Watch Incredible India’s Incredible State At Its Best on Rajasthan Foundation Day

It’s a saga of celebrations - six days of letting oneself free and soaking the flavours of Rajasthan to the fullest. I’m talking about a festival not specific to a city or a community (or an animal for that matter!) but of the whole state. Everyone from the deserts of Jaisalmer to the lakes of Udaipur and from the mountains of Mount Abu to the plains of Jaipur; come together for a week to celebrate Rajasthan’s Foundation Day on 30^th March. Celebrated to commemorate the integration of several princely states into one state, the festival is an important one in Rajasthan’s event calendar.

Photo Credit: Marl3n3 W1lson / Flickr

The celebrations, however, carry on for as long as six days, giving artists a chance to display their talents. Visitors from across the globe get the opportunity to witness the exquisite treasures of Rajasthani culture and tourists fly in from different parts of the world to be a part of the festivities.

Here are a few snippets of what to expect at Rajasthan Diwas Celebrations.

* The venue is Jaipur’s Jawahar Kala Kendra. A little boy will be dancing to the tunes of Kesariya Balam, his turban balanced perfectly and his moves set to mesmerise everyone. His performance will end with a humble bow and with folded hands before addressing the crowd once again with, “Ram Ram Saa”.

* A group of ladies from far off villages will be displaying pots and plates of all sizes, with intricate designs in blue on ceramic. Statues and puppets of Rajasthani men and women made of mud, baked to perfection, decorated with beads and a miniature dhoti and safa and lehenga chunni, ready to be taken away as treasured souvenirs. “Yeh Rajasthan ki khasiyat hai saa, ise ghar me sajana, bahut sundar lagega” (these are Rajasthan’s speciality sir, decorate your house with it; it will look beautiful).

Photo Credit: moby_life / Flickr

* At a kavi sammelan, poets from Rajasthan and beyond, bring to life one of the oldest traditions of Rajasthan. Poems and couplets describing all aspects of life; from tales of kings to laments for one’s beloved; from narrating war scenes to reviving divinity, transform the auditorium to a king’s court.

* After an afternoon spent listening to the poets, let us take you to the Amber Fort where Rajasthani dancers are ready to set the stage on fire. Chirmi, one of the most beautiful dances ever, is performed by ladies dancing to folk songs while balancing several pots on their head - a fine a blend of acrobats and folk dancing. Accompanied with soul embracing music, these performances will have such an enchanting effect that you won’t realise when you cross that boundary from a spectator to a performer!

Photo Credit: jepoirrier / Flickr

* Daal bati churma, gate ki sabzi, mirchi pakoda, pyaaz  kachori, moong dal halwa, laal maans, kesar murg, dahi mans and lassi are just some of delights that one can enjoy here. Adding the right amount of spice to your holiday, food courts at fair grounds and even restaurants will take you to the rich world of Rajasthani cuisine, you’d never want to come out of.

This year round, the festival of colours, Holi will fall during the Rajasthan Day Celebrations and will definitely add myriad colours to the trip. Holi is a very important festival in Jaipur and the celebrations at the Amber Fort are a must watch for anyone travelling to this city.

India’s incredible state is all set to give you a dose of its world-famous hospitality. Kick start the season of holidays in India with a trip to this Rajasthan.