Rajasthan state in India, bordered on the west by Pakistan.
The capital is
Jaipur. In the west of the state is the Thar (Indian) Desert, which is sparsely inhabited
by pastoral nomads. In the east is part of the upland region of the Deccan,
where, with the aid of irrigation, millet, wheat, and cotton are grown. The
state's cultivated acreage has increased through irrigation projects, including
the Indira Gandhi Canal, opened in 1984. Rajasthani and Hindi are the principal languages.
The state has numerous famous Buddhist, Jain, and Mughal monuments.
Rajasthan, the land of Kings and Warriors, is India at its
exotic and colourful best with its palaces of breathtaking grandeur, battled
scarred forts and whimsical charm, its riotous colours and even its romantic
sense of pride and honour. There are plenty of historic cities,
incredible fortresses awash with legends and rare gems of impressionistic
beauty, such as Udaipur. There are also a number of centres that attract
tourists from far and wide such as Pushkar with its holy lake and the Desert
City of Jaisalmer, which resembles a fantasy from The Thousand & One Nights.
As castle, forts and country estate are steadily being
converted into hotels even Rajasthan's most romantically inaccessible outposts
are opening up. From the richly painted havelis (mansions) of Shekhawati in the
north to the magnificent Jain temples of Mount Abu or Ranakpur in the south, the
state's wealth of history and art provides a unique opportunity to see something
of a disappearing world.
Rajasthan is the 'Land of Celebrations'. The fairy-tale forts
and palaces across its golden sands conjure up endless fascinating images of
chivalrous kings, beautiful princesses and lavish darbars. The mark of royalty
is all-pervasive in this desert-land and is seen not only on the vivid frescoes
and murals of the palaces but also in the pomp and pageantry of the brightly
dressed people.
Although vast areas of Rajasthan are tones of beige and brown, its people dress
up most colourfully, making up for the lack of a colourful landscape. Not only
the multi-hued costumes of the people, but also the richly carved mansions,
gaily decorated livestock and the bustling bazars selling fabulous wares... all
add splashes of colour.
In a land where social customs are still governed by age-old traditions, it is
only natural to see women in swirling skirts who spontaneously pull the veil or
ghunghat over their faces at the sight of a man. The village women adorn
themselves with heavy silver jewellery around the ankles, waist, neck and the
wrist or dangling from the ears. nose and hair. Many of these ethnic ornaments
have now become a craze among the urban elite, both at home and abroad.
The spirit of romance, valour and faith is quintessential to Rajasthan and is
delicately yet inseparably blended in its art, culture and hauntingly addictive
music and dance.