Plan Your HolidaysUnique wonders of Rajasthan Palace on Wheels Euclid mentioned to king Ptolemy I that there was no royal road to geometry but what have in store for you is a royal track to happiness. Interested? Well welcome aboard the Royal Retreat, the pride of India, the wonderful wonder, un parallel, unique and unforgettable Palace-On-Wheels. Palace-on-Wheels has been rated amongst the top ten luxury trains of the world. It happens to be one of the finest ways to travel through the intoxicating, incomparable, incredible, impressive, inimitable, inspirational land of India. Take a royal retreat and be the king or the queen. The last word in royalty is the Palace-on-Wheels. Desert safaris Rajasthan, the land of people who are brave and chivalrous. Every thing here in is breathtakingly beautiful, impressive and fascinating. Desert Safaris is one of the unique feature of Rajasthan and the best way to explore the region, its culture, tradition and to experience its geographical and topographical features and almost everything that a place can offer to us. The insight you gain through the safaris that can be at best explained as a treasure that will with throughout your life and after. Whether it is Camel safari, Jeep safari, Horse safari, Elephant Safari options are great, views are breathtaking and the experience can be out of this world. Forts and Palaces What is there in Rajasthan if not its forts and palaces that together give the image that Rajasthan is famous for. Built over the hilltops, in the middle of enormous deserts, and inside the wild world, these forts and palaces also showcases close association between the men and their close possessions.Many of these forts and palaces while look rugged and rough from their exteriors; the interiors take you to an altogether different world. Surprises are the second name of these architectural marvels spread throughout the land of Rajasthan. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Keoladeo National Park, better known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, has the distinction of being a World Heritage Site. This small Park with an area of 29 square kilometers consists of extensive marshes and scrub land. It is considered the best waterfowl sanctuary in the world. It is not that there is a lack of other suitable areas in the Park, but the nests are protected in this way. Even large reports resist raiding a nest because of the racket raised in unison by the alarmed birds. Rajasthan Hotels Live like a prince in opulent palaces or 'havelis' or sample the middle-of-the-range accommodation. Either way you can't go wrong. There is something to suit every budget in the flamboyant, infinitely complex and mysterious but always-elegant world of Rajasthan. Walk through the myriad by lanes of Rajasthan's ancient cities and you will discover some enchanting, boarding places with quaint names like "Teen Haunt", "Happy Hotel" and "Evergreen Rest House". So, does unique Rajasthan fascinate you ? Festive Moods of Rajasthan Rajasthan, a barren desert land, becomes resplendent with the colors of joyous celebration and gay abandon of its fairs and festivals. There is a fair for every religious occasion, every change of season and every harvest, all invariably a reflection of the genius of their arts and crafts and their ascetic refinement. Rajasthan has all the usual Hindu and Muslim festivals, some celebrated with special local fervor as well as a number of festivals of its own. The exact dates, determined by the lunar calendar have specific religious significance. Do you fell the festive moods of Rajasthan? Camel Festival - Bikaner Time - January The year unfolds with the Camel Festival at Bikaner in January. The enchanting desert city comes to life with joyous music, lilting rhythms and gay festivities. There are camel races and camel dances, and onlookers are fascinated by the languid charms and grace of the decorated ships of the desert. Nagaur Fair - Nagaur Time - Between January and February The famous Nagaur Fair essentially an animal fair is held annually between late January and early February. Situated half way between Bikaner and Jodhpur, Nagaur awakens with the thronging of cattle, horses and camels accompanied by their colorfully turbaned owners. There is plenty of fun and festivity. Games, tug-of-war contests, camel races and strains of ballads create a joyful atmosphere with the setting sun in the background. Desert Festival - Jaisalmer Time - Full Moon of February One of the most popular of the festivals,the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer coincides with the full moon in February. A three-day journey into the heart of the Thar Desert, the desert pulsates with a myriad of Rajasthani dances and the Fire dances are the special highlights of the festival. There are exciting camel dances, camel acrobatics, camel races, and camel polo, tug-of-war between musclemen, a turban tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest. The culmination is a sound and light spectacle on a moonlit night amidst sand dunes. Elephant Festival - Jaipur Time - March Celebrated also in March around Holi (festival of colors) is the Elephant Festival of the capital Jaipur, a tourists' delight. The mighty mammals claim center stage and stride majestically parading their decorated trunks and tusks. