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Welcome to Exotic Rajasthan! Rajasthan is where all the country's similes and metaphors appear to have come together. Sand dunes, wooded hills and amazing lakes, palaces and rugged forts. |
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Travelling
in Rajasthan[Tourism in Rajasthan]
Rajasthani
Wedding In recent years, there have been increasing cases of visitors coming back to Rajasthan to get married. Nowhere else is a marriage as likely to be more romantic or majestic. It is an occasion when the bride and groom truly think themselves royal. However, even attending a marriage as a guest is a special occasion.Of course, in Rajasthan, marriage dates are set according to planetary considerations, and auspicious dates are usually between May-July and November-February.
Should a visitor have the occassion to attend a wedding, it is a chance that should not be lightly discarded. The wedding takes place at the bride's house to which the bridegroom comes accompanied with a large barat or procession. This happens even when the bride and groom are from separate towns, which is usually the case since the marriage are ‘arranged'. The groom rides to his bride's house astride a white mare, and in the regalia of a prince, complete with sword. While the marriage rituals are conducted in the house, the bridegroom's procession is entertainment and dinner. The bride's family is responsible for the hospitality, and to ensure it is not lacking, they take great effort to look after their guests.
Pre Wedding Ceremony
Mehfils
Mehfils are an integral part of every Rajasthani wedding. It is usually held in the evenings, they are again segregated into the 'ladies mehfil' and the 'gents mehfil'. At the ladies' mehfil, all the women gather at a central place in an enclosed courtyard or hall.
In dazzling dresses, they perform the ghoomar (a special dance done in a group). The bride at the mehfil is given an important position to sit and watch the proceedings. If the ladies' mehfil is in progress at the groom's house, then only the groom is privileged to attend the all-women affair. Of course, the men have their own mehfil, where singers perform and these are strictly all male parties.
Janev
In the Janev ceremony, the sacred thread is given to the would-be groom on the eve of his becoming a house-holder. The groom has to be dressed in saffron robes like an ascetic and perform a havan before wearing the thread.
Palla Dastoor
On the day of the actual wedding, or maybe a day prior to it, the Palla Dastoor is brought in by a few of the groom's relatives, accompanied by family retainers, to the bride's house. The palla dastoor consists of clothes, jewelry and gifts from the groom, which the bride has to wear during the wedding ceremony. This particular custom is typical to the Rajputs. The traditional Rajasthani wedding dress is usually red, but it could also be orange, gold, yellow, or pink. In certain Rajput clans, a bright parrot green is also worn.
Baraat
A Rajput baraat consists entirely of male members. The bridegroom is usually dressed in a gold achkan, with an orange turban and a churidar or jodhpurs with jootis. The baraat members also must wear achkans or sherwanis with jodhpurs and safas. All members, including the groom who rides an elephant or a horse, carry swords.
Wedding Rituals
Aarti
As soon as the actual wedding ceremony begins the groom is taken inside to the ladies section where he is received by the bride's mother with the traditional aarti, and then taken to the mandap to perform the actual wedding rituals. The bridegroom has to be accompanied only by a male member of the family, either a married relative or his younger brother or a younger male cousin.
The bride must keep her face covered throughout the wedding ceremony.
While the wedding is in progress, the baraat is entertained outside by the bride's male family members. Therefore, it is mostly the women members of the bride's family who attend the wedding ceremony.
Post Wedding Ceremony
Bidai
However at the time of the bidai, a coconut is placed under the wheel of the car before the bride lifts her veil for the husband after the wedding. At this stage, the groom usually gives a piece of jewelry to his bride.
Grihapravesh
After the bride reaches the groom's house Grihapravesh takes place. The bride still wears the veil while the puja and other ceremonies take place. A few games are played between the bride and the groom.
Pagelagni
The day following the grihapravesh, the pagelagni takes place. This is a ceremony where the bride, still in veil, is formally introduced to all the family members of the groom who bless her and give her gifts. The veil is then finally removed.
