Revel in the royal festivities with Jodhpur Marwar Festival 2018

The most promising and culturally rich Jodhpur festival is the Jodhpur Marwar Festival. It is held every year in memory of the heroes of Rajasthan. Originally known as the Maand Festival, Marwar Festival is held in the month of Ashwin i.e. September and October. Scheduled for 23rd and 24th October 2018, the festival enthralls the tourists with spectacular activities, sports and musical performances for two days.
The main attraction of this festival is the folk music centered on the romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan’s rulers and the heroic tales of chivalrous soldiers who died in the battlefield with bravery.

The music and dance of the Marwar region is the main theme of this festival. The folk dancers and singers assemble at the festival and provide lively entertainment. These folk artists give the spectators an insight of the days of yore, through their songs.

Among other attractions at the festival, is the camel tattoo show and polo. The venue of this festival includes the famous Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh Fort.

Disclaimer: All images via Rajasthan Tourism Official website

Jodhpur’s Sardar Government Museum Got a Facelift

The beautiful blue hues, the grand palaces and lavish hotels, Jodhpur is in itself a paradise. Imagine waking up to the rays to sun falling on you at a place from where the sun seems to rise. Known as the Sun City, Jodhpur is the gateway to the Thar Desert. Not just the palaces and hotels, Jodhpur is also quite famous for numerous museums it holds.

Well, the blue city is calling out the museum fans! Culture, history, animals or books, the Sardar Government Museum in Jodhpur is the way to go. Standing tall amidst the Umaid Bagh, built by Maharaja Umaid Singh and named after his father Maharaja Sardar Singh, the place is simply just lit!

With thousands and thousands of finest of objects at display, Sardar Government Museum is a treasure beyond comparison. The museums takes you on a journey to introduce you to the rich culture, the undying history and tales valour of the people of Jodhpur by the means of artefacts, coins and paintings miniatures, terracotta and so on.  Sardar Government Museum also houses a grand collection of arms among many other objects.

The museum is one of the rare ones to have a library and a zoo. Sadly because of negligence, the museum lost its charm. But with great efforts done lately, it went through a phase of restoration and conservation and is now open again for the public after the inauguration ceremony held earlier this month. We are glad that the museum is now back at being the diamond that it was meant to be.

If you are a keen historian or someone whom the cultural history of places interests, or simply a traveller, we highly recommend you to visit the gem on the lands of the blue city for an experience like never before.

 

Images via Google.

A Trip To The Museums Of Rajasthan On International Museum Day

For a state that is rich in its culture, traditions, history and heritage, museums have been the only source to safeguard and preserve the artefacts of the bygone era and further, thus leading to become an important part of our society.

International Museum Day which is celebrated every year on May 18 is the occasion to raise awareness on how important museums are in the development of society. Keeping in mind how these museums have been an important part of cultural exchange, cooperations and mutual understanding among people and the countries for a positive development, the theme of International Museum Day this year is “Hyperconnected museums: New approaches, new publics”.

On International Museum Day let’s take a trip to the famous museums of Rajasthan that form an intrinsic part of the tourist attractions.

1. Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur

Established in the year 1876 to welcome Prince of Wales, this is the oldest museum in the state of Rajasthan. It is full of rare and tastefully decorated collection of various displayed objects, arms and carpets. The main attractions include the Persian carpets, coins, jewellery and costumes from different period of history and an Egyptian mummy.

2. City Palace Museum, Jaipur

Also known as Sawai Man Singh Museum, it houses the largest and finest collection of arms in India. The sword of Maharaja Man Singh which weighs about 5 kgs is one of the attractive exhibits.

3. City Palace Museum, Udaipur

The main part of the City Palace complex is open to the tourists as the City Palace Museum. It rooms historical paintings of which several are of the battle of Haldighati. Except this, the museum also rooms a remarkable collection of miniatures. It has a unique depiction of the architectural and artistic evolution of Mewar through centuries.

Image via Google

4. Mehrangarh Museum Trust

The Mehrangarh Museum showcases the heritage of the Marwar. The museum houses an exquisite collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, armaments and costumes.

5. Chitrashala, Bundi

Bundi is famous for its wall paintings and tourists from all around the world visit to see this intricate piece of art. The Garh Palace is host to ‘Chitrashala’ where the walls and ceilings are embellished with miniature paintings and are still in its original form.

These are some of the main museums which caught our attention. Though every city in the royal state of Rajasthan has its own addition to history, culture and tradition and has preserved it in their respective cities.

