Rajasthan is a traveller’s paradise, steeped in royalty to the hilt and renowned worldwide. Travellers from across the globe flock to this habitat of Raja-Maharaja to appreciate and understand its rich social tradition. Speckled with enthralling fascinations, Rajasthan is gifted with vivacious and rich traditions, fine art, culture and philosophy. Its royalty can be best known in its architectural wonders such as fortresses, castles, havelis, cenotaphs, caverns, mausoleums, mosques, as well as shrines. Dotting the desolateness of Rajasthan, the energetic culture of this eye-catching state, exquisitely exhibits in its fairs and commemorations, which are so multi-coloured and energetic that even the Rajasthan desert emanates active and guises like an escape of happiness, all through the festive season. Likewise rich in its delicious gastronomy, bewitching flora and fauna and incredible escapade, Rajasthan brags of its magnificent past.
Jaisalmer War Museum
Entree Fee: No
Position (City the monument/place is in): Rajasthan
Entry Timing: Monday to Sunday (9:00 AM – 6 PM)
Approx. visit duration: Summers and winters
Top Attractions of the monument/place: Intricately set-up by the Indian Army, in the memories of the gallant warriors in Indo-Pak War (1965) and Battle of Longewala (1971).
Details
This is one amongst the tourist places intricately set up by the Indian Army. Situated at the Military Station, it has a distance of about 10 kilometres from the city centre. The Jaisalmer War Museum is memorialised for the gallant act and martyrdom by the Indian armed forces, for the duration of the Indo-Pak War in 1965, besides Longewala Battle in 1971. The museum is hemmed in by widespread earthy lands, along with dust packed shrubberies, thus generating an environment that matches a war base-camp.
In the museum compound, a huge assemblage of war shields, medals, trophies and a number of other army weapons can be seen. To name one specifically, there is a 106 mm recoilless gun, which is supposed to be the chief anti-tank weapon, which was used for the duration of the Indo-Pak War. Jaisalmer War Museum, moreover, has two info display halls, termed as ‘Longewala Hall’ and ‘Indian Army Hall’, along with a cinematographic room featuring movies. The movie, moreover, airs a conversation with Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, the Maha Vir Chakra receiver, as he played a significant role through the battle of Longewala. Further, from all this, the museum exhibits the frescoes or murals of the Indian soldiers, who forwent their lives in defending the nation-state. Moreover, the Indian Air Force likewise donated a Hunter Aircraft, which was used for the duration of the 1971 Indo-Pak War, and that can be seen in the museum patio.
Vintage equipment like guns in the museum is on full display. But the visitors get attracted to the outdoors. One can have a very close look at the T-59 battle tank, that was contrived by the Chinese and used by Pakistan’s armed forces in 1971 Longewala Battle, a kind of the Soviet T-59 A tank. There is as well M4 Sherman T, the tank used by the United States all through World War II, this heavyweight device was used by the Pakistani troops counter in India.
The compound furthermore has a battle-truck termed P-15 Radar, This appliance was used by the Indian Army for the period of one of the wars, and is said to have 150 kilometres and can quest its aim up to 3 kilometres altitude. A different heavyweight machine identified for its dependable 105MM main gun placed permanently, and that is ‘Vijayanta’ Battle tank.
Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur
Entree Fee: No
Position (City the monument/place is in): Jaipur
Entry Timing: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Approx. visit duration: both summers and winters
Top Attractions of the monument/place: The place displays the rich heritage of art and craft, as well as the spiritual and cultural values of India.
Details
An arts and crafts centre, Jawahar Kala Kendra is located in the city of Jaipur. The centre is important for its close association with the city of Jaipur and of the nomenclature. In the year 1986, the centre was built and in 1991, the construction got completed. The state government launched the centre to cater the space to display the rich craft heritage, as well as the cultural and spiritual values of India. The centre is committed to the late Prime Minister of India, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru. This traditional centre for the city of Jaipur is devoted to the memory of India’s pronounced leader Shri Jawaharlal Nehru. Notions for the building, to be found in an exposed field, close to the university in a new portion of the city, shaped in Correa’s mind. However, it was not till 1986 that the notion for the edifice was confirmed.
Correa’s idea for the Kendra raises straight the unique ‘Navagraha’ or nine houses ‘mandala’. The idea of Jaipur city is grounded on the nine squares. The centre is made with eight blocks- housing, which is an arts centre, playhouses, public library, art exhibition room, canteen, hostel and studio. Artists and arts-loving people frequently occupy, along with numerous displays and recitals by local artists being shown in the centre.
The yearly festivals of traditional dance and music take place in the centre. Workshops of dance and music are catered by the centre. The place has a ‘beyond belief’ back-and-forth of light, colours, and shadow, thus arousing feelings in the user, while inviting him to move more. The space between flow as an account and alters the disposition of the user. But the overall flow, lacks the constant enclosed passageway, making the place inoperative, all through the summers and monsoons. The high parapets in the front, thus making the edifice surrounded, and it does not open up to the city. Nevertheless, in the edifice the actions are split but then combine to a varied mix of a number of social activities, taking place separately.