[Fort of Rajasthan]
About Chittaurgarh
Chittaurgarh exhibits the pride and glory of Rajasthan in the form of its various forts and monuments. It is a ruined citadel where the royal past lives in the imposing forts, graceful palaces and spectacular chhatris. The entire city echoes with the tales of romance and valor unique to the Rajput tradition.
The Chittaurgarh Fort
The Chittaurgarh Fort is a living testimony to the bravery of the great Rajput rulers who laid down their life fighting a superior enemy instead of leading a life of submission. The fort is located on a hill that dominates the modern township of Chittor. It is a fine example of the Rajput style of architecture. The fort of Chittor is believed to have been the capital of the Gahlot and Sisodia kings who ruled Mewar from the eighth to the sixteenth century AD.The fort is named after Chittrangad Mauraya. The Sisodia ruler Ajay Pal (AD 1174-1177) improved the fort wall built by the Gahlot king in the ninth century AD
The fort has witnessed three ferocious sieges and each time her defenders, demonstrating true Rajputana pride, fought valiantly against the enemies. The magnificent fort rises 150 m above the surrounding region and runs to an approximate length of 3 km covering an area of 60 acres and peripheral length of 13 km.
Mehrangarh
Fort - The Legacy of the Past Situated on a steep hill, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. The fort has been a witness to the splendour of a bygone era. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures. To enter the Mehrangarh fort, seven gates have to be crossed.
Some of these gates still bear marks of many a siege that this fort has withstood. Its very hard to imagine how any invader even thought of conquering this fort, which at places has 17 feet thick and 68 feet high walls.
The Mehrangarh Fort encloses many palaces, which are known for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards. Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace has a delicately carved stone screen and treasures the Sringar Chowki, royal throne of Jodhpur. Umaid Villas displays the Rajput miniature paintings and Ajit Villas exhibits musical instruments and the royal costumes. Both these villas are joined by a beautiful mirror room.
The Jodhpur Coat of Arms is kept in the Phool Mahal. Walls of this Flower Palace is covered with paintings depicting various musical moods. The Maan Villas displays Rathore armoury and the 'Tent room'. This tent room is an imperial Mughal campaign tent, used by Shahjahan but wrested by Jaswant Singh from Aurangzeb in a battle. Made of red velvet and embroidered with gold thread, it gives some idea of the grandeur with which the Mughals approached even their battles.
Amber FortThe Amber Fort in Rajasthan built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, is one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Perched high on a barren ridge, it commands extensive views over a deep narrow valley and the wider plains beyond.
The building was finally completed in the early18th century when the threat of Mughal domination was receding. Amber was once, the capital of the Mina tribes, believed to be the original inhabitants of this region.
Located up on the hills that surround Jaipur, the fort, sprawled along the Maotha Lake, boasts of a massive complex gateways, courts, stairways and pillared pavilions, and palaces that recall the glory and wealth, of Amber's association with the Mughals. This complex was built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh, over a period of about two centuries.
The front courtyard of the complex, is adorned with the magnificent, pillared hall of the Diwan - i - Am, and the two - tiered painted gateway Ganesh Pol. The palace of mirrors, Sheesh Mahal, is of special interest. It has walls inlaid with exquisite mirrors. The Jas Mandir, perched on the upper floor, is a superb amalgam of Mughal and Rajput style of architecture, as is evident from the exquisitely carved Jali screens, and fine mirror and stucco work.
Nahargarh
FortNahargarh or the Tiger fort is the first of the three forts built by the kings of Jaipur. Built mainly in 1734 by Jai Singh II, it lies 6 km north west of city Palace and provides some stunning views of Jaipur down below to the Man Sagar Lake. The imposing fort harbors many legends and three kings have added their stamp at different times to the structures within the fort. In the midst of this lake, is a palatial duck blind, which was used for shooting parties by the erstwhile royal family. A royal retreat for the Maharanis, it was also used as a personal treasury for many years.