 

Let’s Celebrate the Heritage of Rajasthan On World Heritage Day

World Heritage Day is not just a day to cherish the beautiful monuments around us. The day which is celebrated every year on April 18 is meant to raise awareness to protect our history and culture. International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is the one behind the idea of celebrating a day called International Day for Monuments and Sites. The day came to be known as World Heritage Day and is celebrated by countries that are members of UNESCO.

The theme for World Heritage Day 2018 is ‘Heritage for Generations’. It has been decided keeping in mind the fact that communication across the generations of heritage practitioners generates enriching exchanges by combining the knowledge with the energy and dynamism thus bringing a more holistic approach. Rajasthan is globally popular for its rich heritage of architecture and culture. Having some of the best forts, palaces and monuments in cities like Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur which are till date maintained in really good conditions are very precious to the lives of Rajasthani’s.

Today we want to remind everyone that our heritage needs to be protected. This is an important step towards maintaining the beauty of our state and keeping the spirit of Rajasthan alive forever.

1) Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

Recognized as the World Heritage Site, this observatory fascinates the visitors with the collection of various astronomical instruments which were used earlier to know the correct timings through the movement of celestial bodies.

2) Chittorgarh Fort, Chittor

One of the largest forts of India, it is the true epitome of Rajputana pride and vigour. This massive fort though being attacked thrice by the enemies, couldn’t take over the powerful people of this place. The fort of Chittorgarh is known for its own beauty and uniqueness.

3) City Palace, Udaipur

The grandness of this palace can be seen, as it took almost 400 years to construct this complex. The attractiveness of this palace is shown more effectively as it is surrounded by Lake Pichola. This magnificent palace stands as a fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.

Picture courtesy: myudaipurcity.com

4) Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

One of the largest private residences in the world, it is the house of the erstwhile Jodhpur royal family. Not only being a private residence, it also provides the chance to experience the royal and luxurious life at the Taj Palace Hotel in Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur.

 

 

5) Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace Of Winds is situated in the capital city of the state of Rajasthan. Its walls of pink colour give a hint of the Pink City – Jaipur. It was constructed especially for the royal women to be a part of the festivities, as they were secluded from the society by ‘parda’ system. Having its own history, today it gets a worldwide recognition.

6) Chand Baori, Abhaneri

A 13 storey step well is one of the oldest and most attractive landmarks of Rajasthan. Constructed mainly to conserve water in the dry arid desert of Rajasthan is an architectural wonder in itself.

7) Amer Fort

Amer or Amber Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is among the most visited places in Jaipur. The fort situated high on a hill overlooking the Maota Lake is spread over a vast area with four levels. Every evening, the fort hosts a spellbinding Light and Sound Show as a part to boost night tourism. With a blend of folk music, the show brings to life the legends, history, traditions and cultures of the Rajputs.

8) City Palace Jaipur

Located in the heart of the old city of Jaipur, City Palace was built in the 18th Century. The Palace is a blend of Rajput, Mughal and European styles of architecture. Within the premises, one will find many gardens, ravishing courtyards and a museum displaying many artefacts from the bygone era. Buildings like Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Maharani Palace add to the allure of the Palace. Their richly crafted walls and ceiling, marble flooring and the mirror work are just an addition to the beauty of the palace. Govind Dev Ji temple, which is in the palace premises, is also a major tourist attraction and sees a heavy footfall daily.

These are only a few to mention, but when you come to the land of royals, there will be many to add on to the list.

Radisson Hotel opens in Jodhpur

The renowned brand in hospitality- Radisson  opened its doors to the magnificent Blue City of Jodhpur on Wednesday. The hotel is the first Radisson to open in the city.

Located in the center of Jodhpur, the hotel is all set to serve discerning guests with its signature Yes I Can! ^SM service philosophy. Positioned to be a preferred hotel in the upscale segment and the first choice among leisure and business travelers, the hotel is situated two kilometers from the airport and four kilometers from the railway station. It is situated within a radius of five kilometers from international tourist attractions like Umaid Palace, Birkha Bawari Stepwell, Mehrangarh Fort, Ghanta Ghar and Mandore Garden.

Spread over around 70,000 square feet, the hotel’s architecture is reminiscent of Rajasthan’s erstwhile culture and style. The hotel constitutes 96 rooms across Superior, Business Class, Studio Suites, Single Bedroom Suite, Two Bedroom Duplex Suites and Presidential Suite categories. Business Class Rooms include a separate living room and Deluxe Suites feature bathtub, powder room, microwave and TV in the separate living room. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art fitness center with modern equipment and a spa service with two treatment rooms for a rejuvenating stay.

