Archive for November 15th, 2009

Besides Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur are the two major cities in Rajasthan.

Jodhpur

Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan It is a major tourist attraction, famous for its magnificent forts and palaces; the city is towered over by the colossal Mehrangarh fort. It is delightful with its wealth of historic attractions and colorful markets specializing in antiques. It is one of the leading centers of trade in wool, cattle, camels and salt.

Marwar Festival: – The pulsating Marwar festival held once a year brings to life, the very spirit, that is Rajasthan.

Some of the interesting sites to visit-

Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Clock Tower.

Jaswant Thada.

Mehrangarh Fort.

Desert National Park.

Wood Fossil Park.

Mahamandir Temple.

Kailana Temple.

Jaisalmer Fort

Situated to the west of Jodhpur Jaisalmer has played an important role in Indian history. Jaisalmer is Rajasthan at its striking and colorful best with its forts and palaces of overwhelming grandeur and whimsical appeal. Jaisalmer is a place to simply wander and enjoy. The old city was formerly completely surrounded by an broad wall, only Some of it remains, including the city gates and the massive fort inside. The key market area is directly underneath the hill. The new palace, some shops and offices are near the Amar Sagar Gate to the west.

Desert Festival: - Desert Festival is the ideal occasion to take a peek into the royal past and rich cultural heritage of Jaisalmer. The festival offers an impressive spectacle of folk dances, traditional songs and a variety of competitions that practically set Jaisalmer on fire.

Udaipur

Located in the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan, Udaipur is calledthe city of Lakes. The city is famed for its palaces, museums, lakes, temples, and much more. Set on the edge of three lakes Pichola, Fateh Sagar and Udai Sagar the city is an oasis in the desert.

Craft Bazaar: - The Shilp Gram (Craft Bazaar) is located just 3 km off Udaipur. It is a great place to see the handicrafts of western India. a 10-day festival from December 15 is organized every year, which is a treat for the tourists interested in handicrafts.

Mewar Festival: - The arrival of spring brings the Mewar festival on April 7-8. This festival is full of Rajasthani songs, dances, parades, devotional music and fireworks. A convoy of boats on the Pichola Lake is a fitting culmination to this wonderful celebration.

Some interesting sites

City Palace.

Jag Mahal Palace.

Shiv Niwas Palace.

Lake Palace.

Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal Museum.

Pichola Lake.

Lake Fateh Sagar.

Lake Udai Sagar.

Pushkar Mela

Pushkar Mela and you can say Pushkar ka Mela, is largest camel fair in world’s celebrated on Kartika Purnima during October and November for twelve days. Brahma, the universe Creator, was cursed by Shiva not to be worshipped. Though there is no cult of Brahma, he is invoked in all the major and minor sacred ceremonies. And Pushkar is the only place in India where Brahma is worshipped in a living shrine. The Pushkar Lake is believed to have had a miraculous origin. According to a legend, a demon called Vajra Nabha, living at Pushkar had killed the children of Brahma. In revenge, Brahma killed him with a lotus stalk. As he did so, petals from the lotus flower fell at three places in Pushkar where three lakes arose, Jyeshtha the main one, Madhyama the middle one and Kanishtha, the smaller one.