Things To Do in Rajasthan

This land is a colorful mélange of massive forts, stunning palaces, diverse cultures, delectable cuisines and warm people, set amidst a rugged yet inviting landscape.
It is a land that has inspired me and countless others. Come tread on the sands of time. In Rajasthan you will find every hue in Nature's grand palette - the red sands, the blue of royalty, the pink cities or the amber sunsets. Surrender yourself to the sounds of trinkets or the sounds of the all conquering wind. Sight and sounds that are far removed from any city. Sights and sounds that will transport you into a folk lore.Music, art and dance is woven into every inch of this land I call paradise. You will find it carved in every grain of sand. Here you will find the past, the present and the future. You will find passion. You will find adventure. And you will find yourself. Come, walk into the unforgettable embrace of my Rajasthan.

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Things to do in Rajasthan

• Elephant Safari Rajasthan 

  

  Elephant Safari Rajasthan 

The most regal way of seeing Rajasthan is on an elephant safari, since nothing can even compare with the majesty of the parchyderm on wonder the rulers used elephants for their journeys. Equipped with a howdah, a large seat on which they would sit, complete with soft silk cushions, and with a ceremonial umbrella over their heads, modern day safaris may pale in comparison, but are no less regal on that account.

The Elephant treads slowly and steadily and a safari would be ideal in and around principal towns, especially in the vicinity of wildlife sanctuaries where the same elephants can do double duty for viewing wildlife Since and elephant safari is an elaborate affair, and requires many attendants for the beast as well such camps too tend to be more lavish, and so these are best for incentive groups who can be promised an experience, the like of which they are unlikely to ever have elsewhere.

• Jeep Safari Rajasthan

  

  Jeep Safari Rajasthan

A more recent, and exciting, variation of the camel safari is the horse safri, The Rajputs where born to be horseback riders, and the tradition wsas strongly engorced in the medieval ages when the cavalry formed one of the most important flanks of the desert armies, Special houses were bred at the Thikanas or aristocratic homes of the

Thakurs who served their kings which armies of horsemen. The Marwari horse is an indigenous species, hardy agile and among the notables in worlds breeds, In addition, the Kathiawadi and Sindhi horses are also adept at traversing the desert countryside.

Horse safaris are usually conducted in the vicinity of Udaipur where the hilly terrain and forested countryside are ideal for taking to the trail.

Depending on the side of the group, the pack of cavalry can move swiftly or at leisure, moving form the vicinity of one old fort to another, There is additional excitement it that the route you stay in may have been those very ones where the ancient armies once rode and camped.

Horse safari routes can of course, be diverse, but most will pass close to villages, ruined historical monuments, and temples, These are ideal palaces to halt for a bit for rest and relaxation or lunch and a quick snooze , Riders and advised to equip themselves with riding gear the famous Jodhpuri breeches, hat, and boots, Depending on your capability to ride the houses may trot ro canter through the countryside, What matters most however is that each evening you are assured of the comforts of former palaces and forts : no better, or more historic way of exploring Rajasthan is possible.

• Wildlife of Rajasthan

With varied topography that ranges from semi-arid and desert conditions to the rocky mountains to the lush green forests, Rajasthan is home to a diverse range of animal and bird life such as tigers, leopards, deers, rhesus monkeys, pythons and water-birds that come here in winters. Some of the famous wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks of Rajasthan are: -

Ranthambhor National Park : - 

Wildlife of RajasthanOne of the most famous tiger reserves of India, Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan came under the Project Tiger in 1980. Located in eastern Rajasthan, it is surrounded by the Vindhyas and Aravallis, has many artificial lakes and is home to many beautiful pavilions, palaces and the Ranthambore fort, which creates a unique backdrop to the stunning views of the barbaric nature of the wild cats here. This former hunting preserves of the Jaipur royalty, tigers, leopards, sambhars or Indian deers, cheetals, sloth bears, neelgais or blue bulls, chinkaras or Indian gazelles, hyenas, jackals, oxes, caracals, jungle cats, ratels, langurs and wild boars along with over 300 species of birds in the park are quite used to click of the cameras and do not really bother when they see humans trying to sneak into their private lives. Infinite number of still photographs and movies related to the tigers that have been shot here bear a testimony to this fact.

