TOURIST DESTINATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN RAJASTHAN
Age: 12+
Genre: Tourism
INTRODUCTION:
When you think of tourism in India, no mind escapes the thought of Rajasthan as a destination. Rajasthan is the top destination for the foreign tourist as established by the statistical numbers which shows — “one in three of all the foreign tourists in India visit Rajasthan”. So lets discuss in detail the tourism aspects in the Rajasthan…. Let’s meet Rajasthan… ‘Padharo Mhare Des’.
What aids tourism in Rajasthan :
a) Gateway: State with close proximity to country’s capital Delhi, provide a distinct advantage as the tourist destination. Also Rajasthan is the part of the golden triangle tourist circuit that joins Delhi to Rajasthan to Agra. The proximity to the famous TAJ MAHAL, one of the seven wonders of world come to aid further enhancement of tourism in state.
b) Diverse Topography: Rajasthan is the largest state of India with paradoxical co-existence of the Great Indian Desert, Aravali mountain range, and Ravines and gullies of the perennial river Chambal. These aspects add to the magical feeling.
c)Ecology: Rajasthan is ecologically diverse with biomes ranging from mixed type to desert type and it gives safe haven to innumerable species of animals and plants. It has 28 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
d)Culture:Rajasthan as the name implies is a land of ‘Rajas’. Rajasthan was ruled by the valiant Rajput’s who built magnificent forts, palaces and temples which fascinate tourists from all over the world. Rajasthan has a rich culture and heritage and is famous as a cultural destination. Rajasthan is also home to nine world heritage sites and numerous fair and festivities.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN RAJASTHAN:
Heritage Tourism:
A. FORTS
Amber Fort and Palace, Jaipur
BUILT BY:- Raja Man Singh I
BUILT IN:-Construction started in 16th century CE completed in 18th century CE.
Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
BUILT BY:- Sawai Jai Singh II
BUILT IN:-1734
Laxmangarh Fort, Shekhawati
BUILT BY:- Rao Raja of Sikar, Laxman Singh
BUILT IN:- 1862
Mandawa Fort, Shekhawati
BUILT BY:- Nawal Singh
BUILT IN:- 18th century CE
Lohagarh Fort, Bharatpur
BUILT BY:- Suraj Mal
BUILT IN:- early 18th Century CE
Taragarh Fort, Bundi
BUILT BY:- King Ajaypal Chauhan
BUILT IN:- 1113 CE
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner
BUILT BY:- Rao Bika
BUILT IN:- inaugurated on 17th February 1589
Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
BUILT BY:- King Rawal Jaisal
BUILT IN:- 1156
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
BUILT BY:- Rao Jodha
BUILT IN:- 1459
Chittorgarh Fort, Chittor
BUILT BY:- Chitrangad Mori of the Maurya dynasty
BUILT IN:- 7th century A.D.
Kumbhalgarh Fort, Kumbhalgarh
BUILT BY:- Rana Kumbha of Mewar
BUILT IN:- 15th century CE
Gagron Fort, Bikaner
BUILT BY:- Dod king Bijaldev
BUILT IN:- 12th century
B. PALACES:-
City Palace, Udaipur
- BUILT BY:- Maharana Udai Singh II
- BUILT IN:- 1559
lake Palace, Udaipur
- BUILT BY:- Maharana Jagat Singh II
- BUILT IN:- between 1743 and 1746
Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jodhpur
- BUILT BY:- Umaid Singh
- BUILT IN:- 1929
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
- BUILT BY:- Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh
- BUILT IN:- 1799
City Palace, Jaipur
- BUILT BY:- Amber Sawai Jai Singh II
- BUILT IN:- between 1729 and 1732
Jal Mahal, Jaipur
- BUILT BY:- Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh
- BUILT IN:- 1799
C. STEP WELLS:
- Chand Baori, Abhaneri
- Panna Meena ka Kund, Amer
- Hadi Rani ki Baori, Tonk
- Raniji Ki Baori, Bundi
- Toorji ka Jhalra, Jodhpur
Wildlife and eco-tourism:
- Ranthambore National Park
- Sariska National Park, Alwar
- Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary , Bharatpur
- Desert National Sanctuary, Jaisalmer
Other wildlife sanctuaries and national park:
- Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh
- Darrah Sanctuary, Kota
- Mount Abu Sanctuary, Mount Abu
- Sita Mata Sanctuary, Pratapgarh
- Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary, Karauli
- National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Kota
- Machiya Safari Park, Jodhpur
- Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary, Bundi
- Mukundara Tiger Reserve, Kota
- Baretha Wildlife sanctuary, Bharatpur
- Jaisamand Sanctuary, Udaipur
- Tal Chhapar Sanctuary, Shekhawati
- Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary
- Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary
Cultural Tourism:
Jan — March
- Nagaur Cattle Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb.)
