Jaipur to host Bird Fair at Jal Mahal

Your interest and enjoyment of bird watching gets its wings!! For all Bird Lovers coming 5th & 6th February the favorite hotspot ‘Jal Mahal‘ will be your destination as once again it’s time for the annual Bird Fair in Pink City.

JalMahal, the place where you would just love to sit by and watch the magical lake, mesmerizing architecture and the chirping of beautiful birds; domestic and foreign.

It’s time to get your binoculars, cameras and gather at Jal Mahal to soak in the wonderful sights and sounds of birds

Jodhpur turns birdwatchers’ paradise

Rajasthan has already become a bird lovers’ paradise after the renovation of  prime lakes and ponds of the state . Given the spurt in the number of migratory birds at various locations this year, not just ornithologists, even ordinary birdwatchers and environmentalists are upbeat and are looking forward to the state being harnessed as a destination for bird lovers.

Every winter Jodhpur attracts thousands of migratory birds from foreign lands, demoiselle cranes being vast in number. Khichan, a village in Phalodi tehsil of Jodhpur is known for a large number of demoiselle cranes that visit it every winter. This annual bird migration began with around a hundred cranes in the 1970s, when a local couple started feeding pigeons. Other villagers joined their efforts, and as of 2014, Khichan hosted over 30,000 demoiselle cranes from as early as August each year to as late as March of the following year.

This year they’ve broken the record by crossing the count of 80 thousand demoiselle cranes making the Khichan village of Jodhpur a prime destination for birdwatchers !

 

Vintage & Classic Car Rally enthralled Pink City

 

Narrating a legacy which just couldn’t be ignored, the motive force in the mission to uphold quaint old cars, Rajputana Automotive Sports Car Club enamoured the Pink City of Jaipur with historical and exotic cars from the past, all at one place for display  on 23^rd and 24^th January,  at the 18^th Vintage and Classic Car Rally 2016.

Organized in association with Department of Tourism, Rajasthan, the two days’ event brought together the aristocratic car collectors and owners in Jaipur. The 18th Vintage and Classic Cars Rally is an annual event which takes place in the capital city of Rajasthan having participation of iconic cars that dates back to the early century. Sparkling bright in their full glory, the Royal and Vintage Cars in Jaipur was a feast for eyes of the common people on weekend.

With 102 participating cars from Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai, the Vintage and Classic Car exhibition was inaugurated for display and judging by Hon’ble Minister of Public Works Department & Transport, Government of Rajasthan, Mr. Yunus Khan at Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur .

Hundreds of entries had been received this time, the oldest machine on wheels being n Austin Chami from the year 1922, while Veteran cricketer Ravi Shastri’s  Audi, Mr. Ashok Gupta’s Rolls Royce and Hollywood’s Mountbatten were other major highlights.   Many of the cars participated in the Rally for the first time, confirming that their restoration effort remains in top gear. Among the listed entries were products from, Austin, Dodge, Pontiac, Chrysler, Chevrolet, Buick, Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

On Sunday, 24th January, the rally started from Jai Mahal Palace, Jacob Road, Jaipur, at 10.30 am after it was flagged off by the MLA, President of BJP Rajasthan, Mr Ashok Parnami. The vintage beauties then cavalcaded through Albert Hall and major streets of jaipur reaching back to the venue. The event was concluded by prize distribution on the basis of maintenance, originality, performance and restoration. Princess Diya Kumari’s  1956 model Wonderbird won the “Conquers elegance the classics” award and Businessman Mr. Vivel Goenka’s Packard from the year 1934 won the title of most original car in the Rally.

 

The Royal Umaid Bhawan Palace of Jodhpur is named world’s best hotel

This is the first time in history when the World’s Best Hotel is coming from the state of royal Rajasthan. Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan palace has won the Travellers’ Choice award of ‘Top Hotel in the World’ by Trip Advisor.

Set in the serene desert land of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan palace stands as an oasis of hospitality and warm Rajput charm. The Palace is one of the largest private residences in the world which was built  for Maharaja Umaid Singhji in the year 1943. Set amid lush gardens, with 64 hotel rooms and suites the royal palace echoes eras of traditions and offers the finest of Rajput hospitality and gives a memorable experience for the guests.

Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur has bagged not only the topmost position in the top hotels category in India and the world, but also won the most number of awards (7) by an Indian hotel across categories.

So whenever you are visiting Rajasthan, plan a holiday to taste this royal luxury!

