Rajasthan: Pushkar Fair and Forts of Rajput Kings

Smith Meher from Sydney, Australia, 
CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

At the beginning of the twentieth century, international tourists started to love Rajasthan and its exotic locations. They found this northern state of India an entertaining piece of land whose people are fond of camels, festivals and music.

Tug of War Pushkar Fair, Rajasthan

Those who visit Rajasthan are rewarded with pleasure and an unforgettable experience. They hardly miss seeing the temples and lake of Pushkar. Tourists from western countries flock in during the festival season of the fair. The event of Pushkar Fair at Ajmer, near Jaipur, has now become the single biggest draw for foreign tourists in India. The tourists would enjoy the vibrancy of the natural living of the people who live in the imagination of their past and the music of the present.

Best Time to Visit: Except for July and August when there would be a rainy season in India, the tourist can enjoy their stay for the whole of the year. Pushkar Fair is held in October or November every year. This fare is regarded as one of the largest fairs in Rajasthan. It is known for its trading of camels, horses, cows and goats. It is a religious town and is one of the important pilgrimage centres for Hindus. This place is known for the 'Holy Lake' which is situated on a hill. There is a temple of Lord Brahma on the hilltop, near the lake. Ajmer is also a holy place for Muslims. The well-known sacred place the Dargah of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti is also here.

Known as Camel Fair, the yearly event in Pushkar is not about camels only. Here you would encounter an enchanting riot of colours. The visiting men wearing colourful turbans and women in pleated ghagra (ankle-length skirts) of different hues: are some of the exotic attractions of the fair. The Village women would put on all the available ornaments and costumes of their choice. Every woman in the crowd would seem to be competing with each other in beauty and attraction.

Sporting Events

Sheetal Saini, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sporting events are major attractions of this fair. Camel and horse races are organised for the enjoyment of tourists coming from all over the world. The beautifully decked-up camels are paraded. Among the camels participating in the race, the most beautiful decorated camel is selected. The owner of that camel would receive praise and prizes. Those who visit India for their leisure tour, they hardly miss seeing the temples and lake of Pushkar.

Tourists from western countries flock in during the festival season of the fair. The event of Pushkar Fair has become now the most favourable destination for foreign tourists in India. 

FORTS OF INDIA: Rajasthan Forts and Castles

India is a land of Forts and Castles, as it has faced several attacks from many aggressors.

After Queen Victoria had taken over the reins of India from East India Company in the year 1857, the British people started respecting India as their second home. Tourists from other parts of the world have found the forts and castles of India as easily accessible remnants of the grand past of the country that is one of the oldest civilizations on the earth. 

Those who come from abroad to see the exotic locations in India, they would hardly miss visiting the state of Rajasthan. This area was formerly called Rajputana, the land of Rajput kings. As this area has always remained on the frontline, the aggressors came here frequently. Thus we find many forts and castles in the state of Rajasthan, India. These are some of the forts tourists would love to visit.

Fort of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Once a quiet desert and now a place bubbling with world tourists, Jaisalmer Fort, Built by Raja Jaisal in 1156 A.D., is one of the oldest forts in Rajasthan, India.

Rajasthan: Jaisalmer Fort

Made of sandstones and locally known as Sonar Quila, the Jaisalmer Fort of Jaisalmer is a nice-looking structure amid the sands of the Rajasthan desert. Covered by 30 feet high sandstone wall, the fort has 99 bastions, 92 of which were built in the seventeenth century, between 1633 and 1647 AD. The Jaisalmer is also known as Sonar Quila, literally meaning the Fort of God or golden fort. The fort is also known as the. The name of this fort is so because it is standing against the backdrop of the desert with its golden sand. The fort looks straight out of a fairy tale.

How to Reach Jaisalmer

Being located in the heart of the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, the fort of Jaisalmer is well connected with the rest of India by motorway and railways. If you want to travel by air, book a ticket for Jodhpur (distance 285 km) and then proceed to Jaisalmer. Getting accommodation would not be a problem here. You can find a hotel suitable for your packet. Hotels suitable for those who like cheap hotels would be an additional advantage of this place.

Jaisalmer: A Fort of Historical Events

As this fort is near to the traditional border of India with western nations like Iran, Afghanistan and so on, it has faced several attacks from Muslim invaders. But the Local Rajput kings had to defeat almost all the attacks on the fort. During British rule, the state of Jaisalmer had been a princely state under British Raj. 

Fort Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan

Aryarakshak at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

Kumbhalgarh Fort, built by Rajput king Rana Kumbh, is as accessible today as it was inaccessible in the sixteenth century.
Kumbhalgarh Fort, Rajasthan, Western India.

The great wall of this fort is believed to be the second-longest wall in the world, the first being the wall of China. this has made the fort almost un-conquerable. Thus it would be a journey in the land of wonders and exotic locations.

Mewar's rulers became patrons of all that was best in Indian martial Art and fine arts like miniature paintings and, architecture. Rajput King Rana Kumbh had designed and built 32 out of the 84 fortresses defending Mewar. The fort of Kumbhalgarh with its 36-km long wall and soaring towers is one of the most impressive tourist places in Rajasthan. Kumbhalgarh stands on the site of an ancient citadel dating back to the time of Jain descendants of India's Mauryan emperors who ruled India in the second century AD.

How to Reach Kumbhalgarh

As the fort is located near the famous city of Udaipur in Rajasthan, tourists can book an air ticket for Udaipur and then go by motorway. At Udaipur, there will be facilities to fly to Delhi, Jaipur and other important cities in India. The rail journey is also a wonderful experience in India.

In addition to the fort, Kumbhapgarh is home to a wonderful wildlife sanctuary. Here the tourists would catch the rare beauty of seeing the unmatched flora and fauna of Rajasthan which is known as the land of Sun, sand and forts. 

Amber Fort: 

This fort is very near the city of Jaipur. The fort of Amber is very old. The present structure is built over the remnants of an earlier structure. This fort is well known for its unique artistic style. The forts in north India are built using two main styles of architecture. One is Hindu style and another is Mughal style. This fort represents both architectural styles.

Mehrangarh Fort: 

Located on a high hill, this fort is near Jodhpur. It is one of the largest forts in India. Being one of the forts which have seen many battles, the outer wall of it bears witness to the same. The construction of this grand fort started in the middle of the fifteenth century. It was the period when the Mughals had not entered the land of India. But the aggressors coming from Afghanistan frequently attacked the area of Rajasthan.

Chittorgarh Fort: 

The fort of Chittorgarh is a symbol of romance and spirit. It reminds us of the history of Rajput heroism and sacrifice. The tales of unmatched heroism are told and sung by the local folk singers of Rajasthan. The main attraction for visiting this fort is its marvellous looks. The fort is on a picturesque hilltop. This fort is like a mirror reflecting the lifestyle of the people of India who lived there in the medieval period.