“Padharo Mhare Desh” or “Welcome to my country” reverberating through this land of chivalry and romance is just not a welcome call or a greeting but is the spirit of Rajasthan. A land where the guest is considered next to god and even enemies are given due regard on its soil, still holds on to its rich traditions and promises to be the most hospitable and fascinating land a visitor has ever seen. The legendary land strewn with tales of valor and sacrifices is a fantastic assortment of history, culture, traditions, natural beauty, wildlife, and friendly folks. It is indeed a land of paradoxes and has an unusual diversity in all its forms-people, customs, culture, costumes, music, manners, dialects, cuisine, and physiography.
The beautiful landscape varies from golden sand dunes to lush forests and lofty peaks to fertile plains and is littered with formidable forts, magnificent palaces sprawling Havelis, sacred shrines, graceful gardens, lovely lakes, and exotic wildlife. With a history of over five thousand years and origins shrouded in mythological legends, the State is literally a treasure house of history and archaeology. No doubt every town is studded with formidable forts and magnificent palaces, which have been silent sentinels to the region’s turbulent past. The numerous ancient shrines and cenotaphs are seen all over the State confirm the deep-rooted religious faiths of the people of Rajasthan and their respect for the departed souls.
The benevolent rulers of Rajasthan were great lovers and patrons of arts and crafts. The Rajasthani handicrafts are matchless in concept, color, and craftsmanship.
The State is also well known for its rhythmic folk dances and music. The haunting music from the desert has become immensely popular. The festival time is full of life and zest. The ambiance acquires a fairytale-like atmosphere. Colorfully dressed women wear beautiful jewelry while men put on exotic turbans. The delectable cuisine is yet another attraction of the State. A large variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes can be tried out at the traditional restaurants of the State. Dal, Batti, and Churma have become household names.
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Regards
Khushi Anand