Bhartiya Lok Kala Kendra, Udaipur
Entree Fee: Yes (Adult- RS 25, Children – RS 15 and Foreigners – RS 40)
Position (City the monument/place is in): Udaipur, Rajasthan
Entry Timing: Monday – Sunday, from) 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Approx. visit duration: the whole year.
Top Attractions of the monument/place: A cultural institution, focusing on learning folk art, songs and the festivals of Rajasthan.
Details
Bharatiya Lok Kala Kendra is a cultural institution situated in Rajasthan, Udaipur district. This arts centre focuses on the learning folk art, philosophy, songs and festivities of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, hence popularising and promoting the folk arts, dances and literature. The founder of the same was Mihir Chaudhury, in 1952. The institute consists of a gallery exhibiting the collection of folk objects from Rajasthan, similar to rural-attires, adornments, marionettes, façades, dolls, folk musical tools, folk divinities and portraits. There is also a theatre of the puppets, namely ‘Kathputli’, where puppet shows are taking place at fixed interims.
Bhartiya Lok Kala Kendra in Udaipur is an attention-grabbing site, which is situated near the Chetak Circle. It is one amongst the renowned arts centre or museums in Udaipur. It has an extraordinary assemblage of Rajasthani Folk objet d’art (artefacts). Local conveyance, for instance, private and state buses, auto-rickshaws, Tongas (horse deportments) and cabs, for the place can be found easily. The place can be called any time of the twelvemonth.
The Mewar district was in the times gone by, well – known for its art, literature and music. The local handiworks have, at all times been an article of curiosity for the connoisseurs of art. Forgetting the extraordinary pieces of art made, Bharatiya Lok Kal Kendra had taken the initiative to get hold of the same, in the form of an Institution. This institute would then endorse the artworks of the resident artists and craftsmen. Over here, all the products are put on the show for the analysis of the connoisseurs of art, as well as the sightseers.
The primary thing to be noticed by the visitors is the playhouse paraphernalia. In a neighbouring great hall, there is a praiseworthy assortment of musical tools. These tools are chiefly used by the ancestral or tribal people. Above and beyond these tribal adornments have likewise been exhibited. A puppet show business is similarly positioned inside the museum. The puppet show is a unique method of amusement in Rajasthan. As the Mewar Rajputs have at all times believed in their customs and philosophy, for them also, this was a significant means of show business.
Puppet shows are held at regular intervals here at the Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum. An exhibition of terra-cotta ‘devras’, henna handprints and others from the village of Molela (Nathwada) are situated on the opposite side of this theatre auditorium. Outstanding items of Rajasthan are gathered by Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal while taking the extra initiative. These include leather items and several other handicrafts that make Udaipur and Rajasthan unique along with the miniature paintings and sculptures.
Dolls Museum
Entree Fee: Yes. Indians – INR 10; Foreigners – INR 50; Indian students – INR 20; Children below the age of 12 – INR 5
Position (City the monument/place is in): Jaipur
Entry Timing: Wednesday to Monday, morning 9 to evening 5.
Approx. visit duration: Winter (November till March)
Top Attractions of the monument/place: Famous amongst children, for the dolls from various parts of the world.
Details
The land of heritage and culture, Jaipur is surrounded by museums all over the city. By visiting, museums around the city are the best way to enjoy the city. Numerous museums present here expresses the culture, heritage, royal lifestyle, war and others. There is also one amongst the others which attracts children’s attention – The Doll’s Museum. It is the most visited tourist destination. One can find dolls from all over the world, counting from different eras, along with the traditional puppet-doll of Rajasthan.
This museum was constructed in the 20th century in order to express the world’s culture with the aid of dolls, the dresses of the dolls, accoutrements of the dolls and so on and so forth. One can discover several dolls that express the country’s philosophy with diverse outfits from diverse parts of the nation like Maharashtra, Bengal, Gujarat, Assam, Kashmir, Punjab and others. You can find bridal dolls from Punjab, Mysore, Gujarat and Bengal. There are likewise dolls that display the outmoded dance practises, similar to ‘Kathakali’, ‘Odissi’, ‘Bharatnatyam’, ‘Kuchipudi’ and more.
One can similarly witness the dolls from various parts of the world like Germany, Malaysia, America, Mexico, Britain, Afghanistan, and Sweden and so on. There is new colonnade having dolls of children’s favourite heroes, comic strip characters. Moreover, the ‘English Puppet Gallery’ is likewise newly presented. This gallery has dolls displayed with just two inches in height.
The museum is situated just 4 km (approx.) from the heart of the city. The public buses from any part of the metropolis to Ram Niwas Bagh bus-stop or else Jawaharlal Nehru Marg bus-stop can be availed. From there, it is just a few minutes’ walks to the museum. One can also book a cab or hail an auto, from several parts of the metropolis.
Being an indoor activity, the museum has no problem with the seasons. It is at its prime beauty all through the year. If one wishes to visit Jaipur, then winter is the best time to choose.
A holiday at Rajasthan will certainly leave one enthralled!