Rajasthan, capital city Jaipur
Area: 342239 sq kms
Population: 44005990


Introduction
Rajasthan is bordered on the north and northwest by Pakistan, on the northeast by Punjab state and Haryana state, on the east by Uttar Pradesh state, on the east and southeast by Madhya Pradesh state, and on the southwest by Gujarat state.
History
Rajasthan means “the abode of the rajas,” and it was formerly known as Rajputana, “the country of the Rajputs,” or “sons of rajas.” The emperor Akbar brought the Rajput states into the Mughal empire, but by the beginning of the 19th century they were tributaries of the Marathas. Later, the British defeated the Marathas and established supremacy in the region. Rajasthan soon emerged as a centre of Indian nationalism and political activism. When the new constitution of India went into effect in 1950, Rajasthan became an integral part of India, the Rajput princes surrendering their powers to the central government.
Geography
The topography of Rajasthan is dominated by the Aravalli Hills, which form a line across the state, running roughly from Guru Peak (Mount Abu) at 5,650 feet (1,722 m) in the southwest to the town of Khetri in the northeast. In the west, Rajasthan is relatively dry and infertile; this area includes some of the Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert. In the southwestern part of the state, the land is wetter, hilly, and more fertile.
Places of interest
Jantar mantar
A stone observatory-Largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments, whose settings and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy. The most striking of these are the Ram Yantras used for gauging altitudes.
Mount Abu
A pleasant retreat set amidst the lush forested hills. Mt. Abu is a green oasis in the barren desertscape of Rajasthan. Situated at the southern tip of the Aravalli range, this hill retreat owes its cool climate to its rich flora covering the entire hillside that includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs. The only hill station in Rajasthan - Mount Abu is more than just a summer retreat. Its stunning array of exquisite Dilwara Jain temples, dating back 11th - 13th centuries, make it a popular pilgrimage centre.
Alwar
150 km from Jaipur and 170 km from Delhi, Alwar is nestled between a cluster of small hills of the Aravalli range. Perched on the most prominent of these hills is a massive ancient fort. Some of the finest variety of birds and animals are spotted here. Alwar has on of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan – Sariska, which is an excellent tiger country


Bharatpur
The 55 km long journey by road from Agra drives you to the town of Bharatpur - the eastern gateway to Rajasthan. Bharatpur is popular for its bird sanctuary the Keoladeo Ghana National Park-finest in Asia with a rich avian variety. Every year the rare siberian cranes come to spend the winter in the warmer climate of Bharatpur.
Flora and Fauna
The world's most outstanding heronry, the Keoladeo Park houses nearly 400 varieties of birds including painted storks, spoonbills, cormorants, egrets, herons, sarus cranes, porchards, ibis and kingfishers. The Great Indian Bustard, the peacock Chinkara, the smallest Indian antelope and of course the Tiger. Other animals include panther, leopard, desert fox, striped hyena, jackal, wolf, caracal, gharial, sambhar, blackbuck, chital, nilgai and sloth bear.
River and Lakes
The Chambal is the only large and perennial river. Sambhar is the largest salt lake in India.
Major Crops
Millet, wheat, maize (corn), and cotton are the major crops.
Weather and Climate
On average winter temperatures range from 8° to 28° C and summer temperatures range from 25° to 46° C. Average rainfall also varies; the western deserts accumulate about 100 mm (about 4 in) annually, while the southeastern part of the state receives 650 mm (26 in) annually, most of which falls from July through September during the monsoon season.
People
The population of Rajasthan includes Rajput, Bhil, Minas, and other ethnic groups. Numerous aboriginal tribal groups make up the Rajasthan population, including the Minas, the Meos, the Banjaras, and the Bhils (one of the oldest tribes in India). Others include the Gadia Lohars, the Grasias, and the Kathodis. Rajputs form a small percentage of the population, but they are the most prominent and take pride in their warlike reputation and ancestry.
Religion
The majority of the people practice Hinduism, although Jainism and Islam are also significant religions in the state.
Festivals
Teej
Teej is one of the most Important and Auspicious Festivals of Rajasthan. Teej is the festival for the daughters of the house. On the occasion of Teej, Dandia dances are arranged by professionals and performed in courtyards at home and in public places. The young girls of the house who dress up in colourful saris, lehangas and chunris, also perform these dances.
Elephant Festival 
A festival to celebrate Holi, this is a great occasion for the visitor to watch several elephants sports and also play this festival of colours. A show is organised with the elephants turning out in their best finery.
Gangaur
A festival devoted to goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is time for young girls to dress up in their finery and pray for grooms of their choice while the married woman pray for the well being of their husbands. This 18-day festival is laced with various activities and culminates in a grand procession marking the arrival of Shiva to escort his bride home. Unmarried girls pay homage in the hope that they will be blessed with a good husband. Married women pray for the long life of their husbands
Language
Rajasthan's main languages are Rajasthani and Hindi
Culture
Each region has its own folk entertainment; the dance styles differ, as do the songs. Interestingly enough, even the musical instruments are different. The typical folk dance of Rajasthan is the ghoomar, performed only by women. The geer dance (performed by both sexes), the panihari (a graceful dance for women)
Kachi Ghodi 
This is a dance performed on dummy horses. Men in elaborate costumes ride the equally well-decorated dummy horses. Holding naked swords, these dancers move rhythmically to the beating of drums and fifes. A singer narrates the exploits of the Bavaria Bandits of the Shekhawati. 
Fire Dance
The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Churu are renowned for their Tantric powers and this dance is in keeping with their lifestyles. A large ground is prepared with live wood and charcoal where the Jasnathi men and boys jump on to and reaches a crescendo; the dancers seem to be in a trance like state.
The most famous song is the Kurja, which tells the story of a woman who wishes to send a message by the kurja (a bird), which is promised a priceless reward for his service.
Food 
Cooking here has its own unique flavour and the simplest, the most basic of ingredients go into the preparation of most of the dishes. In the desert belt of Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner, cooks use the minimum of water and prefer, instead, to use more milk, buttermilk and clarified butter. Also dried lentils, beans from indigenous plants like sangri, ker etc. are liberally used. Various chutneys are made from locally available spices like turmeric, coriander, mint and garlic. Perhaps the best-known Rajasthani food is the combination of Dal, bati and churma
Handicrafts
Puppets
The string puppet in Rajasthan is called katputlis, or marionettes. No village fair, no religious festival, and ni social gathering would be complete without them. The typical Rajasthani katputli has a brightly painted face and a rough torso. Appropriately, the puppeteers themselves fashion brightly coloured male or female costumes from patches of old cloth.
Jewellery
Sophisticated jewellery, set with precious stones using the Kundankari technique, or decorated with bright enamel work, known as minakari, was made for the Rajput court and affluent people. There are different types of jewellery like the Kandan, carving from hard stones such as jade, rock crystal, agate, garnet, emerald, topaz and amethyst. Minakari (Enamelling) 
Both Silver and Gold can be used as a base for minakari. Only a limited number of colours, including gold, blue, green and yellow, are used with silver, whereas all available colours can be applied to gold, making it the preferred medium of enamellers and tribal jewellery elaborate silver jewellery bracelets, rings, nose rings, toe rings, ankle bracelets, pendants The ornaments of Barmer, Bhilwara, and moes of Alwar follow age -old designs often mimic of shapes o leaves, tendrils, flowers finished with classical simplicity.