Rajasthan symbolizes royalty, gallantry, resplendence, festivals and who can forget the wide, barren yet the striking Thar Desert. The name of this state literally means `the land of the rajas (kings).` Rajasthan presents everything that is Indian in essence. Its culture, festivals, customs and even cuisine are deeply associated with the ancient Indian culture. Its diverse landscape attracts tourists from all over the world. The state ensures that the travelers do not face any kind of trouble while touring the state. These are some of the reasons why Rajasthan is a popular tourist destination in India.

History of Rajasthan: The Rajputs and the Mughals have contributed greatly in shaping the history of Rajasthan. Originally it was the dwelling place of the Rajputs who are considered the most chivalrous community in India. Archaeological excavations closely associate Rajasthan with the Harappan civilization. The state has witnessed a number of wars that were fought to possess it. The glory of Rajasthan reached its peak under the reign of the Mauryas.

Geography of Rajasthan : This is one of the major factors why Rajasthan has grown as a popular tourist destination. The two varied physical feature has blessed Rajasthan with a unique landscape. On one hand lies the Aravalli Ranges and on the other hand lies the Thar Desert. So the tourists can either enjoy the cool summers of Mount Abu or check out the shimmering golden sands of Jaisalmer. The region of Rajasthan has been divided into 32 districts. The important cities are Jaipur (capital), Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and others.

Economy of Rajasthan: The economy of Rajasthan is mainly dependent on agriculture and the small scale industries. The handicrafts industry is an important sector as it attracts a lot of buyers. Apart from these the tourism industry is at its best here. Te antiquity of this place is a major tourist attraction. Hence all kinds of measures are taken to promote travel and tourism in Rajasthan.

Government and Politics in Rajasthan: The present ruling party in Rajasthan is BJP. The political dominion of Rajasthan remains dominated by India`s two biggest political parties, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. The present Chief Minister is Smt. Vasundhara Raje.

Rajasthani People: The state is thickly populated in the Bharatpur area while the Jaisalmer area is sparsely populated. Besides the Rajputs the presence of the Muslims are also felt. Rajasthan is an amalgamation of cultures. People from all walks of life can be encountered here. So one hand there is the warrior class and on the other hand there is the business community, the singers, the percussionists, jesters as well as tribes. There are two types of tribes here: Bhils and Meenas.

Art and Craft in Rajasthan: Since the land is blessed with diverse communities the art and craft in Rajasthan enjoys a wide variety too. From semi precious stones to colorful carpets-----the list is endless. The people here are known for their artistry. Hence the travelers can check out the exquisite showpieces made of stone, leather and wood. Thee are jewelries, wall hangings and other form of folk crafts. Rajasthan is blessed with folk arts as well as ancient arts. Musical instruments are an important part of the musical tradition of Rajasthan. Some of the most renowned percussionists hail from Rajasthan.

Culture of Rajasthan: The culture of Rajasthan encompasses folk art as well as other traditional art and craft. A lot of artistry reflects the influence of the Mughals. Whether it is performing arts, lifestyle, food or handicrafts the impact of all kinds of tribes and communities are apparent in Rajasthan. Once upon a time the performing arts received royal patronage. Another important attraction of Rajasthani culture is its festivals. The vibrant colors and the zeal with which it is celebrated are unprecedented.

Demographics of Rajasthan: The Rajasthani population is dominated by the Hindus. Other than them there are Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and Sindhis. Rajasthani is the most widely spoken language. However Sindhi, Punjabi and Gujarati are also spoken here.

Rajasthani Cuisine: This is the perfect place to try out most scrumptious Indian foods. From the famous dal-bati churma to delicious desserts-the choice of cuisines here is as varied as its people.

Flora and Fauna of Rajasthan: Though it is primarily a desert region yet the Northern Desert Thorn Forest is houses a variety of animal species. Blackbucks, tigers, deer and other animals. A number of reserves and national parks have been set up to protect the wildlife.

Education in Rajasthan: Education is an important aspect of its culture. A large number of schools, colleges and adequate number of universities are there for the students. The educational institutes mirror the modern India.

Tourism in Rajasthan: Known as the `Land of Palaces and Forts`, Rajasthan situated in the Northern part of India is decked with alluring palaces, magnificent forts, a rich culture and heritage. The state encompasses most of the area of the Great Indian Desert. Mount Abu, known as one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world is famous for its Dilwara Temples.

Media in Rajasthan: Dainik Bhaskar is the most widely circulated newspaper in Rajasthan. Apart from these there is the Rajasthan Patrika and other leading English newspaper. Television is the most popular electronic medium in Rajasthan.

Sports in Rajasthan: Adventure sports are quite common in Rajasthan. Aero sports like gliding, paragliding, ballooning, parasailing and other sports like trekking and horse ridding are also popular sports here. Polo and cricket have a lot importance too.

Rajasthan Arrival and Information: Rajasthan is accessible through railways from any part of India. Apart from this the place is also well connected by air through the rest of the world. It is better to avoid Rajasthan during summer, as it is quite hot and humid then. October to March is the best time to visit Rajasthan.

Transport and Tours in Rajasthan: As far as the travelers are concerned the transport system in Rajasthan is quite impressive. The tourist places are well connected via road. So one will not have any problem in arriving Jaipur from Mount Abu. They can avail the tourist buses or arrange for rented cars. Packaged tours are also available widely for Rajasthan.

More on Rajasthan

Costumes of Rajasthan	Rajasthan Temples	Tribes of Rajasthan
Festivals of Rajasthan	Rajasthani Folk Music	Rajasthan Cricketers
Districts of Rajasthan	Cities of Rajasthan	Villages of Rajasthan
Museums of Rajasthan	Rajasthan Cricketers	Medical Colleges in Rajasthan
Folk Dances of Rajasthan	Crafts of Rajasthan