 400 square kilometres, Rajasthan’s beautiful Ranthambore National Park was once the hunting ground of the Maharajah of Jaipur.

Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve lies on the junction of Aravali and Vindhyas just 14 Kms from Sawai Madhopur in Eastern Rajasthan. Located in eastern Rajasthan, it is surrounded by the Vindhyas and Aravallis, has many artificial lakes and is home to many beautiful pavilions, palaces and the Ranthambore fort, which creates a unique backdrop to the stunning views of the barbaric nature of the wild cats here. The Rivers Chambal in the South and the Banas in the North bound the National Park.

The park is dotted with steep rocky hills and the dominating architecture of Ranthambhor Fort (built in the 10th century), adds to its landscape. The tiger is not the only attraction at Ranthambhor; although it is the one park resident people come to see. We were lucky to see several varieties of birds including these owlets peering through their burrow pictured here on the right and of course the ubiquitous langur monkey. Other animals in the reserve include leopard, caracal, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, marsh crocodiles, wild boar, bears and various species of deer.

Sariska National Park
Nestled among the Arravalis, Sariska is the closest place from Delhi where one can hope to see a Tiger in it's natural surroundings. Once the hunting grounds of the Maharajas Sariska was made into a forest reserve in 1955 and declared a National park in 1982. Sariska Palace was built in the 19th century.

The landscape of Sariska comprises of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravali hill range. The topography of Sariska supports scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, rocks and grasses. The broad range of wildlife here is a wonderful example of ecological adoption and tolerance, for the climate here is variable as well as erratic.

The Park also shelters many different species of birds including Bush Quails, Sand Grouses, Tree Pies, Golden backed Woodpeckers, crested Serpent Eagles and Great Indian horned Owls. Animal lovers would definitely love this place which will offer them some of the best scenes to remember. The best place to spot the wildlife is at the waterholes where animals come to satisfy their thirst. You can trace hundreds of birds at the Kalighati Waterhole and Nilgai can be spotted at Salupka waterhole. Sariska is also well known for its large population of Rhesus Monkeys, which are found around Talvriksh. The park is open almost whole year-round, but for wildlife viewing and your comfort it is best to visit from October to April. Safaris are provided by jeep.

Siliserh Lake is another attraction which is inhabited by crocodiles on the edge of the sanctuary.
Sariska Palace is also worth a visit, which has been converted into a heritage hotel. Besides all this, you can visit the Pandupol, a place where Bhima adjusted a stick in the rock face of a cliff to make a pathway. You can also opt for Jeep Safaris which are easily available to explore the National Reserve. Sariska National Park is an enthralling sanctuary, where you can visit the rich heritage sites and enjoy the beauty of natural world.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is one of the finest bird parks in the world. The park was originally used as hunting grounds for the royals and persons of influence, but now it is not only a national park (since 1982) but also a world heritage site.

Keoladeo Ghana Natiuonal Park)is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as well. Nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.During the winter months the park serves as the stop-over for many local and migratory birds, with the rare Siberian Crane making its appearance occasionaly, though in the last few years, their numbers have dwindled.

Over 300 species of birds are found here and raised paths, hidden by babul trees and undergrowth make viewing easy.A quiet ride by boat in the early hours of the morning is also an unforgettable experience. There are mixed heronries on the half submerged babul trees and the cacaphony is unbelievable as painted storks, open bills, spoon bills, egrets, comorants, white ibis and multitudes of others, tend their young. Jacanas with their iridescent colours and elegant tail feathers and purple moorhen can be seen delicately treading over the floating vegetation. While harriers and fishing eagles circle overhead in search of prey, the pied kingfisher hovers dramatically over the water in a flurry of wings. There are varieties of storks and cranes and the local sarus crane is elegant in a livery of grey and redKeoladeo, the name derives from an ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which stands at the centre of the park. 'Ghana' means dense, referring to the thick forest, which used to cover the area.There are only two wintering places for this rare species one in Iran and the other Bharatpur and these beautiful birds with their distinctive red beaks and facial patches, fly over 6400 km from their summer retreats in Siberia, to get to them.

Keoladeo Ghana Bharatpur is open throughout the year for visitors, although winter is definitely the best time to visit. Summers are too hot and monsoons too wet for comfort, but the months between October and February are very suitable for a trip. Besides the fact that the weather’s good at this time, the park’s migratory birds arrive during the winter.

Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary

The lake and forested hills of this reserve, 32 km from Bikaner on the Jaisalmer road, are inhabited by wildfowl, hares , wild boar, desert foxes and a number of deer and antelopes including black bucks and blue bulls, flocks of imperial sand grouse and many more migratory birds that houses the sprawling forest in the winters. The lake at Gajner attracts water birds in thousands. Imperial sand house migrate here in winter.