Desert National Park and Sanctuary :-

Sprawling over 3162 sq km on the vast tracts of the sandy desert lands around Jaisalmer, Desert National Park and Sanctuary was conceptualized in 1980 to conserve the eco-system and the drought-resistant species of the region. The most notable achievement of the park is saving the Great Indian Bustard that had till recently been in the list of endangered species. Insects and animals typical to the arid areas such as the spiny-tailed uromastix living in underground colonies, desert monitors, which look like miniature replicas of dragons, sandfish that has adapted itself to 'swim' under the sand, chameleons and snakes such as the poisonous and deadly saw-scaled viper and Sind krait can also be found here. One can also spot desert hares, hedgehogs, predatory Indian wolfs, desert foxes and desert gerbils here with patience that marks a true wildlife lover.

Sariska National Park :-

A tiger reserve in Alwar, Sariska National Park serves as the hunting grounds for the Alwar royalty, was declared a sanctuary in 1958 and finally, a tiger reserve in 1979. It houses the ruins of a fort, more than 1000 year old temples and the beautiful royal hunting lodge that has now been converted into a luxury hotel. Being situated on the Aravallis, Sariska's forests consist of low hills, steep escarpments, wide valleys and hill plateaus, making it a natural habitat for the endangered species of tigers. Being a major milk pocket, the cattle have eroded the region and the environmental balance of the region has been disturbed by the human interferences, posing a major threat to its wildlife.

With a little skilful watch, one can spot leopards, tigers, wild dogs, sambhars, neelgais or blue bulls, cheetals, four-horned antelopes, ratels, and chinkaras here.

India National Parks Keoladeo Ghana National Park :-

Known all over the world as one of the best water-bird sanctuaries, Keoladeo Ghana National Park is the winter retreat of more than 400 species of our feathered friends from all over the world including China and Siberia, and especially the rare Siberian cranes. It has shallow, fresh water marsh that is the first love of so many migratory birds that made it one of the finest duck-hunting grounds for the erstwhile Maharajas until it was declared a national park in 1983.

Painted storks, spoonbills, ibises, geese and duck, cranes, herons and egrets, pelicans and flamingos, paradise flycatchers, parakeets, cormorants and darters, kingfishers, blue jays, shrikes, orioles, eagles and harriers make it a bird-watcher's paradise. There is an artificial lake in the park in which you go for an exotic boat ride to take a closer look of its rich fauna, which includes sambhars, blackbucks, chitals, neelgais, fishing cats, otters and mongooses.

• Rajasthan Balloon Rides
  

The best time to indulge in ballooning is after sunrise when the winds are their calmest. Winter months provide the most reliable conditions, but during summer months its better take of early in the morning. The duration of ballooning flight can change at the pilot's discretion, taking into account the winds, temperature and weight carried on the day.

Since the skies are an element foreign to us, it would be judicious to take all precautions before indulging in the joy afforded by the sports. Responsibility for the safety of the sportsman depends to a large extent on the team helping out in this sport.

Ballooning on the other hand permits the balloonist to soar high in the sky and drift over the picturesque terrain. Parasailing and ballooning are annual events held in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Pushkar and attract a large number of tourists and adventure seekers.

• Yoga Meditation Rajasthan

In a society that was as well formulated as that of Rajasthan, it was expected that there would be systems of both healing as well as preventive cures, and ways of aiding longevity, The royal palaces had workshops attached where such practices of healing where taught, based not only on the traditional systems that had been in prevalence in the country for centuries but in combination with new systems gained from interaction with parts of West Asia. There were also ashrams where voids, hakims and yoga instructors advised people on the benefits of these systems and the royal families often invited parishioners of these sciences to train people in their kingdoms on their benefits so that their prevalence became more widespread.

