Fairs and Festivals of Jaipur

Elephant Festival, Jaipur: The elephant festival gets underway in the month of Phalgun (March) on the eve of Holi, the festival of colours. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels, horses and folk dancers. The sight of mighty jumbos striding majestically is a treat to watch. The mahavats or owners proudly decorate their elephants with bright colours, jhools (saddle cloth) and heavy jewellery. Female elephants are made to wear payals or anklets which tinkle as they walk. Prizes are given for the most beautifully decorated elephant. Even more exciting is the Polo match, the Elephant race, the tug-of-war between elephant and 19 men and women. The most colourful being the playing of Holi on Elephant back.

Kaila Devi Fair : The annual fair of Kaila Devi, (Mahalakshmi or the goddess of wealth), is held at the village Kaila (24 kms to the south west) in Karauli district in the month of Chaitra (Mar-Apr), lasting for a fortnight. The temple of Kaila Devi is located on the banks of the Kalisil river in the hills of Trikut, 2 Kms. to the north-west of Kaila village. Another attraction is the small temple dedicated to Bhairon, situated in the courtyard and facing the shrine of Kaila Devi is a temple of Hanuman locally called 'Languriya'.

Gangaur Festival: The Gangaur festival is the most important local festival of Rajasthan and is observed throughout the state with great fervour and devotion by womenfolk who worship Gauri, the consort of lord Shiva. Gan is a synonym for Shiva and Gauri which stands for Gauri or Parvati who symbolizes saubhagya (Marital Bliss). Gauri is the embodiment of perfection and conjugal love which is why the unmarried women worship her for being blessed with good husbands, while married women do so for welfare, health and long life of their spouses and a happy married life.

The festival commences on the first day of Chaitra, the day following Holi and continues for 18 days. For a newly-wedded girl, it is binding to observe the full course of 18 days of the festival that succeeds her marriage. Even unmarried girls fast for the fully period of 18days and eat only one meal a day.

Images of Isar & Gauri are made of clay for the festival. In some families, permanent wooden images are painted afresh every year by reputed painters called Matherans on the eve of the festival. A distinct difference between the idols of Teej and Gangaur is that the idol will have a canopy during the Teej festival while the Gangaur idol would not a canopy.

The ladies decorate their hands and feet by drawing design with Mehendi (myrtle Paste). The figures drawn range from the sun, Moon and the stars to simple flowers or geometrical designs.

Teej Festival: Teej is the festival of swings. It marks the advent of the monsoon month of Sharvan (August). The monsoon rains fall on the parched land and the pleasing scent of the wet soil rises into the air. Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati is worshipped by seekers of conjugal bliss and happiness. An elaborate procession is taken out in Jaipur for two consecutive days on the festive occasion which is watched by people in large numbers. The Teej idol is covered with a canopy whereas the Gangaur idol is open.

Rajasthan Tourism Guide

Rajasthan travel tips are being provided to assist you while you are in Rajasthan. These safety guidelines for Rajasthan, India will prove quite useful to you if you are planning to visit this place.

While traveling in Rajasthan, India is completely safe and enjoyable, it would be better to take certain basic precautions on your Fascinating Rajasthan Tour. Fascinating Rajasthan suggests some travel tips to make your journey in India a pleasant experience.

Rajasthan Airports : Rajasthan has Jaipur Airport, Jodhpur Airport and Udaipur Airport, while the Jaisalmer Airport opens from 1st October to 31st March.

Holidays In Rajasthan : The colorful culture, costumes and customs of the people of Rajasthan are sure to catch your attention. The people clad in bright colored cloths are captivating, the fairs and festivals they celebrate are simply fantastic.

Rajasthan Facts : Tours to Rajasthan India, is bounded on the west and northwest by Pakistan, on the north and northeast by the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, on the east and southeast by the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and on the southwest by the state of Gujarat.

Home Stays In Rajasthan : Rajasthan or Rajputana , the land of Maharajas , brings alive the glory and splendor of the past where feudal maharajas ruled their individual states with absolute powers of a sovereign.

What To Wear In Rajasthan : The traditional Rajasthan jewelry and Rajasthan costumes gives its people a unique identity of their own. Moreover, their colour and design are tremendously delightful and attractive.

Local Transport In Rajasthan : Rajasthan has a very good network of air, roads and train. Making travelling in Rajasthan safe and less tiring. With good road conditions you can also explore the interiors of Rajasthan.

What To Eat In Rajasthan : Jaipur is one of the most remarkable cities of India. This is not only because of its vibrant culture and heritage, but also because of its diverse and mouth watering cuisine.

Rajasthan Shopping : Find information on shopping in Rajasthan, shopping places in Rajasthan and what items to buy in Rajasthan, India.

Best Time To Visit Rajasthan : Rajasthan summers are extremely hot and dry. The day is too hot, the nights cool. It is advisable for the tourists visiting in summers to wear loose cotton clothes.

