Discover the State Rajasthan, Tourism, Trip, Holiday Tours Packages
Rajasthan Religions
Religion has always played a very important role in the lives of the Indian people right from medieval times. Numerous religions practised by Indians can sometimes bewilder the visitors but a general understanding and tolerance has always existed and accounted for the wonderful cultural alive. What is true for the rest of India is true for Rajasthan as well. Almost all the major religions are reprensted here. Apart from the Hindus, who form a majority, there are Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains etc.
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Hindusim : With its roots going beyond 1000 BC. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world and there is a belief that we all go through a series of reincarnations and our re-births are all determined by our karmas, until we attain moksha. The central figure is the Hindu Trinity of Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Vishnu is believed to have come to earth in ten incarnations-the popular ones being Rama and Krishna, the heroes of Ramayana and Mahabharata. These are the two major sources of Hindu belief and observance and are based on historical legends, myths and folklore. Of equal importance to Hindus are the Vedas, the oldest written religious texts in the world, the Upanishads and the Puranas. These form the basis of the Hindu religion. rajasthan also ahs its share of myths and folklore.
Custom which had to do with social welfare was promoted and kept alive over the years in the form of rituals and is still religiously followed. several folk heroes are worshipped and one can see hundreds of simple shrines in every village. Stones are painted and established in tiny temples under trees and near wells. Some of the major temples and important religious centres like Pushkar, Nathdwara, Deshnok, Amer exist in this site. Rajasthan has several popular Hindu saints, many from the Bhakti era.Rajasthani saints hail from all castes; Maharshi Naval Ram and Umaid Ram Maharaj were Bhangis, Karta Ram Maharaj was a Shudra, Sundardasa was a Vaish, and Meerabai and Ramdeoji were Rajputs. The backward caste Nayaks serve as the narrators or the devotional music (or "bhajan") for the Baba Ramdevji sect.The most popular Hindu deities are Surya, Krishna and Rama.Modern-day popular saints from Rajasthan have been Paramyogeshwar Sri Devpuriji of Kriya Yoga and Swami Satyananda the master of Kriya Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Mantra Yoga and Laya Yoga.
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Jainism and Islamism : Founded by Lord rishabh and reorganised by Lord Mhavir is one of the oldest living teligions of the world. The Fundamental Pinciple of jainism are Ahimsa, Aparigraha, Anekant and the law of Karma. The Jains have built some of the msot exquisite temple in Ranakpur, Mount Abu, Shri Mahaveerji, Osian, Jaisalmer, Chittaurgarh and other parts of Rajasthan. While Islam, the largest minority in India, Muslims are followers of the prophet Mohammad who was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in 579 AD. The world"s greatest Sufi shrine-that of Khwaja Moinuddin Chsiti-lies in Ajmer. Another pilgrimage centre is the Atarki Dargah, the tomb of Amiuddin Nagori at Nagaur.
The followers of these religions and the rulers, over the period, were instrumental in constrcuting a number of very important temples, mosques as well churches which were built in different parts of the state. Some of the most exquisite carvings on marble, stone and wood were created by the believers and exists to this day as a living proof of the creative genius which continues to fascinate by its sheer brilliance. Rajasthan had a massive movement to unite the Hindus and Muslims to worship God together. Saint Baba Ramdevji was adored by Muslims, equally that he was to Hindus.Saint Kabir was another popular figure noted for bringing the Hindu and Muslim communities together, and stressing that God may have many forms (e.g., whether in the form or Rama or Allah.)Other than the structures themselves, the very surroundings of these holy places can give the visitor a sense of peace and calm.
There is also a large majority of Sikhs and Christians who have merged with other communities to give Rajasthan a cosmopolitan flavour.
The state of Rajasthan encompasses almost all the religions of the world. People of different religious inclinations live peacefully and in harmony with one another.
Cuisine
In the land where only handful of varieties of grains comprising of wheat, maize, millets, corn, a few pulses, beans and lentils grow, it is amazing to see such an exotic cuisine that has originated in the state of Rajasthan. Besides the above-mentioned ingredients, the other things used by the desert people mostly consist of dairy products, the spices and herbs, the hunted animals and dry fruits.
Diversity In The Type of Diet
Different communities of Rajasthan have their own distinctive style of diets that is in general high-protein and low-fat diet except for the Marwari cuisine, which is highly rich in its contents. Rajput community is a warrior class and loves hunting. They are not averse to enjoying the meat of their game though it is not cooked in their daily kitchen. The game is cooked outside the home and is headed by males who serve as the chefs for the non-vegetarian cooking. Most of the other communities are strictly vegetarians including Vaishnavs, the followers of Lord Krishna, Bishnois, who are for their love of conservation of both plant and animal life, Marwaris, who are known for having rich diet and most notably Jains, who are very strict with their diet rituals. Jains do not eat after sunsets and do not use garlic and onions in their food, which is otherwise very popular amon the other communities of Rajasthan.
Non-vegetarian Food
Fishes and chicken are not very popular in Rajasthan. Colonel James Tod noted in his treatise, Annals and Antiquities of Rajputana, that "the Rajput...hunts and eats the boar and deer, and shoots ducks and wild fowl". However, it is not uncommon to see that all the warrior-class learns to eat whatever is available as it is a necessity in the game of survival. Today, the government of India has banned such hunting as these wild animals are now in the list of endangered species. Kachri, a vegetable belonging to the cucumber family, is used to marinate the meat and imparts it with a distinctive tangy flavor. The meat is first basted in the spices and then roasted in a pot over a wood fire until it turns into gravy. It is commonly consumed with bajra rotis (type of bread of millets).
Common Ingredients
Dried beans and spices such as 'heeng' (aesofoetida), amchur (mango powder), red chillies and mustard seeds, pickled meat, dried preparations called 'papads' and 'badis' form a large part of Rajasthani cuisine as they could be conserved for long periods of time and proved themselves to be very useful in the early days when there was little produce in summers and transport was not so efficient. The curries prepared using these dried preparations and often yoghurt or buttermilk and a lot of chillies and other herbs are simply delicious. Rice is considered a delicacy in Rajasthan as it does not grow here. Chewing dried pork fat, called sauth, in winters was considered prevention against colds and is still considered a good traditional remedy.
Common Dishes
Karhi, popularly known as khatta, is made up of buttermilk or yogurt mixed with chickpea flour, mustard seeds and crushed garlic cloves and it is said that longer it stays on the fire, the better it tastes. 'Gatte ka saag', made using freshly made dumplings of chickpea flour and 'badi ka saag' made using sun-dried moth-lentil dumplings along with 'khichra' a porridge of millets and moth lentils that are cooked along with water, a little spice and some ghee in combination with either jaggery or karhi form a staple part of Rajasthani diet. The hot red-chilli-and-garlic chutney (a type of tangy Indian sauce) 'raabori', millet flour cooked in buttermilk, which is believed to be an excellent coolant in the summers) are quite popular with the food. Sangri and ker (a hard desert berry) abounds in the preparation of Rajasthani meals as vegetables.
Though sweet preparations are few, Bikaneri sweet specialists are known all over the country for their delicious preparations. 'Seera', made of wheat flour in ghee and 'laapsi', a porridge made with desiccated grains of wheat are the common desserts of the state along with sweetened rice dressed with saffron and dried nuts and raisins.
Regional Specialities
Dal-Bati-Choorma, made of butter, cereals and sweetened bread pudding of Jaipur is considered a specialty, cherished by all the Indians. Bikaner is famous for its sweets and bhujiya (salties) along with its papads, badis and on the non-vegetarian side, the lean mutton of the desert goats. Jodhpuri kachoris (puffed breads with stuffing) are either sweet (when stuffed with mawa) or quite tangy (when stuffed with hot green chillies and hot spices). Milk sweets of Bharatpur are not very commonly seen in markets but melt deliciously into the mouth. They are prepared by boiling milk for hours to such a consistency that it can be folded into little pancakes. Ghevar, a delicacy especially prepared during the Teej festival is quite popular. It looks like a round cake made up of white flour, which is then dipped into the sweetened syrup and is dressed cream and khoya. Kebabs and pasandas and sevaiyan, prepared especially during the Eid festival are an integral part of the Muslim dining table are have moved on from the Tonk and Loharu region to cover the whole of the state.
One special feature of the Rajasthani cooking is that it has its roots in the lifestyle of the medieval Rajasthan when the chieftains were mainly at war. The focus was on edible items that could last for several days and could also be eaten without heating. Food was also prepared out of necessity rather than choice. It depended on the items available in particular regions. Furthermore, the scarcity of water as well as fresh green vegetables have had some impact on their art of cooking.
In the desert belt of Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner, cooks use a minimum of water and prefer, instead, to use more milk, buttermilk and clarified butter. A distinct feature of the Maheshwari (a trading company) cooking is the use of mango powder, a suitable substitute for tomatoes, scarce in the desert, and asafetida, to enhance the taste in the absence of garlic and onions.
