Desert National »»]]> Unesco’s  approval of listing of the Desert National Park on India’s tentative list of Natural World Heritage Properties is a  great news for Rajasthan Tourism.

Desert National Park - Jaisalmer

The name was approved in a recently-held World Heritage Committee meeting in Spain.

The other three sites are Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Prades; Bhitarkanika Conservation Area, Orissa; and Neora Valley National Park, West Bengal.

Located in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, Desert National Park covering an area of 3,162 sqkm across Jaisalmer and Barmer districts, is one of the only natural habitat of the globally threatened the Great Indian Bustard bird which is also known as Rajasthan State Bird and endemic fauna and flora of Rajasthan.

Utmost Attraction of the Desert National Park - Great Indian Bustards

The utmost attraction of the Desert National Park is the great Indian bustards (a rare species of bird) that is a heavy and graceful bird, draws thousands of bird lovers from all corners of the world.

Other Famous Species in Desert National Park

Other birds of significance include the endangered Oriental White-backed vulture Gyps bengalensis and Long-billed Gyps indicus,  Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha,  Green Munia Amandava formosa MacQueen’s or Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis maqueeni.  Indeed it offers an exciting feeling to wildlife tourists.

The park is teeming with wildlife and some of the resident species include chinkara, hare, desert fox, black buck, wolf, desert cat to name just a few.

Excellent Wildlife Photography at Sudashri Watch Tower

One of the most sought after vantage points of the park is the Sudashri watch tower from where one can observe the varied resident wildlife species of the sanctuary.

The Sudashri tower offers excellent wildlife photography opportunities and you can shoot your cameras to your hearts content.

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Some Highlight of Budget Towards Tourism Sector

VAT  Increased From 12.5% to »»]]> Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced the state budget in the state legislative assembly yesterday at Jaipur.

Some Highlight of Budget Towards Tourism Sector

VAT  Increased From 12.5% to 14%

The airlines service tax has been substantially reduced from 28% to 4% and VAT has been increased from 12.5% to 14%.

Low Rent for Budget Rooms

There is a great news for budget travelers as the budget exempted room fare in hotels costing up to Rs 3,000 from luxury taxes.

Formation of Rajasthan Tourism Act

To facilitate tourists and bring some regulation in the tourism sector in Rajasthan, Mr Gehlot emphasized on the formation of a Rajasthan Tourism Act, a Heritage Development Council and Heritage Development Authority.

A budget of Rs 10 crore has been allocated for the conservation of  heritage properties in rajasthan.

Nodal Agency to Encourage Investment in Tourism

Among the other announcements were to develop nazool’ properties of tourist importance under a transparent policy. The department of tourism would be a nodal agency to encourage investment in tourism. Besides, old forts, step wells and castles that are the rich legacy of the state would be listed for nomination as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Promotion of  Art and culture and the Folk Traditions

To promote art and culture and the folk traditions there is a proposal to upgrade the Jawahar Kala Kendra as Center for Performance & Living Art for which Rs 1.25 crore has been allocated. Now all accomplished artisans in folk art will be honored with Rajasthan Ratan’.

Restoration of Temples

The budget has been increased from Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore for restoration of temples under Devsthan. The museum of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Arabic Persian research institute would be developed with a grant of Rs 1.19 crore.

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Birla Institute of Technology & Science is a renowned science and technology university located in Pilani, Rajasthan. Pilani is »»]]>

Birla Science and Technlogy Museum in Pilani, Rajasthan

Birla Institute of Technology & Science is a renowned science and technology university located in Pilani, Rajasthan. Pilani is a small town situated 220 KM West to Delhi and 217 KM North to Jaipur City.

Birla Museum of Science and Technology

Birla Museum is located in Vidhya Vihar Campus of Institute. It was  built in 1954.

It exhibits the accomplishments of technology in various sections including latest scientific equipments, models of material science and illustrative diagrams, working models, charts & photographs explaining the principles of the sciences. It also throws light on the various aspects of engineering science.

The Birla Museum Pilani also contains Aerodynamics Gallery and Gandhi Gallery.

Sharda Peeth - Temple of Goddess Saraswati

Pilani which was once a small village, is mainly famous for being the hometown of the premier business and industrial family the Birlas.

BITS has a temple of Goddess Saraswati - The goddess of knowledge and arts, called Sharda Peeth.  It was built by Dr. G D Birla. The temple is built on a 7 feet high basement, with 70 pillars for support and spread across an area of 25000 feet square is entirely built using white marble.

The temple reflects the mix of ancient spirituality and modern technology. Architecturally it follows the North Indian  scheme of temple construction and is a replica in marble of the Khandariya Mahadeo temple at Khajuraho.

Other places of interest in Pilani are Shiva Ganga  and the Pachwati.

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Mount Abu »»]]> Mount Abu situated on an isolated plateau of Aravalli range of hills about 4000 ft.above sea level is one of the prettiest hill stations in India.

Mount Abu To Developed As Eco-Sensitive Zone

Mount Abu Hill Station will be a Eco-sensetive Zone

The Union environment ministry has recently declared Mount Abu an Eco-sensitive zone. This mandates eco-friendly measures for all, including locals and visiting tourists. The Centre on June 25 passed a notification to this effect, under which several restrictions will be imposed in and around Mount Abu to protect the area from ecological degradation.

The eco-sensitive zone covers the entire area of the notified urban area limit, including Mount Abu municipal limits and adjoining forest block areas.

All activities in the forest block areas shall be governed by the provisions of the Rajasthan Forest Act, 1953 and the Forests (Conservation) Act, 1980 (69 of 1980) and all the activities in the Protected Areas (Sanctuary) shall be governed by the provisions of the Wildlife  Protection Act, 1972 (53 of 1972).

