Experience the grandeur of Jaipur- it’s World Tourism Day

“Which city manages to attract, sustain and grow visitors’ year after year?”

“Which city has a good number of heritage sites in the country?”

“Which city has a rich saga of folklore and tales to tell ?”

“Which city has exquisite culture and heritage that has attracted generations after generations from across the world?”

“Which city has the hospitality tradition ingrained amongst its’ domiciles so deep ?”

Answer to all this is our beloved city- Jaipur

The majestic land of Maharajas, Jaipur in Rajasthan is one of the most vibrant states in India. Well-known for its rich heritage, royal forts and palaces, Rajasthan’s rich food, culture, beautiful locales, and heritage sites, Jaipur is every travel enthusiast’s dream.

The incredible transformation of this city from a royal abode into a sprawling tourism hotspot is not a one-day effort. Jaipur and tourism go hand in hand for its rich heritage and culture that attract tourists from all over the world. As we are celebrating World Tourism Day on 27th September, let’s embrace the tourist mindset to learn and explore the places and people of Jaipur. Because tourism is not just travelling, it is a fresh sense of appreciation for the things that you encounter every day, right where you live. Uncover with us the variety of tourism sectors growing around us-

 

Heritage Tourism

Replete with history, the city of royals symbolizes the pinnacle of Rajasthani cultural excellence and magnificent art in architecture of the streets, lanes, forts, palaces, and monuments.

Heritage places like City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Albert Hall, Jal Mahal, Jantar Mantar never cease to amaze us with its bewitching architecture and not to forget the walled city painted in pink. And, that is the reason UNESCO inscribed Pink City as the World Heritage Site. It does not just stop here; Jaipur is world’s most Instagrammed destination amongst the new UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Having some of the best forts, palaces and monuments which are till date maintained in absolutely good conditions are very precious for the Jaipurites.

Wildlife & Adventure Tourism

Jaipur city has some ultimate wildlife and adventure kind of stuff for adrenaline junkies. One can get up close with leopards and venture deep into the dense Jhalana Forest to encounter elusive Leopard or Nahargarh Biological Park for Lion Safari. The zone of the lion safari lies in the Aravali foothills with hillocks that offer panoramic landscape. One of the most popular tourist attractions to enjoy in Jaipur is an elephant safari. For jeep safari, there is the famous Ranthambore National Park, which is a 3-hour drive from Jaipur. It is home to tigers and Sariska National Park, which is just a 2-hour drive. Those looking for adventure can cycle and trek to the Nahargarh hills, or play golf at the golf or Polo club.

Night Tourism

Jaipur city reveals its true colours at night when it’s drenched with bright colours making it a treat for eyes. The light and sound show at Amber Fort is truly a magical experience, which one should not miss while visiting Jaipur.

Amber Fort, the 16th-century monument turns even more enchanting during the night. The different hues of light give a new perspective to the elegance of the fort.

When the 953 jharokhas of Hawa Mahal aka Palace of Winds are lit up in varied hues at night, the drive around the walled city becomes an illuminated memory forever.

Albert Hall, one of the oldest museums of Rajasthan looks even more enthralling as you pass by it at night.

These illuminated monuments, gates and gardens just add to a visitors list and urge to behold their beauty amidst the darkest hour of the night.

Wedding Tourism

Pink City- Jaipur has been listed as one of the most Romantic cities in the World! So, this place sets a dreamy ethereal mood for weddings. Jaipur has the most awe-inspiring, romantic getaways that instigate romantic aspirations among the couples in and visiting the city.

Whimsical palaces and forts with the grandeur of Rajasthan’s royalty render a fascinating ambiance to this wedding destination.

The city is dotted with heritage hotels that host the most magnificent destination wedding amidst the regal ambience. Jaipur is the ideal place to consummate a grand memorable wedding.

Cultural Tourism – The colourful city becomes even livelier and lovely with the festivals celebrated here in a flamboyant way. The city observes different fairs and festival at a different time of the year like Gangaur festival, Teej festival, Kite festival.

Jaipur is also the home to some of the most talented folk artists of our nation. Enjoy the lovely music and dance performances and we bet that the folk music and dance performance skills will completely blow your mind!

The best way to enjoy Jaipur’s culture is through its food. Jaipur is well known for its royal hospitality, and its mouth-watering delicacies are chats and kachoris which have been every local’s favourite. Not to miss the royal thali of Rajasthan, which is hot, spicy and tempting all at the same time. The national and international tourists always make sure to try the authentic Rajasthani flavours – Dal, Bati, Churma and an authentic non-veg speciality – ‘Lal Maas’ – the best dish to savour amongst the other Rajasthani cuisines. and how can we miss Jaipur’s Special sweet delicacy Ghewar.

Jaipur’s markets Johri Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar are world-renowned for their authentic gold and silver jewellery as well as for textile, leather craft and other traditional handicrafts. People from the world over love to shop here.

Medical & Wellness Tourism

Jaipur, a city that is celebrated all across the world for its culture and heritage, has also registered its name in the world for its medical and wellness tourism. From Yoga,to Ayurveda to high-end wellness and spa centres, it is also a world leader in low-cost foot prosthesis known as Jaipur Foot definitely deserves a big mention whenever one speaks about the pink city.

