Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Sawai Mansingh Stadium Jaipur

Name: Sawai Mansingh Stadium
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Seating Capacity: 30000
Home Team: Rajasthan
Floodlights: Yes
First Test: India v Pakistan - Feb 21-26, 1987
First ODI: India v Pakistan - Oct 2, 1983

Sawai Mansingh Stadium is a cricket stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. It was built in the reign of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II whom was also known as SMS hence the name of the SMS Stadium in short. It is situated at one corner of the Rambagh Circle. The stadium seats 30,000.

Sawai Mansingh Stadium has hosted a solitary Test match, between India and Pakistan, starting on February 21, 1987, when Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq crossed the border to watch the second day's play as part of his "Cricket for Peace" initiative. The Test was notable for Younis Ahmed's return to the Test fray after an absence of over 17 years and also for Sunil Gavaskar's dismissal to the first ball of the Test match, for the third time in an otherwise illustrious career. The game sputtered to a draw after the third day's play was abandoned following heavy rain and a controversy over the alleged deposition of sawdust on the wicket which Pakistan objected to.

The stadium's ODI debut had kicked off with a contest between the same two sides on October 2, 1983. Fresh from their World Cup triumph, the Indians comfortably won by four wickets, sporting the same XI that won the World Cup final. The ground has also hosted two World Cup matches in 1987 and 1996 respectively, the West Indians losing to England in the former and beating Australia in the latter. The last ODI played on the ground is between India and Pakistan on 17 December 2007.

Milestones at Brabourne Stadium:

* The highest ODI total at this ground is 303-4 by India against Sri Lanka in 2005-06.
* The lowest ODI total at this ground is 135 by India against Pakistan.
* The highest individual score by any batsman on this ground in ODI is 183 not out by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Holidays in Jaipur India

The city of Jaipur or the 'City of Victory' was named after Sawai Jai Singh, the Kachhwaha King and the founder the city. The started was built between 1727 AD and 1731 AD. It is the first planned city in India built on the basis of principles of the Shilpa Shastra, the ancient Indian treatise on architecture. The city became famous as the 'Pink City' when the entire city was painted with pink color in the honor of the Prince of Wales, who visited Jaipur in 1853 AD.

Holiday in Jaipur can be exciting with several historic places in Jaipur. The forts and museums are bound to impress you. City Palace, the former royal residence is the first place to be visited in Jaipur. The palace built incorporating the features of both the Rajput and Mughal style of architecture. The museum in Jaiput, which is a treasure trove of the Rajputs glorious past. The exhibits in the museum include various swords, their sheaths, Albert Hall and Hawa Mahal rare collection on astronomical works and numerous royal artifacts.

Jantar Mantar is another important place to be seen on Holiday in jaipur . Built by Sawai Jai Singh, the stone observatory is one of the five observatories built by him in India. The most extraordinary of all the instruments is the Ram Yantra used for estimating elevations.

Hawa Mahal or the 'Palace of Wind' is a significant landmark of the city of Jaipur. Built in 1799 AD by Pratap Singh for the ladies of the royal household, Hawa Mahal is a five-storey building with 953 recesses and windows. The royal grandstand fulfilled the purpose of watching the royal processions and the market activities by the ladies without being watched by others.

Amber Palace was started by Man Singh with few additions made by Mirza Raja Jai Singh and finally completed by Sawai Jai Singh. It took more than two centuries to complete the Amber Fort. The palace complex is built around the Jaigarh Fort and consists of palaces, and temples.

The other important places Jaipur to visit on holiday in jaipur are the Shila Devi Temple, Nahargarh Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Amber Fort, Jai Mahal Palace ,Ramganj Bazar, Govind Dev Ji Temple, Galtaji and Sisodia Rani Garden.

How to Reach

By Air: Jaipur has the Sanganer International Airport with frequent flights from Noida, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Delhi.

By Rail: Jaipur is well connected by frequent train services with all the including major cities of IndiaAhmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

By Road: Jaipur is well connected by roadways with major cities of Rajasthan, various places in Delhi City, Agra City and Mumbai City.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Forts & Monuments In Jaipur

Jaipur is the city of ancient monuments and forts and surely you will love to see the architectural wonders that trace their origin back to history. The sandstone palaces and forts are stunning and the sheer magnitude of the monuments will strike the moment you see it for the first time. Some of the important forts and palaces that you must see while on a sight seeing tour of Jaipur are Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall, Birla Temple, Govind Devji, Birla / Laxmi Narayam Temple, Moti Doongri, Kalki Temple, Galta Ji, Kanak Vrindavan Temple, and a few other places.