What follows is a list of the various practices of healing cure and preventive cure that you can expect from institutes in Rajasthan. Any of these would be happy to advise you on a system of cure, and the likely period, ideally suited to your individual needs.

AYURVEDA -

Based on a system of metaphysical healing, ayurveda is an Indian science that combines herbs, minerals and animal products to help balance the fluids in one's body or what the Greeks used to refer to as humours.

Ayurveda in sanskrit means the science of life. Life is the combination of the body, the senses, the mind and the atma (Soul or Spirit).

HOMEOPHATHY - 

One of the best know methods of alternative medicine in the world the 19th century medicinal science of homeopathy has retained its prestige for curative powers that are closely linked with natural products.

MASSAGE :- 

The tradition of massage is an ancient one, and had its origins in an effort to create a sense of relaxation in a person. At its most basic, that means teasing tired muscles and getting the blood circulation flowing again, which is the perfects remedy against tiredness.

NATURE CURE :- 

At the root of most ailments is a way of life, and a digestive pattern, that are unnatural and therefore unhealthy.

YOGA :- 

Though it is viewed as a spiritual experience in India, yoga, for most people is a form of exercise that has benefits beyond just aerobics, for example, since it heals while cleansing the body of certain ailments.

A Ready Reckoner to Health Care Institutes -

IN THE PINK OF HEALTH IN JAIPUR : Another reason that Jaipur can be called the Pink City is because of the large number of health and fitness institutes that are located here.

GOVERNMENT YOGIC TREATMENT CUMRESEARCH CENTRE-

Rare because it is the only government supported youga centre in India.

NATIONAL INSTITURE OF AYURVEDA : Established as a ayurvedic college in 1964 by the former rulers of Jaipur.

VIPASSANA DHAMMATHLI CENTRE FOR MEDITATION - One of the branches of the institute in Maharasthtra, this beautiful centre disburses training in the ancient technique of vipassana meditation as practiced two and a half thousand years ago by Gautam Buddha.

• Rajasthan Arts Crafts

Rajasthan is well known all over the world for its hand-printed textiles, furniture, leatherwork, jewellery, painting, pottery and metal craft. The use of lively colors and flamboyant, fantasy designs is distinctive in all forms of arts and crafts of Rajasthan.It will be unfair to say that Rajasthani artists only make decorative items. Every household item in Rajasthan proves the statement false as we go through their embellished utensils, colorful attires, unique jewellery designs and embroidered shoes that infuse a new life and a cheerful look to the otherwise monotone of the desert sands.

Carpets and Dhurries: -

Floor coverings like carpets, hand-woven durries and namdas or soft woollen druggets of Rajasthan are exported all over the world. Available in all sizes, the dhurrie is woven in Jaipur and also in the rural areas of the state. Bikaner and Jaisalmer are known for woolen dhurries made of camel hair. Bikaner is also famous for its so-called jail carpets, which are so called for they were once made by the prisoners in the medieval times. Much like Persian carpets, Rajasthani hand-knotted carpets have geometric motifs and formal designs with a border and central motif. The motifs have indeed been localized and include peacocks and other local icons. Jaipur and Bikaner are believed to be the pioneer centres in carpet weaving.

Antiques: - 

Not all of the items in the handicrafts shop that you find in Rajasthan can exactly pass off as antiques of course but still their distinctive color and designs make them popular among the tourists who buy them as souvenirs and as decorative items for their homes. The large iron oil jars painted in the pichwai style, depicting the love scenes, are just an example. Similarly, variety of kitchen utensils, votive objects and even camel saddles attract attention of the visitors.

Fabrics:-  

Printed, dyed or embroidered fabrics of Rajasthan are known for their unique hues and tones of color. Block printing, batik, tie and dye has become a full-fledged artwork here. Each region has its own distinct motifs, choice of colors, and the way in which these colors are used. Bagru is known for earth colors and geometric patterns while Sanganeri clothes have bright colors and floral patterns. Barmer and Jaisalmer are famous for their batik or reverse printing work. Sikar and Jodhpur are famous for intricate tie-and-dye or bandhani designs including chunari (dotted), lahariya (diagonal striped waves) and mothra (large dots) prints. Bikaner, Sikar and Jhunjhunu are well known for the mirror work, embroidery and appliqué work that are used to embellish these fabrics to produce elaborate designs of Rajasthani dresses.