[Hevelis of Rajasthan]
Samode Haveli, Jaipur
The Samode Haveli is a small intimate hotel offering personalised service. It has been meticulously restored and integrated into a unique property. This unique atmosphere of the contemporary and the historic gives Samode Haveli a warm & friendly atmosphere enabling guests to relax and treat it as a home away from home! With its understated luxury, antique furniture, furnishings and original work-of-art, the hotel is a celebration of traditional values and gracious living. To be there is to belong.
History
The spirit of Rajasthan's history & legend coloured by chivalry and romance finds expression in Jaipur. Built in pink stone more than two centuries ago by Maharaja Jai Singh II, the capital is a testimony to the skill of master craftsmen.
The Samode Haveli was built over 150 years ago by Rawal Sheo Singhji, a Prime Minister in the Jaipur court, who belonged to the family of Samode, tracing their relation to the Jaipur Maharaja the fabled Prithviraj Singhji the 17th prince of the Kacchawala Rajputs.
It was built as the Samode Royal family's suburban manor house and was converted into a heritage hotel in 1988. Today it stands as a reminder of a halcyonic past offering moments of subtle luxury. The property was constructed facing North away from the burning Rajasthan sun and features a spectacular painted dining room, an airy verandah and an elephant ramp at the entrance which was specially constructed in the 1940's for the marriage ceremony of the late Rawal Sahib's aunt. The Haveli has been masterfully restored and integrated into a unique property.
Havelis in Jaisalmer
Salem Singh ki Haveli
It is at an unhurried pace that the havelis (houses of rich merchants) should be seen and admired. These havelis are the pride of Jaisalmer architecture, a part of the national heritage. Salem Singh haveli, at the eastern end of the city, is an Arabian Nights structure, which, like a wild flower, blossoms at the top.
Nathmal ki Haveli
The third haveli belongs to Nathmal, a later day prime minister who gifted it to the Rawal and was allowed to retain it. Built by two brothers in 1885, this haveli has two identical looking portions, which are in fact two different parts united by a common facade. Look for the projected balconies, which seem to emerge from books of poetry. So ethereal and charming, the carving never looked better. A perfect example of jeweller's art applied to stone carving. The Muslim silavats (artisans) did a wonderful job here and left a marvellous legacy of craftsmanship excellent in detail and flawless in conception. If only for viewing these havelis a trip to Jaisalmer is more than amply rewarded.
Havelis in Rajasthan
Alsisar
Haveli More than five centuries ago, the grandson of Mahraja Udaikaran of Amer, Rao Shekhaji, founded the sub-clan popularly known as Shekhawat. Alsisar Haveli is owned by this branch of the Kachhawa clan of Rajputs. The descendants of the family have restructured and refurbished their old mansion (Haveli) into a modern day Heritage Hotel to give the guests a feel of the Raj days.
Alsisar Haveli lies tucked away in the heart of the pink city, Jaipur. It brings back to life the grandeur of the old days and is a memorable regal Rajasthani experience for the guests.Built in 1892, the Haveli incorporates the finesse of traditional Rajput architecture and is a sight to behold.
The large elevated platform that dominates the central area of the ground floor and once used for get-together by the gents of the house is now open to guests who can witness puppet shows and folk dances while enjoying their snacks or drinks. The spacious lobby which opens into the chowk (inner courtyard), was a century ago used by the ladies of the house and is now open to guests for a tete-a-tete. The rooms are very much like the ones that were used by the Thakurs of Alsisar. Antique furniture and mediaeval Rajasthani style-fabrics charmingly enhance the Rajasthani experience.
[Monuments of Rajasthan]
The
Jantar mantar JaipurThe Jantar Mantar was conceived as a quest for discovering the mysteries of the Cosmos. The Jantar Mantar is a corruption of the Sanskrit word yantra mantra meaning instruments and formulae. It was built not only to verify astronomical observations made at Jaipur, but also to stimulate interest in astronomy, which had become enmeshed in theory, superstition and religious jargon. Following the style of an observatory at Samarkand, huge masonry instruments were built, keeping in mind the rules of astronomy, the position of the equator, latitudes and longitudes.
