Places
Rajasthan: Where
Heroism Meets Romance

"Clinton Clinton Super Star" was the reverberating slogan last year in Holi when American President Bill Clinton visited Naila, an unpopular village in Rajasthan. The fact, however, that Clinton - leaving apart a number of other picturesque places in India - chose Rajasthan in his itinerary gave this majestic state of India an additional mileage. Clinton's visit to New Delhi might be bearing a number of diplomatic missions, his stay in Rajasthan was truly homely. Hospitality is the hallmark of this ancient land of India and Clinton really felt its depth. And yet the luxury that he enjoyed there, as he is accustomed to, always left him and his whole crew in such a stately state that a journalist of New York Times remarked in the guest book of Hotel Rajvilas: "Rajvilas is amongst the fanciest place the President and his advisors ever stayed during his Presidency". The President saw many places far and wide in this princely province but his memorable sojourn was in Naila Village where he was not only extended an unforgettable traditional and hearty welcome but was also exposed to a close study of the life-style of the people who, while experiencing utmost harsh conditions of this desert state, endeavored to transform their village as an ideal village of Rajasthan. In Ranthambhor, Clinton also enjoyed an elephant ride and a close observation of the Safari tigers leaving him to remark that "seeing these tigers was pretty special and thrilling". 

The Thar Desert

Bill Clinton's visit is, however, not the only reason of Rajasthan's fame in modern India. From this same sandy tract the world heard the bangs of India's nuclear test program - first during the regime of Mrs. Indira Gandhi and, quite recently, when Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee joined as Prime Minister. The nuclear blast that caused a world-hauling polarization of leading nations, was made in an insipid belt of Rajasthan known as Pokhran. Also famous for its painted mud potteries, Pokhran has become the recent sanctorum of India associated with the pride of its people. 

Such is Rajasthan, the land of Rajput warriors - bold and beauteous, simple and yet difficult, welcoming and yet self-conscious, full of valor and full of romance. In its diversity lie around the great Indian desert, mountain ranges, lakes, dense forests, lush green valleys, barren fields and attractive oases. Spread in a vast stretch of 342,214 sq. km Rajasthan is the second largest state of India with a population over 45 million and with Hindi as its main language. In most parts the climate is dry. The Aravali mountains stretching south-west across the state separates it into desert and semi-desert areas. The vast desert tract is known to all as Thar Desert. Thanks to God for creating camel, the 'ship of the desert', with all its saintly traits of survival. Camels are the most helpful creatures to the inhabitants of this part of globe. It is difficult to imagine living in Rajasthan without the camels. Camels are always attraction for children and it is always a fun for all age-groups to ride on them and traverse through the village of the Thar. 

Welcoming People

Traveling into Rajasthan is a thrilling experience but more abiding impression is of the people of Rajasthan. They are simple and happy people in spite of all the difficult conditions they are put to face. The dryness and insipidity of their surroundings has taught them the value of colors which they reflect in their costumes, in their paintings, in their handicrafts and even in their thoughts. It is not amazing therefore that Rajasthan has been the birth-place of many noted artistes of India including the internationally known Sitar maestro Pt. Ravi Shankar and renowned dancer Uday Shankar. Men wear on their heads turbans of dazzling bright colors and women have a special love for richly wrought ornaments and embroidered dresses. The beauty of Rajasthani women has left many told and untold stories in Indian history. 

Many people know the story of Padmini, the queen of Chittaur, whose surpassing beauty led Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, to wage a ruthless war. The same beauteous women are also known in history for their "Jauhar" - an act they used to perform to save themselves from falling into impious hands. When their husbands died in the battles and enemies invaded their forts, they would enkindle wood fire and jump into it to join their husbands in the next world. In this same land of sacrifice, men of eminent valor were produced who lived and died for the sake of dignity. Here was born Rana Sanga, the great lion of the medieval India, who was alleged to have lost his one eye, one leg and one arm in the battles and had 80 wound marks on his body. Yet when he would enter the battle-field on his stallion, havoc was created in the Mughal army. And here was born Maharana Pratap of Chitaurgarh who lost his kingdom, suffered extreme hardships and exile with his family members but did not succumb to Akbar, the Mughal emperor, who wanted Chittaur to accept his sovereignty. Rajasthanies are wonderful soldiers and the pride of Indian army. In this same land of valor, one finds the diligent Marwaris, the Jews of India. Migrating from Marwar (Jodhpur) area of Rajasthan, they virtually made almost all the states of India their dwelling place. Their contribution in promoting and sustaining Indian economy has been matchless. 

Royal Relics

Being a land of valor and struggle and cradle of so many Rajput kingdoms, almost the whole of Rajasthan seems teeming with palaces, royal monuments and, above all, picturesque forts. Forts are many and it is difficult for anyone to survey them all as one can find a number of forts even in deep jungles. Some of them which deserve special attention are Gagron Fort, Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Amber Fort, Fort of Jaisalmer and, last but not the least, Chittaurgarh Fort. Chittaurgarh Fort, associated with Maharana Pratap, always bears a special significance as it stands for a warrior king's love and sacrifice for the freedom of his motherland. As the saying goes in Hindi:

Taal me Bhopal taal, aur sab talaiya hai
Garh me Chittaurgarh, aur sab garhaiya hai.
(Among all the water-pools, the pool of Bhopal is worth mention and all other pools are insignificant. Among all the forts, only Chittaurgarh is the real fort and all the rest are fakes.)

The Palace on Wheels

For those who believe in luxury and can afford it, the best way to explore Rajasthan is through "Palace on Wheels". Palace on Wheels (POW), a luxurious air-conditioned train service inaugurated in 1982 by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation in collaboration with the Indian Railways, provides a unique and memorable experience to the tourists visiting Rajasthan. It has 14 Saloons decorated with royal taste and equipped with bath and shower, lounge, library, music channel, bar and a sophisticated pantry providing traditional Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine. In other words, POW offers almost all the comforts and luxuries foreign travelers are accustomed to. Palace on Wheels sets on a scheduled journey through Rajasthan which takes over a week and apart from visiting important places of Rajasthan, you are also taken to the Taj City, Agra, and New Delhi. 

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