Palace on Wheels

The Palace on Wheels is a splendid and enchanting royal journey through the bygone era of Rajasthan unfolding itself gracefully.

On the Palace on Wheels tour you experience, first-hand, all the luxuries and lavish lifestyles worthy of the affluent Indian maharajas of yore.

The exquisite and exclusive Palace on Wheels is an air-conditioned broad gauge train with interiors done in accordance to the aesthetics of the old saloons. The Palace on Wheels consists of 14 inter-connected Saloons, 2 Restaurant-cum-Kitchen cars, a Bar-cum-Lounge and 4 Service cars as also a well-appointed lounge, library and bar.

The decor of each saloon, named on the princely states of Rajasthan, has highlighted the cultural ethos of the state, represented through the use of furniture, handicrafts, paintings and furnishings. Each saloon has 4 coupes (sleeping rooms) with attached bath and toilet attended by one saloon captain and 2 attendants to look after the guests. Each saloon has a mini pantry properly equipped to provide ready tea/coffee and snacks. An additional upper berth is available in case 3 persons wish to travel together.

Separate Dining Car offering Continental and Indian Cuisine and snacks with the Chef's special variety of the day, Separate Lounge-cum-Observation car with a Bar are some of the special attractions. Services on offer include laundry, Foreign Exchange and Doctor-on-call.

The Palace on Wheels is a special heritage tourist train providing a unique memorable experience to the tourists visiting Rajasthan.

Shopping In Rajasthan

Shopping In Rajasthan

Rajasthan is among the richest states of India. Each period of its history made if contribution to this fild. The kings and nobles were patrons of hart and crafts and encouraged the craft persons. There was an obsessive desire to decorate their surroundings. Right from the walls of the forts and palaces, to the walls of the rural villagers, the desire to add color prevailed. Warriors, not only gave elaborate attention to their clothing and amours, but also ensured that the horses and elephants that carried them into the battleground where equally decorated. Ornaments like jeweled saddles and intricate silver howdas were proudly displayed .the women of Rajasthan are famed for there beauty and it is said that the printed patterns on the women's skirts are different in village even 30 Kms apart.

Paintings - Shopping Rajasthan has many schools ol painting having Their own districts styles, well known among them being Marwar, Mewar, Hadoti Kishangarh, Dhundhur and Alwar. The Miniature Paintings of Rajasthan which had flourished under princely patronage are still reproduced and descendants of the original craftsmen continue to produce miniature masterpieces, retaining their classic elegance . They are often made on hand made paper mythological the ms from Ramayana, Krishna Lila, Ragamala, and Geetgovinda are commonly used . In the paintings , Vividly rendered are hills valleys, gardens, palaces, court scenes and religious processions.

Jewellery - Shopping Bangles are a special attraction of Rajasthan. Lac bangles are believed to be worn as a sign of good omen and are available in many colors & designs. Glass bangles, made in great variety in Jaipur & Jodhpur, are perennially in demand and are available in most parts of the state. Kundan and enamel jewellery has been a specialty of Rajasthan, particularly that of Jaipur. Kundan is the art of setting precious stones in gold. The stones are embossed into decorative shapes & patterns and embellished with delicate enamel ornamentation in the champeve ( raised field ) technique. The designs are mostly exquisitely entwined flowers and birds and sometimes human and animal figures.Jaipur is well known for its gold and silver enameling. This traditional art of Meeriakariis also done in Nathdwara. The thewa work of Pratapgarh is highly exquisite and popular, in this technique, designs are enameled in gold on a glass base. The base used is generally green or red in colour.

Textiles - Shopping Heart-warming textiles, dyed in the bandhani or tie & dye style reign supreme in Rajasthan. The artofbano^an/isa highly skilled process. Different methods are used to tie the fabric into small points producing different patterns like Lahariya, Mothda, Ekdali and Shskari. The best bandhani work comes iikar and Jodhpur, while Jaipur, Pali, Udaipur and Nathdwara are the other centers. The women of Rajasthan have embroidering fabrics. Embroidery practiced in Bikaner is done by counting threads. The women of Sikar and Jhunihunu specialize in making patterns of animals. Chain stitch is popular in A!war. Dancing figures. Flowers and peacocks are the favorite motifs. Women of Barmer use mirrors, thus enhancing the beauty of the embroidered piece. In applique, different pieces of cloth are patched together to make a multicolored mosaic.. The exotic colours, shapes and pattern combinations against constrasting backgrounds catch the eye.