Furniture and wood carving:-  

Rajasthan is an ideal place to look for old-worldly doors and windows, wooden jharokhas, tables with cast iron jaalis, side-boards, chairs, benches, jhoolas or swings and dressers, sometimes fretted with brass and copper sheets for decoration. They can be lightly carved or embellished with tiles. Jaipur and Ramgarh in Shekhawati are popular centers for furniture but Jodhpur gets the first place. The notable places are Shekhawati and Bikaner for traditional woodwork, Jodhpur and Kishangarh for painted wooden furniture, Shekhawati, Bikaner and Ramgarh for delicately carved wooden doors, Barmer for woodcarvings such as images of gods and goddesses, elephants, parrots, human and animal figures, Tilonia for leather-embroidered chairs of Tilonia and Shekhawati for carved-back, string-bottom chairs. The most remarkable and finest type of artwork belongs to Bikaner. Known as Gesso work, it is made using the inner hide of the camel, which is scraped till it is paper-thin and translucent and is then molded into various forms of lampshades, hip flasks, perfume phials or vases.

Pottery:-  

The different regions of Rajasthan have distinctive style of pottery. Jaipur is famous for its blue glazed pottery that doesn't use simple clay but ground quartz stone, fuller's earth and sodium sulphate.Terra-cotta pottery is also quite popular in Rajasthan. Molela, a village near Udaipur is specialized in making clay images of deities for ceremonial occasions. Alwar is known for its paper-thin pottery while Bikaner's painted pottery is tinted with lac colors. The white and red clay articles of Pokaran are marked with distinct geometric designs.

Leather ware - 

Rajasthan Leather ware: In Rajasthan, jootis (the embroidered footwear the people wear), saddles, bags and pouches are not the only objects made out of animal skins. The other uses to which they are commonly put are making backs of chairs embroidered with woolen motifs. The leather is beaten, tanned and dyed and patterns are made on it by punching and gouging it. Later it is studded and sequined for effect, and embroidered and stitched to create the special jootis (slip-on shoes) that have become a style-statement. Jaipur and Jodhpur are famous for these 'jootis'.

Metal Crafts:- 

Started off with embellishing the royal armor, the metal crafts of Rajasthan now adorn tabletops, wall plates, flasks, silver animal figures, caparisoned elephants with human figures over a howdah (a musical instrument). Jaipur, Alwar and Jodhpur are famous for their metal wares such as brassware and enameled, engraved and filigree cutwork on silver.

Paintings:- 

Miniature paintings, portraits, courtly paintings, murals, paintings on cloth and furniture, henna body art, domestic paintings and mandana (the art of decorating houses) are just of the various form of vibrantly colored and intricate Rajasthani paintings.Mostly the paintings depict scenes from Ramayana, Krishna Lila and the Gita Govindam and use rich colors that were made using minerals, vegetables, precious stones, conch shells and metals like gold and silver. Jaipur, Jodhpur, Nathdwara and Kishangarh are important centers of such paintings. Other remarkable styles are phads or scrolls with the tales of the folk-hero Pabuji and the pichwais of Nathdwara near Udaipur, that depict scenes from the with life of Lord Krishna and are often decorated with precious stones.

Puppets:- 

Painted wooden heads, hands made simply by stuffing rags or cotton into the sleeve of the dress, with painted expressions, arched eyebrows, mustache for men and nose ring for women and large expressive eyes on their face, puppets are draped with dresses made from sequined old fabrics. They are extremely popular as inexpensive mementos among the tourists.

• Pilgrimage in Rajasthan

People of different religions flourished in the state of Rajasthan and have kept their identities intact. There are somber chants and strict austerities of the Jains is at odds, festive rituals full of zest of Bhils, Rajputs who have devout medieval faith and offer sacrifices and Muslims who mourn and fast for one whole month, come what may. All the religions have places to worship, some of which are fine examples of art and architecture.