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels and horses followed by folk dancers at their entertaining best. Gangaur - All over Rajasthan Time - March-April One of Rajasthan's most important local festivals is the spring festival of Gangaur celebrated in March-April. Dedicated to Gauri, a manifestation of goddess Parvati and the consort of Lord Shiva, it symbolizes conjugal bliss and marital happiness. A festival of maidens and married women, it begins on the day following Holi, and is celebrated for 18 days. While married women pray for the well being of their husbands, young girls pray for a groom of their choice. Mewar Festival - Udaipur The Mewar Festival of Udaipur welcomes spring, offering the best overview of Rajasthani culture through songs, dances, processions, devotional music and firework displays. Urs Ajmer Sharif - Ajmer Time - Set according to the lunar calendar Held in memory of the saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, helper of the poor, Urs Ajmer Sharif - celebrated at Ajmer - is one of the biggest Muslim fairs in India. The six days that the saint is said to have gone into seclusion, to shed his mortal coil off and fee his soul, are dedicated to his memory and pilgrims converge here from within India and al over the world. Teej - All over Rajasthan but mainly in Jaipur Time - August Teej, the festival of swings celebrated mainly in Jaipur, marks the advent of the monsoons. Celebrated on the third day of the bright lunar half of the month of Shravan (August) it is, like Gangaur, dedicated to the goddess Parvati, commemorating the day when she was united with Lord Shiva after an agonizing separation. Marwar Festival - Jodhpur Time - October Organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, the Marwar Festival was originally known as the Maand Festival. Maand is a classical style of folk music centered on the romantic life style of Rajasthan's rulers, and Maand Raag recreates the old world charm and graceful dances of the desert. Folk artists bring to life the inspiring mythologies, folk stories, tales and legends of battles, war victories and valor. Pushkar Fair - Pushkar Time - October - November Pushkar, separated from Ajmer by Nag Pahar, the 'Snake Mountain' is right on the edge of the desert. An important pilgrimage center for Hindus, it is internationally famed for its huge Camel and Cattle Fair. During the fair, Rajasthani tribals, Indian pilgrims, filmmakers and tourists from all over the world converge here. If you are anywhere near striking distance at the time it's an event not to be missed. Other Fairs and Festivals There is an endless process of Rajasthan's fairs and festivals on the Indian calendar; the Chandrabhaga Fair in Jhalawar, Summer Festival at Mount Abu, Kapil Muni Fair along the Kolayat lake, Sri Mahavirji Fair of the Jains, Shitala Ashtami held at Chaksu near Jaipur, Ramdeoji Fair near Pokhran in Jaisalmer; al these in addition to the major Hindu festivals of Holi, Dussehra, Diwali and Raksha Bandhan. So What about your plans visit to these fairs. Shopping in Rajasthan Shoppers Paradise Spending money in Rajasthan is very easy, there are so many things you can buy like dhurries, carpets, handicrafts, antiques, semi precious stone jewelry, miniature paintings, textile and stoneware. To shop in Rajasthan, you should be very particular about the shop you are buying from and should be well prepared to BARGAIN Popular Products Rajasthani jewellery, mostly the silver embellished with Meena work; fabulous fabrics; the arrestingly lovely costumes; traditional items of furniture; traditional art of tie-and-dye textiles; Laheriyas or the delicately created patterns in waves, the pachranga or five colored bhandej (tie -and-dye) on sarees, odhnis; or mantles and safas or turbans; sarees from Kota; hand block printing; geometric ajraks; historic jajam prints and extensive range of cotton rugs called durries are some of the mention worthy work of art and craft that have always attracted the attention of the people all over the world. So, what about your plans visit to these fairs and shopping places ? |
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