Culture of Rajasthan

Rajasthan on a Map of India (Disputed Map)

The culture of Rajasthan includes many artistic traditions that reflect the ancient Indian way of life. This historical state of India attracts tourists and vacationers with its rich culture, tradition, heritage and monuments.

More than 74.9% of the population of Rajasthan is vegetarian, making it the Indian state with the highest percentage of vegetarians.

Music and dance

Main article: Rajasthani music

The Ghoomar dance from Jodhpur and the Kalbeliya dance of Jaisalmer have gained international recognition. Folk music is also a vital part of Rajasthani culture. Bhopa, Chang, Teratali, Ghindar, Kachchigghori, Tejaji, and Parth dance are examples of traditional Rajasthani dances. Folk songs are commonly ballads that relate heroic deeds and love stories; and religious or devotional songs known as bhajans and banis (often accompanied by musical instruments such as the dholak, sitar and sarangi) are also sung.

Kathputli/Puppetry Culture

Kathputli is a traditional string puppet performance, which is native to Rajasthan, and is a key feature of village fairs, religious festivals and social gatherings in Rajasthan. Some scholars believe that the art of Kathputli is thousands of years old. Mentions of Kathputli have been found in Rajasthani folk tales, ballads and even folk songs. Similar rod puppets can be also found in West Bengal.

It is believed that Kathputli began as a string marionette art invented by the tribal Rajasthani Bhat community 1,500 years ago. Scholars believe that folk tales convey the lifestyle of ancient Rajasthani tribal people; Kathputli art may have originated from present-day Nagaur district and its surrounding areas. Rajasthani kings and nobles encouraged the art of Kathputli; over the last 500 years, it was supported by a system of patronage through kings and well-off families. Kathputli enthusiasts would support artists in return for the artists singing praises of the patrons’ ancestors. The Bhat community claims that their ancestors performed for royal families, receiving honor and prestige from the rulers of Rajasthan.

Cuisine of Rajasthan

Main article: Cuisine of Rajasthan

Rajasthani cuisine has been influenced by various factors like the warlike lifestyles of its inhabitants, the availability of ingredients in the arid region and by Hindu temple traditions of sampradayas like Pushtimarg and Ramanandi. Food that could last for several days and be eaten without heating was preferred. Scarcity of water and fresh green vegetables have all had their effect on the cooking. Signature Rajasthani dishes include Dal Baati Churma (full meal), Panchratna Dal (pulse), Papad ro Saag (papad curry), Ker Sangri (local curry), Gatte ro Saag (local curry). It is also known for its snacks like Bikaneri bhujia, Mirchi bada and Kanda kachauri (local dishes). Other famous dishes include Dal Baati, malaidar special lassi (lassi) and Lashun ki chutney (hot garlic paste), Mawa lassi from Jodhpur, Alwar ka mawa, Malpauas from Pushkar and rasgulla from Bikaner, "paniya" and "gheriya" from Mewar. Originated in the Marwar region of the state is the concept Marwari Bhojnalaya or vegetarian restaurants, today found in many parts of India, which offer vegetarian food of the Marwari people. The history also has its effect on the diet as the Rajputs preferred largely a non-vegetarian diet while the Brahmins, Jains, Bishnois and others preferred a vegetarian diet. So, the state has a myriad of both types of delicacies.

Social Life

Main article: Rajasthani people

Tribes

Main article: List of Scheduled Tribes in Rajasthan

Language and dialects

Main articles: Marwari language and Mewari language

Arts and crafts

A carpet seller in Jaipur

Rajasthan is famous for textiles, semi-precious stones and handicrafts as well as for its traditional and colorful art which often features ballads. Rajasthani furniture is known for its intricate carvings and bright colors. Block prints, tie-dye prints, Bagaru prints, Sanganer prints and Zari embroidery are famous. Rajasthanis are skilled in making textile products, handicrafts, gems and jewelery, dimensional stones, agro and food products. The top five export items which contributed to the two-thirds of exports from the state of Rajasthan are textiles (including ready-made garments) gems & jewellery, engineering goods, chemical and allied products. The blue pottery of Jaipur is to be particularly noted. To attract investment for the revival of traditional arts and crafts as well as the promotion of cultural heritage, the first handicraft policy has been released in Rajasthan..Rajasthan has a large number of raw materials namely marble, wood and leather to cash on the great potential for the development of handicrafts.

The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing celebrates traditional woodblock printing on cloth.

Architecture

Main article: Architecture of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is famous for its historical forts, temples, and palaces(havelis), all of which are a major attraction of tourism in the state.

Temple architecture

While there are many Gupta and post-Gupta era temples in Rajasthan, after the 7th century, the architecture evolved into a new form called the Gurjara-Pratihara style. Some famous temples of this style are the temples at Osian, the Kumbhshyama temple of Chittor, temples at Baroli, the Somesvara temple at Kiradu, the Harshnath temple in Sikar and the Sahasra Bahu temple of Nagda.

From the 10th century to the 13th century, a new style of temple architecture was developed, known as the Solanki style or Maru-Gurjara style. The Samadhishwar temple at Chittor and the ruined temple at Chandravati are examples of this style.