Hindu Pilgrimages

Pushkar:- 

Pushkar RajasthanOne of the seven holiest cities of Hindus pilgrimage, Pushkar is the only place where there is a much-renowned temple dedicated to Lord Brahma (Creator of the World, one of the Holy Trinity of Hindus). Hundreds of temples surround the Pushkar Lake and the common belief is that one dip in this lake washes all the sins of a human being. As the legend goes, the lake was formed when one of the petals of the lotus in the Brahma's hand fell off. The lake is also the venue where the renowned Pushkar Fair is held annually in the month of Kartik that usually falls in November or December.

Eklingji Temple, Udaipur:- 

24 km from Udaipur, this temple complex is dedicated to Ekling ji (Lord Shiva). It is said to be built by Bappa Rawal, the founder of the Mewar dynasty. The complex has 108 temples, the tallest being Eklingji's, with a black stone idol that represents the linga with four faces of Surya, Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. There are many other idols and carvings of gods and goddesses such as Ganesh, Ambamata, Kalika, Shivalingas and celestial nymphs along with a life size image of Bappa Rawal.

Govind Devji Temple, Jaipur:- 

The erstwhile royal temple of the Kachchwaha family of Jaipur, it is said that the idols of the temple were brought here from Vrindavan and have been carved by Vajranath (grandson of Lord Krishna and a great sculptor). The image of Krishna is worth seeing. Sawai Jai Singh II consecrated the temple as part of the City Palace complex. A simple temple marked by an open pavilion, surrounded by columns, and a tiered courtyard, the idols of the temple are mounted on a silver throne and adorned with gold jewellery.

Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara:- 

48 km from Udaipur, Shrinathji of Nathdwara is actually a temple of Lord Krishna with his image carved out of a single block of black marble. It is said that Goswami Dev fled from Mathura to escape from Aurangzeb and carried this particular idol in a chariot with an intention to take it to Udaipur. However, his chariot got stuck in this place and finally, he took it as a token of the divine will and decided to consecrated it on the spot. Glimpses of the idol are permitted only for short intervals five times a day in different moods. It is said that famous pichwai paintings originated from the custom of painted curtain cloths behind the idol. The royalty of Udaipur pray at the temple and as the head of his clan, the Maharana is also called as Shriji among his people.

Jain Pilgrimages

The beauty of the simplicity and just a touch of exuberance in their temples that just add to the tranquility of the sacred shrines compliment the restrained austerity of the Jains.

Ranakpur – 

Jain Temple Ranakpur: The Ranakpur temples are constructed on the site gifted to the Jain community for the purpose by the ruling Ranas in the 15th century. Chaumukha is the principal deity in the main temple but it is mainly known for it has 1,444 pillars, all of them are carved yet not one of them is alike in its carving. With 29 halls and cupolas surrounded by the five spires, there are three entrances leading to the temple. The valley also has a polygonal sun temple along with two 14th century Jain temples, dedicated to Neminathji and Parsvanathji.

Dilwara Temple, Mt Abu: 

An ancient mango grove of Mt. Abu, Dilwara temples are considered a world heritage site with their intricately carved architecture. There are images of Jain tirthankaras within the sanctums, and the two main shrines are dedicated to Adinathji and Neminathji. An excellent example of the craftsmanship of the stone-carver, it has a separate hall that has been built as a tribute to those who have contributed to build these grandiose temples. It houses their life-size images in which even the delicate traceries and minute details of their garments have been captivatingly captured in marble.

Parsvanath Temple, Nakoda: 

Situated on Jodhpur-Barmer highway, in a beautiful valley, this temple is dedicated to the tirthankara Parsvanathji and has been carved in black stone. Many other temples including Jain temples dedicated to Shantinathji with a steep flight of stairs and some ancient Hindu temples surround it.