Money Exchange In Rajasthan : Money exchange is not a problem these days as Indian Economy has liberalized and opened up. There are lots of money exchangers in Jaisalmer. You will find a lot of kiosks near Railway station and Bus stand but try and stick to the government authorized ones.

Electricity In Rajasthan : This write up on electricity in Rajasthan covers voltage, electricity and current supply in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthan Geography : The state of Rajasthan borders Pakistan to the west, Gujarat to the Southwest, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast and Punjab to the north, covering an area of 342,239 km². It has its capital at Jaipur.

Handling Beggars In Rajasthan : If you are traveling to India, you are bound to come across beggars. Mostly you will find them begging at the red lights. Following are some tips for handling Indian beggars.

Health Precautions For Rajasthan : To enjoy your Rajasthan travel, health precautions should be given top most priority. Like any other place in the world, Rajasthan also has some anti-social elements.

Tourist Guides In Rajasthan : The magical land set amidst the desolate desert beauty. The land synonymous with romance and chivalry.

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Mehndi of Rajasthan

Mehndi or Henna, applied on the hands or feet of females, is quite popular in India. Out of the various types of mehndi available in India, the mehndi of Rajasthan is one of the most popular. Mehndi is prepared by grinding the dry henna leaves into a very fine powder and then making a paste with water. This paste is then applied on the hands and feet of females in the form of beautiful designs, with the help of matchsticks or cones. After the mehndi gets dry, it is removed revealing the beautiful designs on the skin in red color. The Rajasthani Mehendi is considered to be one of the best because it leaves the darkest color of red on hands and feet.

For this reason only, the henna of Rajasthan, India is very much in demand for the bridal mehndi also. In Rajasthan, Mehendi is put up on almost each and every occasion, in a different design, as it is considered very auspicious. One of the most popular designs in Rajasthan is the one called chowk. Literally meaning a courtyard, it is put up in various forms, each form being suitable for a different occasion. One design is applied at the time of the Gangaur fair, another at the time of Teej, yet another for Holi and so on. Other popular designs are chopper (game of dice, symbolic of marital love), lahriya (waves), pankhi or beejani (meaning fan), etc.

Rajasthan Travel Information

Tourism of Rajasthan
Rajasthan has several tourist sights, especially in ancient and medieval architecture. Places of interest are Mount Abu, Ajmer, Alwar(Sariska tiger sanctuary), Bharatpur (Keoladeo bird sanctuary), Bikaner, Jaipur (the Pink City), Jodhpur, Udaipur, Pali, Jaisalmar and Chittorgarh. Tourism was given industry status in 1992.

State Capital Jaipur
Population ('000s in 1991) 44,006
Area ('000 sq. km) 342
Females per 1000 males (1991) 910
Literacy rate (1991) 38.6
Ratio of urban population (1991) 22.9
Net Domestic Product (Rs. million at current prices in 1992-93) 229,360
Per Capita Income (Rs. at current prices in 1992-93) 5,035
Principal Language Hindi and Rajasthani

Rajasthan is located in the northwestern part of the subcontinent. It is bounded on the west and northwest by Pakistan, on the north and northeast by the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, on the east and southeast by the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and on the southwest by the state of Gujarat. The Tropic of Cancer passes through its southern tip in the Banswara district. The state has an area of 132,140 square miles (342,239 square kilometres). The capital city is Jaipur.

In the west, Rajasthan is relatively dry and infertile; this area includes some of the Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert. In the southwestern part of the state, the land is wetter, hilly, and more fertile. The climate varies throughout Rajasthan. On average winter temperatures range from 8° to 28° C (46° to 82° F) and summer temperatures range from 25° to 46° C (77° to 115° F). Average rainfall also varies; the western deserts accumulate about 100 mm (about 4 in) annually, while the southeastern part of the state receives 650 mm (26 in) annually, most of which falls from July through September during the monsoon season.

Rajasthan has a single-chamber legislative assembly with 200 seats. The state sends 35 members to the Indian national parliament: 10 to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and 25 to the Lok Sabha (Lower House). Local government is based on 30 administrative districts.

What To Wear In Jaipur

Jaipur (Pink City Of Rajasthan) is a city of its own charm and majestic splendour. It becomes of vital importance to know the culture and traditions of Jaipur, while coming to the city on a trip. There is nothing specific regarding what to wear in Jaipur, but one should be dressed in a decent manner to avoid the unnecessary attention. In the contemporary times, residents of Jaipur prefer dressing in a casual manner, a style that resembles the national culture.

In view of the fact that, Jaipur setbacks in a desert area of Rajasthan, the city observes extreme type of climate. The weather of Jaipur is generally hot and humid. Taking this in mind, it is suitable to take some light cotton clothing along, which is comfortable and absorbs the sweat as well. However, one can take light woolens, if touring Jaipur in winters.