Arts and Crafts of Rajasthan
The culturally rich state of Rajasthan is also famous for its amazing arts and crafts. Be it stone or wood or lac or leather and a number of other items, each one of them is worked upon and given exquisite forms. Rajasthan arts and crafts are in the blood of the people of the state. They have existed as far back as the 10th century. Along with the passing time, more and more contribution was made to the creative pursuits of the rajasthanis. An arts & crafts tour of Rajasthan will make you fall in love with the rich handiwork of the Rajasthanis. The former kings and nobles of Rajasthan provided the main patronage to the craftsmen of the state. Right from the elephants to the palaces to the mud huts, everything was decorated with the same details. This encouragement given at that time slowly and gradually contributed to the arts and crafts of Rajasthan in their present form. Even the clothes were given special attention. The clothes of the warriors were exquisitely designed and their armor was bejeweled and intricately carved. For the womenfolk, there was a wide variety, ranging from tie and dye fabrics, to enameled jewelry to embroidered jutis. As the rulers kept on changing, more and more art forms were added. The artisans of the Rajput rulers were even encouraged to set up schools of their crafts. All this led to the Rajasthan arts crafts, as we know of them now.
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Rajasthan is among the richest states in the country as far as the filed of arts and crafts is concerned. a result of the war-like lifestyle of the people which sharpened the creative senses, artistic skills and inspired them to create the most opulent and richest of treasures. Stone, clay, leather, wood, ivory, lac, glass, brass, silver, gold and textiles were given the most brilliant forms. Art flourished in this region as far back as 2nd-1st centuries BC and continued over the centuries. In Baroli, in the Hadoti region, presence of several sculptures proves that a regular art school existed in the 10th century. The cave paintings, terracotta and the other stone sculptures excavated at various sites corroborate this. Each period of the hsitory saw its own contribution to the thriving art scene. History of Rajasthan erveals that the kings and their nobles were patrons of arts and crafts and they encouraged their craftsmen in activities ranging from wood and marble carving to weaving, pottery and painting. And art seems to have been an obsession with the inhabitants of this parched landscape. The desire to decorate their surroundings were very strond. Nothing was overlooked-animals from the regal elephant to the lowly donkey, the great palaces and the inner chamber of forbissing forts were all decorated with as much attaention as were the walls of humble mud huts. The inhabiatnts were not too far behind when it came to adorning themselves and it was not only the women who beautified
Rajasthan is resplendently outstanding preserving its rich cultural heritage in its magnificent art and craft work. Rajasthan tourism highlights the world renowned art and craft of bandhani or tie and dye work , block-printing, jewellery and much more.
themselves-the heroic warriors also extended an equal attention to their clothing and armour, while the horses and elephnats that took the warriors to the battlefield were with jewelled saddles and intricate silver howdas were just some of the ornaments that were used to adorn them. For the women there was an infinite variety-tie and dye fabrics, embroidered garments, enamel jewellery inlayed with precious and semi-precious stones, leather jootis. They put their lives indoors to very good use by decorating their surroundings-on the walls of their mud-huts were painted geometric designs as well as simple motifs like flowers and birds. Also the women-folk made intricate patterns of floors, shaped straw and twine to trun into the most beautiful as well as functional ietms plus displyed great talent with needle and thread and papier mache.When the rajputs came to dominate this region, it was a period of constant strife. They were almost always in battle with their neighbouring kingdoms. When a kingdom fell and a new ruler took over, it was time for change-paintings depicting the new rulers" victory, scene from the battle and processions of the victorious march were faithfully reproduced on the walls and handmade paper. Other than the paintings, the new rulers also influenced the existing carfts of that area. Despite their love for the battlefield, the Rajputs have been patrons of art and also their 350 years of conatct with the Mughals led to a very strond influence on their lives and arts. Quite a few folk arts received the refinement and delicacy of the Mughal courts. They borrowed freely from the Agra and Delhi courts and in some cases, also sent their skilled artisans and craftsmen to adorn the Mughal courts. The Rajput rulers also encouraged the artisans to set up schools for the propagation of their crafts. Each Rajput principality had its own unique craft and to this day, every little town and village has its share of lanes where the craftsmen can be found practsing a craft handed down by his ancestors.
Rajasthani Painting
Paintings of Rajasthan are a sort of must buy for art lovers.Some of the most amazing and exquisite paintings can be found in Rajasthan. The paintings are so unique that they are beyond any kind of imitation. The beauty of Rajasthani paintings is sure to make a place in your heart. Amber in Rajasthan was one of the first kingdoms to become the Vassal of Akbar but noticeably its painting style remained conventional like that of Malwa. However, the court portraitures were executed in markedly Mughal style. In 1728, Sawai Jai Singh shifted the capital from Amber to Jaipur. He and his successors patronized many artists. The paintings clearly showed inheritance from the Mughal source but the bold compositions and use of abstractions were distinctly regional. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries numerous works of art were produced that depicted episodes from the life of Krishna. The names of the artists that doted the royal courts are evident in the court records and inscriptions on paintings. Ragamala and devotional subjects remained the popular themes of the paintings in the 19th century and found patronage outside Jaipur court too. Painting traditions in Bikaner followed a close Mughal tradition. Muslim artists settled here brought with
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them the highly refined and delicate Mughal style. Deccani paintings also had a marked influence on the Bikaner paintings. During the late 18th century paintings in Bikaner started showing conservative Rajput styles. It embraced the flatness and abstractions of the Rajasthani style. Though, Bikaner style was rich in documentation it never acquired the ostentation of the later Jodhpur portraits.
Hadauti Painting : The painting traditions in the region of Kota and Bundi located in southeastern Rajasthan are collectively known as Hadauti paintings.
Bundi : One of the earliest examples of the Bundi Paintings is the Chunar Ragamala painted in 1561. The painting showed marked influence of the Mughal style. The development of the Bundi School in the early 17th century is unclear but isolated examples of creative brilliance reveal the ongoing development of Bundi style. Wall paintings from the reign of Rao Ratan Singh (1607-31) are significant examples of Bundi Style. Under Rao Chattar Sal (1631-58) and Bhao Singh (1658-81) Bundi paintings emphasized on court scenes.
Themes from the life of nobles, lovers, and ladies were extensively used in the paintings. Bhagavata Purana illustrations of 1640 are other notable works of art from this genre.Though Bundi School had close association with the Mughal style yet it was never fundamental to the evolution and growth of Bundi paintings. From the second half of the 17th century three significant paintings; one, dated 1662, of a couple watching pigeons, second, from 1682, of a couple in a pavilion, third, dated 1689, of lovers viewing a crescent moon show the artistic merit of this school. These paintings employed bold, bright colors of Rajasthani style however the delicacy of the Mughal style was also not abandoned.
Kota : A Mughal Decree in 1624-25 led to the carving of Kota state from the kingdom of Bundi. Kota paintings were spontaneous and calligraphic in execution and emphasized on double lidded eye and marked shading. It is likely that artists traveled freely from state to state and hence the influence of each other styles is conspicuous in the paintings.During the reign of Jagat Singh (1658-84) portraitures were produced that employed vibrant colors and bold lines. Under the reign of Arjun Singh ( 1720-23), a style emerged where a male was depicted with a long hooked nose. In the 18th century, Kota became popular for its superb hunting scenes, Ragamalas, and portraits that often bore high documentary value. In the 19th century during the reign of Ram Singh II (1827-66), the Kota paintings underwent revival. He commissioned number of paintings depicting scenes of worship, hunting, darbar and processions. The Hadauti paintings are often regarded as one of the highest quality of paintings in the Rajput style. Kishangarh in central Rajasthan, developed a distinct style of painting,which was a result of fusion between
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the Mughal tradition and regional style. Many Mughal painters, in the early 18th century from Delhi had settled in the region and found patronage under ruler Raj Singh (1706-48). One of the chief painters was Bhavani Das who developed a style that bloomed during the reign of Raja Savant Singh (1748-64). Raja Sawant Singh was a devotional poet and an accomplished musician and artist.The mystical love of Krishna and Radha was beautifully portrayed in the paintings. The poetry of Sawant Singh also often became the theme of the paintings. Illustrated Shahnama and court scenes were other notable works of art. His chief artist Nihal Chand developed a mannerlist style that emphasized on slender curves and almond eyes of the figures. The Kishangarh School is best known for its Bani Thani paintings. It is widely believed that Bani Thani, was a mistress of Savant Singh and was herself a singer and a poet. Bani Thani paintings were noticeable for their exaggerated features - long necks, large almond-shaped eyes, long fingers and the use of subdued colors. After the demise of Savant Singh and his leading painters, the Kishangarh School lost its glory and declined in the course of 19th century.
Malwa : Malwa (In present day Madhya Pradesh) School was one of the most conservative Rajput Painting School in the 17th century. Rasikpriya, dated 1634, and Ramayana dated 1650 are the earliest examples from this school. Influence of Chaurpanchasika style and use of flat planes of bright colors are some of the main features of these works of art. Malwa paintings emphasized on strong colors like deep blues, reds and browns and bold lines. Remote Mughal influence was also evident in the paintings like that Amarusataka (100 verses of Amaru). Rasabeli and Bhagavata Purana are some of the other notable illustrated works from this school.
Marwar : The desert kingdom of Marwar (Jodhpur) in the 18th century is well known for its great visual paintings. Ragamala painted in Pali in 1623 is one of the earliest paintings from this school.During the 18th century portraitures of nobles on their horses and darbar scenes became common. Artists like Dalchand brought with them Mughal traditions that were evident in the paintings. Under Maharaja Abhai Singh ( 1724-49) large volume of high standard work was produced.Many of these priceless paintings are preserved in the Jodhpur Fort Museum Collection.
