Beauty contest for Camels

Ever watched camels winning beauty contests? Come to the famous Pushkar festival in Rajasthan held on 2^nd of November night during the Indian month of Karthika. Pushkar is one of the last traditional festivals that prevail in the country. Though time has passed, the festival is one of the most popular one in the country. More than 2 lakh visitors from within the country and all over the world enjoy the sun, fun and joy of the festival

The activities includes cattle selling, beauty contest for camels, camel races, traditional folk dances, puppet shows, turban tying contests etc. the time spend in Pushkar festival is worth an experience. The festival season is the right time for shopping as traders from all corners of the state gather to sell varieties of products. The handicrafts from beads, to bras items, camel leather goods to gold and jewels it all available during Pushkar festival. This is the time best suited to experience Rajasthan.

Rajasthan has three airports in Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur hence reaching the state will never be a matter of concern. Rajasthan can also be reached through rail. There are several hotels and resorts in Rajasthan where tourists can stay and experience the Pushkar festival.

Chittorgarh – blast from the past

Chittorgarh Fort

Chittorgarh is a mesmerizing tourist destination in Rajasthan. This is one of the most significant places in the history of Rajasthan. Almost all the tourist attractions in Chittorgarh display the glory of the past. Chittorgarh was the capital of Maharana of Rajputs. The Chittorgarh fort is symbol of the Rajput strength. Chittorgarh forts should be visited with the help of tourist guides who will explain the stories of the brave Rajput kings, queens and warriors associated with the fort. The Bijapur fort is now converted to a hotel, the ancient temple of Menhal is also a good place to visit. The other attractions include ancient Hindu and Buddhist shrines in Nagri, Archaeological museum, Kirti Stambh, Singa Chowri temple, Padmini palace, Fateh Prakash palace, Kilka mata temple and Sammidheshwara temple.

Chittorgarh is accessible by air, rail and toad. The nearest airport is the Dabok airport in Udaipur. On the banks of River Gambher lies the Chittorgarh railway station, which is well connected. There are several hotels and resorts for tourists to stay and enjoy sightseeing.

Mount Abu- Hill station in Desert

Mount Abu is a gift to Rajasthan. It is the only hill station in Rajasthan and is set above 1200 m the plains of Rajasthan.  The place is a perfect getaway from the scorching heat of deserts of Rajasthan. It is the highest peak in the Aravalli range and is located in Sirohi district, Rajasthan.

Mount Abu is geographically located in a favourable place and the weather remains pleasant throughout the year making it a perfect tourist destination. The place offers a relaxing view to your eyes with its natural beauty, lush gardens and deep trenches.

Mount Abu has two main attractions, the Dilwara temples and the green national park. The Dilwara temples are a group of carved Jain temples which can be enjoyed for its carvings on white marble and the green national park is surely a refreshing place. Nakki lake, Gaumukh temple and sunset point are other attractions of the place.

Dabok airport, Udaipur is the nearest airport and Abu Road is the nearest railway station. Mount Abu is well connected through roads from most parts of Rajasthan. The best is to pick a cab from Udaipur. A stay in a resort near Mount Abu will be an extraordinary experience.

Birla Temple

Birla Mandhir or Birla Temple is a mesmerising monument which glows when it is lit in the night. It was built by the Birla group of industries dedicating the temple to Lord Vishnu (Narayan) and Goddess Laxmi. It is also called Laxmi Narayan mandir. It is located just below the Moti Dungri Fort. The temple has three domes and stands magnificent being built with high quality marble. The temple is definitely a master-piece of architecture and astonishes the on-lookers with its green gardens and awesome exteriors hosting stunning mythological sculptures. The temple also houses a museum which showcases ancestral valuables of the Birla family. The temple is one of the main attractions of Jaipur.

Jaipur has an international airport and then nearest railway station is Jaipur railway station. Jaipur is also well connected through roads from major places of Rajasthan. Jaipur resorts and hotels are some of the best ones in the country.

Rajasthan: Udaipur: The land of warriors

Land of colossal palaces, forts, lakes, mountains and desert. Udaipur is often called the ‘city of palaces’. The name is apt because here we can see palaces that can take your breath away. The heritage of brave Rajput warriors who are ready to fight for glory can be felt in the air of Rajasthan. This land has witnessed some of histories’ best told stories. Still the palaces and forts silently whisper many untold stories of bravery.

This is the place most Indians wish to visit at least once in lifetime. One of the most beautiful places in Rajasthan is the Lake palace in Udaipur. Other attractions are, City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon ki Bari etc. The largest of the Udaipur lakes is the beautiful Pichola Lake which is surrounded by hills, palaces and temples.

