Rajasthan’s first Citizen- Airline Partnership flights to begin from today| Jaisalmer

Recently, airlines have discontinued flight connectivity to Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer being a tourist destination of Rajasthan has 60% of its economy dependent on tourism. The block in the air connectivity would further affect the tourism footfall in Jaisalmer, drastically . In post-Covid-19 times, the citizens of Jaisalmer and the tourism fraternity have come together to face this challenge. An NGO of Jaisalmer’s working towards the transformation of Jaisalmer into a resilient, self-sustaining community, hosted a series of conversations with the State and Central Government, District Administration and the Airline company to sign an MoU that will ensure flight connectivity to Jaisalmer.

This first of its kind Citizen-Airline Partnership will ease tourism and bring self-reliance to the city by strengthening its socio-economic ecosystem. The city of Jaisalmer and local administration have also started massive cleanliness drives to welcome tourists in a much cleaner heritage city.

SpiceJet reopens flight bookings for routes Delhi-Jaisalmer-Delhi (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and Ahmedabad-Jaisalmer-Ahmedabad (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) starting 12 February 2021.

Ropeway to Savitri Mata Temple Pushkar

Rajasthan, known as the Land of Kings is famous for its architectural marvel, either its forts, palaces or the magnificent temples which reflect the rich Indian history and culture. So, if you are planning a trip to Rajasthan, consider going to Pushkar, one of the oldest cities in India. It is also one of the five pilgrimage sites for the Hindu in a small town near Ajmer.

It has many religious sites and picturesque gems hidden for both, the devotees and tourists. One such place is the Savitri Mata Temple which attracts millions of tourists every year. The temple is one of the gems of Pushkar city located at a high altitude on a hillock amidst expansive greenery. Located near the popular Brahma Temple, only one in India, it is said a trip to Pushkar is incomplete without a visit to both the Brahma temple as well as Savitri Mata temple, not only for religious reasons but also for the majestic views. The view from the Savitri Temple is literally the best viewpoint in Pushkar!

Now imagine you can take the ropeway to the Savitri Temple too which is constructed at such a great height and offers unparalleled views.

It gives a bird’s eye view of the entire town of Pushkar. The ropeway has been making the holy journey to the temple convenient and memorable with its aerial passenger ropeway system erected on difficult terrain. The Aerial Ropeway constructed at a height of 202 metres, covers a distance of 720 meters in just 6 minutes, easing the strenuous climb for all age-groups of devotees and letting them be close to the divine. Ropeway has been built and continues to be operated and maintained by Damodar Ropeway & Infra Limited.

So, are you ready to rope your way to Savitri Mata Temple to witness the panoramic and scenic view of Pushkar?

Rajasthan Monuments re-open after 2 months of closure!

The Rajasthan government has announced that with restrictions being lifted under Lockdown 5.0, it will be reopening monuments under its archaeology and museum department for tourists. Starting from Monday, 1st June 2020 All monuments—except those in containment zones and curfew areas—are now open four days a week for two weeks. Hours will be staggered at first, but from the third week onward, tourists will be able to visit the monuments daily.

Tourism stakeholders have welcomed the government decision to allow reopening of these places but are also concerned as the coronavirus outbreak is still raging.

On the first day of reopening, the tourism department organised cultural performance by folk artistes at 32 monuments in the state including in capital city. It was to mark the reopening of the monuments.

Starting June 1, from when the Centre”s Unlock 1 guidelines come into force, monuments, except those falling in the containment or curfew areas, will open four days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) for the first two weeks and social-distancing protocols will be followed properly.

Tourist travel timing is kept between 9 am to 2 pm in the first week and from 9 am to 1 pm and then 3 pm to 5 pm in second week. They will open daily from the third week. Entry to the 32 ticketed monuments is free in the first and the second week, and 50 per cent ticket amount will be charged from third week, the official said.

Tourism is the lifeline of Rajasthan and a key industry. Reopening of monuments will help the trade and those earning their livelihood from the tourism sector.