Mewar : Mewar is notable for the fact that it resisted the domination of the Mughals for a considerable period and developed a very conservative style. Chawand Ragamala dated 1605 is one of the earliest examples of this school. The flatness, bright colors, and several common motifs showed marked resemblance with the Chaurapanchasika style. Few notable painters of Mewar School were Nasr al Din and Sahibdin. Sahibdin dominated Mewar School from 1620-1650. His body of work includes Ragamala, Gita Govinda, Rasikpriya, and Bhagavata Purana. In the mid 17th century another important artist Manohar was noted for his illustrated Ramayana. The end of the 17th century and the early 18th century saw the revival of the Mewar style. Several high quality works of art were produced which emphasized on court scenes, religious subjects, and portraitures. In the first half of the 18th century ambitious studies of royal pursuits that used continuous narration were also produced. The late 18th century saw the decline of the Mewar School. However in the mid 19th century, Tara, a painter tried to provide impetus to the Mewar School. He used European traditions in the paintings. Mewar painting continued as a court art till mid 20th century
Folk Music And dance
The realm of the folkways dance and music rule supreme and one cannot think of Rajasthan without this important element of its folk life. A large variety of musical instruments is used in the countryside. It ranges from the soft tinklers to thunderous kettledrums; from simple, slender flutes to intriguing trumpets; and from the rustic looking resonators for basic rhythm to elegant and fully developed bowing or plucking devices. It is a fascinating sight to see the folk musicians of Rajasthan with their musical instruments, who besides dressing themselves in colorful attire, also decorate and embellish their instruments with beautiful trappings and ornamental coverings. They are a people with music in their souls. Their amazingly rich music has an extraordinary individuality, tradition and exotic flavor, which gives a distinctive feature and quality to their musical sounds, and a certain pulse which does not fail to fascinate the listener, staying like lingering perfume. They have songs for every occasion with rich emotional content, almost an endless variety of tunes, quite a few delightful dance forms, and a large number of musical instruments, all a collective creation of the folks which is retained by them in its traditional form and character and passed from one generation to the other. The people of Rajasthan live life to the hilt. After hard work in the harsh desert sun and
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the rocky terrain whenever they take time off they let themselves go in gay abandon. There is dancing, singing, drama, devotional music and puppet shows and other community festivities which transform the hardworking Rajasthani into a fun-loving and carefree individual. Each region has its own folk entertainment, the dance styles differ as do the songs. Interestingly enough, even the musical instruments are different. Of considerable significance are the devotional songs and the communities who render these songs. Professional performers like the Bhaats, Dholis, Mirasis, Nats, Bhopas and Bhands are omnipresent across the state. They are patronised by the villagers who participate actively in the shows put up by these travelling entertainers. Some of the better known forms of entertainment are:
Ghoomar Dance: This is basically a community dance for women and performed on auspicious occasions. Derived from the word ghoomna, piroutte, this is a very simple dance where the ladies move gently, gracefully in circles.
Gait Ghoomar: This is one of the many dance-forms of the Bhil tribals. Performed during Holi festival, this is among a few performances where both men and women dance together.
Gait: Another Holi dance but performed only by men. This becomes Dandia Gair in Jodhpur and Geendad in Shekhawati.
Chart Dance: This is popular in the Kishengarh region and involves dancing with a chari, or pot, on one's head. A lighted lamp is then placed on the pot.
Kachhi Ghodi: This is a dance performed on dummy horses. Men in elaborate costumes ride the equally well decorated dummy horses. Holding naked swords, these dancers move rhythmically to the beating of drums and fifes. A singer narrates the exploits of the Bavaria bandits of Shekhawati.
Fire Dance: The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum are renowned for their tantric powers and this dance is in keeping with their lifestyle. A large ground is prepared with live wood and charcoal where the Jasnathi men and boys jump on to the fire to the accompaniment of drum beats. The music gradually rises in tempo and reaches a crescendo; the dancers seem to be in a trance like state.
Drum Dance: This is a professional dance-form from Jalore. Five men with huge drums round their necks, some with huge cymbals accompany a dancer who holds a naked sword in his mouth and performs vigorously by twirling three painted sticks.
Teerah Taali: The Kamad community of Pokhran and Deedwana perform this dance in honor of theft deity, Baba Ramdeo. Rather unusual performances, where the men play a four-stringed instrument called a chau-tara and the women sit with dozens of manjeeras, or cymbals, tied on all over their bodies and strike them with the ones they hold in their hands. Sometimes, the women also hold a sword between their teeth or place pots with lighted lamps on their heads.
Kathputli: Puppet plays based on popular legends are performed by skilled puppeteers. Displaying his skill in making the puppets' act and dance, the puppeteer is accompanied by a woman, usually his wife, who plays the dholak, or drum and sings the ballad.
Music plays a very important role in the lives of the Rajasthani people. The lyrics are read in a prosaic style. In the Rajasthani music, the emphasis is more on poetry, rather than the melody. However, the poetry gains meaning only when accompanied by Rajasthan folk music. The traditional music of Rajasthan is designed for each and every event like festivals, rituals, family affairs, seasons, etc. Rajasthani women mostly sing the panihari style, i.e. mainly about water. It centers on the routine
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mundane life of a women, of which a major part is spent around the wells. This is because of the scarcity of water in the desert area of Rajasthan. The other subjects covered by the songs of women include a chance encounter with a lover or bad mouthing mother-in-law or sister-in-law, etc. Some folk songs of Rajasthan are dedicated to the various deities. They include the religious songs of Kabirdas, Meerabai, Surdas, etc. A number of communities in Rajasthan have followed the profession of singing for the entertainment of others. Among them, the prominent ones are the Dholis (both Hindus and Muslims), Dhadhis, Mirasis, Mangamars, Fedalis, Kalawats and Qawwals, Tangas, Patars and Kanchari (Hindu and Muslim prostitutes), Nats, Rawals and Bhawais. The folk songs normally began with an alap, setting the tune of the song. After that, follows the recital of the couplet (dooba). Lending a variance to the tune are the taan, the pitch and the tibias. Another tradition of Rajasthan is the Ballad (bards singing heroic tales of the folk heroes and legendary lovers).
Maand : Rajasthan"s most sophisticated style of folk muisc and has come a long way from the time it was only sung in royal courts, in praise of the Rajput rulers. Professional singers still sing the haunting ballads of Moomal-Mahendra. Dhola-Maru and other legendary lovers and heroes. List of singers and performers also inlcudes the Mirasis and Jogis of Mewat, Manganiyanrs and langas. kanjars, banjaras and dholies. Performances like the Kuchamani Khayal, Macch, Tamaasha, Rammat, Nautanki and Raaslela. are no less popular. The musical instruments of Rajasthan are simple but quite unusual. Handicrafted by the musicians themselves they are rather unique and also include inetruments like the Morchang, Naad, Sarangi, Kamayacha, Rawanhattha, Algoza, Khartal, Poongi, Bankia and Daf. There are dozens of other instruments which are exclusive to Rajasthan only. It is a rather difficult task to lists all the different types of msuic, dnace and entertainment that can be found in Rajasthan and the range is mindboggling.
National Parks & Sanctuaries
Take a travel trip to great Indian wildlife parks which gives a lifetime experience, that remain, engrave in the memory of every tourist visiting the magnificent wildlife of India.
Though a large percentage of the total area is desert, and even though there is little forest cover, Rajasthan has a rich and varied flora and fauna. The natural vegetation is classed as Northern Desert Thorn Forest (Champion 1936). These occur in small clumps scattered in a more or less open forms. Density and size of patches increase from west to east following the increase in rainfall.Some wildlife species, which are fast vanishing in other parts of India, are found in the desert in large numbers such as the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), the Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), the Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) and the Indian Wild Ass. The Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, spread over an area of 3162 km², is an excellent Take a travel trip to great Indian wildlife parks which gives a lifetime experience, that remain, engrave in the memory of every tourist visiting the magnificent wildlife of India.
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SARISKA TIGER RESERVE
The Sariska Tiger Reserve is an Indian National Park located in the Alwar District of the state of Rajasthan. Originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile Alwar state, the area was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955. In 1978 it was declared a Tiger Reserve and is now a part of India's Project Tiger scheme. The present area of the park is 866 km². The park is situated 107 km north east of the state capital Jaipur.Some of the wildlife found in the Sariska Tiger Reserve include the leopard, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, chital, sambar, carecal, langur, wild boar, four-horned deer (chowsingha) and several species of birds. Surprisingly enough, there are no tigers in Sariska any more. The reserve is also the location of as the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and Garh Rajor temples from the 9th and 10th centuries and the Kankwadi fort briefly imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh in the battle for succession of the Mughal throne. The area also has historical buildings associated with the Maharajas of Alwar such as The Sariska Palace the royal hunting lodge of the former Maharaja of Alwar state Jai Singh.From the summers of 2004 there were strong and persistent reports - mainly from the people involved in tourism - that no tigers were being sighted in Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. It was not only that tigers were not being seen but also and more alarmingly, there were no indirect evidence of tiger’s presence (such as pugmarks, scratch marks on trees etc) being found. The Rajasthan Forest Department took the stand that "the tigers had temporarily migrated outside the reserve and would be back after the rains." The Project Tiger backed this assumption. In January 2005, journalist Jay Mazoomdaar (The Indian Express) broke the news that there were no tigers left in Sariska. Thus broke open the Third Tiger Crisis. Soon the Rajasthan Forest Department and the Project Tiger Directorate declared an "emergency tiger census" in Sariska and the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted a probe. After a two month exercise they finally declared that Sariska indeed did not have any tigers left.