The observatory at Jaipur has the samrat yantra, the jaiprakash yantra, ram yantra and the ‘composite instrument' includes a sundial and a massive hemisphere on the northern wall.
India, in the early decades of the 18th century was a land to turmoil, the Mughal empire was collapsing, its chiefs were busy in internal quarrels, and the Marathas, Portuguese, British, French and Dutch were fighting for the over lordship of India's trade and political fortunes. In this age arose a brilliant star on India's political and intellectual horizon I Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Rajput ruler of Amber, founder of Jaipur, a great builder and ruler and an exceptional astronomer.
Commissioned by Emperor Muhammad Shah, to correct the existing astronomical tables and fix planetary positions anew, Sawai Jai Singh-II, accomplished the task in seven years and for this task, built the first stone observatory in Delhi in 1724 and in Jaipur in 1728. Not only did the masonry instruments suit his purposes, they also satisfied his architectural instincts. Apart from being a permanent memorial to his genius, is secured for him a place along with such distinguished observatory builders like Prince Ulugh Beg, Tycho Brahe and John Flam steed.
Hawa
MahalJaipur is a fascinating city but to make the city fascinating, it has great palaces and other structures that are architectural wonders. Look you may from whichever way - houses, shops and havelis - they are all pink. The long crenellated walls protecting the city and the huge gateways guarding the entrance to the city are all in pink. Even the women who come to the city market from their neighboring villages are dressed in pink, gorgeous yellow, red and blue. Men dressed in white dhoti and shirts carry huge magnificent turbans - mostly pink, red and yellow.
Jaipur, like the entire Rajasthan, loves color and pink more often than not. Amidst this riot of colors, the City Palace of Jaipur stands at the center.This royal residence is the tallest structure in the whole complex and received additions from various maharajas till all further additions were ruled out. But even before this, within sixty years of its construction, the City Palace had to accommodate a new extension of the zenana quarters. This was the Hawa Mahal.
To the north of the city's main road intersection, the Badi Chaupad, stands Hawa Mahal - the world famous landmark of Jaipur, the best known specimen of fanciful architecture. Built in 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh, the aesthete among maharajas, it is an integral part of the City Palace though standing away from the main complex. At first glance it looks rather whimsical in design. From the roadside, where most visitors view Hawa Mahal for the first time, it looks a mere facade. But there is much more than meets the eye.
Hawa Mahal - Architecture
The facade of the Hawa Mahal has sometimes aroused unfair judgments as 'a baroque folly' and a 'bizarre piece of architecture'. The five storeyed facade encrusted with elegant trellis work on windows and small balconies have 953 niches. Lal Chand Usta who designed the Hawa Mahal had dedicated it to Lord Krishna and Radha but its fanciful structure appealed to the Maharaja who found it ideal for the seraglio.
[Palaces of Rajasthan]
City
Palace - UdaipurAs the hub of Udaipur the City Palace stands majestically on the hill guarded by crenellated fort walls. A riot of arches, domes, turrets, crenellations and chattris crown the steep fortress. In contrast to its rugged exterior, the inside presents a delicate and feminine world of beauty with lavish use of marble, mirror work, frescoes, wall paintings, a profusion of colored glass, fluted columns, inlay work, silver doors, fountains and gardens.
A series of courtyards, jharokhas, chattris, terraces, corridors, stairways, over planning pavilions and hanging gardens form an astonishing and harmonious whole.
City Palace - Architecture
The City Palace consists of four main and several minor palaces. Part of the complex is a Hawa Mahal. The Palace of Joy, Dilkhusha Mahal, is decorated with frescoes and wall paintings. Moti Mahal, or Palace of Pearls, Sheesh Mahal, or the palace of mirrors and glass, and Krishna Mahal are lavishly decorated with colors and paintings. Mor Chowk is known for its unique peacock motif in mosaic. Bada Mahal, the garden palace, is built on a 90 feet high natural rock formation. The Chini chitrashala houses a rich collection of Chinese porcelain and Laxmi Vilas Chowk is an art gallery, which houses a distinctive collection of Mewar paintings. The Amar Vilas, the highest point with its hanging gardens, towers and terraces, presents a majestic and panoramic view of the town and Lake Pichola.
