It is the
people of Rajasthan who gives more colour
to the landscape. Rajasthan is formed of
a number of ancient principalities and the
name itself means "The Kings' Abode".
The inhabitants - Rajputs, were brave warrriors,
perpetually fighting against the intruders.
This is why one sees today the fortresses
and castles on almost every top of raised
rocks. The Rajputs were famous for their
courage and chivalry. With a great feeling
of glory they carried out a ritual of collective
suicide (compared to Samurai's in Japan)
called "Jauhar", where the women
jumped in a pyre and the men chose death
on the battlefield instead of taking off
their saffron coloured turban, surrender
to a superior enemy and get humiliated.
Pride and courage is the constant theme
of all the narratives and legends about
Rajputs.
Rajasthan attracts thousands of tourists
every year, in fact every third tourist
coming to India visits Rajasthan. It has
something for almost every kind of traveller,
for those looking for an active, action-packed
holiday there are several places which allows
one to enjoy the great outdoors, there is
trekking, there are horse and camel safaris
through desert or along the Aravalli, the
oldest mountain range in India. Take a royal
tour and live like a Maharaja or spend a
peaceful and quiet holiday in one of the
several offbeat destinations in historic
towns. Wildlife lovers can spot tigers and
other rare species in various wildlife sanctuaries.
It is well connected with other parts of
the country and can easily be approached
from Delhi and Bombay. Fast trains, direct
bus and air connections make travel easy
and comfortable. Rajasthan is a land where
the past still lives on and it is indeed
a glorious past.
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