Ghoomar listed among the world’s 10 most amazing local dances

Ghoomar

Ghoomar

Ghoomar

Ghoomar, a folk dance of Rajasthan, has found its way into the list of world’s most amazing local dances after an international travel website ranked it fourth on the list.

The ochre expanse of the Thar Desert of Rajasthan comes alive with the visual relief of its brightly dressed inhabitants; and when its dancers take the center stage, you just cannot stop tapping your feet. The Ghoomar Dance is one of the most popular folk dances of Rajasthan.

Ghoomar is not just a display of rhythmic talent; its graceful performance in conjunction with the twirling of colourful, long-flowing skirts elevates its aesthetic appeal. It is performed by women arranged in circles occasionally snapping or clapping sometimes accompanied by men who are also expected to sing together. They move in clockwise or anticlockwise direction and when they dance the grace and the vibrant colours of ghaghra (skirts) can be seen.

Like so many folk dances, Ghoomar is usually performed during special occasions to worship religious deities

First Integrated Textile and Craft Park in Jaipur

Rejoice textile lovers! Jaipur, known as the centre hub of Textile now has its own Textile Park called “Jaipur Integrated TEXCRAFT Park Pvt. Ltd.” The Park is being created to prevent and control the pollution caused in Sanganer and nearby areas due to the chemical disposition from dyeing and painting of clothes in a large scale in the area. Spread across the area of 23.42 acre land in RICCO Industrial Area phase II, the TEXCRAFT Park aims to provide world class infrastructure and state of the art facilities to approx 20 unit holders with around 4 thousand artisans under one roof. The park has been set up with the combined efforts of a group of hand block printers and the endeavor has been to upscale and promote the traditional technologies keeping in line the modern needs and usage.It would facilitate city’s mini, micro and large textile companies for the production of textile and craft materials at one centre hub.

The park infrastructure is highly environment friendly with the additional facilities of water recycling that would ensure 90% of recycled water to be reused. Besides, a centre pond is also constructed for Rain Water Harvesting and that water would also be used for dyeing and painting at the Park.

Inaugurated by the Union minister for textiles Dr Kavuru Sambasiva Rao on Wednesday, July24, 2013, the Jaipur TEXCRAFT Park would also host Textile Training Programmes, Seminars, Workshops, Block Print and skill development programmes and designing programmes to benefit more and more aspiring artists in the country. Interestingly, now the families of traditional block printers in Sanganer would join this park and start their printing work from here itself.

The Jaipur TEXCRAFT Park certainly is a commendable initiative for big textile companies to work under one roof. It has open employment opportunities for women, direct employment to 4000 persons and indirect employment to 12,000 . And most important the park would also help in controlling the pollution.

Ghevar: The Festival Dessert of Rajasthan

“The belly rules the mind” goes a famous Spanish proverb, a phrase that Rajasthan, the land of the kings, is no stranger to. Rajasthani cuisine is a splendid combination of unique, spicy and colorful dishes. It’s incomplete without the description of Dal-Baati-Churma, a traditional wholesome meal of the state. Sweet dishes are never referred to as ‘dessert’ in Rajasthan, because unlike desserts which are had after the meal, Rajasthani sweets are had before, during and after the meal.

 

The Months of July and August are perfect to talk about the much celebrated dessert in this season of special festivities. “Ghevar”,  an incredible Rajasthani Delicacy which is widely popular and traditionally associated with Teej Festival (locally called Saawan ki Teej) and Raksha Bandhan festival falling in the month of August in Rajasthan. It is a round mesh like disc-shaped fried delicacy drenched in sugar syrup and topped with sliced nuts and flavored rabri.

Malai Ghevar

Dry Fruit Mix Malai ghevar

Plain Ghevar

Mawa Ghevar

Pista Mix Saffron Ghevar

Saffron Ghevar

This Rajasthani festival Dessert is always a chart topper and savored in different styles; some enjoy it plain while others love it with the toppings of Mawa or Malai.  Ghevar also tastes great when it is eaten with hot Milk or Kheer.