Mount Abu Sanctuary

The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Aravali Ranges- one of the Rajasthan Regions oldest mountain ranges. It was declared a sanctuary in 1960.

The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the oldest parts of the Mount Abu mountain ranges. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many sightseeing points offering fantastic views. Mt. Abu is not only a sanctuary but also a fascinating hill station of Rajasthan. It is a living example of an inextricable mix of religion and tourism.

The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is about 7 kilometres long and only 300 metres wide. This means that while you take the long walk down The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary you won’t miss much on either side. It is unique in the sense that more than 250 species of birds are found here, but the speciality of the Abu sanctuary is the grey jungle fowl. The leopard sloth bear, wild boar, sambar, chinkara and langur are the other inhabitants here. A variety of fauna including highly rare, threatened and endangered species are found in this sanctuary.

The sanctuary provides an ideal habitat for Sloth Bear. The population of Sloth Bear is increasing regularly as it can be seen while going through the forests or motoring on the road. This sanctuary is so filled with the activities of birds that it is a sort of pilgrimage for bird loversApart from having several sightseeing places this sanctuary is a draw for nature lovers as it has great potential for Eco-tourism.The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is full of floral beauty. These forests consist of 112 plant families with 449 genera and 820 species. Of these, 663 species are dicots while 157 species are monocots. Mount Abu is the only place in Rajasthan where one can observe a variety of orchids. The place is also rich in bryophytes and algae. Three species of wild roses and 16 species of feras.

The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary is located in the most rugged of the Aravali in Pali, Rajsamand and Udaipur districts of Rajasthan. It takes name after the impressive historic fort of Kumbhalgarh, which come into view over the Park.

It is home to a very large variety of wild life, some of which are highly endangered speciesThe wild life includes wolf, leopards, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, smabhar, nilgai, chaisingh (the four horned antelope), chinkara and hare.

The bird life at Kumbhalgarh is also gratifying. The normally shy grey jungle fowl can be spotted here. Peacocks and Doves can be sighted regularly feeding on grains scattered by the jungle guards. Bird like the red spur owls, Parakeets, golden Oriole, grey Pigeons, Bulbul, Dove and white breasted kingfisher can also be seen near the water holes.

Kumbhalgarh’s natural beauty is attracting many tourists. Foot tracking and horse safari organised by local tour operators are proving to be very popular. A typical safari route enters the sanctuary from the Kumbhalgarh Fort and cutting across the sanctuary it reaches Ghanerao, and then borders an old abandoned road. On this road, one can sight Chinkaras, Neelgais, four horned Antelope and many birds.

Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sita Mata wildlife sanctuary is located in forests of bamboo and dry deciduous vegetation about 108 km from Udaipur. The Sanctuary provides rich pastures for a variety of Deer that includes the Chousingha and for Caracal wild Boar, Pangolin and Leopards. Sita Mata Sanctuary is spread over the Araveli and Vindhyachal mountain ranges and is the only forest region where teak trees of building value are found. In this sanctuary, around 50% trees are of teak. Besides these salar, tendu, amla and bamboo bel are also found in abundance. The leopard, hyena, jackal, fox, jungle cat, porcupine, spotted deer, wild bear, four - horned antelope and Nilgai are the animals found here. The most conspicuous animal of the Sita Mata sanctuary is the flying squirrel which can be seen gliding from one tree to another after sunset. Its activities are nocturnal and during the day the day it hides in the hollow. The best time to see this squirrel is between February and March at Arampura Forest Guest House, when most of the trees shed their leaves and it is easier to spot the squirrel on the branches of leafless trees.

Architectural Heritage

Rajasthan, the land of forts, palaces and havelis, is regarded as the most culturally and historically rich states of India. The mixture and brilliance of Rajasthan's architectural heritage can amaze a visitor. Almost every city of Rajasthan has a beautiful architectural masterpiece, showcasing the rich heritage of the land. The most famous heritage cities in Rajasthan include Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. The desert state of Rajasthan is a land of irony and extremes.

The beautifully painted havelis of Shekhawati region in Rajasthan display a unique architectural style, and are known for their exceptional 18th and 19th century frescoes and wall paintings, depicting gods, heroes, epics and local legends.

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.

Rajasthan is not all about its architectural heritage but the land is also known for its rich and colourful cultural heritage. The richness of the cultural heritage of Rajasthan can be seen in its colourful and vibrant festivals, folk music and dances, arts and handicrafts, lip-smacking cuisine and last but not the least the liveliness of the people known for their hospitality.

Art and Culture

Rajasthan is culturally rich and has extensive tradition in art and culture, which reflects Indian way life. Many civilizations forged by waves of settlers ranging from ancient Indus Valley urbanites to pastoral Aryan herdsmen that have all shaped this region called the land of kings. Colourful costumes, festivals and customs relieve the tedium of coping with a harsh, demanding land. Discover it all in the fairs and festivals like Pushkar and Desert Festival.

