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Tourism #1. Rajasthan
There's lots to see here
Rajasthan is pulling out all the stops to make sure your visit leaves you asking for more,
YOGESH BHAWARA | Issue Dated: February 12, 2012, New Delhi
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Visiting vibrant Rajasthan is a veritable feast for the eyes. Any tourist, intrepid or occasional, would tell you there's lots to take in and enough to write home about. True to form, the state has bagged a host of awards, the most talked about being the 2010 Conde Nast Traveller Award. Other important awards for having dazzled visitors include the National Tourism Award in 2010, a Heritage award for the Samode Haveli near Jaipur, and a Heritage Grand award, for the Fateh Prakash Palace in Udaipur. Also, the ‘Most Innovative Tourism Project' prize went to Chokhi Dhani, the ethnic resort near Jaipur, and the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur grabbed headlines in 2010 after bagging the UNESCO World Heritage tag.
Add to this the host of other exquisitely built monuments dating between the 18th to early 20th century, and the state packs quite a punch for those who want to “Discover India”.
Other than the historical and natural beauty, what makes visiting Rajasthan a smooth ride is the top of the line facilities that are on offer. Tourists can check into heritage hotels to live in the lap of luxury, while being surrounded by history. There is a hotel for every pocket too.
It's no surprise, therefore, that every year there are more than four crore tourists, including foreigners, who show up in Rajasthan, to get a panoramic view of its beauty. The state too is doing its bit. With an eye on tourism promotion, Udaipur airport has got a face lift recently, with Maharana Pratap's statue. Also, a brand new sound and light show adds to the excitement of visiting Kumbhalgarh Fort, a few miles to the west of Udaipur. Shekhawati, situated in the Delhi-Bikaner-Jaipur triangle, is yet another 'must see'.
Under rural tourism, the government has forked out Rs 9 crore for its promotion in 20 districts. Of late, efforts have also been made to promote adventure tourism; there are desert safaris and water sports too.
In the last three years, some 689 projects have been accepted to help promote tourism. According to sources, this opens up opportunities for investment of some Rs 5,000 crore, and about Rs 30 crore is being spent every year for the protection of historical monuments. In fact, more than Rs 1 crore was spent on the restoration of the walls of Amer Fort in Jaipur. And, under the preservation of lakes, the state has spent more than Rs 198 crore.
The state's Desert Festival is yet another big draw. Come February each year, and the sand dunes of Jaisalmer spring to life with tourists from all over the world. Hotels are ready to receive guests, and the 853-year-old fort is all set to captivate.
With so many big draws in a state, and so much on offer to help you check them out in comfort, Rajasthan does qualify for an award for the best tourist destination.
Issue Dated: Feb 5, 2017