Having such a variety in taste Ghevar can definitely satiate your sweet tooth pangs for the time being but cannot satisfy your need to have it again and again. “Padharo mahare des” is an apt phrase, which means: “Welcome to my state”, where you can experience the uniqueness that it has on offer and enhance it with the wonderful hospitality, food AND Sweet Dishes that Rajasthan is famed the world over…..

Festivities of Teej in Jaipur

Fairs and festivals add much needed zing to our life and give us an opportunity to forget all our tensions and make merry. Fairs and festivals in Jaipur epitomize this very idea of living life to the hilt.

Teej, the carnival of swings tributes the initiation of torrential rain month of Shravan (in the month of August). The torrential rain falls on the scorched land of Rajasthan and the lovely aroma of the wet soil mounts in the air. People hang the swings from trees and ladies would dress up in bright green clothes. They sing songs merrily thereby welcoming the monsoon. It is also a good time to shop for the Rajasthani ‘tie and dye’ fabrics, saris as well as trendy accessories from the decorated markets. Teej festival is devoted to the deity Parvati to tribute her unification with mighty God Shiva.

Owing to the enjoyable ambiance of the neighbouring foliage, all women enjoy carefree swings. Hence, the key reason behind Teej festival is to make a woman of the house happy thus making the whole family to prosper.

Starting from the Tripolia Gate of the City Palace at 06.00 pm and ending at Chaugun, the traditional royal procession would be led through the Tripolia Bazaar and Chhoti Chaupar on August 09 and 10, this year. Antique gilt palanquins, bullock carts pulling cannons, chariots, bedecked elephants, horses, camels, brass bands, and dances all form a part of this grand procession. The Palanquin of Goddess Paravati is carried by eight men dressed in red colour. This kilometre long parade travels through the embedded lanes of the old city. People come out in their traditional best to participate, witness and enjoy.

Teej is also an excellent time to enjoy Rajasthani delicacies like ‘Ghewar’ and ‘Feeni’ and ‘Malpuas’.

Jewellers Association Show 2013

If hankering on glitz and glitters of gems and Jewelry is your  cup of coffee , then here’s an amazing chance for you to witness the statuesque masterpieces of jewelry which Jaipur is famous for. The Glamorous Show of Gems and Jewelry is right here starting from Friday 19th July to Monday 22nd July  at B.M. Birla Auditorium,Statue Circle, Jaipur. The show timings would be 10.00 am to 06.00pm (10.00 to 12.00 noon Business Hours)

Jewellers Association Show’13 is a dynamic tradeshow which makes Jaipur the focus of the world jewelry industry. This event will highlight the art of jewelry making apart from focusing on a wide variety of precious metals and colored gemstones and showcasing new trends and technology in the jewelry industry. It will be a great platform for the exhibitors to network with their trade partners and consumer clients.

This year being the 7th edition of the Show will showcase a breathtaking variety of loose color gemstones, gold and diamond jewelry, platinum jewelry, silver jewelry, studded traditional jewelry and much more along with equipment and machinery used in jewelry manufacturing. It will attract over 26,000 visitors including buyers, traders and retailers from all over India. It would be an ideal shopping destination for jewelry lovers.

Side Events

• Jewelry Design Competition
• Seminars by GIA, India
• Daily Raffle Draw
• Mega Raffle Draw

Check out some designs from last seasons…

 

New flights for Tourism in Jodhpur

With the onset of Rajasthan’s tourist season in October, airline operators will introduce two new flights from Jodhpur. According to the Civil Airport Director Mr. S.N. Borker, Spice Jet will run a flight between Delhi, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, while Jet Airways would run special additional flights between Delhi and Jodhpur.  Bookings are already open for these two flights starting from October, 2013

We are also glad to share that Jodhpur is awarded with the best Airport among 52 Airports in the country during Traveler’s Satisfaction Survey conducted last month.