example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert, and its diverse fauna. Great Indian Bustard, Blackbuck, chinkara, desert fox, Bengal fox, wolf, desert cat etc. can be easily seen here. Seashells and massive fossilized tree trunks in this park record the geological history of the desert. The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. One can see many eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel and vultures. Short-toed Eagles (Circaetus gallicus), Tawny Eagles (Aquila rapax), Spotted Eagles (Aquila clanga), Laggar Falcons (Falco jugger) and kestrels are the commonest of these.Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is a very small sanctuary in Churu District, 210 km from Jaipur, in the Shekhawati region. This sanctuary is home to a large population of graceful Blackbuck. Desert Fox and desert cat can also be spotted along with typical avifauna such as partridge and sand grouse.Despite a comparatively hostile terrain, Rajasthan amazingly has a rich wildlife and is the abode of a number of mammals and birds. Its vast size and latitudinal variations above the sea level of 1,700m provides it with varied vegetation. Rajasthan provides semi green forests of Mount Abu to dry grasslands of the desert, and from the dry deciduous thorn forest of Aravali to wetlands of Bharatpur. The Sanctuaries, an isolated landscape with some backdrops, attract herds of species from all over to their temporary habitat that provides comfortable subsistence. In the season time, the wildlife sanctuaries and parks echo with enchanting sounds and fascinating visuals against the sprawling meadow of flora. Rajasthan is the haven of the tigers and many endangered species. Let's explore the wildlife of Rajasthan!
The other cats living in Sariska Tiger Reserve are panthers, jungle cat, caracals (a reddish-brown wildcat with black tipped ears) and the rusty spotted cat. Nilgai (large Indian antelope; blue bull), cheetal (spotted deer), sambar (large Asiatic deer), wild boars, chinkara (Indian gazelle), jackal, chowsingha (four-horned antelopes), ratel (honey badgers) and porcupine are easily spotted. Hundreds of peafowl congregate everyday by the waterhole called the Kalighati. The other one is the Salupka waterhole, which is the clubhouse of nilgai. Chowsinghas gather around the Pandu Pol Nallah. But, of course, patience is the keyword.
Another attraction within Sariska Tiger Reserve is the crocodile inhabited Siliserh Lake on the edge of this tiger reserve (see Siliserh for more). Sariska is also famous for its population of langur (any of the genus Presbytis) and rhesus monkeys. Talvriksh, a grove of Arjun trees, is the hub of these monkeys and you can see hundreds of them at a time. But don't irritate them, for then you'll be inviting real trouble. Sariska nationl park has a rich and colourful birdlife too. This includes the grey partridge, quail, sandgrouse (a pigeon-like bird), golden-backed woodpecker, Great Indian horned owl and white-breasted kingfisher. Come evening, and they call out in unison, making a terrible bedlam. The open dry deciduous forest of Sariska Tiger Reserve with its rich population of wildlife is a marvel of ecological adaptation and tolerance. The most favourable time to visit the park is between November and March, but if you can take the heat be here in April-May which is the best time to sight wild animals (in search of water).
There’s a temple dedicated to Hanuman (the monkey god of Hindu mythology) at Pandu Pol, located at about 20km from the main gate of the reserve. In fact, it’s quite simple to reach here as the metalled road ends at the temple. Archaeologically, it is an interesting site, for there’s a naturally formed gateway here which has some kind of an association with the Pandavas (of the Mahabharata fame). A cascading spring emerging from the hard limestone rocks gives the place the most delightful look.
Visiting Hours : 0700-1600 in winter (October to end of February); 0600-1700 during the rest of the year.
Note : Jeeps are available on hire at the RTDC Hotel Tiger Den.
Night halt in the Sariska Tiger Reserve is allowed with prior permission from the Field Director, Sariska Tiger Reserve.
DESERT NATIONAL PARK
Desert National Park, Rajasthan, India, is situated in the west Indian state of Rajasthan near the town of Jaisalmer. This is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3162 km². The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert. Sand dunes form around 20% of the Park. The major landform consists of craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes. Despite a fragile ecosystem there exists an abundance of birdlife. The endangered Great Indian Bustard is one magnificent bird found in relatively fair numbers. It migrates locally in different seasons. The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. One can see many eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel and vultures. Short-toed Eagles, Tawny Eagles, Spotted Eagles, Laggar Falcons and kestrels are the commonest of these. Sand grouse are spotted near small ponds or lakes. The most suitable time to visit the area is between November and January.
MOUNT ABU SANCTUARY
The sanctuary located in Mount Abu was declared as a protected area in the year 1960 and ever since then this sanctuary which is spread over the gorgeous Aravalli range of mountains has been attracting not only domestic tourists but also tourists from overseas. Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station and in the days of yore it used to be the summer retreat of Rajasthan's royalty. Rajasthan Tourism department in was being increasingly felt that the desert destinations of Rajasthan like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur etc. .. were oversold in the international tourist market. In a bid to diversify its tourism game plan, the Mount Abu sanctuary together with Mount Abu have been strategically highlighted as an irresistible Eco-Tourism circuit and needless to say, the response has been tremendous.
The sanctuary is a biodiversity hot spot and has a rich variety of flora and fauna. Some of the resident animal species include Langoor, Hyena, Indian Civet, Wild Boar, Pangolin, Sambhar, Jungle Cat, Porcupine and Hedge hog to name just a few. In the past the sanctuary also was inhabited by lions and tigers which have now vanished. The lions in particular have moved to Gir Sanctuary in neighboring Gujrat. Apart from rich wildlife species that can be found, the sanctuary is also rich in floral biodiversity with 112 varieties of plants. Add to it the fact that some of the finest varieties of Orchids too are found at the Mount Abu Sanctuary. Also available are herbal and medicinal plants. The best part of visiting Mount Abu Sanctuary is that, one can experience both nature based tourism as well as pilgrim tourism at one go. Mount Abu has a plethora of temples, particularly Jain temples like Vimal Basahi, Luna Basahi and of course the magnificent Dilwara temple. Mount Abu is also a renowned place of pilgrimage for the Hindu's with temples of Achaleshwar, Adharadevi, Raghunathji and Madhuvan to name just a few.
KUMBHALGARH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
The Kumbhalgarh sanctuary is spread over an area of 578 sq. kms and is located at an altitude ranging from 500 to 1300 meters. The sanctuary is a mere 65 kms. from Udaipur. The Kumbhalgarh sanctuary has a bewildering array of wildlife species like leopards, hyena, sloth bear, wolf, jackal, jungle cat, hare, nilgai and the four horned antelope all of which makes Kumbhalgarh any wildlife enthusiasts dream come true.
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Apart from the rich variety of wildlife species, Kumbhalgarh sanctuary is also a mecca for bird-watchers with numerous avian species that are residents of the sanctuary. The usu reticent jungle fowls are easily spotted along with white breasted kingfisher, parakeets, golden oriole, varieties of pigeons, bulbul, red owls to name just a few of the avian species that can be found in the haunting wilderness of the Kumbhalgarh sanctuary. The sanctuary's natural beauty is further heightened by a magnificent fort - the Kumbhalgarh fort located at a height of 1087 meter on the hilly terrains of the Aravalli range. This invincible fort was built by Rana Kumbha in 1458 and happens to be the second oldest fort of Rajasthan after Chittor fort. The fort is associated with the memory of Dhatri Panna and her supreme sacrifice wherein she gave away her own son to the enemy or attackers in her bid to save her master's son. There are several palaces or "Mahals" inside the fort but they are out of bound to visitors. The Megh Durbar and The Durbar Hall are however accessible. Just below the fort, there is the 2nd century Jain temple, which is in a dilapidated condition. Nearby is the Kali temple. Besides, there are temples dedicated to Kumbha Swamy, Nilkantha and Mahadeva. From the roof, one is assured of breath taking views of the Kumbalgarh sanctuary. During the scorching summer months from March to June, wild inmates of the sanctuary like antilopes, panthers, bears and wolves come to the adjoining lake to drink water and makes for a pretty sight. The Kumbhalgarh sanctuary is increasingly gaining in popularity particularly because of its proximity to the city of Udaipur. Most tourists who come to Udaipur try to cover Kumbhalgarh which provides them with welcome relief from the scorching desert heat of Udaipur. In short Kumbhalgarh is nature and history entwined in Rajasthan India.
TAL CHAPPAR SANCTUARY
Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is a sanctuary located in the Churu district of Northwestern Rajasthan in the Shekhawati region of India. It is 210 km from Jaipur and situated on road from Ratangarh to Sujangarh. The Tal Chappar sanctuary lies in the Sujangarh Tehsil of Churu District. It lies on Nokha- Sujangarh state Highway and is situated at a distance of 85 km from Churu & about 132 km from Bikaner. The nearest Railway station is Chappar which lies on Degana – Churu – Rewari metre gauge line of North Western Railways. The nearest Airport is Sanganer (Jaipur) which is at a distance of 215 km from Chappar. It is known for black bucks but it is also home to a variety of birds.The Tal Chhapar sanctuary is located on the fringe of the Great Indian Desert. Tal Chhapar nestles a unique refuge of the most elegant Antelope encountered in India, "the Black buck".
Take a travel trip to great Indian wildlife parks which gives a lifetime experience, that remain, engrave in the memory of every tourist visiting the magnificent wildlife of India.