Music and Dance

Every region has its own very dialect of music and dance. The Ghoomar dance from Udaipur and Kaibeliya 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. Know Rajasthan Culture.

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 wall-hanging takes in simple folk to highly cultivated classical music and dance in its own distinct style.The Thar, and with it, all of Rajasthan, is known as the most colourful desert in the world. Fairs & Festivals, lilting music, lively dances and the dazzling attire of the people punctuate its barrenness, turning the land into a fertile basin of colour and creativity.

Fairs and Festivals

The unconvincing Thar Desert and with it all the barren land of Rajasthan has much to offer through the plethora of celebrations. The Rajashthani'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 regions.These fairs and festivals dot the calendar in Rajasthan make it a happening place throughout the year. The people of Rajasthan celebrate every festival with tremendous amount of zeal and enthusiasm.

There are animal fairs, there are religious fairs and there are fairs to mark the changing seasons.These fairs of Rajasthan provide a perfect opportunity to take a glimpse of the local lifestyle and shop for handcrafted items in Rajasthan. In fact, celebrations occur almost round the year and are a splendid opportunity for the visitor to gain an insight into the life of the Rajasthan.

PUSHKAR FAIR
The Pushkar Camel Fair is one of the largest in India and the only one of its kind in the entire world.The world famous Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan is a hit event among the tourists from across the world.The fair of Pushkar is held every year during the month of Kartik Purnima and countless devotees from all faiths gather to take a dip in the holy lake. The occasion is marked with a dip in the holy waters of Pushkar Lake and pay homage to the Hindu Deities. At the well-known Pushkar fair, you can get a glimpse of the age old traditional richness that is still alive on the bountiful land of Rajasthan.Pushkar fair has its own magic and it's a lifetime experience for travellers. It has featured in numbers of travel shows, films and magazine.

Each region has their own form of Folk entertainment, own Traditions, own dialect adding to the Indian diversity. Pushkar Fair, Desert festival, Elephant Festival and Camel festival are internationally famous and are not to be missed.

Traditional fairs, recently established festivals that involve elephants, camel races, dance and music have been specially organized for the tourists. Among the better known fairs of Rajasthan are Nagaur fair, Desert Festival, Gangaur, Summer Festival, Nagaur fair and lot more.This spirit of celebration is like Desert Rains, hidden in the Aravalli bosom, unfolding its feather with each festival.

Rajasthan Safaris

Camel Safari

The Camel Safari in Thar Desert will take you through the rural side of Rajasthan that has a very rustic charm. You will come across scenic rural settlements and the rural folks and villagers over here are the friendliest people. They treat guests like Gods and leave no stone unturned to make them feel comfortable and at home. The thrill of finding an oasis when you least expect it and watching sand dunes change their shapes is truly extraordinary.Your wildlife tour is incomplete without a ride on the camel Safari. The city of Jaisalmer invites you to feel the adventure of Camel Safari tour, which takes you through the golden sands of the vast Thar Desert. The camel, popularly known as the ship of the desert, is not only common in the Thar Desert, but also the only means of transportation in remote areas. It is an unusual way to choose to cross the arid Thar desert. And, following in his footsteps, one can re-live the adventure.

The rolling landscape of the sand an shrub covered area is breathtakingly beautiful and the range of flora and fauna surprisingly large for area desert area. The camel breeders of Raika are the best guides. They know every pasture, waterhole and village of the region. One can ride or walk along leisurely with the safari and the enjoy the deserts cape. The camel-carts are fully equipped and tourists need not bother about comfort in the desert.

Horse Safari
The land of royal dynasties and the Rajputs, is never complete without the stylish and charming horses. The dignity of the Rajputs was thought to lie in the talent of horse riding. There are many ways to tour and take in its sights and sounds but for those who want something other than the run of the mill, more importantly for the lovers of all things equalizing, rejoice, for the horse safari.

Elephant Safari

Elephant safari is a unique memory. It is mostly enjoyed in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Groomed, glittered in gold elephant give the royal experience of Maharajas of ancient times.The elephant treads slowly and steadily, hence an elephant safari would be ideal to visit Rajasthan's princely town and wild life sanctuaries. It will provide you an opportunity to thoroughly take your notes and experience by yourself its royal past which still reverberates in this land.

Jeep Safari

A popular form of desert safari is the Jeep safari. The jeep safari takes you through the fascinating countryside of the state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is one of the most favoured destinations for wildlife safari due to number of wildlife sanctuaries existed in the region. You will just have the experience of the enthralling Jeep Safari unfolding the unseen mystery of the greens and the wilds slowly and clandestinely in the alluring Ranthambhore and Sariska wildlife national park. A visit to the forts, palaces and other monuments during the jeep safari takes you back to the bygone era of the state.