Monday, October 29, 2007

Rajasthan Travel Guide

Tourism and Rajasthan go side by side. As you travel to Rajasthan with us, you will explore so many new facets of Rajasthan. Whether it is the sand dunes or the massive forts and palaces, you will realize that there is no other place like Rajasthan. For a traveler who is interested in the history, culture and the lifestyle of the people of the Oriental world, Rajasthan is just the perfect tourist destination in India. Unlike what its barren scenery suggests, you will find that Rajasthan is the most colorful and interesting place inhabited by humans. An exotic land, a dream come true for the Western world, Rajasthan was home to the Rajputs, the martial races of India known equally for their love of arts and architecture as well as valor and chivalry.

Tourism opportunities in Rajasthan are immense. Rajasthan tourism offers a great variety of travel experiences. Whether it is sand dunes, Desert safari, forts and palaces, the colorful tribal life or the fairs and festivals of Rajasthan, travelers to Rajasthan are assured of a truly regal experience. Come, feel the royalty of Rajasthan yourself.

Rajasthan city Tourism :
Jaisalmer Travel Guide
Kota Travel Guide
Jaipur Travel Guide
Jodhpur Travel Guide
Dungarpur Travel Guide
Pushkar Travel Guide
Bundi Travel Guide
Bharatpur Travel Guide
Ajmer Travel Guide
Udaipur Travel Guide
Tonk Travel Guide
Baran Travel Guide
Barmer Travel Guide
Sikar Travel Guide
Hanumangarh Travel Guide
Bikaner Travel Guide
Dausa Travel Guide
Chittorgarh Travel Guide
Bhilwara Travel Guide
Sawai Madhopur Travel Guide
Nagaur Travel Guide
Jalore Travel Guide
Sariska Travel Guide
Dholpur Travel Guide
Banswara Travel Guide
Karauli Travel Guide
Pali Travel Guide
Churu Travel Guide
Rohet Travel Guide
Chittaurgarh Travel Guide
Kumbalgarh Travel Guide
Nathdwara Travel Guide
Mount Abu Travel Guide
Alwar Travel Guide
Jhalawar Travel Guide
Kumbhalgarh Travel Guide
Mandawa Travel Guide
Ranakpur Travel Guide

Rajasthan Information

Our aim is to provide you all the necessary information about Rajasthan, like
Do`s And Don`ts
Visa Requirements
Visa Extension
Special Permits
Currency Regulations
Customs Formalities And Regulations
Income Tax Clearance
Airport Tax
Health Regulations
Restricted And Protected Areas
Photography Restrictions
Export Of Indian Antiquities
Climate

Wedding in Rajasthan

The Romantic land Rajasthan is well known for its social customs, traditions and practices reflecting all its royal charm. Wedding ceremony in Rajasthan is known for its colourful atmosphere created by a well decorated marriage venue with all regal charm. The groom dressed in traditionally sherwani, and colourful turban with a sword in his hand rides to bride's home on a white horse accompanied with a marriage procession called barat. The bride on the other hand dressed with lehanga, jewellery and decorated palm awaits the groom.

The marriage procession is greeted with garland and the bride's family makes all the arrangements like feasts, entertainment programmes for guests. The rituals of the wedding ceremony starts from Aarti ceremony, after which the groom is taken to a beautifully decorated Mandap where bride and groom take seven circle around a holy fire and exchange garlands. After this the bride starts for groom's house and this is called the Bidai ceremony.



Music and dance is another important part of the wedding ceremony. Traditional folk dance and music are organised by the bride's family to welcome the bride and bararti. Also traditional music instruments like drums are used for this auspicious occasion. Mouthwatering traditional cuisines are specially cooked for a royal wedding dinner.

Wedding in some major communities of Rajasthan are :
Hindu Weddings
Muslim Wedding
Sikh Weddings
Christian Weddings
Arya Samaj Weddings
Indian Wedding Songs
English Wedding Songs

Monday, October 22, 2007

Jaipur- Art And Craft

Jaipur is among the richest city in Rajasthan as far as the fields of arts and crafts is concerned. Jaipur has created and preserved rich craft heritage which includes fabulous fabrics in lovely prints, precious and semi-precious stones, Kundan Meenakari Jewellery, embroidered leather work, other hand crafted items of wood, ivory, lac, glass, brass, silver and gold.

For women there were infinite variety - tie and dye fabrics, embroidered garments, enamel jewellery inlayed with precious and semi-precious stones, leather jootis. They put their lives indoors to very good use by decorating their surroundings - on the walls of their mud-huts were painted geometric designs as well as simple motifs like flowers and birds. Also the womenfolk made intricate patterns on floors, shaped straw and twine to turn into the most beautiful as well as functional items plus displayed great talent with the needle and thread and paper mache.

When the Rajputs came to dominate this region, it was a period of constant strife. They were almost always in battle with their neighboring kingdoms. When a kingdom fell and a new ruler took over, it was time for change paintings depicting the new ruler's victory; scenes from the battle and processions of the victorious march were faithfully reproduced on the walls and handmade paper. Other than the paintings, the new rulers also influenced the existing crafts of that area. Despite their love for the battlefield, the Rajputs have been patrons of art and also their 350 years of contact with the Mughals led to a very strong influence on their lives and arts. Quite a few folk arts received the refinement and delicacy of the Mughal courts. They borrowed freely from the Agra and Delhi courts and in some cases, also sent theirakilled craftsman to adorn the Mughal courts.

Some most common Art & Crafts of Jaipur are :
Bandhani Or Tie And Dye
Stone Carving & Sculpture
Zari, Gota, Kinari & Zardozi
Gems, Kundan, Meenakari & Jewellery
Jaipur Blue Pottery
Shellac Bric-a-Brac
Block-printing
Tarkashi
Silver Jewellery
Jaipur Miniature Paintings
Ivory Carving

Rajasthani Dances

Dance is an expression of human emotion as mush as music and it is found in almost limitless variations in Rajasthan. Simple unsophisticated, dancing is seen in their fairs and festivals in the kudakna of the Meena boys, the dancing which goes with the Rasiya songs of Braj, and the dancing by women and men where the women carry a pot or a lighted lamp on their head. In the Charkala dance of Braj, an elaborate lampstand replaces the single lamp.

The famous Ghoomar, Rajasthan's popular dance gets its name from ghoomna, the pirouetting which displays spectacular colors of the flowing ghagra, the long skirt of the Rajasthani women. Men have a range of their own more vigourous dances.

The Gair of Mewar have inner and outer circles of dancers who move diagonally or loop in and out. It is intricate and fascinating. The Gair of Jodhpur is performed in a single file and martial costumes are worn for effect. The Geendad of Shekhawati is similar. Sticks or swords are often used in male dances, and the Shekhawati dance has the daf accompanying it.

Free dancing full of zest, with rows of dancers waving colorful pennants, makes the Bam rasiya of the Braj region spectecular. It is performed at holi. The Kucchhi Ghodhi or Dummy Horse dance is performed on festive occasions.

The terahtali is a tantalising dance performed by women while sitting. The women have manjeeras( little brass discs) tied with long strings to their wrists, elbows, waists, arms and a pair in their hands as well. Their male accompanists sing and play the tandoora while the women, with sextrous and fine movements, create a strong rhythm with the manjeeras. Foe added effect they may hold a sword between their teeth or balance pots or lighted lamps on their heads.

The dance of the Kalbelia women is vigourous and graceful. An authentic fire dance is performed by the Jasnathis of Bikaner and Churu districts. The accompanying music rises in tempo as the dance progresses, ending with the performer dancing on brightly glowing embers-a breathtaking and deeply impressive sight.