The Thar Desert located in Western India and South Eastern Pakistan, with landforms divided into three major regions sand covered desert, plains and hills, spreads across the state of Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat in western India and of Punjab and Haryana in northern India. Covering about 2,09,000 sq km, the desert, interspersed with hillocks, gravel, salt marshes and some lakes, is one of the leading destinations in India for tourism.
The only river that crosses these sands mainly in Rajasthan, is the Luni, which joins the Arabian Sea through the Rann of Kachchh in Gujarat State. In 1996, discoveries made by paleontologists indicated that dinosaurs and their ancestors stalked the desert as long back as 300 million years.
You would be able to locate number of villages along the desert. These villages reflect the rich cultural heritage of the state. These villages profoundly carry the heritage of the bygone era. The people residing in these villages have two major occupations – Livestock and Cattle.
Safaris are considered the best way to explore Thar Desert. Desert Safari can be a Jeep Safari or a Camel Safari. Jeep Safari is a beautiful way to experience the beauty of Thar Desert. The state is rich in forts and havelis. Desert Jeep Safari is one of the most adventurous and rewarding of all the safaris which you would have undertaken.
The predominant cities in Thar desert of India are Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Jodhpur blonging to Rajasthan. The desert circuit trail gives an unforgettable experience to everybody who come here from all across the world. It is always economical to visit entire Rajasthan, while you plan to trek Thar desert of India.
Rajasthan, An Introduction
Rajasthan, the largest state of India in terms of area, located in the northwestern part of the country, is surrounded by Pakistan to the west, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Gujrat to the southwest, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the north east, and Punjab to the north. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, popularly known as the Pink City, is also known for its parallel streets and astonishing architecture and therefore called the Paris of India. Gifted with natural beauty, a great history, splendid forts & palaces, colourful festivals & fairs, lively culture, varied landscape and biodiversity, Rajasthan welcomes the tourists with open arms.
Rajasthan is action packed with outdoors too; take a safari on horses, camels, elephants or even jeeps with the arrivals – the oldest mountain range of India in the backdrop, or set your eyes on the sloppy sand dunes, or just watch birds on wetland. You can also choose to indulge yourself in the heritage properties. Rajasthan has something for everyone, so cast an anchor here in the best hotels and choose your activity while visiting Rajasthan, unique is the world for its heritage, culture, sand dunes and wildlife.
Topography of Rajasthan
The state covers an area of 343, 000 sq km. The Aravali Range, one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world, running across the state from southwest Guru Peak (Mount Abu), which is 1,722 m in height to Khetri in the northeast, divides the state into 60% in the northwest of the lines and 40% in the southeast. The northwest area, mostly located in the Thar desert, is sandy and arid with little water but improves gradually from desert land in the far west and northwest to comparatively fertile and habitable land towards the east.
The south-eastern area is comparatively more fertile than northwestern area while southwest area has a much diversified topography. In the south lies the hilly area of Mewar, while in the southeast a large area of the districts of Kota and Bundi forms plateau, flourished at the bank of the Chambal River. Further north, the flat plains of the northeastern Bharatpur district are part of the alluvial basin of the Yamuna River.
The Aravali outlines the most important division of Rajasthan. The Chambal River, which is the only large and permanent river in the state, originates from its drainage to the east of this range and flows northeast. Its principal tributary, the Banas, rises in the Aravali near Kumbhalgarh and collects all the drainage of the Mewar plateau. Further north, the Banganga, after rising near Jaipur, flows to the east-wards before disappearing. The Luni is the only significant river in the west of the Aravali. It rises in the Pushkar valley of Ajmer and flows 320 km west-southwest into the Rann of Kachchh. Northeast of the Luni basin, in the Shekhawati territory, is an area of internal drainage characterized by salt lakes, the largest of which is Sambhar Salt Lake.
In the vast sandy north-western plain extending over the districts of Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalor, Sirohi, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ganganagar, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Pali, and Nagaur, soils are mainly saline or alkaline. Water is scarce but is found at a depth of 30 to 61 m. The soil and sand are calcareous (chalky). Nitrates in the soil increase its fertility, and, as has been shown in the area of the Indira Gandhi (formerly Rajasthan) Canal, cultivation is often possible where adequate water supplies are made available.
The soils in the Ajmer district in central Rajasthan are sandy; clay content varies between 3 and 9 per cent. In the Jaipur and Alwar districts in the east, soils vary from sandy loam to loamy sand. In the Kota, Bundi, and Jhalawar territory, soils are black and deep and are well drained. In Udaipur, Chittaurgarh, Dungarpur, Banswara, and Bhilwara districts, eastern areas have mixed red and black and western areas red to yellow soils.
Languages of Rajasthan
Rajasthan is a Hindi speaking state of India, normally Hindi and English being the languages of personal and official correspondences. But colloquy goes on here mainly in Hindi and Rajasthani, consisting of five prime dialects Dhundnari, Hadauti, Marwari, Mewari and Mewati, and to some extent in English. AFEV, a Bikaner based French NGO, has gone all out to popularize and teach French language, particularly to tourist guides. Dante, in Jaipur and Expressions in Ajmer are well known foreign language institutes of Rajasthan. Folk literature in Rajasthani language is varied and rich and consists of songs, tales, sayings, riddles and folk-plays popularly known as klyals. Tourists enjoy folk music and dance at table in several hotels and restaurants in Rajasthan.
People of Rajasthan
According to 2001 survey Rajasthan has a population of 56.5 million. Rajasthan
has a large indigenous populace Minas (Minawati) in Alwar, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Dholpur areas. The Meo and the Banjara are travelling tradesmen and artisans. The Gadia Lohar are the ironsmiths who travel on bullock carts; they generally make and repair agricultural and household equipments.
