Rajasthan, the largest state of India (by area) is located in the Western part of India. It has a massive population of 68,000,000 and is celebrated for it’s unique culture and it’s distinct way of life.

Famous for it’s forts and also traditional way of life, it is truly a valuable gem that completes the crown that India is. Below you can see where Rajasthan is.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan is a city where people from different walks of life blend in and yet remain distinct. The cultural and political hub of the state, Jaipur is a city like no other.

With a huge population of 3,000,000, Jaipur is a city where you can lose yourself and yet find a part of you that you never knew existed.

With hundreds of cities and villages in Rajasthan, it’s easy to get lost. So I showed a map below which shows the exact location of Jaipur

You’ve been in Rajasthan, seen some breath taking monuments, but what have you done if you haven’t shopped?

For buying anything from jewellery to souveniers, Head on to Johri Bazar, the most crowded market in Jaipur.Located in the ‘Walled city’ in Jaipur, this particular market welcomes thousands of people every day. With exquisite sweet shops, magnificent traditional clothes shops, this is truly a shopping heaven. Head on to the famous’ Laxmi Misthan Bhandar’ Sweets shop to give yourself a taste of some of the best sweets in the city.

There is yet one market we haven’t explored. The ‘Chaura Rasta Market’ is the second most crowded market in all of Jaipur and offers a different variety of products. Come here For Handicrafts, Musical instruments and whatnot. Sweets remain a constant in all markets, but quality differs.

Fancy yourself a traditional musical instrument? Head on to the center of the market and you are sure to find something you like.

Rajasthan has perhaps the richest culture of any Indian State. The people here are hospitable and take great pride in their culture. They celebrate all festivals along with a few celebrated only in Rajasthan.

Art is everything for the people here. Traditional songs and dances are performed all over Rajasthan, with the most famous being Kalbelia Dance.

People called ‘Banjaras’ literally meaning wanderers roam the sands of the Thar desert along with their cattle, stopping in between to perform for any people they come across.

Rajasthan, like India, follows Hinduism as it’s main religion. Temples are present far and wide in high mountain tops to underground caves.

However, people from all religions like Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Sikhism all live here in peace and harmony. Rajasthan is a melting pot of ethnic diversity, to say the least.

Almost every state in India has it’s own unique, iconic , traditional clothing style, and Rajasthan is no exception.

Here, traditionally men wear a turban, a loose shirt called ‘Kurta’, and a robe called ‘Dhoti’.

The women here wear elaborately decorated dresses known as Ghagra–Chunni.Often, these are clad with exquisite designs.

For the Rajasthani people, their art and craft is equivalent to god. Rajasthan really has a divinely rich variety of songs, dance and crafts.

World renowned for it’s splendid authenticity , Rajasthani songs and dance have reached a global status. The most famous Rajasthani song perhaps, is ‘Rangeelo Maro Dholna’ which is a song about a woman describing her lover’s personality, in a catchy musical song. Using your mouse, Click the hyperlink below to hear it!

Rajasthani dance is also becoming more and more famous these days. The dance most popular here is the Kalbeliya Dance, and it is performed all over the state.

Kalbeliya dancers are reputed for performing steps deemed dangerous and of extreme flexibilty.The dance is known for it’s quick steps and for it’s extraordinary swirling movements. Performed by artists known as ‘Saperas’, it is truly magnificent to watch.Click below to watch!

Rajasthan, being the artistically rich state, surely cannot lack behind in crafts, can it?

Handicrafts include a variety of products, from wooden God idols to even toys & puppets and many other curios, once in Rajasthan, you will find it hard not to buy stuff!

Food is an important & unique aspect of every culture, and Rajasthan is no exception.

Rajasthani food has always been traditional and even today, despite of modernization, is a popular favorite of tourists.

Popular Dishes include Dal Baatti Choorma, Lal Maas (Red meat), and ofcourse for your sweet tooth sweets like Ghevar, Jalebi and Besan Chakki

Thank you for having the patience to read through all this and I hope that you enjoyed reading my letter as well as seeing my presentation. I had a lot of fun while writing this and I hope it conveyed through. Looking Forward to your reply.

-Chetan Bhatnagar