Spiritual Tourism

The landscape of Jaipur is dotted with various temples and pilgrims. The temples here have a royal touch and splendour and are highly praised for their architectural beauty and faith by the tourists. Whether it is the visit to the Govind Devji or Moti Doongri Ganesh Ji, or Galta Ji or Khole Ke Hanuman Ji, Jaipur is the land of spiritual incarnation. Each year, several thousand of pilgrims descend to the royal land to offer their prayers and seek blessings. It is said that a prayer offered at these holy temples does not go unanswered!

MICE Tourism

Culturally rich city, Jaipur, has a stylish high-class environment that caters to the business needs too. Thus, it is the most preferred destination for the MICE market that offers everything a business traveller wants.

The connectivity and the developed infrastructure make this the most preferred place to host big events and exhibitions. Jaipur Literature Festival, Vastra, Stone Mart, GITB- Great India Travel Bazaar, JJS, and JAS Jewellery Shows are to name a few.

One of the most important ways to celebrate World Tourism Day is to pick a destination that you want to visit and visit it.

So are you packing your bags to embrace tourism?

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.

Acting As Natural Coolers – Some Monuments In Rajasthan You Never Knew About

Our ancestors long before predicted the modern climate phase and designed so beautifully looking monuments. Some of these ancient architectures of the land of Rajasthan are designed so as to portray natural cooling system principle. Rajasthan’s Hawa Mahal and Chand Baori are a perfect example of how the interiors served as natural coolers without the use of electricity.

Hawa Mahal was constructed around 300 years ago by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. He being a believer of Lord Krishna designed it in the form of a crown – his ‘mukut’. This unique ‘Palace of Winds’ has its roots from physics’ Venturi effect. According to this principle, the fluid pressure is reduced and is constricted in a fixed path which lets the same cool air to flow all around. Another important feature which helps it to be a natural cooler is its walls. They are made of lime and stone which not only help cool the surroundings but also increases the life span of this well preserved monument.

Chand Baori, a step well with around 3500 stairs is also situated in the dry arid land of Rajasthan. Serving two purposes at the same time- one of water collection and storage and other, providing a stage for leisurely activities, this funnel shaped creation of Raja Chand is also an example of natural cooling principle. Based on the passive cooling strategy, the consistent temperature of soil is absorbed to cool a building. This 13 storey Boari is a well portrayed example of natural cooling system.

Re- living 64 Years Of Rajasthan On Rajasthan Diwas Today

As Rajasthan celebrates its 65^th Rajasthan Diwas this year on 30thMarch 2015, we tell you the magnificent journey of 64 years. What makes Rajasthan so unique is its colorful culture, rich heritage and one of the tourist hubs. The state dazzles in its beauty and every glimpse is captures with due importance.

1. FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

Rajasthan is a state which is known for the richness of traditions, and diverse culture. All the festivals are celebrated with joy, enthusiasm, zeal and zest. Some major fairs and festivals are Pushkar Fair, Jaisalmer Desert Fair, Gangaur, Teej, Marwar Festival, Holi and the list goes on.

2. CUISINES

One cannot leave Rajasthan without tasting its food which is known for it spiciness and rich flavor. Rajasthani cuisine is mainly vegetarian but can be put together in a variety of mouthwatering dishes. A sweet is a must which is complemented with every meal. Some relishing dishes are dal bati churma which is a well known delicacy all around the world. Every region in Rajasthan has its own speciality and taste.

3. FORTS, MONUMENTS & PALACES

Rajasthan is well known for its historically rich ‘Forts and Palaces’. The forts of Rajasthan tell stories about the kings and queens and their journey during their period of reign. Each and every fort and fortress has a unique and unparalleled story behind it. Some monuments of Rajasthan are well recognized due to recognition by UNESCO, namely – Jantar Mantar (Jaipur), Kumbhalgarh fort, etc.

4. FOLK MUSIC AND DANCES

The folk music and dance are important part of our culture and thus performed at every occasion, may it be a birth of a new born, anniversary or a welcome to the new season. The famous dance form of Rajasthan is Kalbelia, Terahtaali, Ghoomar, Chari, etc. Though dance is not the only art, music is considered important in the state of Rajasthan.

5. WILDLIFE

Rajasthan is an abode to a number of species. It is known for diverse flora and fauna. Rajasthan lying in a desert region and having a varied topography is a home to various species. The Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve are well known wildlife sanctuaries in this dry- arid region.

6. HAND BLOCK PRINTING & BLUE POTTERY

Rajasthan is famous for its art and craft. Hand block printing, especially Bagru pint with floral and leaf motifs are seen and worn by a large number. Another recognized traditional art is of blue pottery, which has its origins from Rajasthan in India. In it the color blue and its shades are kept as the base color. Lehariya is also a style which originated from the land of Rajasthan.

7. MUSEUMS

Museums are built to showcase the in-depth history of a place and to know about its culture. The museums of Rajasthan throw limelight to its rich heritage and varied, and diversified culture. Rajasthan is known worldwide for 1^st silver museum in the world, situated in Udaipur. Not to forget the oldest museum of the state- Albert Hall, Jaipur is known for its rare articles. The other museums include- Government Museum in Jodhpur & Ajmer, Maharaja Sawai Mansingh Museum in Jaipur, etc.