The re-opening will also delight the local travellers who are locked down in their homes and wish to visit these monuments.

Raj tourism locks down, all monuments shut from Wednesday, 18th March to 31st March 2020

The state has entered the complete lockdown stage and will close down all historical monuments, including Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort, and other popular spots, starting Wednesday in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will shut all 224 protected sites across the state. It may be noted that the screening of tourists at the major tourist places had been initiated from March 5, coinciding with an Italian tourist couple testing positive for the virus, who had stayed in Jodhpur and also visited the site.

All major fairs and festivals of Rajasthan viz Rajasthan Foundation Day, Gangaur Festival and many more have been canceled by the State Tourism Department till 31st March.
Every year people from all around the world use to come to be a part of these lively celebrations, but due to the prevailing situations and to avoid large gatherings these events have been canceled.

 

Jaisalmer Desert Festival to begin from 7th February 2020

Rajasthan’s much-awaited festival of the year, “Desert Festival” pulls thousands of tourists from across the world to the desert land of Jaisalmer. The festival takes place over the sand dunes that are iconic to the area.

Image via Rajasthan Tourism Official

Jaisalmer Desert Festival is a cultural extravaganza, which is curated specially for tourists and travelers. It showcases the colourful culture of Rajasthan in the backdrop of mundane desert land. The festival offers to witness amazing musical performances, fascinating competitions, unique beauty pageants and decadent local favorites with a showcase of exquisite handicrafts hard to find anywhere else in the world.

The visitors also get to try their hands on entertaining sports and activities like cricket with local sports lovers or a camel ride etc. If adventure, fun and exploring different cultures is your calling then a visit to the sand dunes of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan during the Desert Festival is a must.

The festival goes on for 3 glorious days every year. This year’s dates are 7th -9th February 2020. Follow the schedule given below- 

The augment of blossom: Basant Panchami

Basant Panchami, the fifth day of spring, is celebrated by propitiating Goddess Saraswati.  As she symbolizes the constant flow of wisdom, she also represents the full blossoming of multi-hued Nature, kindling the light of inspiration and hope.

Basant Panchami is also believed as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati. The spring festival of Basant Panchami is specially celebrated in the institutions of learning. As Saraswati is the goddess of learning, Students observe the blessings from Maa Saraswati. Spring is the season when crops are fully bloomed, so people also celebrate this occasion by flying kites.

 

Yellow color is given special attention and dominates everywhere on this particular day. Yellow color is associated with Goddess Saraswati as well as the mustard crop.

 

People wear bright colored clothes; make yellow color sweets on this day of Saraswati Puja. The Goddess of art, learning, knowledge and wisdom, Maa Saraswati is worshipped with full dedication. On this day, People also feed Brahmans with the feeling that their ancestors are accepting the food. Kite-flying has become part of this festival and people really enjoy this event.

Basant Panchami is a festival full of religious, seasonal and social significance. It is celebrated by Hindus all over the world with enthusiasm and a new sense of optimism.

”Incredible India” vintage car rally to cross Udaipur next month

To promote India as a global heritage motoring tourism destination, a nearly 4,000-km expedition of iconic vintage cars will kick off from the national capital on February 17, traversing through 17 historic cities across the country and making several pit stops at royal palaces

The 23-day ”Incredible India Rally” organized by a heritage trust will culminate in the City of Lakes, Udaipur, on March 10 where the participants, comprising nearly 15 global vintage car aficionados and some Indian heritage automobile enthusiasts, will experience the festival of Holi in all its glory.

The ”Incredible India Rally” is being organised by the trust in association with the Ministry of Tourism, he said.

About 150 cars, including 15 from abroad, will be showcased during the Concours d”Elegance at India Gate on February 15 which will then be driven by their proud owners to Karma Lake Lands, Gurgaon.

“Indian culture and heritage motoring are the two strong pillars of our Concours. Both aspects highlight that the 21 Gun Salute vintage cars show is of special importance and attract both participants and visitors. For the past eight years, the event has grown in all aspects to become a magnificent show that attracts tourists and motoring buffs from around the world.