Tal Chhaper sanctuary, with almost flat tract and interspersed shallow low lying areas, has open grassland with scattered Acacia and prosopis trees which give it an appearance of a typical Savanna. The word "Tal" means plane land. The rain water flows through shallow low lying areas and collect in the small seasonal water ponds.The Geology of the zone is obscured by the wind blown over-burden. Some small hillocks and exposed rocks of slate and quartzite are found in the western side of the sanctuary. Area between hillocks and the sanctuary constitutes the watershed area of the sanctuary. The whole sanctuary used to be flooded by water during the heavy rains but with salt mining going on in the watershed. Hardly any rain water falling on the hillocks reach the Sanctuary
The sanctuary is named after Chhapar village which is located at 27°-50' North and 74°-25' East. It is a flat saline depression locally known as "Tal" that has a unique ecosystem in the heart of the Thar Desert, Perched at a height of 302 meters (990 feet) above sea level.This region is characterized by distinct winter (Oct. to Feb.) Summer (March to June) Monsoon (July to Sept.)The zone has a dry climate with large variation in temperature wind blows South – West during summer. In May and June
winds become very hot and that is called “Loo” Maximum temperature reaches up to 48°C in June & minimum temperature falls up to 10°C in month of December – January. The Tal Chhapar Zone comes under the principal arid zone of the country. Rainfall in this region is highly erratic. There is large variation in mean annual rainfall in this region. Normal rainfall in this region is about 300 mm.
The forest of this region falls under major group “TROPICAL FOREST” as per classifications of Indian forests by Champion & Seth. The forest of sanctuary area again falls under Group “Topical Thorn Forest” & Sub group 6B/C “Desert Thorn Forests”.The sanctuary area is mostly covered by grasses with a very few trees.It lies on the way of the passage of many migratory birds such as harriers. These birds pass through this area during September. Birds commonly seen in the sanctuary are harriers, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, sparrow, and Little Green Bee-eaters, Black Ibis and Demoiselle Cranes, which stay there till March. on the other hand, skylark, crested lark, Ring Dove, brown dove and blue jay are seen throughout the year.Desert fox and desert cat can also be spotted along with typical avifauna such as partridge and sand grouse.In the Tal Chhapar Sanctuary, a special type of grass is found. This grass is called Mothiya locally. The word "Mothiya" comes come from the word "Moti" or from the English word for Pearl. The shape of the seed of this grass is like very fine round shaped pearls. Mothiya has a very sweet taste. People enjoy eating it, but it is found in very small quantities. Production is only a few kilograms every season. Mothiya is also food for Black bucks and other birds which dig it from earth with their starks.
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There are two rest houses situated in sanctuary area and being maintained by forest department having four suites accommodation. These rest houses come under the control of Deputy conservator of forest, Churu. Any one can contact for accommodation to DCF, Churu. Chhapar – Sujangarh state highway divides the sanctuary area in two parts. In the sanctuary there are Kacha tracks which are used for inspection, patrolling & viewing the fauna of the sanctuary.
The next destination of the Heritage on Wheels sojourn is Shekhawati region. Shekhawati is one of the richest regions, in terms of art and crafts, of Rajasthan. Creating beautiful images with vibrant colors is a way of life of the artists of the Shekhawati region. The best exponents of Shekhawati art and paintings are the Havelis of the Shekhawati. Mandawa and Nawalgarh display some of the best Shekhawati paintings on the walls of their Havelis.The same artistic tradition of frescoes is visible in other less known towns of the Shekhawati region. It is just amazing to see the plethora of murals in a land otherwise known as impoverished desert. Besides the tour of various places of Shekhawati, you will be taken to the Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary as well. It is all because of The Tal Chhapar Sanctuary, and is famous for its black bucks. It is a flat saline depression, with a unique ecosystem. During September, the Tal Chappar wild life sanctuary comes alive with the chirping of various migratory birds including montagur's, marsh harrier, pale harrier, imperial eagle, tawny eagle, short toed eagle, sparrow hawk, skylark, crested lark, ring drove, brown dove, blue jay, green bee eaters, black ibis and demoiselle cranes.
KEOLADEO GHANA NATIONAL PARK
The Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, India is a famous avifauna sanctuary that sees (or saw) thousands of rare and highly endangered birds such as the Siberian Crane come here during the winter season. Over 230 species of birds are known to have made the National Park their home. It is also a major tourist centre with scores of ornithologists arriving here in the hibernal season. It was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971. It is also a declared World Heritage Site. The sanctuary was created 250 years ago and is named after a Keoladeo (Shiva) temple within its boundaries. Initially, it was a natural depression; and was flooded after the Ajan Bund was constructed by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the then ruler of the princely state of Bharatpur, between 1726 to 1763. The bund was created at the confluence of two rivers, the Gambhir and Banganga. The park was a hunting ground for the maharajas of Bharatpur, a tradition dating back to 1850, and duck shoots were organised yearly in honor of the British viceroys. In one shoot alone in 1938, over 4,273 birds such as mallards and teals were killed by Lord Linlithgow, the then Governor-General of India. After India's independence, the rulers of the princely states were allowed shooting rights until 1972. In 1982, grazing was banned in the park, leading to violent clashes between the local farmer and Gujjar communities and the government. The sanctuary. hosts a small wintering population of the rare Siberian Cranes. Other species include the ruddy shelducks, gulls, northern shovelers, northern pintails, coots, garganey, tufted ducks and common pochard.In late 2004 however, the Rajasthan government led by Vasundhara Raje succumbed to pressure from farmers to prevent water from being diverted to the sanctuary. The water supply to the park dropped from 540,000,000 to 18,000,000 cubic feet (15,000,000 to 510,000 m³).
The result was an ecological disaster with the marshlands turning dry and inhospitable. Most of the birds flew off to alternate avenues as far as Garhmukteshwar, Uttar Pradesh (90 km form New Delhi) on the river Ganga for breeding. This resulted in many of the birds being hunted for their meat.The act was criticised by leading environmentalists, leading to a Public Interest Litigation being filed in court.Some time back, the homeless villagers tried to re-establish themselves and their livestock in the park. But they were met by armed police, and seven of them were killed "for doing no more
than exercising what they considered to be a traditional right." Keoladeo Ghana’ name signifies the location of the temple of Lord Shiva (Keoladeo) in the centre of the Park and dense (ghana) forest covering the area. It's a soggy green paradise, an ideal home for a large variety of birds. Scores of migratory species undertake a perilous journey over the Himalayas to make a seasonal home in this wetland ecosystem, the most famous of them being the magnificent but nearly extinct Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus). This interlocking ecosystem of woodlands, swamps, wet prairies and dry Savannah is considered to be one of the world's richest heronries, where thousands of birds get busy courting, mating and nesting.
Foundation of The Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary : The Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary was initially created by Maharaja Suraj Mal, because he had some great ideas – not of conservation, but of the possibility of a constant supply of waterfowl for the royal dining table. At that time, it used to be a scrubby depression of land, seasonally enlivened by ephemeral ponds of water following the monsoons. These ponds attracted some unsuspecting migratory ducks and geese in the winter months, and so Suraj Mal decided to turn it into a permanent reservoir, the Arjun Bund. and soon, Bharatpur,Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary became one of India's most productive hunting reserves. So much so that the British officials used to vie for invitations!
The 16 square miles of marsh known as the Ghana jheel (ghana means dense, and jheel lake) hosted such grand duck shoots that no serious sportsman could afford to miss it. Colonel Sawai Brijendra Singh, a later maharaja of Bharatpur, explains: "The jheel had islands to which I constructed little roads that were wide enough for cars to take VIPs out to their butts… Each duck shoot took months to arrange and to see that VIPs were not given bad butts was like making the seating arrangement for a dinner party. At the last moment someone would say, "Sorry, I can't come", and you then had to go through the list seeing who should go into a VIP butt and who could have his place." Yet when it came to the largest bags, even Bharatpur had to give way to the imperial sandgrouse shoots at Bikaner.
Flora & Fauna : The Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary is now home to more than 370 species of birds. This large number comes somewhat as a surprise, considering what went on earlier in the name of a game. The site has gone through some of the worst events of duck shoots in the world. In November 1938, the then Viceroy Lord Linlithgow and his party massacred as many as 4273 ducks and geese. Linlithgow had with him two loaders to help him reload, and his guns got so hot with the rapid firing that they had to be sloshed regularly with cold water!
There's also a small temple in the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary which has a pillar near it with an inscription that reveals that over 5000 ducks were shot in one day alone. But thankfully things somewhat changed after Independence. Ghana became a Sanctuary in 1956, and graduated to being a National Park in 1981. This unique water-bird haven is recognized by the UNESCO as a world heritage site. The Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary provides unlimited opportunities for the bird watcher, wildlife photographer, nature writer, researcher in biology and, of course, the travel freak. The vegetation of the area is that of mixed deciduous forest type with plants like babool (Acacia arabica), ber and khajur.
During Springs The Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary Comes To Life : The first shower of the season makes the park come alive, teeming with hundreds of feathered species. Cormorants, darters, spoonbills, ibises, herons, egrets, cranes, pelicans, flamingos, geese, ducks, larks, chats, kites, buntings, eagles, harriers, owls, vultures, kingfishers and many more are the part of this vibrant wetland, building nests in an estimated 50,000 trees. There are few places in the world where such a variety of birds can be so easily observed.