Amber Fort
Amber (Amer) is situated about 11 kilometers from Jaipur. It was once the citadel of the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber, before the capital was shifted in the plains to present day Jaipur.

City Palace Jaipur
The City Palace was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs, but a lot of changes and additions were made to the original structure by his successors.

Gaitore Chhatris
Gaitore is situated on the Jaipur-Amber road, about 15 kms from Jaipur. Gaitore is a royal cremation site of the majestic rulers of Jaipur.

Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh,

Hawa Mahal

is the most stunning sight in the city of Jaipur.


Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort was made to tighten the security of Jaipur and Amber. Due to this fact, one may not find this fort as artistic as other forts and palaces, but it certainly has its own charm.

Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is the largest stone observatory in the World and this feature makes it, a special destination for a traveler.

Statue Circle
Statue Circle forms a major landmark of Jaipur. It is situated on a busy crossing of the city. Statue Circle has got its name from the statue, which it portrays. Statue Circle comprises the statue of King Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur.

Albert Hall Museum
Albert Hall Museum is also known as the Central Museum and is the oldest museum of Rajasthan. It was built in 1886 A.D in honor of the King Edward VII visit to Jaipur.

New Year Celebrations

The whole range of celebration of the New Year's Day basically stems from the various ways ancient societies used to greet the new harvest seasons. It was first marked in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon and the first day of spring.Symbolically, New Year signifies a renewal of life. The spirit of celebration is for regeneration, while discarding the old and worn out. The customs and practices, though modified through the centuries, have still their distinctive strains in the ways we welcome each onrushing year.

The Midnight cacophony
The idea of making deafening noise is to drive away the evil spirits who flocked to the living at this climactic season with a great wailing of horns and shouts and beating of drums. This is why at the stroke of midnight we hear the deafening clamor of sirens, car horns, boat whistles, party horns, church bells, drums, pots and pans - anything that serves the purpose of producing a devil chasing din.

Resolution
In order to have a 'clean slate' on which to start the New Year, people in times past have made certain that they had all their borrowings cleared. Those were the days before such complexities as credit buying. The New Year resolutions, which we are so fond of, represent other efforts to make the year brand new. In fact, we often say that in the New Year we are "turning over a new leaf".

How the Church celebrated the New Year
Although in the first centuries AD the Romans continued celebrating the New Year, the early Catholic Church condemned the festivities as paganism. But as Christianity became more widespread, the early church began having its own religious observances concurrently with many of the pagan celebrations, and New Year's Day was no different. New Years is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations.

Honeymoon In Jaipur

Pink city Jaipur in Rajasthan, India is popularly known as, takes one into becoming an essential part of the undying romance of the Jaipur air. The seclusion, beauty of desert sands, folk music and monuments that narrate stories of love and lovers is all here to experience. Watching the sunset, spreading its red gold glow on the pink city is perhaps the most romantic sight. The dreamlike magic of the golden glow on the golden sands creates a sentimental and love filled ambience and helps one to bond in.

Established by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, Jaipur is the perfect honeymoon destination that treats couples to vistas as one dine at a heritage hotel surrounded by beautiful wall paintings and sculpted pillars.

The various offers customized honeymoon packages for Jaipur that take care of all the technicalities involved in arranging a luxury honeymoon that leaves you tension free to just be with each other and enjoy royal Jaipur.

Sawai Jai Singh II built the Jaipur city in a time span starting from 1727 to 1731. He was the princely ruler of Jaipur at that time. Jaipur's culture, heritage and history are still preserved. Popularly Jaipur is called as the pink city because it was painted in pink in the honor of The Prince of Wales. It is brimming with old forts, majestic and royal palaces, ancient and modern temples and gardens.

Amber Fort in Rajasthan built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, is one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Balanced high on a deserted ridge, it tips extensive views over a deep narrow valley and the wider plains beyond. The building was finally completed in the early18th century when the threat of Mughal domination was withdrawing. Amber was once, the capital of the Mina tribes, believed to be the original inhabitants of this region.

City Palace of Jaipur or the main palace is an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The vast palace complex occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur. Originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs, additions have been made to the palace complex by many of his successors.

The complex is divided into a series of courtyards, extensive gardens and buildings. It is home to several palatial structures like the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum . In the first courtyard is the 'Mubarak Mahal', built by Maharaja Madho Singh II in the late 19th century. The Mubarak Mahal, or the Auspicious Palace, contains the textile section of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum.