Radisson Jodhpur offers a wide selection of delightful dining options including Ekatra, a multicuisine all-day-dining restaurant serving delicacies from around the globe; Abhiras, a rooftop Indian specialty restaurant with modern potpourri of cuisines strewn across India; J Bar, an exclusive terrace grill and bar featuring unique bar-be-que innovations paired with international and IMFL liquor blends and 1459, the confectioneries and pastry shop at the lobby level.

Radisson Jodhpur boasts over 30,000 square feet of total meeting space comprising three banquet halls. Equipped with high-speed, wireless internet and audio-visual support, the meeting space is ideal for corporate conferences, contemporary wedding receptions, reunions and more. The banquet facilities at the hotel also feature a party lawn spread over an area of approximately 14,000 square feet for organising stylish parties.

Jodhpur RIFF 2017 Begins Today

The 5 day annual cultural extravaganza, Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) starts today. The festival is organized to coincide with Hindu festival Sharad Purnima which is a full-moon night. The imposing Mehrangarh Fort of Sun City Jodhpur is the venue of the event like every year. Jaswant Thada will also host some of the events.

2017 is the UK and India cultural year. To celebrate this, The Spree (Paisley) Twins will perform tomorrow. Many foreign artists are collaborating with local performers to present never seen before acts. More than 350 international artists will grace the event with their unforgettable performances. Traditional folk music by Bhil tribe will be one of the highlights.

Today, the festival started with a Children’s Folk Morning which was meant for school groups only. The real fun will begin at opening night tonight. Tonight you will get to witness traditional Rajasthani folk performances from 8:30 pm to 10 pm.

The weekend is close so don’t miss this much awaited folk festival!

This new airline service will make you forget the train travel within Rajasthan

Now flying for your business trips or your family reasons has become affordable with Supreme Airlines! Forget those waiting train tickets, tatkal rushes and long train journeys between Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Bikaner!

 

Supreme Air Lines is the recently introduced airlines which operates intra-state flights for six days in a week with 9-seater plane Sesana Caravan-C 208B. Its flights operate among major cities of Rajasthan for air service to tourists, businessmen and others at cheaper rates.

The flight starts from Jaipur at 10:15 AM to reach Jodhpur at 11:30 AM and fly back at 11:45 AM hours from Jodhpur to reach Jaipur at 13:00 PM. At 4:30 PM, the plane flies from Jaipur to reach Udaipur at 6:00 PM and fly back at 6:15 PM from Udaipur to reach Jaipur 7:45 PM. For both these flights, minimum airfare has been fixed at Rs. 3,499 per ticket.

Apart from that, if you are flying with your family, business colleagues and friends flying becomes affordable with Supreme Charters. If you are a group of 8/9 passengers planning for optimum utilization of your time and resources, Supreme offers the most apt charter aircraft for your trip. More than 8/9 passengers can also be accommodated in multiple Cessna Caravan aircrafts operated by Supreme Charters.

Regular business travelers and tourists are getting a boost with the launch of this air connectivity service in Rajasthan. Destinations like Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur of world-class tourism, religious, historical and heritage importance could be visited in less travel time out of these air operations by Supreme Airlines .

Bookings are available on airport and major air travel sites! Happy flying 🙂

Visit: Supreme Air Lines

 

A New Artistic Look and the Glory Anthem; Jodhpur Railway Station has new surprises for the tourists

A traveler loves to keep moving forward, visiting new places, and doing new things, because he’s curious and curiosity keeps leading him down new countries, new cities! If we ask, what is that one thing that immediately catches your attention and influences your views about the city you land in? Off course the look of its Railway Station or Airport! Right?

To delight the tourists coming to Rajasthan, the state tourism department has come up with an initiative to revamp its various Railway Stations with attractive and vibrant traditional art work and Rajasthani paintings. Following the Railway Stations of Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur and Bikaner, now Jodhpur joins the group!!

Jodhpur Railway Station has been around since 1885 to be precise. And now it gets a brand new look with colorful and artistic paintings all over to amaze the tourists in Blue City!

To change the look of this ancient station of Rajasthan, regional artwork has been painted on its ceilings, walls and pillars. Mesmerizing geometrical flowers, kings, queens and royal lifestyle are depicted, making the station look both colorful and artistic.

As Jodhpur is a major tourist destination, this effort will sure be appreciated by tourists. Moreover, it is also a matter of pride for the localites, not just to see tourism department trying to bring something new but also to see their local art being promoted in such a beautiful way.

This is not all, Jodhpur rail division has also penned and composed its glory song and this has been prepared by rail personnel themselves. The song is played at the station occasionally!