Zee Jaipur Literature Festival kicked off amid vivid colors of Rajasthan

Taking along all the paparazzi, speculations and expectations, the 9^th annual ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival (January 21-25, 2016) kicked off amid soulful classical music wafted through the winter breeze at its favourite venue, luminous, sun kissed Diggi Palace, Jaipur by Rajasthan Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje along with the guest of honour Booker winner, Canadian poet, novelist and critic Margaret Atwood.

Jaipur Literature Festival, although, nourishes narratives and nurtures a fabulous literary community but also brings in a spontaneous momentum and energy in the Pink City for five days. Today, the festival saw a tremendous blend of celebrity participations, fashion updates and much more than just literature.

The vivid colors at Diggi Palace

Talking about this year’s decoration, the vibrant Rajasthani puppets of all sizes appearing right from the entrance to the main lawn dazzled the visitors from each corner. Well, it doesn’t matter how dazzling the single literary stars be, the all decked Diggi palace eclipsed them all today. Draped in dramatic, pinks, oranges and blues, glinting with Rajasthani leheriya, bedecked with attractive jewels of food, books and beverages stalls, festooned with colourful Rajasthani Puppets and more puppets , and crossed and re-crossed by trails of  hippy fashionistas and long booted wonderful people, it’s a no overstatement that all the litterateurs of the world are digging on Diggi today!

Charisma of Celebrities

The celebrities from B town to theatre, the renowned Rajasthani folk artists to international band players all flocked the festival. The special one was the session of renowned author Ruskin Bond. Besides, some celebrities were invited speakers while others were guests and performers, each celebrity appearance was giving a heavy voice to the event.

Aromas and flavours of Rajasthan

What caught our attention apart from the literature was Food Zone!! The entire lawn was filled with the tempting aromas of various cuisines of Rajasthan and beyond. The Diggipuri Ki Chai is a must try, which instantly energises and instigates a desire for another cup of the tea. A visit to these inviting stalls at the food zone as well as book stalls was a perfect treat in between while shuffling sessions.

In spite of being a weekday, the First day of ZEE Jaipur Literature festival was tremendously crowded that at certain point of time it had become very difficult to stand and find place to sit for the readings.

Yes, termed as Asia’s leading literature event, ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival is a celebration of national and international writers which will host speakers from 20 countries. The festival programme with readings, talks, book lunches, debates, performances, school kids workshops and exciting activities is also the best place for self branding and virtual Social Networking!

Selfies and more Selfies !

Oh Ya Selfies !! Every second turn of the all decked Diggi Palace was a venue for selfie freaks! Pouts and poses made it more fun for the entire day at Jaipur Literature Festival. And the vibrant and lively puppets made for a wonderful backdrop for colorful JLF Selfies.

Cultural Bonanza

 

The cultural and Musical evening is just about begin at Hotel Clarks Amer Jaipur. Rajasthan’s famous folk performing artists Kutle Khan Project  and international musicians Yom & Wang Li are going to perform tonight for the guests.

This is all from the day one,  tomorrow once again the colorful puppets of Rajasthan would welcome you to ‪#‎ZeeJLF and the folk dance of Rajasthan will perk up your morning, you can pick up the newspapers from the stack and go by the Indigo Standard Time to spend your day there, or you could serenely read the schedule and begin your day by watching some enlightening literati talk!

 

 

The Brand New Logo, Ads and Website of Rajasthan Tourism

(Image: Youtube)

Did you see a camel with birds flying or a royal moustache Man with raised eye brows? Oh well that’s the new logo and advertisement of Rajasthan Tourism! The Rajasthan Tourism also has a new tagline that says “Jane Kya Dikh Jaye”

Screenshot: Rajasthan Tourism Website

The new advertisements and this remodelled logo primarily shows not the actual Rajasthan but some unexplored destinations of the state – those places which represent vibrant blend of grand palaces, stunning forts, diverse culture and virgin landscapes, quiet justifying the “Jane Kya Dikh Jaye” tagline.

This is not all; they have also introduced a series of ads by prefixing the tourist’s name before Rajasthan to appeal to every tourist’s heart from across the globe. Besides the new ads are trying to send out a message that the state of Rajasthan is an ideal travel destination for any time of the year.

The new Rajasthan Tourism website tourism.rajasthan.gov.in opens with attractive photographs of the most picturesque tourist spots around the state. It features the tabs like Discover, Experience, and Plan, which help travellers zero down on their choice of destination and plan their entire trip.

We hope that the new and fresh appeal of Rajasthan Tourism will make you pack your bags for the desert state right now 🙂

We would, however, still say Padharo Mhare Des 🙂

An ode to food @Times Food & Nightlife Awards 2016

This gallery contains 13 photos.