Floor Coverings - Shopping Rajasthani Namdas are woolen druggets decorated with embroidery and applique work. Namdas produced at Tonk are in great demand. Also available are traditional cotton carpets called Durries which are hand woven with geometric patterns and repeating colours. Rajasthan's Floor Covering industry has been revitalized to suit the needs of the modern buyer and Rajasthani Carpets are making headway in markets not only in India but abroad.

Fairs & Festivals

Fairs & Festivals

The people of Rajasthan live life to the hilt and nobody can really match the gay abandon with which the Rajasthani surrenders himself to the numerous fairs and festivals that are celebrated here.

There are animal fairs, to mark the chanting seasons. In fact, celebrations occur almost round the year and provide the visitor with a splendid opportunity to gain an insight in to the life of the Rajasthani. There is dancing, singing, drama, devotional music and other community activities that can enthrall the visitor.

Some of the more important fairs and festivals are the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer (held in January- February), Pushkar Fair, held in Pushkar, near Ajmer (November), Gangaur Festival, Jaipur (Murch- April ), Elephant Festival, Jaipur (March- April ), Marwar Festival, Jodpur (October), Camel Festival, Bikaner (January), Mewar Festival, Udaipur.

Listed here is a very small selection of the countless number of exciting events that are held in Rajasthan throughout the year.

Nagaur Fair,Nagaur (Jan-Feb.): Essentially an animal fair, it provides an opportunity to participate in some of the local sports.

Desert Festival,Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.): One of the most popular of all festivals it is a journey into the heart of the desert,the golden city of Jaisalmer that has a charm of its own. A true show on the sands which attracts even the much traveled visitor.

Baneshwar Fair,Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.): A religious festival with simple and traditional rituals. This fair is the centre of attraction of a large number of tribals from the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat who join their brethren from Rajasthan in offering prayers to Lord Shiva.

Gangaur,Jaipur (March-April): A festival devoted to Goddess Parvati,the consort of Lord Shiva. It is time for young girls to dress up in their finery and pray for grooms of their choice while the married women pray for the well-being of their husbands. This 18-day festival is laced with various activities and culminates in a grand procession marking the arrival of Shiva to escort his bride home.


Mewar Festival,Udaipur (March-April): A festival to welcome the spring season. There is song, dance, processions,devotional music and fireworks where almost everybody participate

Elephant Festival,Jaipur (March-April): A festival to celebrate Holi, this is a great occasion for the visitor to watch several elephant sports and also play this festival of colours. A show is organised with the elephants turning out in their best finery.

Urs Ajmer Sharif,Ajmer (According to Lunar Calendar): Held in the memory of the revered Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, it is an occasion for thousands of believers to congregate at the shrine and offer their prayers. All of Ajmer seems to take on a festive air and several programmes are organised to mark the festivals.

Summer Festival, Mt.Abu (June): Organised in the only hill station of Rajasthan,this is the coldest place at this time of the year. Folk dances and a general atmosphere of gaiety prevails in this tiny hill resort and the tourist has ample time to relax and enjoy himself.

Teej, Jaipur (July-August): A festival to mark the advent of monsoon.Processions,women dressed in bright colours and a lot of merriment prevails during Teej. Essentially a women’s festival, it is interesting to watch them enjoying in groups and at various bazaars where they turn up to shop in all their finery.

Marwar Festival,Jodhpur (October): A festival devoted mainly to the music and dance of the Marwar region. This is a festival that allows the visitor to understand and enjoy the folk traditions of this part of the state.

Pushkar Fair,Ajmer (November): The well-known and marked with largest participation of all the festivals of Rajasthan,Pushkar is an important pilgrimage as well as the venue of a mammoth cattle fair. Bazaars,auctions,music and sports are highlight of this event.

Camel Festival,Bikaner (January): An enchanting desert city which comes alive with music and dance. It is fast gaining popularity as the visitor finds an opportunity to see some unusual folk performances,camel, race camel dance etc. here.