Shri Mahavirji Temple: 90 km from Ranthambhor, it was made when a cowherd unearthed a statue of Mahavira on this very spot. Made of white sandstone with cupolas of red sandstone, the chhatris and spires of the temple are visible from all around. The walls have been painted to depict the religious scenes and on a tower facing the temple, the footsteps of Mahavira have been consecrated.

Rishabdeo Temple, Dhulev: 

64 km from Udaipur, this beautifully carved temple complex from 15th century has been dedicated to Rishabdeoji and the images of several other tirthankaras have been carved into panels on the walls. Its entrance has been adorned with the stone elephants and a rath yatra is held annually that attracts thousands of pilgrims.

Islamic Pilgrimages

Few of the most famous sacred pilgrimage sites for Muslim faith have been cited here:

Dargah Sharif, Ajmer: 

Dedicated to a famous Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti who was said to be a descendent of Prophet Mohammed, it was the place where he spent most of his life and left this world for the heavenly abode. Every year Urs is held here for six days in his remembrance. It is said that when he was 114 years old, the saint locked himself in a room for six days to pray and left his mortal body in solitude. Several thousand devotees throng to this place during this time of the year and food is cooked in huge cauldrons and served to the devotees. The surprising part is that the people serve the food while standing inside the scalding hot food in the cauldrons. These cauldrons are said to be offered by Emperor Akbar when the saint blessed him with an heir for the throne. Qawwalis at the shrine and fragrance of the incense sticks together create a divine effect.

Tarkin ki Dargah, Nagaur: A disciple of Chishti, this saint was said to possess the powers of miracle cures and has a tomb in Nagaur.

Folk heroes and family deities

Rajasthan is known for its family deities that have been passed on through generations and the folk heroes that have been sanctified and honored with the positions of the deities and their shrines.

Karni Mata in Deshnoke, which is 30 km from Bikaner, a the tutelary deity of the royal family of Bikaner, with her origin in 15th century, was considered as a reincarnation of Goddess Durga when her prophecy of the foundation of the kingdom of Bikaner came true. Her temple has carved marble façade and is known for the large number of rats that roam here and are believed to be the incarnations of the Charans who serve at the temple. It is customary for the devotees to offer them milk and sweets and it is also considered lucky to spot a white rat here.

Ramdevji was reputed to have miraculous powers and fought with demons. He was born into a Tomar Rajput family at Runicha, near Pokharan, and it is said that he even earned the respect of maulvis who had come from Mecca to challenge his powers. It si said that since he attained a divine state of meditation (samadhi) at Ramdevra, he has been seen by people on horseback from time to time. Every year, two fairs have been held in his honor in this region.

• Culture of Rajasthan
  

Rajasthan- the land of royalty is a glittering jewel set in the golden sands of a barren deserts landscape. The light that reflects off the golden sands engulfs a land renowned for its vibrant colors, people in bright clothes and beautiful jewellery, living in cities dotted and dominated by towering forts and palace that rise from the sands like mirage.

The brightness of its life, the legends of its heroism and romance are all captured in the vibrant and evocative music of this desert land. The richness and diversity of Rajasthani music comes from its old and undisturbed tradition. Music which is rich evocative heroic plaintive and joyful governs all aspects of Rajasthani lives. The voices both male and female are strong and powerful. The numerous songs sang by the women reflect the various feminine moods and strong family ties that govern their lives.

Splendid monsoon of Rajasthan call for special songs without which no celebration is complete.

Men and women of Rajasthan sing devotional as well as festive songs. Songs by the saint-poets like Kabir, Meera and Malookdas are part of the folk repertoire. They are sung all night during the raatjagas (all night soirees spent singing devotional songs) which are held as thanks giving to a particular deity. The resonant singing of the Rajasthani folk is accompanied by music from simple instruments like the Baara and Algoza, that usally give a beat or a drone to offset the poetry.

Fairs and festivals bring an even greater riot of colour and music into lives of these desert people .Holi the festival of colours,brings forth the joyous,lively rhythms of the change and dhamal songs Marriage ,childbirth ,the visit of the son-in-law, all call for song and music. Even children have their own special songs called the saanjhi and the Ghulda. Favorites that are sung at all times are the Panihari, Eendoni, the famous Kurjan Digipuri-ka-raja and the Rasiya songs of the Braj region.

