Like its colorful culture the festivals of Jaisalmer are also full of colors that represent the royal and traditional heritage of the region. The colorful festivals of Jaisalmer are famous all over India. All the festivals are celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm. A number of local people along with national and international visitors take part with great zeal in each celebration.

Famous Festivals of Jaisalmer:

Every festival of Jaisalmer has its pretty importance, but some of the most popular are Desert Festival, Teej, Deepawali and Holi. Among this festivals Desert Festival is the most important as well as the most awaited festival of Jaisalmer.

Desert Festival:

Desert Festival is celebrated in the month of February. This colorful festival is celebrated for three days. It reveals the local elements, heritage and colorful culture of Rajasthan. Desert festival was started in Jaisalmer with the purpose to attract the foreign tourists and at the same time to introduce them the rich culture of exotic Rajasthan. This grand festival is sponsored by the ”Rajasthan State Tourism Corporation”.

Attractions of Desert Festival:

The main attractions of the Desert Festival are Snack charmers, amazing puppet show, acrobats, music and dance performances by folks. However dance and the music shows are rather being performed during night hours. Renowned dancers and musicians from all over Rajasthan create a fascinating environment with their classic performances. Other major highlights of Desert festival are traditional gymnasts and competitions like turban tying competition, longest mustaches competition etc. The ship of desert – camels also take part in this wonderful fest. The events like camel races, camel dance, camel polo and camel decoration, are pretty exciting.

Teej:

Teej is the festivals for married women. This is a very colorful fest, when all the married women wear new, bright-colored dresses and ornaments. They apply Mehendi (hina) in their hands. This is the auspicious day, when Goddess Parvati is worshiped and women pray for the long life of their husbands.

Deepawali:

This is one of the important festival of Jaisalmer. On this day Goddess of wealth Laxmi, and Lord Ganesha are worshiped. People decorate their houses with lights and diyas, also delicious sweets and dishes are prepared.

Holi:

The festivals of Holi is the symbol of togetherness, on this day people hug each other. Everyone play with colors and gulal. In the evening time people wear new clothes, visit the local fairs and meet their near and dear ones.

Plan Rajasthan Tours and enjoy the colorful festivals with Jaisalmer Travel.

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Be it unwinding at a beach or jumping off a cliff, relaxation has different meaning for different people, but when we speak about deserts, it is a combination of both. Indian deserts can thrill you with safaris, camel rides and sand dunes; you can also chill with folk music, royal cuisine and picturesque view.

India is blessed with beautiful deserts and to guide you where to go, we have compiled a list of 5 desert destinations in India.

Jaisalmer

Nothing beats Rajasthan when it comes to deserts in India. Blessed with architecture, arts, culture and traditions, Jaisalmer is one of the best deserts in the royal state.

Things to do

Take a camel safari

Jeep safari

Visit the Desert National Park, the Jaisalmer Fort, the Golden Fortress

How to reach: Nearest airport and railway station is Jaisalmer

Stay: There are some good home stays at Jaisalmer. Uju’s Homestay, Camp Rawala Kanoi, Jhalodi are some of them.

Cold Desert of Trans Himalayas

Desert mountain valley of Lahaul and Spiti is another unique biosphere. Located in Himachal Pradesh, this part of the Trans Himalayas has brown mountains devoid of any rainfall during any part of the year. It experiences snowfall for eight months and remains cut of from mainland. There is no vegetation that survives here.

Things to do

You can have a look the highest inhabited villages in the Himalayas.

You can take a look at the Spitian culture.

This is also a home to snow leopard, blue sheep, Tibetan wolf.

Take a walk across some of the most stunning landscapes in the Himalayas.

How to reach: It’s a 6 hour drive from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. One can reach Shimla from Chandigarh.

Stay: Spiti Ecosphere provides good homestays in this area.

Khimsar

Located between Bikaner and Jodhpur, Khimsar is known for its princely fort built in the 16th Century.

With sand dunes, desert villages and a royal fort, Khimsar ranks as one of the most attractive desert destination in any travellers’ bucket list. Khimsar is more like a culture tour.

Things to do

Take a trip to the Panchala Black Buck Reserve

Visit the village of Khimsar to learn about local culture.

How to reach: Nearest rail head is Jodhpur. It’s a 2-hour drive from Jodhpur to Khimsar.

Stay: Khimsar Fort has a heritage hotel run by the royal family of the place.

Sam and Khuri Sand Dunes

In the vicinity of Jaisalmer, these unexplored sand dunes are known for amazing camel rides and solitude of the rough terrains. While not much tourism has bloomed in yet, star gazing at night and spending some quality time with your date in a thatched hut are some of the activities to do here.