Jaipur Flights

SpiceJet - Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai
Jet Airways - Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur
Indian Airlines - Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai
Kingfisher Airlines - Bangalore, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai
Indigo Airlines - Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai
GoAir - Delhi, Mumbai
Air Deccan - Bangalore, Mumbai
Jaipur Flights has its own airport located at a distance of 13 kms from the city, near Sanganer. Jaipur Airport is well connected with all the major cities of India like Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ahemdabad, Hyderabad, Chennai and Goa. Kuwait, Peshawar, Kathamandu, Muscat, Karachi, Sharjaha, Bahrain and many other global cities are too connected with the international airport of Jaipur. There are numerous airlines that run regular flights to and from Jaipur Airport.

If one is looking for cheap flights to Jaipur, then there are a few airlines that provide scheduled air services to the city of Jaipur. Talking about cheap flights, there are Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Sahara. The international airlines that offer air services to Jaipur are Air Arabia and Oman Air. All the air lines provide class services and assure a comfortable journey to their passengers.

There are plenty of airlines that run domestic flights from Jaipur, Rajasthan like Jet Airways, Air India, Indigo Airlines, Air Deccan, Indian Airlines, Air Sahara, SpiceJet, Kingfisher Airlines, and GoAir. Indian airlines run about three to four flights in a day. Air Deccan charge very less for the air fare and the best part is that, one can get low-priced tickets even at the last minute.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Wildlife in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is home to many unique and beautiful species of wildlife. The National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Rajasthan India are an exotic destination to visit, on Rajasthan Wildlife Tours. See the impressive Indian Tiger at Ranthambore National Park or Leopard, Rhino, Indian Horse, Peacocks and other exotic creatures on Rajasthan Wildlife Tours. A Rajasthan Wildlife Safari tour is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Wildlife India Travel offers tours to the wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks in Rajasthan.

Some of the popular Rajasthan Wildlife Tours are:

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary : Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary and this great waterfowl habitat is one of the finest in the world and was created by a maharaja.

Ranthambore National Park : Ranthambore National Park is situated in Eastern Rajasthan at the confluence of the Aravali hill ranges and the Vindhyan plateau. Two rivers flow through the Ranthambore National Park - the Chambal River in the South and the Banas River in the North. Six man-made lakes and many perennial streams pass through the entire national park. In 1955.

Sariska Tiger Reserve : Sariska wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Project White Bengal Tiger. The Sanctuary extends over an area of 800 sq. kms, and has a wide spectrum and rich population of wildlife.

Gir National Park : Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary comprises 1412 sq km of deciduous forest interspersed with semi-evergreen and evergreen Indian Crane, Deer, Elephant, Indian Lion and Indian Birds.

Desert National Sanctuary : The Desert National Park is located at a distance of 40kms. from Jaisalmer and exemplifies the unusual ecological biodiversity of the renowned Thar desert.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park : Keoladeo National Park, situated in the state of Rajasthan in India is a former duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary : Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the most rugged of the Aravali in Pali City, Rajsamand Lake and Udaipur City districts of Rajasthan.

Museums in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the royal state dotted with many massive forts, palaces and temples, which are popular for their architecture and design. The vast network of Museums in Rajasthan form the most popular archaeological sites, and the recently opened museums and art galleries in the palaces of former rulers of old states help to preserve this great heritage of the state of Rajasthan.

Among the most known museums in Rajasthan is the Ajmer Government Museum. The city of Ajmer is home to many forts and tombs depicting the Mughal architecture, especially the inscriptions on the memorials are of immense historic interest. This Museum in Rajasthan is situated in the heart of the old city of Ajmer and close to the railway station. The museum is housed in the beautiful fort and palace built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1570. It was here that the British envoy Sir Thomas Roe met Emperor Jahangir in 1616. After British occupation in 1818 and during the first war of Independence in 1857 it was used as the Rajputana Arsenal by the British, which gave the name magazine. The Archaeological museum in Ajmer, is one of the known museums in Rajasthan.This museum is located in the Dil-e-Aaram Gardens. In July 1949 the entire collection was transferred to Dil-e-Aaram Garden, a part of the old palace at Amer. An Art Gallery was inaugurated in 1992 in this complex. An important fact about this museum is that it is divided into three sections.

The Fateh Prakash Palace museum in Chittaurgarh is one big portion of the Palace, which was converted into a museum in 1968. It has a great collection of sculptures. Amongst the important ones are Ganpati from Pangarh along with Indra and Jain Ambica statues from Rashmi village of Podt medieval period. Inside this museum in Rajasthan many weapons, daggers, and armory are displayed.

Ajmer Government Museum
The Museum was started in 1908 by the Government of India with the object of collecting and preserving many unique objects of antiquarian interest which were lying uncared for and scattered all over Rajasthan.