Jaipur by Nite: Celebrating the spirit of Jaipur

A two-day weekend festival called ‘Jaipur by Nite’ is going to be held to promote Jaipur as an all-year destination on July26 and 27, 2013.

The colorful event in its second edition will see the main historical monuments all decorated and illuminated in their splendor; and the famous bazaars situated within the city walls will be open till late night. Included in the entertaining itinerary are two cultural evenings showcasing live music, fashion show, sound and light show, shopping, food and drinks at the City Palace and Hotel Clarks Amer. Playback singers Krishna Beura and Shweta Pandit will grace the event with performances. Dances will include Ghoomar, chari dance and Gair dance along with parrot card reader, puppet shows, performances by Rajasthani troupes, a lacquer bangle stall and even a safawalla.

With the embassies of France, Italy, Bulgaria, Turkey, Botswana and Singapore among others, agreeing to participate in the event, the initiative will also comprise several performances by renowned international artists.

Organised by the Department of Tourism, Confederation of Indian Industry and Young Indians, the two day event can be attended by anyone once they have registered for it. So if you are interested, visit http://www.jaipurbynite.

Application to update Jaipur Airport flyers

For the first time in country, the Airport Authorities of India (AAI) is bringing in an app that will cut short all your travel hassles.

The facility will first start at Jaipur Airport, which will become country’s first smart airport, from July 18’ 2013. Later, it will be extended to other airports of the country. Now, you can get live updates of the flight’s arrival and departure. You can remain in touch with airport authorities 24/7 and can air your complaints, feedback and suggestions through your smart phone.

You can avail the facility by downloading a code in your smart mobile phone. Then, the app will update passengers on everything they want to know. The application will also be helpful to international flyers, as these flights land at Jaipur airport early in the morning and leave in a few hours.

In recent times, there has been a sharp increase in complaints of missing baggage. The application will inform you about luggage you can carry or charges levied on extra weight. The problem of missing luggage and theft at airports can also be addressed. Moreover, if you are confused about carrying gold ornaments, it will tell you the exact weight of gold you can carry without duty or customs duty to be levied. During winter months, domestic or international flyers face problems like change in flight timings or cancellation. This app will prove a great help to them also.

In the last few months, Jaipur airport has taken several measures to improve safety and comfort of the passengers and notably, this smart facility is part of the modernization project of AAI.

Two luxury trains in Rajasthan to don a new look

The popular luxury trains of Rajasthan – Palace on Wheels and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels are soon going to get a major makeover.  Being sensitive towards the expectations of the travelers, the Indian Railways and RTDC have decided to refurbish the trains with new heritage look adorned by the finest trappings one can expect from a luxe train.

All the facilities  in the trains are being modernized including water purifiers in washrooms aside from superior communication and entertainment devices. Even the dining cart, the bar and lounge will be given a new look. The spa and health club will also get major upgrades.

As for the RROW makeover, the wooden floors would be covered with exquisite carpets to minimize noise. Further, new doors will replace existing ones. Besides, the train speed will also be increased so that guests spend less time on wheels and enjoy more time at the destinations. However, the itinerary and tariffs for the trains will remain same in 2013-14.

National Parks in Rajasthan closed for Monsoon

With arrival of monsoon, National Park across Rajasthan will remain closed for three months from today i.e. Monday, July01, 2013.

The parks will be closing from July 1 and will reopen for wildlife tourism from October 01, 2013 with no change in opening period. The officers concerned and staffers under the Forest Department of Ranthambore and Sariska are ready with their enlisted plans to be carried out during this closing period along with taking up of afforestation and restoration works.

With onset of monsoon, mating period of wild animals begins. These four months of rainy season from July to October are considered most crucial for mating of wildlife animals. During these months the wild animals turn aggressive and need complete isolation. These aspects along with other maintenance works of the Forest Department are necessary for closing of parks across the State.