How to reach: Sam and Khuri are reachable from Jaisalmer.

Stay: Camping out in the desert is the best option. Also available are some homestays at Khuri like Mamas and Badal House.

Great Rann of Kutch

This is a marshy saline clay desert in Gujarat. Known for its white texture, thanks to the salty clay and mudflats, Kutch is the largest salt desert in the world.

Things to do

Follow the calendar. Take a romantic walk in the Rann on a full moon night and it would be a ‘walk to remember’.

Being at the Rann Utsav between November to February is also an experience.

How to reach: It’s a 2 hours drive from Ahmadabad.

Stay: There are plenty of home stays at Kutch apart from regular hotels. Rann Riders, Desert Adventures in Little Rann and Shaam -e-Sarhad, Devpur Home Stay in Great Rann and Bhuj

Note: Being a border area, this place needs a permit, which is available at the check posts on the way.

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Hawa Mahal Jaipur

The renowned ‘Palace Of The Winds’, or Hawa Mahal, is one of the prominent tourist attractions in Jaipur city. Located in the heart of Jaipur, this beautiful palace was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh who belonged to Kachhwaha Rajput dynasty. it was essentially a high screen wall built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivals while unseen from the outside. Hawa Mahal is famous for its windows or ‘Jharokhas‘ which enable free circulation of air within the structure.

There is a small museum located in the premises of Hawa Mahal that houses ancient artifacts related to the Rajput lifestyle.  It is located right in the center of the city and can be easily reached from anywhere in Jaipur.

City Palace, Jaipur

Located in the heart of the Pink City Jaipur. The City Palace Complex includes the Mubarak Mahal (the palace of reception) and the Maharani’s Palace (the palace of the queen). Mubarak Mahal now houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and displays a vast and unique collection of royal costumes, delicate Pashmina (Kashmiri) shawls, Benaras silk saris, and other dresses with Sanganeri prints and folk embroidery. The clothes of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I are also on display. The Maharani’s Palace, surprisingly, has an interesting display of very well-preserved Rajput weaponry, some dating back to the 15th century. Other than the arms, the palace is adorned with beautiful paintings on the ceiling that are well-maintained.

Amer Fort

Amber (pronounced Amer) is at a distance of about 11 kilometres from Jaipur.

The palace, located in craggy hills, is a beautiful melange of Hindu and Mughal styles. Raja Man Singh I began construction in 1592 and the palace, which was built as a strong, safe haven against attacking enemies, was completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh. Amber Fort is known for its artistic style, blending Rajput elements. With its large ramparts, series of gates and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks the Maota Lake, at its forefront.  Major attractions of Amer are : Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khaas, Ganesh Pol, Jaleb Chowk, Singh Pol, Jai Mandir, Yash Mandir, Sukh Mandir, Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), Suhag Mandir, Shila Devi Temple, Bhool Bhulaiya, and Zanana Dyodhi .

Jantar Mantar Jaipur

The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is considered to be the largest of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. The Universe and the Cosmos have always been of interest to man, and it was this interest that compelled the Maharaja to build an astronomical observatory. The term ‘Jantar Mantar’ is derived from the Sanskrit terms ‘Yantra’ and ‘Mantra’ meaning ‘instruments’ and ‘formula’ respectively. The term ‘Yantra’ was replaced with ‘Jantar’ which means ‘magical’. The Jantar Mantar houses various architectural and astrological instruments that have caught the interests of astronomers, historians and architects around the world.

Nahargarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort was built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur . The northern frontier of Jaipur is fortified by Nahargarh Fort. Situated on a rough crest of the Aravalli range, the fort, which literally means ‘abode of the tigers’. Nahargarh Fort is connected to the Jaigarh Fort through its fortifications. It is believed that the construction of this fort was obstructed by the spirit of a Rathore prince, Nahar Singh Bhomia. However, the spirit was pacified when a temple dedicated to him was built inside the fort. This is a two-storey building which has suites for the king and his twelve queens. It is divided into nine similar apartments and each of these apartments has a lobby, bedrooms, toilets, kitchen and store. Other structures inside the palace include Diwan-I-Aam, an open air enclosure where the king met the common men and listened to their problems and complaints.

