Rajasthan
Rajasthan, the legendary land of Rajas
and Maharajas, is the second largest State of the Indian Union,
comprising a number of former principalities. With an area around
3,42,239 sq. km. and population around 5,64,73,122 this land
offers a wide variety of life. It is a country of sand dunes,
desert and rocks, interspersed with wonderful palaces, impregnable
forts, myriad colors, placid lakes, secluded sanctuaries, gardens,
fertile tracts, forest and superb scenery. The Aravali mountain
range, one of the oldest in the world, divide the country into
ruggest south-east and sterile north-west. It is herein exotic
and spectacular Rajasthan, that time seems to stand still at
some places while moving fast at other places. The spectacular
best of Rajasthan can be seen at its fairs and festivals. Each
season has its plethora of fairs and festivals, is an occasion
of artistic expression of the spirit of its people.
Rajasthan is the home of Rajputs,
the heroic warrior clans who ever preferred death to surrender
and compromise. The origin of Rajputs is difficult to trace,
but it is a historical fact that by the 8th century most of
the Rajputana was under the shelter of the mighty arms of various
Rajputs who served as a bulwark against foreign invasion and
rñaintained the continuity of Indian culture and civilization
and the conservation of Indian arts, architecture and literature.
Jaipur: Fantasy
in Pink
This capital city of Rajasthan, thc fantasy
in pink sandstone is one of the finest planned cities of India.
Not long after ascending the throne, Maharaja Jai Singh 11(1699-1744)
felt the need to shift his seat of administration from Amber
to a new site and so laid out the foundation of Jaipur city
in 1727. Jaipur, the modern capital of Rajasthan is noted for
its six rectangular sections with its broad well paved roads
and streets and spacious Bazaars. The ideal time to visit it
from Sept. to March though even during the rains this city has
its own. ineffable charms. It has the following spots of tourist
interest.
City Palace
In the centre of the sprawling old walled
city stands the City Palace with its ornate entrance gates,
arches, projecting balconies and a series of courtyards. This
former royal residence is a fine synthesis of traditional Rajasthani
Mughal art and architecture. The ground and first floors of
the seven storeys Chandra Mahal houses the Maharaja Sawai Man
Singh II Museum. The museum has rare and rich collection of
ornaments, arms, royal costumes, carpets, and decorative art
objects. It also has some excellent miniature paintings of the
Mughal and Rajasthani schools and illustrated Persian and Arabic
manuscript. Here in the halls of Private and public Audience
have a huge silver vessel, perhaps the largest in the world.
This vessel used to contain pure Ganga Water for royal consumption
when the king would go to visit UK and the continent. In those
times the devout refused to take anything but Gangajal. The
adjoining Jal Niwas Gardens with ornamental fountains and pools
add to the beauty of the palace. The closely artificial lake
abounds in fish and keeps the gardens cool and delectable even
in the oppressive summer months. The palace is open to the visitors
against an entrance fees.
Jantar-Maniar
The Jantar Mantar or the Observatory,
Closely the city palace, is the most famous and elaborate of
the five Maharaja Jai Singh built in different cities. The observatory
best reflects the passion of its founder for astronomy and his
scientific genius. It is anexcellent example that could be achieved
in those times in concrete, the stupendous Samrat Yantra (King
of Dials) is still unrivalled in its accuracy and preciseness.
The observatory is open daily from 9 in the morning till 5 in
the evening and the entry fee is Rupee one only.
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds is another
highlight of Jaipur. This five storey elaborate facade overlooking
the main road, with projecting balconies, was built in 1799
for royal ladies to witness the processions and bustling activity
of every day life of the city without being seen. The top of
the honey comb like frontage of Hawa Mahal offers an excellent
view of the surroundings. It was originally built by Maharaj
Pratap Singh. A nominal entrance fee is charged and the entrance
is from the rear.
The Central Museum
The two-storey Central Museum amidst the
sprawling Ram Niwas Garden is an impressive building. It has
an excellent collection of brassware, ivory carvings, jewellery,
textiles, pottery, sculptures, miniature paintings, costumes
and clay models depicting the scenes of rural Rajásthan.
It is open on all week days except Fridays. Admission fee is
Re I. There is also a zoo in the garden. The zoo houses a variety
of birds and beasts including crocodiles.
Rambagh Palace
This luxurious palace, once a royal garden
resort, is today a luxury hotel with its over 100 beautiful
rooms, corridors, terrace, banquet halls, golf course, terrace,
banquet halls, golf course, tennis courts and an excellent covered
swimming pool. Its Chinese Room and bright red and gold tapestry
and antiques exude an aura of the exotic.
Nahargarh Fort
Believed by many to be the fort containing
the fabulous treasure, this ‘Tiger Fort’, atop a
hill approachable by jeepable road, was built in 1734 by Sawai
Jai Singh and was later enlarged by Sawai Ram Singh II in 1868.
Galta
Said to be the hermitage of the sage Galava
in ancient times, the picturesque george of Galta, with its
sacred water tank, spring and temples can be reached by ascending
a 2.5 km. climb through Suraj Pole (the Sun Gate) in the extreme
east. Hundreds of visitors come to have a dip in the holy tank
and to perform puja in the temples.
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