Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, ("the land of kings"), is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert), which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with Pakistan. The state is bordered by Pakistan to the west, Gujarat to the southwest, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast and Punjab to the north.
Jaipur is the capital and the largest city of the state.
One of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli Range, cradles the only hill station of Rajasthan,Mount Abu, famous for Dilwara Temples, a sacred pilgrimage for Jains. Eastern Rajasthan has the world famous Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, a World Heritage Site known for its bird life. It also has two national tiger reserves, Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserve. Rajasthan literally means a Land of Kingdoms. The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's first and oldest civilizations, was located in parts of what is now Rajasthan. The Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in Asia.
Rajasthan means the Land of the Kings.
The main geographic features of Rajasthan are the Thar Desert and the Aravalli Range, which runs through the state from southwest to northeast.
The Thar Desert is thinly populated; the town of Bikaner is the largest city in the desert.
Rajasthani (although constitutional status is pending) is the main spoken language although Hindi and English are used for official purpose.
Rajasthan has a mainly Rajasthani population.Hindus account for 88.8% of the population.Muslims make up 8.5%, Sikhs 1.4% and Jains1.2% of the population.The state of Rajasthan is also populated by Sindhis, who came to Rajasthan from Sindh province (now in Pakistan) during the India-Pakistan separation in 1947.
Rajasthan's economy is primarily agricultural and pastoral. Wheat and barley are cultivated over large areas, as are pulses, sugarcane, and oilseeds. Cotton and tobacco are the state's cash crops. Rajasthan is among the largest producers of edible oils in India and the second largest producer of oilseeds. Rajasthan is also the biggest wool-producing state in India and the main opium producer and consumer. Rajasthan is the second largest producer of polyester fibre in India. The state is the second largest source of cement in India.
Endowed with natural beauty and a great history, tourism is a flourishing industry in Rajasthan. The palaces of Jaipur and Ajmer-Pushkar, the lakes of Udaipur, the desert forts of Jodhpur, Taragarh Fort (Star Fort) in Bundi, and Bikaner and Jaisalmer rank among the most preferred destinations in India for many tourists both Indian and foreign.
Jaipur, the Pink City, is noted for the ancient houses made of a type of sand stone dominated by a pink hue.
Rajasthan is often called a shopper's paradise. Rajasthan is famous for textiles, semi-precious stones and handicrafts. The attractive designs of jewellery and clothes are eye-catching and invite shoppers. Rajasthani furniture has intricate carvings and bright colours. Rajasthani handicrafts are in demand due to the intricate work on them. Above all, Rajasthan's shopping appeals to both tourists and people from other parts of India due to its cheap prices for quality goods.
Bikaner is famous for its namkeens, Jaipur for its jewellery, Jodhpur for sweets and Jaisalmer for yellow stone, wall paintings of bundi.
There is rich and varied folk culture from villages which is often depicted and is symbolic of the state. Folk music is a vital part of Rajasthani culture. Reflecting the colorful Rajasthani culture, Rajasthani clothes have a lot of mirror-work and embroidery.
The main religious festivals are Deepawali, Holi, Teej, Makar Sankranti and Janmashtami, as the main religion is Hinduism. Rajasthan's desert festival is celebrated with great zest and zeal. This festival is held once a year during winter.
Rajasthan is also noted for National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. There are four national park and wildlife sanctuaries named the Keoladeo National Park of Bharatpur, Sariska Tiger Reserve of Alwar, Ranthambore National Park of Sawai Madhopur, and Desert National Park of Jaisalmer.
Ranthambore National Parkand Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary are both known worldwide for their tiger population.
Jaipur is the capital and the largest city of the state.
One of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli Range, cradles the only hill station of Rajasthan,Mount Abu, famous for Dilwara Temples, a sacred pilgrimage for Jains. Eastern Rajasthan has the world famous Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, a World Heritage Site known for its bird life. It also has two national tiger reserves, Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserve. Rajasthan literally means a Land of Kingdoms. The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's first and oldest civilizations, was located in parts of what is now Rajasthan. The Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in Asia.
Rajasthan means the Land of the Kings.
The main geographic features of Rajasthan are the Thar Desert and the Aravalli Range, which runs through the state from southwest to northeast.
The Thar Desert is thinly populated; the town of Bikaner is the largest city in the desert.
Rajasthani (although constitutional status is pending) is the main spoken language although Hindi and English are used for official purpose.
Rajasthan has a mainly Rajasthani population.Hindus account for 88.8% of the population.Muslims make up 8.5%, Sikhs 1.4% and Jains1.2% of the population.The state of Rajasthan is also populated by Sindhis, who came to Rajasthan from Sindh province (now in Pakistan) during the India-Pakistan separation in 1947.
Rajasthan's economy is primarily agricultural and pastoral. Wheat and barley are cultivated over large areas, as are pulses, sugarcane, and oilseeds. Cotton and tobacco are the state's cash crops. Rajasthan is among the largest producers of edible oils in India and the second largest producer of oilseeds. Rajasthan is also the biggest wool-producing state in India and the main opium producer and consumer. Rajasthan is the second largest producer of polyester fibre in India. The state is the second largest source of cement in India.
Endowed with natural beauty and a great history, tourism is a flourishing industry in Rajasthan. The palaces of Jaipur and Ajmer-Pushkar, the lakes of Udaipur, the desert forts of Jodhpur, Taragarh Fort (Star Fort) in Bundi, and Bikaner and Jaisalmer rank among the most preferred destinations in India for many tourists both Indian and foreign.
Jaipur, the Pink City, is noted for the ancient houses made of a type of sand stone dominated by a pink hue.
Rajasthan is often called a shopper's paradise. Rajasthan is famous for textiles, semi-precious stones and handicrafts. The attractive designs of jewellery and clothes are eye-catching and invite shoppers. Rajasthani furniture has intricate carvings and bright colours. Rajasthani handicrafts are in demand due to the intricate work on them. Above all, Rajasthan's shopping appeals to both tourists and people from other parts of India due to its cheap prices for quality goods.
Bikaner is famous for its namkeens, Jaipur for its jewellery, Jodhpur for sweets and Jaisalmer for yellow stone, wall paintings of bundi.
There is rich and varied folk culture from villages which is often depicted and is symbolic of the state. Folk music is a vital part of Rajasthani culture. Reflecting the colorful Rajasthani culture, Rajasthani clothes have a lot of mirror-work and embroidery.
The main religious festivals are Deepawali, Holi, Teej, Makar Sankranti and Janmashtami, as the main religion is Hinduism. Rajasthan's desert festival is celebrated with great zest and zeal. This festival is held once a year during winter.
Rajasthan is also noted for National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. There are four national park and wildlife sanctuaries named the Keoladeo National Park of Bharatpur, Sariska Tiger Reserve of Alwar, Ranthambore National Park of Sawai Madhopur, and Desert National Park of Jaisalmer.
Ranthambore National Parkand Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary are both known worldwide for their tiger population.