 Jal Mahal Palace

Jal Mahal which literally means the “Water Palace” is a palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city. The palace and the lake around it were modernized and enlarged in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber. Jal Mahal, that means water palace in English, is a beautiful place that is located in the center of the lake Man Sagar, in Jaipur. the lake used to be a bird watcher’s paradise in the past and was a favorite ground for the Rajput kings of Jaipur for royal duck shooting parties during picnics. The lake was home to more than 150 species of local and migratory birds that included Large Flamingo, Great Crested Grebe, Pintail, Pochards, Kestrel, Coot, Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Ruff, Herring Gull, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Grey Wagtail, but their numbers declined with the worsening of the lake

Jaigarh Fort

The Jaigarh Fort is a majestic stronghold built by Sawan Jai Singh II. Jaigarh Fort is situated on the promontory called the Cheel ka Teela of the Aravalli range. The Jaigarh Fort was built to secure Jaipur City and the Amer fort from warlords and rivals The fort houses the world’s greatest cannon on wheels known as the ‘Jaivana Cannon’ and a huge palace complex. This includes the Laxmi Vilas, Lalit Mandir, Aram Mandir and the Vilas Mandir. The fort has a well-tended garden which can be viewed by tourists even today along with an armory and a museum. The Jaigarh fort was never conquered in battle, and was also the strongest of the three forts in Jaipur. During the Mughal dynasty, the fort bore witness to an ambush by Aurangzeb who defeated and killed his own brother who was the overseer of the cannon outpost in the fort. Apart from that, the fort never witnessed any major resistance, and only test-fired the world’s largest cannon, once!

Albert hall Museum

 

The building gets its name from The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the inspiration for its design. The Albert Hall was completed in 1887 by the architect Samuel Swinton Jacob,Director of Jaipur PWD. its Indo-Saracenic architecture and stone ornamentation, became a source of reference for varied classical Indian styles of design from Mughal to Rajput. Even the corridors were decorated with murals in a variety of styles including the Ramayan, reproducing paintings from illustrations in the Persian Razmnama prepared for Emperor Akbar. European, Egyptian, Chinese, Greek and Babylonian civilizations were portrayed in the other murals to enable the people of the region to compare and contrast them with their own and develop their knowledge of history and art.

The museum displays a wide range of metal objects, wood crafts, carpets, stone and metal sculptures, arms and weapons, natural stones and ivory goods. It also houses a large collection of miniatures from Bundi, Kota, Kishangarh, Udaipur and Jaipur schools of art.

Birla Temple

The Birla Temple, originally known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, and is situated below the Moti Dungri Fort in Jaipur. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, this temple is a proud architectural landmark of Jaipur. Built in pure white marble, the Birla Temple is unlike the traditional ancient Hindu temples, and is built with a modern approach. Inside this magnificent shrine, beautifully sculpted idols of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, as well as other Hindu Gods and Goddesses, can be seen. the Birla temple was built on the land given to the Birla family by the Maharaja, for just a token sum of one rupee. One of India’s most famous business families, B.M Birla Foundation, built this temple in the year 1988. Apart from the religious idols, pictures and figures of several religious saints, philosophers and historical achievers, like Socrates, Buddha, Zarathustra and Confucius, are also included in the temple. A work of art, this temple truly represents architectural beauty, in a modern form.

Galtaji Monkey Temple

The Galtaji Temple is located in the Aravalli hills and is bounded by dense trees and bushes. This impressive building is ornamented by painted walls, adorned by rounded roofs and pillars. Apart from the kunds, there are temples of Lord Ram, Lord Krishna and Lord Hanuman situated within the temple complex. Diwan Rao Kriparam, an attendant to Sawai Jai Singh II, in the 18th Century, built the Galtaji Temple.

The temple complex encompasses natural fresh water springs and 7 holy ‘kunds’ or water tanks. Among these kunds, the ‘Galta Kund’, is the holiest one and is believed to never get dry. A spring of pure water flows from the ‘Gaumukh’, a rock shaped like a cow’s head, into the tanks. This temple is famous for the many tribes of monkeys that dwell in this area.

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Udaipur, the most romantic city of Rajasthan is a must see destination of India. Affectionately dubbed as the ‘city of lakes’, it boasts of lovely lakes. It is famous for its palaces, lakes, temples and other structures. The foundation of the city was laid by Maharana Udai Singh in the year 1559. The city lies beautifully on the banks of the mesmerizing Pichola lake. Surrounded by the Aravali hills, the city is very picturesque. The city is also famous for Lake Palace, which is one of the finest heritage hotels in the world. It is located amidst lake Pichola.