The Bhils are one of the oldest people in India, inhabit the districts of Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh, Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur, and Sirohi and are famous for their skill in archery. The Grasia and nomadic Kathodi live in the Mewar region. Sahariyas are found in the Kota district, and the Rabaris of the Marwar region are cattle breeders.
The Oswals hail from Osiyan near Jodhpur are successful traders and are predominately Jains. While the Mahajan (the trading class) are subdivided into a large number of groups, some of these groups are Jain, while others are Hindu. In the north and west, the Jat, normally the farmers, and Gujar, normally the milkmen, are among the largest agricultural communities. The Gujars who are Hindus reside in eastern Rajasthan.
The nomadic Rabari or Raika are divided in two groups the Marus who breed camels and Chalkias who breed sheep and goats. The Muslims form less than 10% of the population and most of them are Sunnis. There is also a small but affluent community Shiaite Muslims known as Bhoras in southeastrn Rajasthan. The Rajputs and Brahmins represent only a small proportion of the populace, but are the influential section of the people in Rajasthan. Rajputs have ruled over Rajasthan, so are proud of their martial reputation and ancestry.
Climate of Rajasthan
The climate of Rajasthan varies throughout the state, The climate of Rajasthan can be divided into four seasons: Summers, Monsoon, Post-Monsoon and winter.
A summer, which extends from April to June, is the hottest season, with day temperatures ranging from, say, 32 degree C to 45 degree C. In western Rajasthan the temp may rise to 48 degree C, particularly in May and June. At this time, Rajasthan's only hill station, Mt Abu registers the lowest temperatures. In the desert regions, the temperature drops at night. Prevailing winds are from the west and sometimes carry dust storms. The second season Monsoon extends from July to September, temp drops, but humidity increases, even when there is slight drop in the temp (35 degree C to 40 degree C). 90% of rains occur during this period.
The Post-monsoon period is from October to November. The average maximum temperature is 33 degree C to 38 degree C, and the minimum is between 18 degree C and 20 degree C.
The fourth season is winter or the cold season, from December to March. There is a marked variation in maximum and minimum temperatures and regional variations across the state. January is the coolest month of the year. And temp may drop to 0 degree C in some cities of Rajasthan, like Churu. There is slight precipitation in the north and northeastern region of the state, and light winds, predominantly from the north and northeast. At this time, relative humidity ranges from 50% to 60% in the morning, and 25% to 35% in the afternoon.
Culture of Rajasthan
Gifted with natural beauty and rich history, Rajasthan is a popular tourist destination in India. Rajasthan is situated in the north west of India and is known as the most colourful region of India. The landscape of Rajasthan is very gorgeous and the people adorn interesting customs. Witness to a great royal past, Rajasthan is endowed with extraordinary forts and palaces. The landscape has its own variety from lofty hills to simmering sand dunes, thus contributing different tourist attractions of nature and wildlife. It has strange combination in all its forms - people, customs, culture, attires, music and cuisine.
People & Lifestyle
A majority of population in Rajasthan resides in villages. The rural vistas have a lot to offer to the visitors. Being the origin of the famous folk arts and crafts of the state, the rural settings are home to the most warm-hearted people and peaceful surrounding. Away from the hustle bustle of cities, rural life is the best way to re-energize you amongst people that derive their energy from their own close knit and very generous society.
The peaceful surroundings not only present a view of the very different lifestyle but also offer the most sumptuous cuisine along with some dazzling attires and numerous celebrations. Staying with the villagers in their mud houses and spending a day or two with them will bring you across a way of life so peaceful that you may never want to leave.
The serene surroundings not only provide a view of the very different lifestyle but also offer the most sumptuous cuisine along with some dazzling attires and innumerable fascinating festivities.
Rajasthan Cuisine
In the kitchens of Rajasthan, food was very serious business and raised to the level of an art - form. Hundreds of cooks worked in the pompous palaces and kept their recipes a closely guarded secret.
Cooking here has its own unique flavour and the simplest; the most basic of ingredients go into the preparation of most of the dishes. The war -like lifestyle of its inhabitants and the availability of ingredients in this region influenced the cuisine of Rajasthan. In the desert region of Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner, cooks use the minimum of water and prefer, instead, to use more milk, butter milk and clarified butter. Gram flour is a major ingredient here and is used to make some of the delicacies like khata, gatte ki sabzi, Mangodi, Papad, pakodi bhujia, Dal-Bati-Choorma etc.
Music & Dance
Each region of Rajasthan has its own dialect of music and dance. The Ghoomer dance of Udaipur and Kalbeliya dance of Jaisalmer are world-renowned. Folk music is a very important part of Rajasthan culture. A large variety of musical instruments is used in the countryside. Dholaks, chang or manzira, flutes, trumpets are generally used. Amazingly rich music of Rajasthan has an extraordinary individuality, tradition and exotic flavour. Songs are generally related for every occasion like birth or marriage. With rich emotional content, almost an endless variety of tunes, quite a few delightful dance forms, and a large number of musical instruments, all the collective creations of the folks are retained by folk artists in traditional form and character and passed from one generation to the other.
Colourful Festivals
Festivals give people a chance to decorate their homes, buy new clothes, visit relatives and friends and take rest from their daily routine to get together and enjoy the festivities. Special food, naturally, is very high on the agenda, keeping in mind the occasion; a wedding, a festival, a celebration to mark the birth or a good crop, a good monsoon, so many to celebrate.