 Udaipur is truly a remarkable city and can be reached by air, as it has a domestic airport linking major cities like Mumbai and Delhi. It is also linked to Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra by road. There are several heritage hotels and resorts in Udaipur.

The Two and a Half day marvel of Ajmer

Ajmer is visited as much for the revered Dargah as it is for the rich heritage that manifests itself in the form of its monuments. One of Rajasthan’s lesser known structures is the Adhai din ka Jhonpra.

As the title suggests, this late 12th century monument commissioned by Mohammad Ghori and designed by Abu Bakr built in just two and a half days. Its exquisitively carved 124 pillars and the ten domes, alongwith the arched walls that bear Islamic inscriptions, make this one of Ajmer‘s star attractions. A two and a half day fair held annually is a well-attended event.

Dilwara Jain Temple, Mt Abu

Mount Abu is one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers for the Jains, as the place houses the world famous Dilwara temples, considered to be masterpieces of temple architecture. These beautifully carved temples in white marbles are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras

There are 48 pillars in the temples. You can see intricately carved images of female figures in dancing poses on some of the pillars.

The five legendary marble temples of Dilwara are the sacred pilgrimage of the Jains.

There are images of Jain tirthankaras within the holy place, and the two main shrines are dedicated to Adinathji and Neminathji.

Museums in Rajasthan

Museums are the surest way of gaining a clear and detailed understanding of the rich culture, traditions, arts, history, crafts and other notable features typical to a region and also offers you an opportunity to look at some of the rarest and finest articles to be ever found in the world. Rajasthan has a number of museums with a most delightful collection on its display. Few of museums are:

Govt. Museum, Ajmer: The Government of India with the object of collecting and preserving many unique objects of antiquarian interest, which were lying uncared for and scattered all over Rajasthan, started the Museum in 1908. Situated in the fort and palace built by Mughal emperor Jehangir in 1616, it was named as the Rajputana Museum and its main sections are devoted to sculptures, epigraphs, prehistoric antiquities, arms and weapons.

Govt. Museum, Jodhpur: Placed in the Umaid Gardens on Jodhpur, this government museum displays stuffed animals that include a number of desert birds in two glass cases, each with a thorn bush. The military section of the museum includes bulky wooden biplane models and an unusual brass battleship.

Govt. Museum, Mount Abu: The museum set up in 1962 within the city of Raj Bhawan to preserve the archaeological wealth of Mount Abu is notable for its exhibits such as tribal weapons, musical instruments and ladies ornaments, miniature paintings on raga-raginis, wood carvings, finely carved out Devdasis or Nartakis (Dancers) statues from 6th century to 12th century belonging to an ancient township called Chandravati, Chapa’s (local heroine of Achalgarh) inscriptions and the Abu collection that boasts of 404 sculptures, the most remarkable being that of the 3-ft-high Vish Kanya (snake goddess), which is shown breast-feeding a snake.

Shilpgram Museum in Udaipur

It is located 3 kms west of Udaipur near the Havala village. Shilpgram comprises 26 huts set in 70 acres of natural surroundings at the foot of the Aravali Hills. The literal meaning of the “Craftsmen’s Village” is a living ethnographic museum depicting the enormous diversities in craft, art & culture between various Indian states, but the exquisite terracotta (sand) work mainly in dark red and dark brown sand material along with the wooden carvings are the assets of this ethnic village. During winter seasons a colorful craft festival is held.

One of the important objectives of Shilpgram is in the sphere of increasing awareness and knowledge of rural life and crafts, specifically, for the younger generation. Special emphasis is laid on workshops for children on arts, crafts, theatre and music. Shilpgram – also provides an opportunity to rural and urban artists to come together and interact through the process of camps and workshops.

Tourism in Jaisalmer

Tourists are especially attracted to this region due to the magnificent Jaisalmer fort and other important attractions.  The long pathway of romantic sand dunes covers the Jaisalmer fort. The courtyard of the fort is reached through the Ganesh Pol. There are other gates too that includes Suraj pol, Bhoot Pol and Hawa Pol. Made in golden yellow sandstone, it is adorned with sculpture filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions and beautiful balconies.
Desert festival in Jaisalmer is also a very popular travel attraction of the city which is organized in the month of January-February.
Patwon-Ji-Ki-Haveli is one of the largest and most elaborate Haveli in Jaisalmer and stands in a narrow lane. It is five stores high and is extensively shaped. It is divided into six apartments, two owned by archaeological Survey of India, two by families who operate craft-shops and two private homes. There are balances of paintings on some of the inside walls as well as some mirror work.