Originally posted on Jaipur Beat:
A typical Jaipurite celebrates food everyday, but some whiles are exceptional. Yes, the most awaited time of the year is when the Pink City waits anxiously for the ‘Food Oscars’ given by Times Food & Nightlife Awards, Jaipur. Jaipur Beat was keenly waiting for this award function too, so that to…

Sawai Madhopur Utsav- Rejoice the richest cultural festival of Rajasthan!

Famed for its spectacular wildlife sanctuary Ranthambhore National Park, which is also home to the world’s oldest documented tiger alive, ‘Machali’ Sawai Madhopur has many other temptations in its pocket to discover. Be it historic Ranthambhore fort (A UNESCO HERITAGE SITE), mesmerising views and refreshing greenery of Kachida valley, the intriguing ruins of Rajbagh which are surrounded by thick forest and picturesque landscapes, sacred Trinetra Temple, famous craft center Dastakar or the delicious Guavas are enough to lure the national or international tourists coming to Sawai Madhopur.

Every region of this rich and colorful land of Rajasthan is deep rooted with varied forms of arts, crafts and cultural extravaganzas and Sawai Madhopur offers the same.

Though founded in 19^th January by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh in the year 1763, the year 2016 will be marked in the history books of Sawai Madhopur as from its 253^rd Foundation day celebration, Sawaimadhopurutsav to become an annual feature making a prominent place on Rajasthan state’s tourism map.

The foundation day celebration will go for two days, i.e  on 19^th -20^th January, 2016. The two day colorful extravaganza will showcase the culture, traditions, sports, heritage, music, paintings, photography and a lot more.

Program Schedule-

file:///Users/anisha/Downloads/Program_at_a_glance.pdf

Experience the great outdoors and have a great holiday like never before, in the magical environs of Sawai Madhopur! The destination that pulls the attention of myriad wildlife lovers and photographers every year.

So, ditch all those fancy foreign locations as culturally rich Sawai Madhopur has a lot more to charm the visitors with its rustic essence and quaint surroundings. Meet the locals who are beautiful and kind. It’s time to make a memory of a lifetime.

Enjoy the vibrant Sawai Madhopur Utsav happening from tomorrow!!

 

 

2nd Edition Of The Rajasthan International Film Festival Starts Tomorrow

With the success of the Jaipur International Film Festival earlier this month, it’s time to host the much larger and extravagant Rajasthan International Film Festival 2016.

The 2^nd edition of the RIFF starts from 17^th January 2016 and will go on till 20^th January 2016. The 4 day festival will showcase some of the best feature films, documentaries and short films portraying different cultures, languages and identities. The theme on which the festival will revolve around this year is Cinema: Village and Global Village.

In addition, the film festival will also feature concerts, seminars, workshops, gala events, etc. Come and be a part of the 2^nd Rajasthan International Film Festival (RIFF 2016) from 17^th – 20^th January 2016 at Cinepolis, World Trade Park, Jaipur. For more details refer to the 4 day schedule given below –

Images via http://www.riffjaipur.org/

Indulge In Some ‘Patang Bazi’ On The Festival Of Makar Sankranti

The festival of Kites – Makar Sankranti is celebrated all across in different styles and forms. The Kite Festival is often referred to as the harvest festival because this is the time when harvesting is completed and people get together to celebrate.

Looking at the scientific significance – every eighth year, Makar Sankranti is shifted by a day due to postpone in the revolution of the Earth around the Sun, thus this year the festival is being celebrated on 15^th January 2016.  And from this day onwards, winter is relieved slowly.  With the onset of clear skies and pleasant breeze everyone is seen in a jubilant mood. Where some people prefer celebrating the joy of this auspicious occasion by bathing in the holy waters of Ganga, Yamuna, etc. and doing a meritorious acts of donating and offering the needy utensils, clothes, food, etc; some simply enjoy by engaging into kite flying and soaring the sky!

As food is important to any festival, there are special preparations like Til Ke Laddoo, Dal Pakodi, Gajar Ka Halwa, Fini/ Phini, Gajak and other delicacies in every house of Rajasthan.

The festival does not end with the setting of the Sun. As the dusk approaches, kites are replaced with paper lamps and lanterns, and the night sky glows in its beauty.

Image credit http://www.sandeepachetan.com

So, come and experience the fabulous festival of kites in the Pink City of Jaipur on 15^th January 2016, to see the huge kites and indulge in some real ‘patang bazi’.

Happy Makar Sankranti 🙂