This period was also a golden age for Jain temples in Rajasthan. Some famous temples of this period are the Dilwara Temples and the Mirpur temple of Sirohi. There are also many Jain temples of this period in the Pali district at Sewari, Nadol, Ghanerao etc.

From the 14th century and onwards, many new temples were built, including the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Udaipur, the Jagdish Temple at Udaipur, the Eklingji Temple, the Jagat Shiromani Temple of Amer, and the Ranakpur Jain temple.

Forts of Rajasthan

• Amer Fort, Amer, Jaipur
• Bala Qila, Alwar
• Barmer Fort, Barmer
• Chittor Fort, Chittorgarh
• Gagron Fort, Jhalawar
• Gugor Fort, Baran
• Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur
• Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
• Jalore Fort, Jalore
• Jhalawar Fort, Jhalawar
• Juna Fort and Temple, Barmer
• Junagarh Fort, Bikaner
• Khandhar Fort, Sawai Madhopur
• Khejarla Fort, Khejarla, Jodhpur
• Khimsar Fort, Nagaur
• Kumbhalgarh Fort, Rajsamand
• Lohagarh Fort, Bharatpur
• Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
• Nagaur Fort, Nagaur
• Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
• Nahargarh Fort, Baran
• Neemrana Fort Palace, Neemrana, Alwar
• Ranthambore Fort, Sawai Madhopur
• Bhangarh Fort, Alwar
• Taragarh Fort, Ajmer
• Taragarh Fort, Bundi
• Shergarh Fort, Baran
• Surajgarh Fort, Surajgarh
• Bhatner Fort, Hanumangarh

Palaces of Rajasthan

• Alwar City Palace, Alwar
• Amber Palace, Amer, Jaipur
• Badal Mahal, Dungarpur
• Dholpur Palace, Dholpur
• Fateh Prakash Palace, Chittorgarh
• Gajner Palace and Lake, Bikaner
• Jag Mandir, Udaipur
• Jagmandir Palace, Kota
• City Palace, Jaipur
• Jal Mahal, Jaipur
• Juna Mahal, Dungarpur
• Lake Palace, Udaipur
• Lalgarh Palace and Museum, Bikaner
• Laxmi Niwas Palace, Bikaner
• Man Mahal, Pushkar
• Mandir Palace, Jaisalmer
• Monsoon Palace, Udaipur
• Moti Doongri, Alwar
• Moti Doongri, Jaipur
• Moti Mahal, Jodhpur
• Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli, Jaisalmer
• Patwon Ki Haveli, Jaisalmer
• Phool Mahal, Jodhpur
• Raj Mandir, Banswara
• Rampuria Haveli, Bikaner
• Rana Kumbha Palace, Chittorgarh
• Rani Padmini's Palace, Chittorgarh
• Ranisar Padamsar, Jodhpur
• Ratan Singh Palace, Chittorgarh
• Salim Singh Ki Haveli, Jaisalmer
• Sardar Samand Lake and Palace, Jodhpur
• Sheesh Mahal, Jodhpur
• Sisodia Rani Palace and Garden, Jaipur
• Sukh Mahal, Bundi
• Sunheri Kothi, Sawai Madhopur
• Udai Bilas Palace, Dungarpur
• City Palace, Udaipur
• Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

Religion

Main article: Religion in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is a home to all the major religions of India. Hindus account for 90.63% of the population; Muslims (7.10%), Sikhs (1.27%) and Jains (1%) make up the remaining population.

Festivals

The main religious festivals are Deepawali, Holi, Gangaur, Teej, Gogaji, Makar Sankranti and Janmashtami as the main religion is Hinduism.

Rajasthan's desert festival in Jaisalmer is celebrated once a year during winter. People of the desert dance and sing ballads of valor, romance and tragedy. There are fairs with snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats and folk performers. Camels play a prominent role in this festival.

Religious syncretism

Rajasthan has more popular Hindu saints, many from the Bhakti era.

Rajasthani saints hail from all castes; Maharshi Naval Ram and Umaid Lakshman Maharaj were Bhangis, Karta Ram Maharaj was a Shudra, Sundardasa was a Vaish, and Meerabai and Ramdeoji were Rajputs. The backward caste Nayaks serve as the narrators or the devotional music (or "bhajan") for the Baba Ramdevji sect.

The most popular Hindu deities are Surya, Krishna and Rama.

Modern-day popular saints from Rajasthan have been Paramyogeshwar Sri Devpuriji of Kriya Yoga and Swami Satyananda the master of Kriya Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Mantra Yoga and Laya yoga. Rajasthan had a massive movement to unite the Hindus and Muslims to worship God together. Saint Baba Ramdevji was adored by Muslims, equally as he was by Hindus.

Mostly Rajasthani people speak the Marwari language.

Saint Dadu Dayal was a popular figure who came from Gujarat to Rajasthan to preach the unity of Ram and Allah. Sant Rajjab was a saint born in Rajasthan who became a disciple of Dadu Dayal and spread the philosophy of unity amongst Hindu and Muslim worshipers of God.

Saint Kabir was another popular figure noted for bringing the Hindu and Muslim communities together and stressing that God may have many forms (e.g. in the form of Rama or Allah.)

External links

• Arts and Culture of Rajasthan at Government of Rajasthan