Isn’t it exciting!!  Wouldn’t you want to visit the Blue City for its all new and artistically done Railway Station?

Jodhpur’s “Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF)” is here to spark up the moods!

On chilling October evenings, when the sun is setting and the sky is filled with orange and reddish hues, you hear light music passing by your ears and the wind embracing your skin gently.  Everybody wrapped in shawls and sweaters, occupying their place on the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, and listening to the enthralling music of Rajasthani Folk musicians. This is exactly how the setting of Jodhpur’s Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) is, which is conducted every year in and around Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort.

Image via Google

Jodhpur RIFF is among the world’s top 25 music concerts which soak you totally into Rajasthani culture. This year, the fest is being conducted from 13^th to 17^th October. The event goes on from day to night where talented performers showcase their area of expertise and enthrall the spectators. From Rajasthani folk music to traditional dances, from circus acts to plays, everything keeps people engaged throughout.

Image via Google

The Festival should not to be missed by anyone because this can only be experienced once in a year. The schedule for this year’s RIFF is as below:

Date	Event(s)	Time	Venue
13-Oct	Children’s Folk Morning	9.30 AM to 2.00 PM	Veer Durgadas Memorial Park, Jodhpur
	Opening Night – Variety City Concert	8.30 PM to 10.00 PM
14-Oct	1)      Jodhpur RIFF DAWNS with the Meghwal of Marwar	5.30 AM to 7.30 AM	Jaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort)
	2)      Kahaniyan Kahan hai?	11.00 AM to 1.00 PM	Chokelao Bagh (Mehrangarh Fort)
	3)      Living Legends I	5.45 PM to 7.15 PM	Lift Terrace (Mehrangarh Fort)
	4)      MOODY RIFF	7.45 PM onwards	Old Zenana Courtyard (Mehrangarh Fort)
	5)      Desert Lounge (all acoustic, traditional – from Rajasthan)	11.30pm onwards	Rao Jodha Park (Mehrangarh Fort)
15-Oct	1)      RIFF DAWNS with Bhaga Khan Manganiyar	5.30 AM to 7.30 AM	Jaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort)
	2)      Where do we go from here? An interaction with the next generation of Langa and Manganiyar musicians and their teachers. In Residence II – a series of interactive sessions with our custodians of culture	11.00 AM to 1.00 PM	Chokelao Bagh (Mehrangarh Fort)
	3)      Living Legends II	5.45 PM to 7.15 PM	Lift Terrace (Mehrangarh Fort)
	4)      STRINGS and BEATS	7.45 PM onwards	Old Zenana Courtyard (Mehrangarh Fort)
	5)      CLUB MEHRAN	11.30 PM onwards	Venue to be confirmed
16-Oct	1)      RIFF DAWNS with Smita Bellur	5.30 AM to 7.30 AM	Jaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort)
	2)      Winds of the Thar – The aero-phonic instruments of Rajasthan In Residence III – a series of interactive sessions with our custodians of culture	11.00 AM to 1.00 PM	Chokelao Bagh (Mehrangarh Fort)
	3)      MOONRISE SPECIAL	5.30 pm to 7.00 pm	Jaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort)
	4)      INSIGHTS	7.30 PM onwards	Old Zenana Courtyard (in Mehrangarh Fort)
	5)      RIFF Rustle at Club Mehran with Ben Walsh and a pick of Rajasthani and international artists from the festival	11.30 PM onwards	Old Zenana Courtyard (in Mehrangarh Fort)
17-Oct	RIFF DAWNS with Jasleen Kaur Monga and Gurmat sangeet	5.30 AM to 7.30 AM	Jaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort)

For more information, please visit http://www.jodhpurriff.org/index.php

Intra-state flights from Jaipur to Jodhpur and Udaipur to operate from next week

Those who all are travelling to Rajasthan can take a sigh of relief now as there will be enhancement in air connectivity between major tourist destinations in Rajasthan. The flight would start from Jaipur to Jodhpur in the first phase and then Udaipur the next week. Major sectors such as tourism, heritage and business will definitely get boosted with the launch of this air-connectivity service in the state.

Image via Google

The intra-state 9-seater plane would operate for 6 days in a week. The schedule will be:

DEPARTURE	TIME	ARRIVAL	TIME
Jaipur	10.15 AM	Jodhpur	11.30 AM
Jodhpur	11.45 AM	Jaipur	1.00 PM
Jaipur	4.30 PM	Udaipur	6.00 PM
Udaipur	6.15 PM	Jaipur	7.45 PM

Minimum airfare for the same has been fixed at Rs 3,499 per ticket.

So, when are visiting us again? 🙂