Visitors have claimed to have seen at least 80 species of birds among the 370 apart from some animals like the jackal, mongoose, sambar (large Asiatic deer), wild boar, turtles, monitor lizards within just half an hour of stepping into the park. Wildlife enthusiast Charlie Pye-Smith gives a wonderful account of his visit: "Vast numbers of egret, stork, cormorant, spoonbill, ibis and heron had turned a babool wood into a raucous and smelly slum. Jacana, pond heron and white breasted waterhen stalked silently over the lily pads while whiskered tern and pied kingfisher plunged into open water in search of fish and eels. In the dry scrub beyond the water's edge there were mynahs, drongos, shrikes, bee-eaters and parakeets. The geese and ducks which fly south from the northern breeding grounds to spend the winter here had just begun to trickle in, but it was too early for Bharatpur's most famous, the Siberian crane. The first to arrive are the herons, followed by egrets, cormorants, ibis, spoonbills and storks, then the winter migrants from the Arctic Tundra and western Siberia – numerous species of ducks, geese, coots, eagles, harriers and cranes. The new arrivals merge with the residents and a cacophony of sounds results. Valmik Thapar in his book Land of the Tiger has given a descriptive account of this bird paradise and the birds in it. According to him, seven of the world's 17 species of stork are found here, the most numerous and eye-catching being the painted stork, a large, long-legged, long-necked bird, rather ungainly on land but with an elegant soaring flight. It is predominantly white with black and white wings, earning the description 'painted' from the oddly contrasting pink patches on its back, orangy-pink head and legs and paler yellowy-pink bill.
Attraction Of Siberian Crane : Four species of crane visit Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, including the famous Siberian crane, but the Sarus crane is resident. A large grey bird with a red head and nearly as tall as a man, the Sarus crane is much venerated as a symbol of marital bliss in India. Sarus cranes pair for life, and locals believe that if one dies, the other will die of a broken heart. The Sarus courtship display is one of the most magnificent bird spectacles in the world. The couple bow, circle round each other with outspread wings, throw back their long necks, take great leaps into the air, all the while uttering their far reaching, trumpeting call. There are many reasons to this lamentable depletion. A pair of breeding cranes raise only one chick a year, and though the adult stands more than a mighty four feet tall, the tiny young ones often become the food for predatory shorebirds, gulls and dogs. En route their migration to Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary they have to face dangers that are even more dangerous than the hostile terrain – guns. Every year many of these birds are shot down in Afghanistan and Pakistan, despite protective laws in these countries. The remaining few alive reach Bharatpur exhausted, only to find that there's no food for them any more! Courtesy, the Forest Department's brilliant policies.
What happened was this. In 1982 the Forest Department declared, in all sincerity, that villagers be moved out of the park with their bag and baggage. They believed that the buffaloes owned by these villagers were readily depleting the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary's resources. But what the officials did not realize was that these buffaloes also ate up a lot of those weeds which were harmful for the growth of the cranes' food plants. and the cranes being fussy about their food, ate only the rhizomes and tubers of some aquatic plants, around which these weeds like the water hyacinth and certain sedges grew. Once the buffaloes were barred from the park, these weeds grew rampant leading to the closure of the cranes' restaurant.
Other Aerial Attractions : Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary is the permanent home of four species of eagles: the Pallas fishing eagle, the short-toed eagle, the tawny eagle and the lesser spotted eagle. It is also the winter home of five other eagle species, including the crested serpent eagle, a local migrant that comes to feast on the countless snakes that breed in the wetland. Other winter visitors include the Bonelli's hawk eagle, the imperial eagle and the greater spotted eagle. Even the white-tailed sea eagle has occasionally visited Bharatpur. "Dusk in Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary is owl time." The most spectacular of Bharatpur's eight species is the Indian eagle owl or great horned owl, but dusky horned owls, mottled wood owls, spotted owlets and collared scope owls are found in the woodlands near water's edge.
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore Fort is a formidable fort and has been a focal point of historical developments of Rajasthan. It is situated near Sawai Madhopur town in Rajasthan.It is surrounded today and lies within the famous Ranthambore National Park which was formerly the hunting grounds for the Maharajahs of Jaipur before Indian independence. The fortress of Ranthambore was founded in 944 by the Chauhan Rajputs. The fortress commanded a strategic location, 700 feet above the surrounding plain. After the defeat of the Chauhan king
surrounding plain. After the defeat of the Chauhan king Prithviraj III by Muhammad of Ghor in 1192, Ranthambore, led by Govinda Raja, grandson of Pritviraj, became the center of Chauhan resistance to the expanding Sultanate of Delhi. Govinda Raja was succeeded by his son Balhana.The Delhi Sultan Iltutmish captured Ranthambore in 1226, but the Chauhans recaptured it after his death in 1236. The armies of Sultan Nasir ud din Mahmud, led by the future Sultan Balban, unsuccessfully besieged the fortress in 1248 and 1253, but captured from Jaitrasingh Chauhan in 1259. Hamir Dev succeeded Jaitrasingh in 1283, and recaptured Ranthambore and enlarged the kingdom. Sultan Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji briefly besieged the fort in 1290-91. In 1299, Hamir Dev sheltered Muhammad Shah, a rebel general of Sultan Ala ud din Khilji, and refused to turn him over to the Sultan. The sultan unsuccessfully besieged the fortress in 1299, but returned in 1301 to personally oversee a long siege, and succeeded in capturing the fort.The fortress was captured by the kingdom of Mewar under Rana Hamir Singh (1326-1364) and Rana Kumbha (1433-1468). After the reign of Rana Kumbha's successor Rana Udai Singh I (1468-1473) the fortress passed to the Hada Rajputs of Bundi. Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat captured the fortress from 1532 to 1535. The Mughal Emperor Akbar captured the fortress in 1559.The fortress passed to the Kachwaha Maharajas of Jaipur in the 17th century, and it remained part of Jaipur state until Indian Independence. The area surrounding the fortress became a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur. Jaipur state acceded to India in 1949, becoming part of the state of Rajasthan in 1950.Inside Ranthambore fort there are three Hindu temples dedicated to Ganesh,Shiva and Ramlalaji constructed in 12th and 13th centuries from red Karauli stone.
Almost all the tourist attractions in Ranthambore are related to the nature. Ranthambore, Rajasthan sightseeing tour will include some of the below mentioned attractions: One of the most famous places on the fort is the temple of Lord Ganesha and every year thousands of people gather here during the Ganesh Chaturthi to worship at the temple. One of the interesting aspect is the mail that is sent to Lord Ganesha consisting mainly of wedding invitations, the letters are brought upto the temple in large sacks every day. While, the Padam Talab is the largest lake in the Ranthambore National Park. The lake has been named after the water lilies that grow in the lake in season. It is a good place to see the wild animals in the early hours of the morning and just before sunset. Kachida Valley is located near the outskirts of the park. Numerous rocky outcrops and low hills make up this place. This area is famous as it consists of a majority of the Panther population of the park, along with a good population of beers. Lakarda & Anantpura lie in the northern and northwestern regions of the park. It is known as the ideal place for spotting Sloth Bears. Jogi Mahal is a rest house in the middle of the forest. It provides a good view of the Padam Talab and is quite near to the national park. It is also said to house the second largest banyan tree in India. The smallest lake in Ranthambore National Park, Malik Talab is an area full of action. The Malik Talab area is always having a good population of birds of all kinds. Indian Marsh Crocodiles can also be seen at the lake.
Falling in the Sawai Madhopur District, Ranthambore National Park of Rajasthan is one of the best places to witness the rich wildlife of India. Situated at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill range, the park is spread over an area of approximately 400 sq km. As far as the origin of the park is concerned, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957. Later, in 1981, it was given the status of a National Park. The Ranthambhore Wildlife Sanctuary of India remains open every year from October to Mid June. There are good accommodation and transport facilities available within the park itself. The main attraction of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is the king of the jungle, Tiger. Tiger can be stopped roaming in the jungle even during the daytime. This is because, not only Tiger, rather the all the animals have become quite used to human presence in their abode. The Wildlife Park enjoys the typical dry deciduous type of dense forests dotted with Pine trees, Banyan and Dhok trees as the main vegetation for animals. Among the more fascinating features of Ranthambhore are the Banyan trees, some of which are known to be at least 800 years old, boasting of the excellent specimen of flora in the wild. Also, there are numerous water bodies located throughout the park. They are a source of drinking water and a much needed relief (during summers) to the inhabitants of the park.
BHENSROD GARH SANCTUARY
A fairly new sanctuary, it was established in 1983 and covers a total area of 229 sq km of scrub and dry deciduous forest. Leopards, chinkara, sloth bear can be spotted here if one is lucky. The best time to plan you safari in Bhensrod Garh Sanctuary is between October and May
JAISAMAND SANCTAURY
Jaisamand sanctuary was established in the year 1957 with an area of 160 sq.kms. The sanctuary is located besides an artificial lake, which is popularly referred to as Dhevar Lake. Legend has it that Rana Jai Singh constructed the Dhevar lake which is 15 ´ 10 kms. and is easily one of the largest lakes in Asia in the year 1691. He constructed the lake, which would provide a perfect backdrop for a summer retreat - "Rubi Rani Ki Mahal". Today if one were to visit Dhevar Lake, one is sure to fall in love with this rather beautiful lake. For the adventurous tourists, there is an island in the lake where one of the most colorful tribes of Rajasthan - the Bhill tribes dwell. The Jaisamand Sanctuary is famous for deer, wild boar, panther, four horned antelope, chital, chinkara and numerous avian species, leopard, hyena, jungle cat, fox and wolf are among the carnivores of the sanctuary. Other wildlife here includes sambar, chital, langur and chinkara. The Jaisamand lake is the abode of crocodiles, turtles and a variety of fish. Various species of terrestrial and water-birds can also be seen here.
