Vibrant Rangeelo Rajasthan

Rajasthani culture has been the center of attraction from the period of time when kings ruled it. Its culture and tradition attracted not only people from India but all over the world. As the name suggests, Rajasthan was the abode of kings; many Rajputs ruled this place before the British. Over the centuries, Rajasthan was ruled by various Marathas, Rajputs, and even Muslims, which led to its diverse culture.

Vibrant, colorful, opulent, mesmerizing, aesthetically beautiful, etc., are some of the words that can be used to describe Rajasthani culture. The state is home to many beautiful monuments, palaces, and magnificent forts. Rajasthan is also famous for many colorful cities such as Jaipur (Pink City), Jodhpur (Blue City), Jaisalmer (Golden City), etc., making it all the more fascinating. Rajasthan has many more incredible things to offer; continue reading to know more about them.

Lets Journey Through Rangeelo Rajasthan

Many things set Rajasthan apart from the rest of the states in India. From vibrant, minutely designed Rajasthani Poshak (traditional attire) to lively folk dancers and singers to unique art and alluring handicraft, Rajasthan has it all to attract people from different corners of the world. It is also known for its unique delicacies and generous hospitality.

Hospitality

The residents believe in “Atithi Devo Bhava,” which means treating your guests like gods. Most people in Rajasthan are involved in tourism-related jobs, so it’s their moral duty to ensure the guests are treated well so they revisit Rajasthan. They take their job very seriously and serve their guests with utmost dignity. There is also a popular folk song, “Padharo Mhare Desh,” which means welcome to my country. Rajasthan is famous for this kind of treatment and hospitality.

Rajasthani Dance And Music

As mentioned earlier, Rajasthani culture is famous for folk dance and music. The dancers and singers are vibrant, attractive, and a great form of entertainment. Ghoomar and Kalbeliya are two dance forms that are famous worldwide. Manganiyars and Langas are two prominent groups contributing to Rajasthan’s music. They use traditional instruments such as shehnai, been, dhols, sarangi, and Kamayach for entertainment. The folk songs are primarily about love stories, heroic tales, and unique cultures and traditions.

Vibrant Rangeelo Rajasthan

Rajasthani Cuisine

Rajasthan primarily falls in the desert region; hence, the cuisine is influenced by the state’s geographical location. Their food items mostly have a longer shelf life or can be eaten without heating. Rajasthanis load their dishes with desi ghee ( clarified butter) to preserve them for longer. Due to the scarcity of water, dry and spicy food is typical in Rajasthan. Apart from that, the culture is big on desserts and sweet dishes. Some famous dishes are Laal maas, Daal Baati Churma, and Ghevar.

Rajasthani Attire

Rajasthani women usually wear Ghagra Choli with Odhni. The ghagra is a full-length skirt that comes in various designs and colors. The choli is the blouse worn with ghagra, and the odhni is a long piece of cloth used to cover the head as a veil. While the men traditionally wear Dhoti and Kurta or Angarkha. Dhoti is a long piece of cloth tied around the legs and waist. Kurti or angarkha is worn on the upper part of the body. The look is completed with the Pagdi (turban).

Color Coordinated Cities

Rajasthan has beautifully colored and coordinated cities. Jaipur is famously known as the Pink
City because, in 1976, it was painted terracotta pink to welcome Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales. Soon, the ruler passed a law stating that every house and building should be painted pink. Jodhpur is painted with blue-hued houses as a trend started by the elite class, but now everyone follows it. Every building, monument, and structure in Jaisalmer is painted golden color; hence it came to be known as the Golden City.

The Great Forts Of Rajasthan

It is impossible to associate forts with Rajasthan since Rajasthan is home to many beautiful palaces and magnificent forts. Decades ago, these immense structures were built by the state’s rulers. There are hundreds of forts, out of which six are given UNESCO World Heritage Site Status. These forts are Chittor Fort at Chittorgarh, Jaisalmer Fort at Jaisalmer, Amer Fort at Jaipur, Kumbhalgarh at Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore Fort at Sawai Madhopur and Gagron Fort at Jhalawar.

Vibrant Rangeelo Rajasthan

Traditional Paintings and Art

Rajasthan is overwhelmingly rich in arts and culture. The Rajput clan has made a hefty contribution to the paintings and arts, which the Rajasthanis boast even today. The Rajput paintings flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries. The artists would paint displaying epic and elaborate scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Gemstone paintings are also very famous in Rajasthan. It is created using precious and semi-precious stones like sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. The gemstone paintings are entirely made by hand, and hence the artist’s imagination and skills play a significant role in bringing out the vibrancy of these paintings.

Vibrant Rangeelo Rajasthan

Festivals Of Rajasthan

The festivals of Rajasthan are celebrated in full swing every year. Rajasthani culture is incomplete without colorful and joyous festivals. Some of these festivals are celebrated for religious importance; others celebrate ethnicity and display rich cultural heritage and events. Teej is one of the most common festivals, celebrated with grandeur and traditional songs and dances. Teej is a festival dedicated to the Teej Goddess, and her gold palanquin is taken across the city with decorated camels and elephants in a grand procession. Other festivals are Pushkar Camel Fair and Mewar Festival.

The list doesn’t end here. Many other customs and traditions make Rajasthan different from other states. It is a vast state, but staying in a rural area will give you a deep insight into the Rajasthani culture and heritage. The alluring handicrafts, such as designing fabrics and textiles, making puppets, pottery making, and jewelry designing, are some of the elements that speak of Rajasthan’s vibrancy in volumes.

Wrapping Up

Although Rajasthan is not officially declared the cultural capital of India, it is undoubtedly rich in folk and culture. One cannot get over the wonders of Rajasthan, be it about the colorful states or traditional attires and local cuisines. So, one must surely visit Rajasthan to explore the land of Kings.