Alwar Government Museum
Alwar is one of the most popular holiday destinations of Rajasthan. Alwar is positioned approximately 150 kms from Jaipur and 170 kms from Delhi. It features some great tourist attractions, such as Alwar Government Museum, Bala Quila Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri etc.

Bharatpur Museum
Located in the centre of the famous Lohagarh Fort, the Bharatpur Museum houses a rich collection of archaeological wealth of the nearby areas as well as from the old Bharatpur State.

Prachina Museum
Prachina Museum is a great way to view Bikaner at its past and present best. In fact, this juxtaposition is a very interesting way to know a city that has always managed to capture the hearts of many with its sheer variety and color. Enjoy this and more with Rajasthan Wildlife Tour.

Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
Explore royal treasures at the Ganga Government Museum in Bikaner with Indian Horizons. Also known as the Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum.

Hawa Mahal Museum
Hawa Mahal or the ‘Palace of Winds’ was built in 1799 by the poet king Sawai Pratap Singh for the royal ladies to enjoy the procession and day to day activities from the coll confinement of this majestic façade.

Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum
The Maharaja of Jaipur (Man Singh II) was the last ruler of the city of Jaipur, India who saw the city's transition from a princely state to a secular one.

Jaisalmer Folklore Museum
Jaisalmer is named after its founder Rawal Jaisal (see History). Jaisalmer means the Hill Fort of Jaisal. Jaisalmer is also called as the Golden city of India because the yellow sand gives a yellowish-golden touch to the city & its surrounding area.

The Mehrangarh Museum Jodhpur
Jodhpur Mehrangarh Fort Museum is one of the finest museums in Rajasthan. It is beautifully laid out. It has a palanquin section where you can see a wide collection of old royal palanquins.

Kota Government Museum
Kota is the industrial hub of Rajasthan & has an atomic power plant. It is situated on the banks of Chambal river & famous for its fort & dams.

Kota Archaeological Museum
The archaeological section of the museum consists of various sculptures, some dating back to the Gupta period(4th century).

Udaipur City Palace Museum
Udaipur, City Guide facilitates its visitors to come closer to the ethnic India tourism, by visiting to the royal City Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Udaipur City Palace is one of the largest palaces in the world, encompassing some of the magnificent architectural splendors like City Palace Museum.

Udaipur Government Museum
Museum of Udaipur peeps into the glorious past of the Royal city. Grab more information about popular Art Museums in Udaipur.

Albert Hall Museum Jaipur
Central Museum or the Albert Hall lies in the Ram Niwas Garden. It is a vast and verdant garden housing a zoo, a greenhouse, an aviary, a museum and a sports ground.

Rajasthan Bus Stations

Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation runs buses within the state of Rajasthan and to the neighbouring states of Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharastra. It has a total of 5000 buses in its fleet.

Ajmer Central Bus Station

Ajmer Central Bus Station is one of the busiest bus terminals in Rajasthan. It is situated 2 km south of Ajmer town, about 135 km south-west of Jaipur. Rajasthan State Transport Corporation operates inter-district and inter-state services to all major cities in the country. Regular buses are available to Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mount Abu, Jaisalmer, Mumbai and Delhi.

Alwar Bus Stand

Alwar Bus Stand is in the Alwar town center, 143 km north-east of Jaipur. Regular services are available to Agra (150 km), Delhi (164 km), Deeg (61 km), Bharatpur (94 km), Jaipur (143 km), Udaipur (566 km), Siliserh (15 km) and Sariska (37 km). Semi-luxury and deluxe buses are in service.

Banswara Bus Station

Banswara is a small town lying 160 km south of Udaipur. From Banswara Bus Station, Rajasthan Roadways operates services to major cities such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara (Baroda), Ujjain, Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mount Abu, Mumbai and Delhi.

Baran Bus Station

Baran Bus Station is situated in the town center. It is about 72 km from Kota city. Baran Bus Station is in close proximity to National Highway 76. The station operates short distance and interstate services. There are regular services to Kota, Bundi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Alwar, Bhilwara, Delhi and Bhopal.

Barmer Bus Station

Barmer Bus Station is a few minutes walk from the Barmer Railway Station. It is connected to National Highway 15. Buses ply from Barmer to Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ajmer and Ahmedabad. Regular services are available to major tourist places such as Kiradu, Jasol and Meva Nagar.

Bharatpur Bus Station

Bharatpur Bus Station is a few minutes walk from the Bharatpur Junction Railway Station, 32 km from Deeg. Buses ply from Bharatpur to Jaipur, Alwar, New Delhi and Mathura. Deluxe and ordinary buses are in service.