Accommodation and other facilities : Fortunately for tourists, accommodation is not a problem in Udaipur. The town (not the park) has a number of guest houses, forest lodges and hotels, including some luxurious heritage properties. Besides the accommodation in the town, there are two forest lodges and two restaurants within the park. The restaurants are however, extremely basic and it’s advisable to bring your own food if you plan to spend the entire day within the park.
GAJNER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
The Gajner wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 32 kms. from the town of Bikaner. In the days of yore Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary used to be royal hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Bikaner. There is a sparkling lake inside the sanctuary and in Take a travel trip to great Indian wildlife parks which gives a lifetime experience, that remain, engrave in the memory of every tourist visiting the magnificent wildlife of India.
the sweltering summer months one can see a variety of wild animals that come to the lake to quench their thirst. Apart from being a perennial favorite with the resident animal species of Gajner Wildlife sanctuary, the lake also draws a variety of avian species. The Imperial Sand Gouse is particularly conspicuous by its presence in the winter months. Truly, the sanctuary is a bird watcher's delight. The Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a number of wild animals and some of the resident species include wildfowls, deer, antelope, nilgai, chinkara, black buck, desert foxes and wild boars to name just a few.
In the midst of densely wooded jungle and the surrounding haunting wildlife there is the elegant Gajner Palace Hotel where visitors can check-in for lodging. Apart from accommodation, the Gajner Palace Hotel regularly conducts jungle safaris which takes visitors into the deepest realms of the mysterious Gajner Sanctuary. The hotel has its own exclusive fleet of Vehicles and all jungle safaris are accompanied by an extremely knowledgeable guide who has years of experience of Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary.
Adventure Destinations
A whole new world of action and adventure has recently been introduced in Rajasthan. The visitor can now gain much more from this holiday in Rajasthan. Fast paced action to a little more staid activity is available all over Rajasthan. The bewitching sights with an equally trilling sports activity promise an enthrelling and unforgettable experience. Experience real adventure while you take a tour of Rajasthan.This desert state has several nature trails and eco-tourism parks. Wildlife Sanctuaries like Ranthambore National Park, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, and Bharatpur wildlife sanctuary are home to the world's largest collection of Indian native animals. Other wildlife reserves in Rajasthan include the Nahargarh Biological Park, which has a variety of vegetation and several species of wild beasts.
The Jhalana Nature Trail, Arboretum Park, Amrita Devi Park, and Machia Safari Park are the other popular ones. All these parks are part of Wildlife in Rajasthan. The Ranthambore sanctuary was developed ideally under the project Tiger, to preserve Tiger, the royal creature. These sanctuaries are densely populated with other species like the great gaur, Indian bison, which can be seen with ease, as they come onto the meadows to graze at dusk; Sambar and barking deer are a common sight and Nilgai are to be seen in the more open areas. India tour package includes the Wildlife tour to add more life to your tour to Rajasthan. Rajasthan is famous for National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries that offer a fascinating variety of birds and beasts, of flora and fauna and of hilly and forested terrain. A tour to Rajasthan would take you to these wildlife sanctuaries, which can be explored either by jeep or on elephant back. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park or Bharatpur wildlife sanctuary is a bird sanctuary that is a popular tourist point. This wildlife park in Rajasthan is famous for the exotic Spoonbills and Siberian Cranes.
The Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary and the Ranthambore National Park are known places of visit for wildlife in Rajasthan.This two wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan are tiger reserves and homes to the royal Indian tiger. The Ranthambore National Park is also a heritage site, as it houses the magnificent ruins of a Ranthambore fort. 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. The most interesting means of exploring the desert around Jaisalmer is on a camel safari. October to February is the best time for a safari. Ride through sandy tracks, passing through remote villages. Pitch your tent at a new place each night. Spend the evenings next to the campfire and dance to the folk music. The safari is organized to take one through the golden sands of the vast Thar Desert and untamed countryside, enabling one to experience the days gone by when time drifted at a leisurely pace. The rolling landscape of the sand & shrub covered area is breathtakingly beautiful and the range of flora and fauna surprisingly large for a desert area.
CAMEL SAFARI
Rajasthan Camel Safari is one of the most popular desert safaris of the state. Known as the "Ship of the desert", the camel takes you on an entirely different tour of the desert. A camel safari tour of Rajasthan will definitely prove to be the most memorable part of your entire trip. You will be passing through remote villages of the state, exploring the vastness as well as golden hues of the majestic Thar Desert. On desert camel safaris of Rajasthan, India, the nights will be spent in camps with the star-studded sky serving as the roof and bonfires providing heat in the cold nights of the desert. Accompanying you on a camel safari will be the folk musicians of Rajasthan, taking you back to the bygone era of the state. Further providing a true flavor of the state on the the safari, will be the traditional Rajasthani meals. In some of the Rajasthan camel safari, Rajasthan tourism department also provides for special cultural performances. However, one should be really careful about the clothes to be worn while on a camel safari tour of Rajasthan. Sine, the weather conditions in Rajasthan are quite hot, it is advisable to wear loose cotton clothes shoes, without exposing much of the body to avoid a sunburn. Also, keeping in view the fact that the safari will be passing through villages also, you should dress modestly.
Desert camel safaris of Rajasthan, India can last anywhere from 4 days to 15 days.The camel safaris in Rajasthan cover a number of famous and well-established routes. You can enjoy a camel safari according to your choice of route and duration. While a normal trek lasts between 1- 4 days, one can enjoy a longer trip for up to 15 days from Jaisalmer to Bikaner. You can also enjoy short duration camel safaris of few hours for somewhat low prices. Enjoying a camel safari during the early hours and the evening and spending nights underneath the star-studded sky in the deserts, can truly be a lifetime experience for you, on your camel safari in Rajasthan. During nights, safaris usually halt near a typical Rajasthani village to provide you time to mingle with the local village folks and get an insight into the traditional culture of the region. These rural folks are known for their hospitality and are always eager to fulfill your every request. Many colorful cultural programs are also organized on the way to make your journey more enjoyable and pleasurable. The finest destinations for Rajasthan camel safaris are around Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. The one from Bikaner-Jaisalmer lasts for approximately 11 days, covering 25 to 30-kms a day. Another popular route for camel safaris is through the Shekhawati region, passing through towns of Ramgarh, Nawalgarh, Dundlod, Mandawa and Churu. One can also take camel safaris for a short duration like one days or two days. During the period of October to March, special camel safaris are also organized round Pushkar and Nagaur. These safaris are organized keeping in view the famous cattle fairs of these areas.
JEEP SAFARI IN RAJASTHAN
Rajasthan Jeep safari is the fastest and the most convenient way to explore the desert state. The thrill and the excitement that you will derive out of a jeep safari does not have any match. A jeep safari tour of Rajasthan will let you explore this beautiful state at your own pace and convenience. You can vary the speed as well as the route of the safari as per your own requirements. Another plus point of a Jeep safari of Rajasthan is its capability to pass through the most rugged of the desert terrain. Jeep Safaris of Rajasthan, India are the best for exploring the rich flora and fauna of the various Wildlife Sanctuaries and the National A whole new world of action and adventure has recently been introduced in Rajasthan. The visitor can now gain much more from this holiday in Rajasthan.
Parks of the state. Also included in the itinerary of the Jeep Safaris are the various ethnic villages of Rajasthan that give you a peek into the rural aspect of the state. Other attractions of a Rajasthan Jeep Safari include a visit to the ruins of old forts and numerous temple complexes, rich in architecture as well as history. Some of the most popular routes of Jeep Safaris are Shekhawati, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. The desert landscapes of Rajasthan are tailor made for jeep safaris. You can choose to explore any region of Rajasthan through a jeep safari, like the Shekhawati region famous for its painted havelis can best be explored through a jeep safari. Jeep safaris in Rajasthan also provide an opportunity to experience the fascinating charm of its countryside. A jeep safari takes you to off the beaten track destinations into the interiors of Rajasthan.
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Visit the typical villages of Rajasthan to get an insight into their unique traditional culture and way of life of the people. Exploring the wildlife destinations in Rajasthan through a jeep safari can be a rewarding and unforgettable experience. See the majestic tigers, leopards and other wildlife including a rich variety of exotic and colorful birds on your jeep safari tour in Rajasthan. A jeep safari in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Bharatpur Bird sanctuary in Rajasthan promises to be a rewarding experience for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. You can choose to enjoy a one-day jeep safari to a long duration one of up to two weeks. In a long duration jeep safari, you halt at the evening camp during nights and enjoy bonfire dinner and cocktail along with colorful cultural programs of folk dances and music.
Aerosports
Ballooning - The undulating sand dunes are ideal for ballooning buffs. People can even travel short distances between towns or historic resorts in these hot air balloons. The best, of course, is to coast over fairs such as Pushkar, or Beneshwar or Nagaur in a hot-air balloon.
Para-sailing - A sport that is begging to be tried out in Rajasthan, with its open, sandy countryside, it is considerably complex to organise and expensive to operate. However, should your operator be able to put all the machinery in place, it could provide another facet of excitement to your visit to Rajasthan.