Amber Palace
The Amber palace was built by the Kachhwajas when they rose in eminence and power under the Mughals. Man Singh I built it in a style to rival Mughal grandeur and opulence. Diwan-I-Aam has a double row of columns with elephant-head brackets, which had to be covered with stucco to escape the jealous eye of Jehangir. Ganesh Pol, entrance portal to inner palaces, is the most magnificent portal in Rajasthan, covered with elegant frescoes and crowned with pavilions carrying fascinating jail screens.
Jai Mandir has millions of glass pieces on stucco. The same scheme of ornamentation is repeated at Diwan-I-Khas, also built by Mirza Raja Singh. Sheesh Mahal, core of this structure, is the pinnacle of the art of ornamentation with glass. Rampas built within walls take you to the zenana palace built by the Man Singh I. A baradari stands at the center of the spectacular courtyard surrounded by ladies apartments and frescoes depicting Krishna-lila scenes. Amber is undoubtedly the grandest achievement of Rajput architecture.
[Desert of Rajasthan]
A thrilling experience travelling through a region known as Thar Desert, which till date remains virtually isolated from the rest of the world. A completely different world altogether waits for the traveler. All over the Desert tour of Rajasthan, one encounters typical lifestyles, culture, forts, castles, cuisine, desert safaris, customs, mysteries, stories and experiences. Rajasthan Desert tour reveals the grandeur of the royal Rajasthan and the imperial forts of the desert cities of Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Jaipur.
Desert
Triangle of Rajasthan The wind-caressed sand dunes rise the three splendid cities of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner popularly called desert triangle. 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. Here are the some more features of Desert triangle of Rajasthan that comprises of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner.
Jodhpur Desert
Set at the edge of the Thar desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur which is part of the desert tourist triangle, echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. The massive 15th century A.D. Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 mts. above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions. A major trade center of the 16th century A.D., the fortress-city of Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan.
Jaisalmer DesertThe name Jaisalmer evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and brilliance of the desert. Local colour and warmth prevail over the inhospitable and forbidding terrain, imbuing the medieval town with a special magic. One of the main attractions is the imposing 12th century Jaisalmer Fort. The beautiful havelis which were built by wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer are yet another interesting aspect of the desert city. And, of course, the romantic sand dunes, the best way of exploring them and the desert around being by way of a camel safari.
Bikaner Desert
Bikaner is the royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying to the north of Rajasthan, the city is dotted with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval splendor that pervades the city's lifestyle. More popularly called the camel country, he city is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The splendour of the desert is all around -specially in the camels. It has forts, palaces and beautiful temples, signifying the rich heritage. The annual camel festival is one of the many highlights of the city.
[People of Rajasthan]
People
In
olden days, the profession of the people decided their caste. This system has
now been broken. Today, individuals have the freedom to opt for any profession
irrespective of caste. The profession based caste system has now been transformed
into birth-based caste system. People of various castes and sub-castes reside
in Rajasthan. The Rajputs, who were the rulers of most of the erstwhile princely states of Rajasthan, form a major group of residents of Rajasthan. Rajputs are generally stoutly built people of good height. The Rajputs generally worshipped the Sun, Shiva, and Vishnu. Vedic religion is still followed by the Rajputs. All the auspicious and inauspicious activities are done in accordance to the Vedic traditions. The other castes found in Rajasthan are Brahmins and Vaishyas.
Flora and Fauna
The unique state of Rajasthan offers some of the most unusual wildlife sanctuaries in the country, where the roar of jungle animals merges with the whisperings of time. The dry deciduous forests of the state stalk their wildlife from tigers and panthers to deer and wild bear. The rock formations of the Aravali hills and the surrounded dense forests and lakes are the natural habitat of a number of rare tree as well as animal species.
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