Bhilwara Bus Station

Bhilwara Bus Station is about 5 km from the Manikya Lal Verma Textile Institute, on National Highway 4. The station operates numerous services to all major towns and cities in Rajasthan. Inter-state services are operated to Delhi and Ahmedabad. Regular buses are available to Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Jodhpur and Kota.

Bikaner Bus Station

Bikaner Bus Station is a short walk from the Bikaner Junction Railway Station. The station operates local and inter-state bus services. Rajasthan Roadways runs deluxe and air conditioned buses to Jaipur, Jodhpur and Delhi. Hotel Raj Vilas Palace, Hotel Bhairon Vilas, Hotel Maan Bilas and Hotel Meghsar Castle provide lodging facilities near the station.

Dausa Bus Station

Dausa Bus Station operates regular schedules to major towns and cities in Rajasthan. Buses ply from Dausa to Alwar, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur and Bharatpur. The station is well connected to Agra by express and super fast buses.

Rajasthan Travel Tips

Rajasthan travel tips are being provided to assist you while you are in Rajasthan. These safety guidelines for Rajasthan, India will prove quite useful to you if you are planning to visit this place.

While traveling in Rajasthan, India is completely safe and enjoyable, it would be better to take certain basic precautions on your Fascinating Rajasthan Tour. Fascinating Rajasthan suggests some travel tips to make your journey in India a pleasant experience.

Rajasthan Airports : Rajasthan has Jaipur Airport, Jodhpur Airport and Udaipur Airport, while the Jaisalmer Airport opens from 1st October to 31st March.

Holidays In Rajasthan : The colorful culture, costumes and customs of the people of Rajasthan are sure to catch your attention. The people clad in bright colored cloths are captivating, the fairs and festivals they celebrate are simply fantastic.

Rajasthan Facts : Tours to Rajasthan India, is bounded on the west and northwest by Pakistan, on the north and northeast by the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, on the east and southeast by the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and on the southwest by the state of Gujarat.

Home Stays In Rajasthan : Rajasthan or Rajputana , the land of Maharajas , brings alive the glory and splendor of the past where feudal maharajas ruled their individual states with absolute powers of a sovereign.

What To Wear In Rajasthan : The traditional Rajasthan jewelry and Rajasthan costumes gives its people a unique identity of their own. Moreover, their colour and design are tremendously delightful and attractive.

Local Transport In Rajasthan : Rajasthan has a very good network of air, roads and train. Making travelling in Rajasthan safe and less tiring. With good road conditions you can also explore the interiors of Rajasthan.

What To Eat In Rajasthan : Jaipur is one of the most remarkable cities of India. This is not only because of its vibrant culture and heritage, but also because of its diverse and mouth watering cuisine.

Rajasthan Shopping : Find information on shopping in Rajasthan, shopping places in Rajasthan and what items to buy in Rajasthan, India.

Best Time To Visit Rajasthan : Rajasthan summers are extremely hot and dry. The day is too hot, the nights cool. It is advisable for the tourists visiting in summers to wear loose cotton clothes.

Money Exchange In Rajasthan : Money exchange is not a problem these days as Indian Economy has liberalized and opened up. There are lots of money exchangers in Jaisalmer. You will find a lot of kiosks near Railway station and Bus stand but try and stick to the government authorized ones.

Electricity In Rajasthan : This write up on electricity in Rajasthan covers voltage, electricity and current supply in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthan Geography : The state of Rajasthan borders Pakistan to the west, Gujarat to the Southwest, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast and Punjab to the north, covering an area of 342,239 km². It has its capital at Jaipur.

Handling Beggars In Rajasthan : If you are traveling to India, you are bound to come across beggars. Mostly you will find them begging at the red lights. Following are some tips for handling Indian beggars.

Health Precautions For Rajasthan : To enjoy your Rajasthan travel, health precautions should be given top most priority. Like any other place in the world, Rajasthan also has some anti-social elements.

Tourist Guides In Rajasthan : The magical land set amidst the desolate desert beauty. The land synonymous with romance and chivalry.

Royal Rajasthan Tour

Duration: 18 Nights / 19 Days
Places Covered: Delhi- Jaipur - Ajmer(Pushkar) - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Gajner - Bikaner - Mandawa - Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi

Day 01 / Arrival Delhi
Arrive Delhi, meet assist at the airport & transfer to hotel. Night stay hotel in Delhi.