Gliding - The open countryside offers gliding opportunities that can prove remarkable, and with permission from civil aviation authorities, these may be organised in several cities where, even though there are no scheduled services, there are runways and strips. These include, besides Jaipur, cities such as Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner and Kota.
Trekking
If you thought the Himalayas or the Ghats are the only places where trekking is possible, you obviously need to re-think your options, for the hilly areas of Rajasthan provide several days of ideal trekking opportunities. The Mewar belt with the Udaipur-Kumbhalgarh-Chittaur combine, or the area around Mount Abu, or the Sariska-Alwar-Amber belt is best for trekking.
Winter is the best time for trekking, though the monsoon months provide romantic, green getaways. It is best to trek in a small group, and carry only basic necessities, since provisions can be bought along the way, but do ensure a supply of bottled water. Trekkers can choose to camp in the open countryside, though there are likely to be quaint, personalised hotels available in most areas. Trekking can be along established routes, though a more exciting option may simply be to chart one’s own trails, moving practically as one likes.
Camping
Camping is a fine art in Rajasthan, with established camps in set locations that would be fit for royalty. Especially created tents include those with bedrooms, a small hallway or leisure area, and attached bath. These tents use hand-block printed fabrics within the interiors, to create a rich ambience. Such tented camps can be found at places like Samode Bagh, an hour’s journey outside Jaipur, or at Pushkar for the duration of the fair in November. However, such tents can also be hired, and agents use them to create cities wherever required; or for moving visitors to different places, where these tents are pegged each night. Such camping expeditions are fine for they bring the outdoors alive, albeit in style. From the food to the entertainment, everything takes on a more exciting edge while at camp. And if you are able to strike up the right camaraderie over the bonfire, you could end up making friends for life, or taking back with you nostalgic memories of among the best times you have had in your life.
For those of you who would like to stay in a tented camp, such opportunities are on offer in different parts of the state. A makeshift camp, of course, can be set up almost anywhere, but fully functional camps are located, sometimes only in season, with camp cots, attached baths and showers, and a regular kitchen staff to look after your meals.
Some of these include:
Chetoli - Located off the Delhi-Jaipur highway, near Kotputli, from December 15-Janaury 15. Offers opportunities for angling, camel safaris and jeep safaris.
Dausa - From October till April. Camel rides are an extra option.
Kheechan - From October to March, for those who want to see damoiselle cranes and observe their peculiar behaviour as they are fed by the local villagers.
Manvar - Jodhpur-Jaisalmer highway, with camel and jeep safaris.
Ranthambhor - Located close to a river bed, it offers alternate accommodation for those visiting the wildlife park.
Sam - An economy, shared baths camp near Jaisalmer for those who would like to spend a night on the dunes.
Samode - A permanent camp has been set at Samode Bagh, with a huge garden, the historic pavilions of the family retreat, and a swimming pool. Closed between June-September.
Water Sports
Watersports may appear an alien concept in Rajasthan but the presence of large lakes has actually made the development of such sports possible. Even though they are not very popular yet, the opportunities exist for them, a fact that was brought home when the water games during the prestigious Asian Games in 1982 were held in at Jamua Ramgarh on the outskirts of Jaipur. Unfortunately, the kick-start provided for watersports then failed to take off because, following some years of drought, the water level at the lake fell. Though the level was restored a few years later, it may require more incentive to focus on them on a more permanent basis.
Boating - Regular boating, of course, has been offered at several places in Rajasthan, whether on the lakes in Udaipur, or at places such as Siliserh lake near Alwar. Such activities are possible in most lakes in Rajasthan. However, should you wish to introduce boating in other lakes, whether paddle, motor, row or sail, you will have to cart your own boats.
Angling - For the angler, Rajasthan’s lakes and streams teem with game fish. Which is why even the most rudimentary rod, line and bait can fetch you rich rewards. Expensive angling equipment is difficult to hire locally, and should you be a keen angler, it may be worth your while to carry your own rod and line along, and be guided by the kind of bait used locally to net your day’s catch. These fishing expeditions can be undertaken with appropriate licenses in most of the lakes in Rajasthan, and can be combined with a historical and cultural tour of the state.
Cycling
The most popular mode of transport in Rajasthan could also provide the ideal leisure, since travelling on a bicycle is almost therapeutic, provides exercise without being exhausting, and is certainly inexpensive. Bicycles can be hired almost anywhere in Rajasthan, and literally for a song. Though the bikes tend to be basic, they are foolproof and unlikely to develop major snags. The period of hire can range from a few hours to a few days. However, those looking forward to doing some serious biking in the state should opt to buy racy, gear bicycles that are available in all major towns, and are not expensive. At the end of a trip, such bikes can either be sold or simply gifted away. Obviously, bikes are ideal when exploring the countryside where towns are in close proximity, (Shekhawati, for example) or for getting around the hilly idylls of places such as Mount Abu.
Golf
The desert is an unlikely place to have golf courses, and of course the lack of water makes it difficult to green even the smallest of gardens, an 18-hole course being a virtual impossibility. The aristocracy, however, remained enamoured of the gentlemen’s game that was so popular in British India. Unfortunately, the weather did not permit them the indulgence of creating golf courses in this arid wilderness, and it was only in Jaipur, as a part of the large scale palace renovations undertaken by Maharaja Man Singh that a course was added to the city. That 9-hole course is still the only one in Jaipur and, in fact, in Rajasthan, and though it is not a professional course, it is good for a round of golf in what are picturesque surroundings: a palace next door, and peacocks on the hazards… A golf course in Bikaner is unconventional in that the course exists exactly in the nature of the desert terrain, and even the ‘greens’ have been replaced here by ‘browns’ which, if nothing else, are at least unconventional.
Rallies
When the first motorcars started coming to India, Rajasthan’s princes and aristocracy were among the earliest to order them. No wonder the state has such an extensive network of roads that connects even small towns and villages. These, in turn, have become the venue for various rallies.
Vintage Car Rally - An annual event, the Jaipur Vintage Car Rally, though a recent addition, has become an important one on the Indian social calendar. Held in January, and keenly contested, it invites prestigious entries. Since some of the aristocratic families have still kept their vintages in their garages, the turnout too is impressive, with some cars dating back to the very early years of the turn of the century.
However, if you are a vintage car buff, and are likely to miss the rally, you will find it heartening to note that many of these beauties are still in peak running condition, and are, in fact, also hired out for special occasions, rides, incentive parties, or marriages. So if you’d like to take a ride back to the past, you know just where to do it!
Polo
The sport of polo had its beginnings in India, in the state of Manipur. Played in a very basic manner using brisk ponies, the game eventually evolved under British patronage, and a complex set of rules was created, and the game divided into chukkers or rounds. Rajasthan’s princely kingdoms adopted the sport and made it their own, with their natural proclivity for riding. Kingdoms kept special stables for polo ponies, and their teams included among the very best in the world. Very often, the players were the rulers and members of their families, though their armies also encouraged the sport. In the zenanas, even the women of the royal family were encouraged to play polo, and proved themselves adept at it. In fact, if the sport has a presence in the country today, it is because the former royal families have continued to provide encouragement for it, and the Indian Army has been able to contribute its mite to it. In recent years, corporate sponsorship too has been able to make a contribution to the sport.
Horse Polo - The Jaipurs were a formidable polo playing family, and the last maharaja of the state literally died with his spurs on, on a polo field. With the glamour of the game, they drew international publicity for India, and the sport has remained one of the most prominent in the elite social circuit. Along with Jaipur, there are also formidable polo teams in Jodhpur and Udaipur, while the 61st Cavalry, also based in Jaipur, has kept it alive in the army.
It is not possible to simply arrive and start playing polo, since the sport needs especially bred horses in large numbers. These are largely maintained by the players themselves, or with the help of their sponsors. You will therefore have to seek out an invitation to play, something you are best advised to do in advance. However, it is possible to send in a special request while planning your trip to Rajasthan, especially if you are a group with polo-playing members. This is important because, in season, when the game is played (September-March), the polo teams are often out (in Delhi, Calcutta or Mumbai) on the circuit, or may even be playing overseas. Of course, there is also the chance of having visiting teams in Rajasthan coinciding with the time of your visit. Even if you do not get the chance to play, there is every chance of being able to watch the sport as an observer – which is almost as good as playing. There is something extremely satisfying about watching men on their horses as they pursue the ball with their sticks with skill and adroitness.
Camel Polo - At various tourist festivals in the state, camel polo has been introduced as a friendly, competitive sport. Perhaps the only place in the world where it is played, the game provides a great deal of amusement and mirth, but is not yet a serious pursuit. If you would like to have a game especially organised, request your tour operator to have it arranged.
Elephant Polo - Nepal and Rajasthan are the only two places where polo is played on elephant-back. Though not a serious sport, it attracts the international media because of the oddity of a fast game played from the backs of pachyderms who can hardly move as fast in the confined space of a stadium. It is, however, amusing to watch. Though elephant polo too can be specially organised on request, competitions are arranged annually at Jaipur’s Chaugan during Holi (February-March).
Bicycle Polo - For those who like the fast pace of horse polo, bicycle polo provides an option that is at least as exciting. During the sixties and seventies, a lot of impetus was provided to the sport, particularly in Bikaner, though in recent years it has become somewhat dissipated. However, for those who may like to participate in a friendly match, or to observe one, special arrangements can be made on request. In more recent years, the sport has developed a following in the Shekhawati region.