A zonal master plan for the eco-sensitive zone shall be prepared by the state government within two years from the date of publication of the notification and will be submitted for approval to the ministry of environment and forests.

Effects of  Eco-Sensitive Zone

• Only non-polluting, non-hazardous cottage industries or agro-based industries shall be permitted in the protected area.
• New traffic regulations will also come up and there is a possibility that the entry of vehicles near tourist places will be restricted.
• No person shall use plastic carry bags within the notified area
• Restoration of denuded areas, conservation of existing water bodies including Nakki Lake, management of the catchment areas, watershed management, groundwater management, soil and moisture conservation

Mount Abu Tourist Attractions

Mount Abu is considered a summer retreat but it also has a stunning array of attractions such as the Dilwara Jain Temples, which dates back  to 11th- 13th centuries makes it a popular pilgrimage centre of Rajasthan.

The Sunset Point in Mount Abu is great for catching splendid views of the sunset over the hills. The Achalgarh Fort is one of the best areas to catch views of Mount Abu. The highest point in Mount Abu is Guru Shikhar, which has a temple dedicated to the Holy Trinity.

Mount Abu is also home to the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University & Museum, which is a popular yoga and meditation center.

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Maharaja Sawai Mansingh Museum is located within the City Palace complex and nestled amidst old buildings, temples and the »»]]>

Maharaja Sawai Mansingh Museum in City Palace Jaipur

Maharaja Sawai Mansingh Museum is located within the City Palace complex and nestled amidst old buildings, temples and the palace quarters. This museum was founded in 1959.

The exhibits consist of the ancestral collections built up by the successive rulers of  Jaipur. A small selection of paintings, manuscripts, maps, carpets, textiles, costumes, weapons and armours was displayed in the Pothikhana (library) and the Silehkhana or armoury (both of these in their present form, were established in 1952) of the palace.

Different Exhibits of Museum

Sileh Khana Armoury Gallery

One of the richest collection of the Indian weapons in the world is displayed here in a most artistic and symbolic manner.

Amongst the important weapons displayed here are: Heavy Khanda(sword) probably of Raja Man Singh I, swords of Mughal emperors Jehangir and Shahjahan, night polo ball, Sawai Jai Singh’s pistol and matchlock guns of 17th century probably cast at Jaigarh fort, Amber.

Rekhla(miniature cannon), Jujarba(Camel Guns), lances, Katars(daggers), bows and arrows, Maces and Gunpowder flasks, Howdahs(Elephants seat used during hunting) are also on display.

Art Gallery

The Art Gallery is housed in the Diwan-i-Aam constructed for holding important State functions.

A variety of objects-miniature paintings, illustrated manuscripts, decorated bookcovers, palm-leaf and Sanchipat manuscripts, old printed books, gigantic Mughal carpets, gold and silver Takhis-Rawan (movable throne), covered Ambabadis and open Howdahs, palanquins and carriages with richly embroidered velvet coverings are displayed in this gallery.

There are rare bird and animal studies by Ustad Mansur, court scenes, battle scenes, portraits and mythological paintings by famous Mughal painters can be shown here.

Textile Gallery

The royal costumes are displayed in the first floor of the Mubarak Mahal. The enormous Atamsukh, a beautiful rich Banaras brocade quilted cloak of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I is an object of amazement.

Baggi Khana

There are many Chariots and Coaches of or say baggies are displayed. The most interesting amongst these are the 19th century European cab adapted to Indian conditions and the Thakurji ka Rath.

The two silver jars  the largest silver object in the world, as per entry in the Guinness Book of World record made in The City Palace in 1896 weighing 345 kg each and taken to England by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II filed with Ganges water in 1902 can be seen in Sarvatobhadra.

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Sambhar, India’s largest salt lake, is 190 sq km in extent at full capacity, and »»]]>

Sambhar Lake 'India's Largest Salt Lake' To Be Developed as EcoTourism Site

Sambhar, India’s largest salt lake, is 190 sq km in extent at full capacity, and lays some 60 km west of Jaipur.

The waters of Sambhar have been used for centuries to make salt. There is, however, another distinctive feature of this extensive saline wetland.

Sambhar Lake - Designated As “Ramsar Site”  in 1990

During winter, it receives tens of thousands of winged visitors, some migrating from as far north as Siberia. For such waterfowl as the flamingo, Sambhar lake is one of the few habitats that ensure sustenance every year.

Sambhar lake was designated as a Ramsar site (recognized wetland of international importance) in 1990 to recognize the importance to protect the winter home of these Siberian birds.

Sambhar Lake As An Eco-Tourism Site

Now the government have decided to develop Sambhar Lake as an Eco-Tourism site, which will showcase the salt manufacturing process in the past 50 years. The site will enable people to experience the process through history, right from the British rule to present day.

The 90-km stretch of rail track near the lake, which is famous for the flamingoes, is a very picturesque location. Several Bollywood movies have been shot against its backdrop.

Others Attractions Around Sambhar Lake

The tiny hamlet dotted with historic buildings, the oldest salt museum, Devyani Kund and several renowned temples are some of the places you can visit while you are traveling near Sambhar.

Sambhar is also famous for Nandkeshwar Fair on Dhulandi. During the month of Falgun various events are performed for people to enjoy the mood of holi with BHANG ‘A Natural Alocohol’.

The Naliasar Pond, just 4 km south of Salt Lake City, is crammed with waterfowl-shovelers, common teals, pintails, common pochards, tufted pochards, gadwalls, graylag and bar-headed geese and even busty shelduck that fly swiftly overhead.

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