Day 02 / Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast sightseeing tour of New Delhi where ornate buildings recall the days when India was the Jewel in the crown of the British empire. Visit the 11th century Qutab Minar, India Gate and the grand government buildings, the President’s House , Red fort , Mahatama Gandhi Memorial , Also visit Laxmi Narayan temple popularly known as Birla Temple. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 03 / Delhi - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur & transfer to hotel. Later visit the majestic Amber Fort, is one that cannot be easily described. Ride up on Elephants to the former capital of the royals set against the backdrop of the wooded hills. Also visit the Palace of Winds also known as Hawa Mahal, this elaborate building, now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak views of the outside world. Past, present and future merge at Jai Singh's observatory, where time has been accurately measured since the 17th century and City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Night stay in Jaipur.

Day 04 / Jaipur - Ajmer - Pushkar
After breakfast drive to Pushkar and transfer to hotel. In Pushkar visit Brahma temple (said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity) Pushkar lake, Man Mahal and Savitri temple. Also visit the famous Dargah Shariff, Shah Jahan's mosque, Taragarh fort at Ajmer. Night stay in Pushkar.

Day 05 / Pushkar - Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur-an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan. Arrive Udaipur and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 06 / Udaipur
Morning city sight seeing tour. Udaipur is built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh, the city has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari ( Queen’s resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir ( Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 07 / Udaipur - Jodhpur
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur & transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 08 / Jodhpur
Morning city sight seeing tour. Jodhpur, stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph, built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant singh II around 1899 and Umaid Public gardens. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 09 / Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
Morning drive through Kheechan village (famous for its migratory cranes) and finally reach Jaisalmer & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 10 / Jaisalmer
Morning proceed for camel safari. Lunch & dinner enroute on camel safari. Night stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 11 / Jaisalmer
Continue Camel Safari & have Breakfast & lunch enroute camel safari. Later return back to the hotel after completion of camel safari in the afternoon. Night stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 12 / Jaisalmer - Bikaner
Morning drive to Bikaner (330 kms) & transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Bikaner.

Day 13 / Bikaner
After breakfast visit the Junagarh Fort, constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army and the Karnimata Temple at Deshnok. Also visit the prestigious camel breeding farm in the evening. Night stay in Bikaner.

Day 14 / Bikaner - Gajner
Morning drive to Gajner and transfer to hotel. Full day sightseeing of Gajner wildlife sanctuary and fort. Night stay in Gajner.

Day 15 / Gajner - Mandawa
After breakfast drive to Mandawa and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon walking tour of the painted 'havelis' of some of the leading business families of the country. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, Lakshmi narayan Ladia Haveli, Mohahanlal Saraf Haveli and Bhag chandika Haveli are of special interest. Spend the enture day looking into frescoes. Night stay in Mandawa.

Day 16 / Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur and transfer to hotel. Night stay at hotel in Jaipur.

Day 17 / Jaipur - Agra
Morning drive to Agra enroute visiting Bharatpur bird sanctuary (a famous Bird sanctuary) and Fatehpur Sikri (a beautiful capital & centre of power during Akbar's reign). Evening at leisure. Night stay hotel in Agra.

Day 18 / Agra - Delhi
Morning at sunrise visit the TAJ MAHAL - one of the Seven Wonders of the World built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan' s second Wife).

Also visit Agra Fort - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. Later drive to Delhi & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 19 / Departure
Transfer to the airport to board the onward flight.

Rajasthan Tour Travel Package

Duration: 18 Nights / 19 Days
Places Covered: Delhi- Jaipur - Ajmer(Pushkar) - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Gajner - Bikaner - Mandawa - Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi

Day 01 / Arrival Delhi
Arrive Delhi, meet assist at the airport & transfer to hotel. Night stay hotel in Delhi.

Day 02 / Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast sightseeing tour of New Delhi where ornate buildings recall the days when India was the Jewel in the crown of the British empire. Visit the 11th century Qutab Minar, India Gate and the grand government buildings, the President’s House , Red fort , Mahatama Gandhi Memorial , Also visit Laxmi Narayan temple popularly known as Birla Temple. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 03 / Delhi - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur & transfer to hotel. Later visit the majestic Amber Fort, is one that cannot be easily described. Ride up on Elephants to the former capital of the royals set against the backdrop of the wooded hills. Also visit the Palace of Winds also known as Hawa Mahal, this elaborate building, now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak views of the outside world. Past, present and future merge at Jai Singh's observatory, where time has been accurately measured since the 17th century and City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Night stay in Jaipur.

Day 04 / Jaipur - Ajmer - Pushkar
After breakfast drive to Pushkar and transfer to hotel. In Pushkar visit Brahma temple (said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity) Pushkar lake, Man Mahal and Savitri temple. Also visit the famous Dargah Shariff, Shah Jahan's mosque, Taragarh fort at Ajmer. Night stay in Pushkar.

