Rajasthan People

In olden days, the profession of the people decided their caste. This system has now been broken. Today, individuals have the freedom to opt for any profession irrespective of caste. The profession based caste system has now been transformed into birth-based caste system. People of various castes and sub-castes reside in Rajasthan. The Rajasthanis are sturdy, cheerful and simple folks relatively untouched by the fast pace of modern times making Rajasthan one of the safest destinations anywhere in the world.

Colourful and Ornamental
It is also one of the most colorful. To offset the barren, colorless landscape and the monotony of its cloudless sky, the people of Rajasthan show a distinct preference for bright costumes. From the simple village folk or tribal to the Rajas and Ranis, the preferred colours are bright red, dazzling yellow, lively green or brilliant orange, highlighted by a lavish use of sparkling gold and Silver Zari or Gota.

Tribal and nomadic women are known for their love for silver jewellery (although men too sport ear studs and earrings). The ornaments follow age-old designs typical of a particular tribe. In daily use the ladies wear normal ornaments of neck, hand, nose and ear but on special occasions and social functions. Women wear all the ornaments of different parts of the body to look beautiful and attractive. For its exquisite designs and delicacy of art Rajasthan Jewelry is a rage not only for ladies of India but also for women of foreign countries.

Mind-boggling Turbans
In India, the turban is popularly known as a pagdi. There are different variations of the turban, depending on the religion and region. In fact, in Rajasthan, it is said that the turban style changes with every 15km you travel. And Rajput turbans are different from Sikh turbans, which are in turn different from the classical Arab turbans. Then, there are the royal turbans from different parts of India, and the rural turban which is often just a towel wound round the head. India is a land of diversities. And it is all the more pronounced in Rajasthan. An old local saying sums it up.

"The dialect, cuisine, water and turbans in Rajasthan change every 12 miles." In fact there are about 1,000 different styles and types of turbans in Rajasthan, each denoting the class, caste and region of the wearer. Turbans come in all shapes, sizes and colours; and there are specific turbans for specific occasions as well.

A lineage of beautiful women
Rajasthani women have been renowned for their grace and beauty. Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, was so smitten by the beauty of the legendary Maharani Padmini Devi of Chittaurgarh that he waged a war -in vain - for her hand. In her heydays, the present day Rajmata of Jaipur, Maharani Gayatri Devi, was considered by Vogue to be amongst the Ten Most Beautiful Women in the World. And her charm hasn't diminished one bit till today!

Rajasthan Art & Culture

Rajasthan Handicraft
Availability of different metals and its vulnerable nature has made it the base for a variety of decorative techniques such as inlay, metal casting, carving, applique, etc. The scope of art metal is immense. The work done in Moradabad, Jaipur and Delhi are representative of this.

Rajasthan Traditional Dresses
Against the backdrop of dusty land and sun-soaked skies, Rajasthan is filled with opulent colours, the sparkle of mirror and silver and precious stones, and the sheen of silk and vivid kaleidoscope of cotton. The exotic and vividly colorful state of Rajasthan is synonymous with majestic forts, stately palaces, lakes, sand dunes, camels and people dressed in brightly coloured costumes.

Rajasthan Traditional Dance & Music
Grand Heritage Palace, the imposing lakeside Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel Udaipur recapitulates royal traditions and lifestyles in its antique furniture, original paintings and opulent interiors. Its serene premises and picturesque views of Lake Pichola, Jagmandir Island Palace, Lake Palace and the Sajjangarh Fort, promise a soothing break from the rigors of city life.

Rajasthan Cuisines
Land of Princes, as Rajasthan is called, shows off, many a fine gastronomic both within the palaces and outside. The royal kitchens of Rajasthan, the preparation of food was a very complex matter and was raised to the levels of an art form. Thus the 'Khansamas' (the royal cooks) worked in the stately palaces and kept their most enigmatic recipes to themselves. Some recipes were passed on to their descendants and the rest were passed on as skills to the chefs of semi states and the branded hotel companies.