- Camel Festival, Bikaner (January)
- The world’s largest free literary festival Jaipur literature festival is also held in Jaipur.
- Kite Festival (held on 14th Jan of every year)
- Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.)
Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is a colorful festival held in February every year. You will get to see Cultural events, camel races and turban tying competitions. There are contests to judge the man with the best moustache. With a final musical performance by folk singers under the moonlit sky at the dunes in Sam, just outside Jaisalmer, the festival comes to its end. The rich culture of the region is on display during this three daylong extravaganza.
- Baneshwar Fair, Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.)
- Gangaur Festival, Jaipur (March-April)
The Gangaur of Jaipur is famous in all over the world. In Jaipur, a sweet dish called a ghewar is characteristic of the Gangaur festival. People buy ghewar to eat and distribute it among their friends and relatives. A procession, with the image of Gauri, commences from the Zanani-Deodhi of the City Palace. It then passes through Tripolia Bazaar, Chhoti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, Chaugan stadium and finally converge near the Talkatora. People from all walks of life come to witness the procession.
- Mewar Festival, Udaipur (March-April)
- Elephant Festival, Jaipur (March-April)
April-June
- Urs Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer (According to Lunar Calendar)An annual festival held on the death anniversary of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chisti, Urs Festival is one of the major festival in Rajasthan. Celebrated for six consecutive days in Ajmer, this pious festival is celebrated during the seventh month of Muslim Calendar, and is attended by devotees from all background from almost all the corners of the country.
- Summer Festival, Mt.Abu (June)
July-September
- Teej Festival, Jaipur (July-August)
Teej festival of Rajasthan is a grand spectacle and you ought not to miss if you are in the Pink City. A royal procession of Teej Mata on an antique palanquin, called Teej Sawari, winds through the lanes of the city. There is a whole fanfare of dancers and band players who accompany the procession
2. Kajli Teej, Bundi (July-August)
October- December
1) Dussehra Festival, Kota (October)
2) Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October)
3) Bundi Festival, Bundi (November)
4)Pushkar Fair, Ajmer (November)
The Pushkar fair is one of India’s largest camel, horse and cattle fairs. Apart from the trading of livestock, it is an important pilgrimage season for Hindus to the Pushkar lake. Pushkar fair has also become a significant tourist attraction for domestic and international travellers, given the cooler season, the abundance of colourful cultural themes. Cultural events and competitions include dances, tug of war between women teams as well as men teams, the “matka phod”, “longest moustache” competition, “bridal competition”, camel races and others.