Day 05 / Pushkar - Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur-an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan. Arrive Udaipur and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 06 / Udaipur
Morning city sight seeing tour. Udaipur is built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh, the city has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari ( Queen’s resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir ( Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 07 / Udaipur - Jodhpur
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur & transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 08 / Jodhpur
Morning city sight seeing tour. Jodhpur, stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph, built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant singh II around 1899 and Umaid Public gardens. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 09 / Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
Morning drive through Kheechan village (famous for its migratory cranes) and finally reach Jaisalmer & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 10 / Jaisalmer
Morning proceed for camel safari. Lunch & dinner enroute on camel safari. Night stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 11 / Jaisalmer
Continue Camel Safari & have Breakfast & lunch enroute camel safari. Later return back to the hotel after completion of camel safari in the afternoon. Night stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 12 / Jaisalmer - Bikaner
Morning drive to Bikaner (330 kms) & transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Bikaner.

Day 13 / Bikaner
After breakfast visit the Junagarh Fort, constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army and the Karnimata Temple at Deshnok. Also visit the prestigious camel breeding farm in the evening. Night stay in Bikaner.

Day 14 / Bikaner - Gajner
Morning drive to Gajner and transfer to hotel. Full day sightseeing of Gajner wildlife sanctuary and fort. Night stay in Gajner.

Day 15 / Gajner - Mandawa
After breakfast drive to Mandawa and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon walking tour of the painted 'havelis' of some of the leading business families of the country. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, Lakshmi narayan Ladia Haveli, Mohahanlal Saraf Haveli and Bhag chandika Haveli are of special interest. Spend the enture day looking into frescoes. Night stay in Mandawa.

Day 16 / Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur and transfer to hotel. Night stay at hotel in Jaipur.

Day 17 / Jaipur - Agra
Morning drive to Agra enroute visiting Bharatpur bird sanctuary (a famous Bird sanctuary) and Fatehpur Sikri (a beautiful capital & centre of power during Akbar's reign). Evening at leisure. Night stay hotel in Agra.

Day 18 / Agra - Delhi
Morning at sunrise visit the TAJ MAHAL - one of the Seven Wonders of the World built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan' s second Wife).

Also visit Agra Fort - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. Later drive to Delhi & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 19 / Departure
Transfer to the airport to board the onward flight.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Handicrafts In Jaipur

Handicrafts of Jaipur are well-known throughout the world for their distinctive quality and exclusive variety. Due to this fact, Jaipur is also recognized as crafts capital of India. The Royal Family of Jaipur patronized the craftsmen and artisans, which led to the flourishing of arts and crafts in Rajasthan. If you are an art lover, Markets of Jaipur offer rich and assorted handicrafts in Rajasthan.

There are many things like blue pottery, carved furniture, antiques, papier mache, enduring paintings, Pichwais, miniature paintings, sculptures, apparels, accessories, home furnishings, home decorations, handmade office accessories, toys, traditional games and many more things, which can be of your interest. You can explore Amber Road that lies between Zorawar Gate and Holiday Inn to see the range of hand-block prints, blue pottery, handicrafts and antiques.

Pottery
The royalty of Jaipur always appreciated variety handicrafts during their times. Keeping the traditions alive, Jaipur is always active in providing the best handicrafts of India. Talking about pottery, glazed blue pottery of Jaipur is very famous. Originated in Persia, this kind of pottery includes pots, surahis, mugs, jugs, plates, decorative pieces and many other things. Blue color in pottery offers a trendy look to the things. You can always make a good bargain while buying such stuff.

Metal Work
Jaipur has a decent variety of metal work and it is particularly famous for its brass work. The brass workers of Jaipur are skilled in infusing charisma into the dull metal. Lacquered brass and carved brass are two kinds of work that are done on brass in Jaipur. You can buy statues and decorative pieces of immaculate quality at a good price from Jaipur that will add a class to your drawing room.

Marble Work
This royal city offers the world-class quality of marble work with intricate carvings. The carvings and portraits, shaped in Jaipur, procure a great admiration everywhere. In marble work, you can see the Marble statues of Hindu deities, animals, Human figurines, carved marble bowls and exquisite vases. These are some of the best buys in Jaipur markets.

Woodwork
This pink city has immense variety of handicrafts and to continue the list, here we have woodwork. The fine quality of woodwork in Jaipur embraces carved doors, windows, drawer chests, picture frames and mirror frames. The delicate handcrafted woodwork of Jaipur has an antique look as they are crafted on traditional lines.