The hard life of the desert dwellers made them seek means of making life more pleasant by developing their artistic talents. There are many traditional communities who are professional performers and their skills are handed down from generation to generation. The Bhat and Charans are bards, who could inspire the Rajput warriors with accounts of heroic deeds by whipping up patriotic flavor or even ridiculing the royal families with their satire.

The wandering balladeers, like the Bhopas who sing about the Marwar folk hero-Pabuji, travel from village with their phad painting and rawan hattha entertaining people with their ballad. There are many singing communities in Rajasthan known as the Dholis.. Also known by other names like Mirasis, Dhadhis, Langas, Manganiyars, Kalbelias, Jogis, Sargaras, Kamads, Nayaks or Thotis and the Bawaris.

Today their music can be heard all over the state and is popular even on the national & international circuits. The best flavor of this rich artistic talent can be savored during various fairs & festivals of the state, especially during the Desert Festivals (Jan-Feb), the Pushkar Fair (Oct-Nov), the Marwar Festival (Sept-Oct) and the Camel Festival (Jan-Feb).

• Thar Desert Rajasthan
  

The scorching heat of the sun shining right above the hands, vast tracts of land with just sand all around with an occasion interruption of rippling sand dunes, where the life-giver water is scarce and the only vegetation generally found are the thorny bushes marks the landscape of a desert and so it is in the desert of That. Except for few things that makes it stand apart. Add to this picture, people wearing brightly hued costumes, women in their ghagharas wearing heavy jewellery and hiding their faces in veil, magnificent and majestic forts and palaces that are splendid examples of architecture, the haunting music and songs and performers that seem to be made of rubber as they dance and perform feats of acrobatics, the hunch-backed camels, royal kings seated on richly bedecked elephants and many, many legends that are an inseparable part of a rich culture and you get the picture of the Thar desert in Rajasthan.

The legend related to the origin of Thar Desert is not less interesting. In Ramayana, it is mentioned that when Lord Rama had to cross the ocean with his army to Lanka, the kingdom of the demon-king Ravana who abducted his wife, Devi Sita, he decided to use a fire-weapon and dry up the ocean. All the living creatures of the ocean were much frightened for their lives and started pleading him not to do so. But as it was impossible to dismount the arrow-weapon, once it was withdrawn, he decided to point it to a distant sea and released it. That sea happened to be in the place, where Thar Desert now exists. Though, it is mythology, the more interesting part is that fossils have been excavated in this region that indicate the existence of marine life here once.

Recent excavations have also unearthed the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization that existed 4,500 years ago that penetrated deep into the arid desert region. With the rising of the trade and commerce, traders traveled frequently crosses this desert in caravans, in the search of new markets for their products. With time, sarais or rest houses sprang up on the route, which slowly swelled into settlements. Then, there was much plundering and looting on the way and settlers offered security services to the traders in exchange of money in the form of taxes on their goods as they pass through their territory. Most of the rulers of the region belonged to the Rajput clan who had come to the region for refuge and to settle down once more and lay the foundations of new kingdoms, after they had been dethroned from their seat of powers by their foes. They built grandiose citadels and rose to power once again and thus, Rjasthan, the land of rulers, came into being.

Today, Rajasthan's folklores and folk songs are rich which chivalry, valor and romance of these Rajput kings and beauty, sense of fidelity the pride of their queens who would rather commit jauhar (self-immolation) in the hour of defeat of their men than allow the hands of the enemy as much as touch them. Rajput rulers proved themselves to be great patrons of art, architecture and religion, which can still be seen in the form of magnificent palaces, splendid temples and various forms of arts and crafts including dances, paintings and stone carvings of the state.

Today, Rajasthan is a tourist's paradise with its palace complexes that have been turned into hotels and museums and camel, jeep and elephant safaris that transport the guests to another level of human existence.

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