The ”Incredible India Rally” seeks to promote India as a global heritage motoring tourism destination. It will start from Delhi and traverse through Agra, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Gajner, Jaiselmer, Khimsar, Jodhpur, Mt Abu, Rann of Kutch, Mandvi, Rajkot, Gir, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Dungarpur and Udaipur among other historic cities.

“On the way, participants will have 17 pit stops and stay in different cities at palaces and iconic heritage buildings. It will also be a celebration of India”s cultural heritage,” Mohan added.

Jaipur Literature Festival 2020

The Jaipur Literature Festival, famously known as ‘greatest literary show on Earth’, is all set to return for its thirteenth edition from 23^rdto 27^thJanuary 2020. The five-day literary extravaganza promises to bring together a line-up of exemplary speakers from India and across the world at the historic Diggi Palace.

Jaipur Literature Festival is a sumptuous feast of ideas and the past decade has seen it transform into a global literary phenomenon having hosted nearly 2000 speakers and welcoming over a million book-lovers from across India and the globe. For five days, the Pink City is infused with enthusiasm, a riot of colour and infectious energy as literature and art-enthusiasts flock to Jaipur for the Festival. During the Festival days, there are endless places to see, and things to do, some of which include insightful sessions and an exciting and buzzing carnival encapsulating a bookstore, food stalls, a bazaar along with artists at work, and multiple parties hosted on the Festival’s fringes.

Here are some reasons why you would not want to miss out on the thirteenth edition of the festival.

Listen to some of the greatest minds of the world

Jaipur Literature Festival hosts some of the world’s best literary minds and brings them together for several panel discussions and interactions. Experts from diverse fields such as literature, economy, environment, food and science take the stage for stimulating and thought-provoking conversations. Eminent speakers such as recipient of the 2010 Man Booker Prize Howard Jacobson, Pulitzer-winning authors Stephen Greenblatt and Dexter Filkins, celebrated culinary expert Madhur Jaffrey, acclaimed author Elizabeth Gilbert, and leading Indian film director Vishal Bhardwaj, are amongst the first few announced speakers at the Festival for the 2020 edition – so be there to be a part of some life-changing and inspirational sessions!

Book-signings and an opportunity to meet your favourite authors

For all those literature enthusiasts who have spent days glued to books, turning one page after another captivated by the magic of a well-written novel- the Jaipur Literature Festival offers the perfect opportunity to meet your favourite authors in person. Besides attending noteworthy sessions and witnessing book launches, the Festival also has book-signing kiosks at all venues where you can grab that rare signed copy and earn bragging rights!

Art, Culture – Memories Galore!

In addition to being a platform for conversations related to literature and books, the Festival also gives the opportunity to its visitors to experience various forms of art and music. From fascinating art installations to beautiful backdrops for the perfect Instagram shot- there is something for everyone. Dance and music performances make the Festival even livelier. For shopping enthusiasts, the annual Festival Bazaar is a must visit as several craftsmen, designers and entrepreneurs display and sell a vast array of hard-to-resist collectible items. Amongst the many things to be bought are embroidered shawls, exquisite minakari jewellery, funky stationery, edgy accessories, spiffy footwear, and exciting home décor.

Morning Music

For those passionate about music, the Festival begins each day with the calming strains of Morning Music.  The stage will be graced by acclaimed artists such as BC Manjunath, an exponent of Konnakoland the mrindangam; sitar maestro and recipient of the President’s Award for the best instrumentalist, Purbayan Chatterjee; leading Carnatic veena-player Saraswati Rajagopalan, and Supriya Nagarajan, a renowned Carnatic vocalist and founder of ‘Manasamitra’.