The local markets along Jauhari Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar, Chaura Rasta and Tripolia Bazaar will provide you every handicraft of this pink city. One must bargain while buying things from the local bazaars of Jaipur to get the maximum value of your money. Running short of time, not to worry, to serve you all, under one roof, Government of Rajasthan has made emporiums where you will find everything. These emporiums are located on M.I. Road to serve you the best of Jaipur.

Excursions of Jaipur

Excursions from Jaipur
Location Central Rajasthan, 259 Km from Delhi, the Capital of India
Must Visit Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Birla Temple
Temperature Max 45 ºC, Min 26 ºC (summer); Max 22 ºC, Min 08 ºC (winter)
Languages Hindi, Rajasthani and English
Ideal Time October to March is the ideal time to visit Jaipur
Jaipur STD Code 0141
Justify Full
Jaipur is one of the most alluring cities of Rajasthan, India. Every year, people from all over the world come to explore the majestic city of Jaipur. There are numerous Tourist Attractions In Jaipur; still the Jaipur city offers many other places in the suburbs to satisfy the appetite of tourists. You can visit Abhaneri, a small town, popular for its astonishing step wells and Harshad Mata Temple in Jaipur. On the other hand, Sanganer is famous for manufacturing the quality hand-made paper in India.

Rajasthan is famous for its traditions and culture. Keeping the traditions, Bagru is a small village in Rajasthan, where you can see the traditional block-printing without any modern adulterations in its process. For adventurous people, Ranthambore National Park and Sariska National Park would be the best options to surf. Sambhar Lake is another destination where you can observe the salt-making process. Continuing the excursion list, Samode is alluring with its Palace in Jaipur.

Art lovers would definitely love the Persian and Arabian manuscripts at Tonk. Bairath with its remnants of medieval Indian architecture attracts the tourists from far and near. Ramgarh Lake is a huge artificial lake, the other attractions being the hunting lodge and polo grounds in Ramgarh Lake. All these beautiful destinations offer swift excursion from Jaipur.

Samode
Samode is a great place of tourist interest, located at a distance of 42kms from Jaipur, on the way to Shekhawati in Rajasthan. Samode is renowned for its stunning havelis and forts. Samod makes a perfect destination to enjoy one's holidays.

Bagru
Bagru is a small village, located at a distance of 30 kms from Jaipur, on Jaipur-Ajmer Road. The village town of Bagru is not popular for any palace or fort, but for its typical wooden prints. These prints of Bagru Tourism are acclaimed all over India and are particularly known as Bagru prints.

Karauli
Karauli is a small village, situated at a distance of 182 km from Jaipur. Founded in 1348, Karauli is well-known for its Madan Mohanji Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Initially, the town was known as Kalyanpuri, which was named after the local deity Kalyanji.

Ramgarh
Ramgarh is located at a distance of 25kms from the city of Jaipur. In the present day, this primeval spot is eminent for its huge artificial lake. This lake has been shaped by raising a high bund amidst the hills covered with trees.

Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is located in the eastern part of Rajasthan at a comfortable distance of 130kms from Jaipur. Nestled between the Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges, Ranthambore National Park used to be the hunting ground of Maharajas of Jaipur. The Park is an eye treat for the lovers of wild-life. Various natural rivers and man-made lakes flow through the National Park of Ranthambore.

Sanganer
Sanganer is located at a distance of 16 kms from Jaipur on the Tonk road. Sanganer is renowned for its crafts and hand-printed textiles. Sanganer forms a major part of excursion from Jaipur.

Abhaneri
Abhaneri is a small town village, situated at a distance of 95 km from Jaipur, on Jaipur-Agra road. The place is popular for the amazing 'Baoris' (step wells) and Harshat Mata Temple. The village of Abhaneri is believed to be established by the King Raja Chand.

Sambhar
Sambhar is a small town, located at a distance of 60kms in the west of Jaipur, on Jaipur-Ajmer Highway. Sambhar Lake is famous for the largest saline lake in India. Due to this fact, Sambhar is also known as Salt Lake City. Literally, Sambhar means salt and the lake has been providing salt for over a thousand years.

Tonk
Tonk is a small town, located at a distance of 96 kms from Jaipur. This little town of Tonk is also known as the "Lucknow of Rajasthan" due to its elegance. Tonk City is popular among tourists for its magnificent mosques, mansions and havelis.

Bairath
Bairath is a place of historical significance, located at a distance of 86 kms from Jaipur, on Shahpura-Alwar Road. Bairath is said to have existed from the times of Mahabharata. In that period, Bairath was known as Virata Nagar. It used to be the capital of Abhimanyu's (Arjuna's son) father-in-law.