Rangeela Rajasthan

Welcome to Rajasthan

Rajasthan, the largest state of India was formed on 30 March 1949 with Jaipur as the state capital. It is also Called as 'Marwad' probably, because majority of business class people are from this place who are called a s Marwaris. From throughout the British rule Rajasthan was known as RAJPUTANA, which was denoting soil of Rajputs. Rajput families came out and detained their influence all over the Rajasthan since 700 AD. Once known as the 'Land of the Kings', the state still retains the glory and richness of those times with its marvelous monuments, colorful traditions and customs. Earlier it was a part of various states; some of them were Mauryan, Yaudhya, Kushan, Gupta, Huna, Malava and Arjunya. For a traveler who is interested in the history, culture and the lifestyle of the people of the Oriental world, Rajasthan covers most of the area of the Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert) with one edge paralleling the Sutlej - Indus river valley along with its border with Pakistan.

Tourism In Rajasthan

Rajasthan is a perfect tourist destination and tourism opportunities in Rajasthan are immense. Raj Tourism offers a great variety of travel experiences. Whether it is sand dunes, wild life tours, Desert safari, forts and palaces, the colorful tribal life or the fairs and festivals of Rajasthan, travelers to Rajasthan are assured of a truly regal experience. There are best known wildlife areas in Rajasthan as Ranthambore National Park, the sariska Tiger Reserve, Keoladeo Ghana National Park and the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Come, feel the royalty of Rajasthan yourself! Rajasthan is one of India's prime tourist destinations. Nobody leaves here without priceless memories, a bundle of souvenirs, and an address book full of friends.

Top Destinations in Rajasthan

Jaipur: Jaipur city also known as pinkcity is the modern state of Rajasthan, Jaipur is a modern city built according to the specifications laid down in ancient architectural texts. Jaipur is as remarkable for its marvellous architecture and town planning as it is for the lively spirit of the people who inhabit it. The city presents a unique synthesis of culture that has to be experienced in order to be appreciated.

Udaipur : Udaipur city is famous as a lake city, the Lake Palace on Jag Niwas Island in the middle of Pichola Lakes is the finest example of its architectural and cultural explosion. Udaipur was capital of the Ranas of Mewar in past, founded in the 16th century, Udaipur is known for its fairytale palaces that nestle along the banks of a lake, or completely cover islands in its midst. Udaipur is known as the Venice of the east.

Jodhpur: Set at the edge of the Thar desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana.The massive 15th century A.D. Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.A major trade center of the 16th century A.D. the fortress-city of Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan.While the graceful palaces , forts and temples strewn throughout the city bring alive the historic grandeur, exquisite handicrafts , folk dances, music and the brightly attired people lend a romantic aura to the city

Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer, an important ancient trading centre because of its strategic location on the camel trade routes, is often described as the 'golden city'. The westernmost citadel of the desert, Jaisalmer has an ancient history linked with its development as a trading centre. Parts of its 'golden' fort continue to be inhabited, and its cobbled streets lead through a journey of medieval enchantment. The havelis, built by merchants of the 19th century, are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone and are still in a beautiful condition.

Ajmer: Ajmer is venerated as a holy place for both Hindus and Muslims and revered pilgrimage destination for more than one community. One side of Ajmer is flanked by the beautiful Ana Sagar lake while on the other side are the barren Aravalli ranges. It has the mausoleum of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, whose blessings are eagerly sought by pilgrims to his dargah. On one side of Ajmer is the beautiful Ana Sagar Lake and on the other side are the barren Aravalli ranges.

Mount Abu: Thirsty Wolf Between the Himalayas and the Nilgiri mountain ranges, the highest place (about 1700 MSL) is Mt. Abu is not only a sanctuary but also a fascinating hill station of Rajasthan. It is a living example of an inextricable mix of religion and tourism. The sanctuary spread over 288 kms is dominated by subtropical evergreen forests known for its cool refreshing air, fully charged with the jasmine.

The kacchar, Kaionda, mango, champa, roses, khajur, phaludra and jasmine blossoming on the granite rocks during March & April are a breathe taking sight. This sanctuary is so filled with the activities of birds that it is a sort of pilgrimage for bird lovers. It is unique in the sense that more than 250 species of birds are found here, but the speciality of the Abu sanctuary is the grey jungle fowl. The leopard sloth bear, wild boar, sambar, chinkara and langur are the other inhabitants here.