5) Matsya Utsav, Alwar (November)
6) Kumbhalgarh Festival, Rajasamand (December)
7) Winter Festival, Mt. Aby (December)
D. RELIGIOUS PLACES :-
- GALTAJI JAIPUR
- GOVIND DEVJI TEMPLE, JAIPUR
- BIRLA TEMPLE, JAIPUR
- BRAHMA TEMPLE, PUSHKAR
- AJMER SHARIF DARGAH, AJMER
- CHAMUNDA MATAJI TEMPLE, JODHPUR
- DILWARA JAIN TEMPLE, DILWARA
- SALASAR BALAJI TEMPLE, CHURU
- SHRINATHJI TEMPLE, NATHDWARA
- EKLINGJI TEMPLE , UDAIPUR
- GARADIA MAHADEV TEMPLE, KOTA
- KARNI MATA MANDIR
- KHATUSHYAMJI MANDIR
- RAMDEVRA TEMPLE, JAISALMER
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT:
Tourism is the third largest revenue contributor of the state and accounts for about 15% of the economy of Rajasthan and provides economic benefits like foreign exchange earnings, regional development, infrastructure development and promotion of local handicrafts. In Rajasthan, tourism accounts for 2.7% (5.2% after adding indirect effects) in Gross State Domestic Product and 1.9% (7.2% after adding indirect effects) in state employment. Rajasthan contributes about 20 % share in India’s foreign arrivals and received about 51.9 million tourists both domestic and foreign in 2018 which is 21% higher than the previous year, and compared to 26.82 million tourists in 2010 number of tourists have doubled. Rajasthan’s tourism ministry had a budget of 19075.68 lakh rupees in the year of 2018 out of which 6150.46 lakh rupees were spent on conservation of monuments and development of tourism. State government also facilitates tourism as tourism Industry is more gender neutral as compared to other Industries and women account for 65% of the international tourism workforce. For Rajasthan also tourism sector provides enabling platform for increasing labour force participation rate. Being such an important revenue source government has taken many steps in tourism development:
1.Public Private Participation in tourism sector :
1. Water based activities like cruise and boating in Chambal and other water bodies.
2. ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) in sand dunes of Jaisalmer / Barmer / Bikaner
3. Mountaineering and Trekking activities in Mount Abu/Jaipur
4. Establishment of Golf Resorts and Convention centres.
5. Night viewing of monuments at Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Bharatpur, Chittorgarh.
6. Development of eco-tourism in various places in state.
7.Development of tourism at Sambhar & Jaisamand lake.
2. Promotion of Eco-tourism in Rajasthan :
The Government of Rajasthan notified Rajasthan’s Eco-tourism policy in 2010. This policy has been framed with a view to sensitise the public , government departments, NGOs and others about eco-tourism and for laying down the framework for its growth in the State in a sustainable manner. Sunda Mata temple in Jalore district, Bassi in Chittorgarh district, Kumbhalgarh in Rajsamand district, Hamirgarh and Menal, both in Bhilwara district have been developed as per guidelines of eco-tourism.
3. Development of Agri-tourism :
In a new initiative labelled as Agri Tourism, Rajasthan Government is preparing to host tourists on fields to provide a complete hands-on farming experience. The initiative will introduce agriculture tourism in the state, developing both food parks and encouraging farmers to develop their farm fields.
Linking the tourism sector to agriculture has the ability to rejuvenate and inject resources for both sectors. Agri tourism will give tourists an attractive option to witness farming activities and learn more about rural way of life.Visitors will receive direct exposure and taste of rural life with stay on farm fields. For farmers it will be a source to generate additional income.
4. Policy incentives :
Rajasthan Government also provides various policy incentives for development of tourist infrastructure including hotels, convention centres, tourist places.
· Incentives available for establishment of Hotels in Rajasthan
· Regional Connectivity Scheme to improve intra-state air connectivity:
The government aims to connect 15 major cities of Rajasthan by air so that the tourists and entrepreneurs can avail faster transport.
· Development of a ‘Mega Desert Tourist Circuit’ comprising Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Pali, Mount Abu and Sambhar.
CONCLUSION:
Rajasthan is a land of exquisite culture and heritage and perfectly fits in the picture of an ‘Incredible India’. A tourist who visits Rajasthan does not return disappointed and leaves with lifelong memories and a beautiful picture of India in their mind. The hospitality of the people of Rajasthan is epitome of the principle of the ‘Athiti Devo Bhava’ which means ‘guest is god’ . Rajasthan also known as rangeelo Rajasthan with vivid variety of colours found in the dresses and accessories which reflects the colourful hearts of the beautiful people of rajasthan.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1026993/india-tourist-arrivals-in-rajasthan-by-type/
http://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/Other/rajisthan.pdf