When you travel to Udaipur, do visit the following attractions:

The City Palace

Dominating the land of this fascinating destination, the City Palace is a royal structure. The apartments, museum, rooms, terraces, corridors and hanging gardens inside the palace are truly mesmerizing. The foundation of the palace was laid by Maharaja Udai Singh. Its architectural style is a combination of Rajput, European and Chinese architecture. Breathtaking carvings, royal paintings and stunning decoration of the palace never fail to capture the hearts of tourists. It also offers wonderful views of Lake Pichola.

Jagdish Temple

Located in the City Palace complex, Jagdish temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath( a form of lord Vishnu). It is the biggest temple in the city which is fashioned in Indo-Aryan style of architecture. Its history dates back to the year 1651. Its carvings and sculptures attract attention.

Fateh Sagar Lake

It is a huge and wonderful lake which was named after Maharana Fateh Singh who built it. Enjoy boating at this lake which offers picturesque views of the surroundings.

Saheliyon-ki-Bari

It is a beautiful garden especially made for the queen and her maids. It is decorated beautifully with marble elephants, pools and fountains.

Shopping

A variety of colorful and beautiful handicrafts are available in the bustling bazaars of Udaipur. Tie and dye fabric, juttis, lac bangles, silver jewelery, stone jewelery, paintings, puppets etc are some of the most famous handicrafts of Udaipur.

Incredible India Tourism offers amazing tourists destinations to visit. Travel to Udaipur, Rajasthan and adorn your holidays with golden memories. Udaipur tourism offers royalty and glory of the raja-maharja era. Visit the City Palace, Lake Pichola, Fateh Prakash Sagar and Jagdish temple which are the main attractions of Udaipur.

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Is it just me or does your next holiday seem a long way in the distance! Now I have heard of a species of humans who ACCRUE annual leave and are even FORCED to take holidays because they have TOO MANY?!?!?! But this is a very strange and foreign concept to me. I’ve always been either in the negative when it comes to annual leave or I can be found on extend unpaid leave. My motto has always been: life is too short to accrue leave!

But sometimes this mandate can place us avid adventurers in a bit of a puzzle. Yes there are years of our lives when we spend all our money gallivanting the globe but there are also, how do I put it… dry spells? You know the years when you undertake a renovation or perhaps you add to your brood or take some time off work and just don’t have the kind of cash flow required to jump on a plane to India.

I still think, life is too short to accrue annual leave and so we need to think and plan creatively! One of the biggest challenges of being grounded in Rajasthan due to lack of funds for international travel is of course the fact that the cost of living here is really high. You can’t just book a last minute weekend away or road trip up Jaisalmer to the Whitsundays, because a) fuel is expensive and b) accommodation is INSANELY expensive. But there are definitely ways to get those holidays feels without breaking the budget and explore some of our own beautiful backyard at the same time. Here are some of my hot tips:

Plan ahead. If you can plan some weekends away outside of peak holiday periods in jaisalmer, you will save a lot of money on accommodation costs and you will have plenty more options to choose from.

Use Rajasthan tour planner. This accommodation and Car rental service has really changed the way I travel. I have used it prolifically throughout Asia and at home in India and it has proved to not only be reliable and reasonable, but it’s a great way to obtain local knowledge of the places you are visiting.

Rajasthan tour planner is a great way to travel for free (you are literally crashing on someone’s “couch” or spare bed). It’s also a great travelling network – you can accrue friends all around the world.

Learn to love roughing it! Camping is such a great way to travel – especially as a family. If you’re not a natural camper, learn to love it! Borrow gear from friends or family so you can have a bit of a trial run before investing in the complete setup. Kids love nothing better than the adventure of camping, so head to the bush or the beach and enjoy connecting with nature and getting back to basics. If you can foster a love of camping in your family when your kids are young, you will set yourself up for easy, fun, cheap, holidays for the rest of your lives! And if you’re not used to roughing it, just choose your destination wisely. Make sure the campground has good facilities like hot water, toilets etc. And what could go wrong?!

Take control of your calendar! We all know how busy life can get. Before you know it the months are taken over with birthday parties, christenings, family gatherings and work events. It might all be fun, but you know what it equates to… months of endless busy weekends where you just can’t get away. For me it’s all about balance and prioritising holiday time. Whether you want to get away with the girls, your partner or your family, take control of your calendar and book out some weekends in advance so it actually happens.

Even if you don’t have any massive international trips on the horizon, there is still something really exciting and rewarding about looking at your calendar and knowing you have a romantic weekend away coming up next month and a camping trip with family the month after that. It’s great to allow for some spontaneity – if the weather is going to be good, why not hit the open road and chase the sun? But remember if you want to make holidaying part of your lifestyle you need to plan ahead and prioritise!