The traditional dress of Rajasthani men is the angarakha (an upper garment) and dhoti or pajama (a lower garment) with a pagari or turban on their heads. Conventional dress for Rajasthani women is kurti or top and a Ghaghra or skirt with odhani to cover their heads. However, with the changing times, it is not mandatory to wear the traditional dresses of Rajasthan in Jaipur. Decent dressing of contemporary times is totally acceptable in the city of Jaipur.

Lakes In Jaipur

Ramgarh Lake In Jaipur :

Ramgarh is located at a distance of 25kms from the city of Jaipur. In the present day, this primeval spot is eminent for its huge artificial lake. This lake has been shaped by raising a high bund amidst the hills covered with trees. In the rainy season, when the lake gets inundated with water, people come in large numbers for a picnic. Ramgarh Lake is around 4 kms in length and 2 kms in width, big enough to please the crowds.

Ramgarh is a place of royal past that boasts of a majestic hunting lodge. However, the lodge has been converted into a gateway hotel with the changing times. The wrecks of the ancient fort still remind one of its old days when the Kachhawah's first settled here before moving on to Amer. Even today, the temple of Jamwa Mata attracts the tourists for its magnificent architecture. Every year, people from far and near come to visit the place.

Sambhar Lake In Jaipur :

Sambhar is a small town, located at a distance of 60kms in the west of Jaipur, on Jaipur-Ajmer Highway. Sambhar is famous for the largest saline lake in India. Due to this fact, Sambhar is also known as Salt Lake City. Literally, Sambhar means salt and the lake has been providing salt for over a thousand years. Various rulers of Jaipur and Jodhpur including Sindhias, Rajputs, Marathas and Mughals have owned the lake in their ruling periods. In 1870, it was leased to the British.

After independence, the lake was taken over by the government. In the present day, it is managed by Sambhar Salts Limited, a joint venture of Hindustan Salts and the Government of Rajasthan. Sambhar Lake elongates to the length of 22.5 kms. The lake is fed by several seasonal freshwater streams, two of the major ones being the rivers Mendha and Rupangarh. The vast lake has been divided into two sections by a 5-km long stone dam. On the eastern side of the dam, there are reservoirs for salt extraction where salt has been farmed for a thousand years.

Handicrafts In Jaipur

Handicrafts of Jaipur are well-known throughout the world for their distinctive quality and exclusive variety. Due to this fact, Jaipur is also recognized as crafts capital of India. The Royal Family of Jaipur patronized the craftsmen and artisans, which led to the flourishing of arts and crafts in Rajasthan. If you are an art lover, Markets of Jaipur offer rich and assorted handicrafts of interest.

There are many things like blue pottery, carved furniture, antiques, papier mache, enduring paintings, Pichwais, miniature paintings, sculptures, apparels, accessories, home furnishings, home decorations, handmade office accessories, toys, traditional games and many more things, which can be of your interest. You can explore Amber Road that lies between Zorawar Gate and Holiday Inn to see the range of hand-block prints, blue pottery, handicrafts and antiques.

Pottery
The royalty of Jaipur always appreciated variety handicrafts during their times. Keeping the traditions alive, Jaipur is always active in providing the best handicrafts of India. Talking about pottery, glazed blue pottery of Jaipur is very famous. Originated in Persia, this kind of pottery includes pots, surahis, mugs, jugs, plates, decorative pieces and many other things. Blue color in pottery offers a trendy look to the things. You can always make a good bargain while buying such stuff.

Metal Work
Jaipur has a decent variety of metal work and it is particularly famous for its brass work. The brass workers of Jaipur are skilled in infusing charisma into the dull metal. Lacquered brass and carved brass are two kinds of work that are done on brass in Jaipur. You can buy statues and decorative pieces of immaculate quality at a good price from Jaipur that will add a class to your drawing room.

Marble Work
This royal city offers the world-class quality of marble work with intricate carvings. The carvings and portraits, shaped in Jaipur, procure a great admiration everywhere. In marble work, you can see the Marble statues of Hindu deities, animals, Human figurines, carved marble bowls and exquisite vases. These are some of the best buys in Jaipur markets.

Woodwork
This pink city has immense variety of handicrafts and to continue the list, here we have woodwork. The fine quality of woodwork in Jaipur embraces carved doors, windows, drawer chests, picture frames and mirror frames. The delicate handcrafted woodwork of Jaipur has an antique look as they are crafted on traditional lines.

The local markets along Jauhari Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar, Chaura Rasta and Tripolia Bazaar will provide you every handicraft of this pink city. One must bargain while buying things from the local bazaars of Jaipur to get the maximum value of your money. Running short of time, not to worry, to serve you all, under one roof, Government of Rajasthan has made emporiums where you will find everything. These emporiums are located on M.I. Road to serve you the best of Jaipur.