Heritage Evenings

The Festival will also host a power-packed Heritage Evening at an iconic and historic venue in Jaipur. Supported by Rajasthan Tourism, this majestic evening at Amer Fort will feature a mesmerising performance by Pandit Rajendra Gangani, one of the leading practitioners of the Jaipur Gharana of Kathak. He will pay tribute to the age-old classical dance form, along with an ensemble of Kathak dancers. Les Souffleurs or The Whisperers, an artistic group created by Olivier Comte, will enthrall audiences with a unique production where they whisper poetic secrets into each other’s ears, using a hollow cane. To end the evening on a musical note, world-renowned sitarist Shubhendra Rao will present ‘East Marries West—A Legacy’ as a celebration of his Guru, the sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar’s 100th birth anniversary.  He will be joined by his wife, Saskia Rao-de Haas, who is hailed as a pioneer for introducing the ‘Indian cello’ to classical Indian music.

iWrite at Jaipur BookMark

For all aspiring authors and poets with multiple drafts scribbled behind every notebook and diaries filled with words that you hope will one day be read by the world- ‘iWrite’ by Jaipur BookMark is the perfect platform. After a very successful first edition last year, iWrite is back to inspire literary aspirants. Shortlisted participants get a platform to share their work and receive constructive guidance from international publishers, literary agents, translators and other industry experts in a pitching session at Jaipur during JBM.

Blogging Competition

If you can write compelling copy and want to get close to where the action is, the Jaipur Literature Festival 2020 Blogging Competition is your chance to make that leap. Highlighting the Festival’s core aim to support and promote artistic expression through writing, the Blogging competition will give ten chosen writers a chance to inspire audiences through their words on the Festival’s official blog site. The winners will also be invited to the Festival and cover various sessions from the 23^rd-27^th of January 2020.

The Delegate Experience

While the Festival is open to all, specially-curated Delegate packages guarantee an experience to remember. Delegate-only lunches serve as an opportunity to meet and mingle with like-minded literary enthusiasts and make new connections. The well-stocked Delegate Lounge provides a luxurious reprieve and priority seating on special occasions ensures a close-up view of the Festival.  The Delegate package also includes an invitation to attend the beautiful Heritage Evening at Amer Fort, and a tote to take home. These Delegate Packages range from INR 6,300 per day to INR 23,800 for five days.

Website: www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org

Mount Abu Winter Festival concluded with fanfare

People from across the globe visited the renowned Mount Abu Winter Festival which concluded today at the resplendent hill station. The festival embodied the true cultural and traditional spirit of Rajasthan with mesmerizing dance performances, local sports, processions, activities and much more.

The earlier two days of the festival witnessed numerous attractions, performances, competitions and activities as well. These included – Dog Show, Turban Tying Competition, Mehendi Competition, Best of Rajasthan and Live Musical Performances. Much to the delight of the visitors there were also several competitions between the locals and tourists like – Matka Race and Matka Fod as well as Tug of War. Yet another feature of the festival was a grand procession, which started from the Bus Stop and ended at Nakki Lake.

The concluding day of the festival began with ‘Cycling’ in the morning. This was followed by Mr & Miss Aravali competition in the afternoon and a Heritage Walk in the evening. The evening also witnessed vibrant and colorful cultural performances by Nagar Palika at the  Polo Ground followed by a beautiful display of fireworks in the night at the same venue.

Rajasthan Tourism Beat wishes you a Happy New Year

A very happy and joyful New Year to all our readers. May 2020 bring in the best holidays, experiences and adventures to all of you!  Undoubtedly, we all had a magnificent 2019, thanks to the wonderful destinations, events, and festivals in Rajasthan!

You all have been great readers in all these years. Gear up as you are going to read a lot of exciting news and blogs on this site, which will help you plan your holidays in Rajasthan this year as well.  2019 saw us reporting the latest tourism updates from all over Rajasthan and bringing you up to  Rajasthan cultural event updates and many exclusives!  Several cultural festivals in 2020 are round the corner and this year is again full of celebrations and events in Rajasthan.  So stay tuned to Rajasthan Tourism Beat as we continue to bring you the latest and greatest information from the world of travel and tourism in Rajasthan.

We hope you stick with us as we strive to continue the trend into the next year as well!

Have a fun-filled Year Ahead!