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Indian States Rajasthan Travel Guide Adventure in Rajasthan
Adventure in Rajasthan
Travel Angel Says: Yesterday's royal pursuits are today's modes of relaxation, leisure opportunities that are as exotic as they are varied. Not that the people of
Rajasthan lacked for occasions where they could practice their skills in the vast terrains that lay at their command. The land may appear, at first sight, unexciting for the pursuit of sports, but the people clearly though otherwise, and under the patronage of the nobility, a well-entrenched system of skillful outdoor activities was encouraged.
Since the people lived in close proximity to their land, it was inevitable that they saw in it the ability to transform the mundane into the exciting. Skilled warriors and horsemen, for example, the Rajputs were able to refine their riding skills when it came to competitive sports, creating among the finest polo teams in the world. At a less privileged level, the villagers too responded with races for camels and cattle, unusual competitions that ranged from turban-tying to racing horse carriages and carts.
If polo was nurtured in Rajasthan, safaris and safari camps were an essential part of their defence strategy. Later, the advent of the British resulted in the formalisation of many of these activities, and golf was introduced. In more recent years, outdoor lovers have found the open countryside with its undulating dunes ideal for recently introduced sports opportunities such as ballooning or gliding, while traditional pursuits have been turned into a host of leisure activities such as rallies and desert safaris. The extensive . waterbodies in Rajasthan are now seeing the origin of water-related sporting activities.
Since the people lived in close proximity to their land, it was inevitable that they saw in it the ability to transform the mundane into the exciting. Skilled warriors and horsemen, for example, the Rajputs were able to refine their riding skills when it came to competitive sports, creating among the finest polo teams in the world. At a less privileged level, the villagers too responded with races for camels and cattle, unusual competitions that ranged from turban-tying to racing horse carriages and carts.
If polo was nurtured in Rajasthan, safaris and safari camps were an essential part of their defence strategy. Later, the advent of the British resulted in the formalisation of many of these activities, and golf was introduced. In more recent years, outdoor lovers have found the open countryside with its undulating dunes ideal for recently introduced sports opportunities such as ballooning or gliding, while traditional pursuits have been turned into a host of leisure activities such as rallies and desert safaris. The extensive . waterbodies in Rajasthan are now seeing the origin of water-related sporting activities.
Safaris in The Desert
Warfare would not have been possible without
detailed planning, especially in this desert region where all supplies had to be carried when the armies came to pitch camp where the battle lines were drawn. From the repertoire of this experience were drawn the state processions, interkingdom journeys and royal pilgrimages when the families came out of their fortified settlements to create alternate, moving cities. Of this rich past were safaris created.
Camel Safaris Horse Safaris Elephant Safaris Jeep Safaris
Brisk Chukkers
The sport of polo had its beginnings in India, in the
state of Manipur. Played in a very basic manner using brisk ponies, the game eventually evolved under British patronage, and a complex set of rules was created, and the game divided into chukkers or rounds. Rajasthan's princely kingdoms adopted the sport and made it their own, with their natural proclivity for riding. Kingdoms kept special stables for polo ponies, and their teams included among the very best in the world. Very often, the players were the rulers and members of their families, though their armies also encouraged the sport. In the zenanas, even the women of
the royal family were encouraged to play polo, and proved themselves adept at it. Horse Polo Camel Polo Elephant Polo Bicycle PoloThe Desert Run
When the first motorcars started coming to India,
Rajasthan's princes and aristocracy were among the earliest to order them. No wonder the state has such an extensive network of roads that connects even small towns and villages. These, in turn, have become the venue for various rallies.Vintage car rally: An annual event, the Jaipur Vintage Car Rally, though a recent addition, has become an important one on the Indian social calendar. Held in January, and keenly contested, it invites prestigious entries. Since some of the aristocratic families have still kept their vintages in their garages, the turnout too is impressive, with some cars dating back to the very early years of the turn of the century.
Desert SafariCountryside Fare
Not all leisure activities are the purview of the elite, and
there are sporting events created by those who live in smaller towns and villages that are related to pastoral activities. The people
create their sporting activities as they go along, and of course, there are all the usual sports played in the playing fields such as cricket, football, hockey, basketball,
volleyball, tennis, badminton, and of course, at the shooting ranges, skeet and clay-pigeon shooting. In the latter, in fact, Dr Karni Singh of Bikaner, the late maharaja of that state, held the honour of an Olympics medallist for several years. These are organised activities, but in rural areas, competitive events are more usually held during religious or social fairs. These can include camel races, or bullock races. Visitors may ask for demonstrations and then join in such local sporting events as khokho and gulli-danda, team events played in virtually all the lanes and streets of Rajasthan. In addition, there are races involving the carriages that animals may be used to pull as a part of their daily activity schedule. Tonga Races Cart RacesLeisurely Style
The people of Rajasthan have adopted different sporting
events over the years, and these have provided a great deal of variety to their lives. Interestingly, there is an eclectic quality to these sporting events that can range from more sophisticated sports such as golf to the well-known Rajasthani passion for kite-flying. Golf Kite-Flying Bicycling TrekkingCampingNewer Adventure Sports
In recent years, people have begun to discover another facet
of Rajasthan - its open spaces and un spoilt countryside as ideal for the newer aerial sports that have gained popularity in the West, and in some other parts of India. Facilities for many of these events may not exist locally, but visitors can either request operators to arrange these, or carry their own equipment into India. Do remember, however, that many of these activities may require permissions and clearances from government authorities, and you must ensure these have been obtained. Ballooning Para-Sailing GlidingWater Sports
Watersports may appear an alien concept in Rajasthan
but the presence of large lakes has actually made the development of such sports possible. Even though they are not very popular yet, the opportunities exist for them, a fact that was brought home when the water games during the prestigious Asian Games in 1982 were held at Jamua Ramgarh on the outskirts of Jaipur. Unfortunately, the kick-start provided for watersports then failed to take off because, following some years of drought, the water level at the lake fell. Though the level was restored a few years later, it may require more incentive to focus on them on a mo~e permanent basis. Boating Angling Water-Skiing & SurfingThe Nature of Eco - Tourism
Rajasthan's wilderness resources have always been closely linked at the grassroot level, but recent initiatives have guided the development of nature trails and eco-tourism parks close to cities of tourist importance. These parks endeavour to build back eco-systems that have been disrupted by territorial encroachments over the decades, so that a pristine environment can be recreated for the co-existence of wildlife and vegetation. Nahargarh Biological Park Jhalana Nature Trails Machia Safari Park
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