Opportunity abounds in India’s religious circuit

REPORT FROM INDIA—“Jai Ho,” “Insha’Allah,” “Waheguru”—while these and other phrases of blessing are commonly heard along India’s religious circuit, global hotel chains are flocking to the region with another word in mind: opportunity.
The underserved religious tourism market segment drew 450 million tourists during 2010, or approximately 60% of the country’s 740 million domestic travelers, according to estimates from India’s Department of Tourism. By contrast, foreign tourist arrivals numbered only 5 million for the year in 2010, though both segments continue to grow.
Religious tourism has long been a fundamental characteristic of India’s domestic travel industry. “Pilgrim tourism forms an important segment of domestic tourism,” said Kashmira Commissariat, COO of tour operator Kuoni India’s outbound division. “India, as a confluence of different religions, has always attracted pilgrims from all over the world,” as well.
Religions that have their origins in the country include Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Islam has been practiced in India since the seventh century, while Christianity came to India in 52 A.D. India also serves as home to a sizeable population of Zoroastrians (Parsi), Bahá'ís , Ismaili (followers of Aga Khan) and Jews.
The top shrines in India, whether Tirupati, Vaishno Devi, Ajmer Dargah or Golden Temple, each draws an average of 50,000 to 100,000 visitors a day. Shirdi, the Abode of Sai Baba, sees a daily visitor level of 70,000 people on weekdays; weekends inflate to approximately 100,000 visitors, according to figures released by the management of these shrines.
Gaurav Sarin, associate VP of business development and quality assurance at Best Western India, said pilgrims stay one and half days at Best Western’s Shirdi property. Rajat Gupta, associate director of sales at Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Hotels India, said the approximate stay of religious travelers is two days; at Carlson’s Ajmer property, guests generally stay overnight. What is less definitive, however, is where those stays occur.

Source: http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles.aspx/7102/Opportunity-abounds-in-Indias-religious-circuit

Winters finally arrive in the state

JAIPUR: Winter has finally knocked the doors in Rajasthan as the mercury took a dip across the state. Though it was delayed for a week but the northern and western parts witnessed shivering cold on Saturday where people were seen under their warm cloths and markets selling woolens were flooded with the customers. Churu was reeling under severe cold conditions as it witnessed 5.6 degree Celsius which was coldest in the state.

Attributing the climatic change to the revival of easterly winds and vanishing of factors including western disturbances and upper air cyclonic circulation the met office said that the ongoing conditions will continue where mercury will further take a dip across the state. Met office further said that mercury would further take a dip across the state especially in the western Rajasthan.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Deepika does a Katrina, visits Ajmer Shariff dargah‎:

The city of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti here wore colours of harmony on Wednesday with people from various communities celebrating Eid-ul-fitr. Devotees flocked to Idgahs in and around the city but it is the shrine of the Sufi saint where a large crowd was seen from early morning to enter the Jannati Darwaja, which was on opened for the devotees on the occasion.

In Ajmer, Eid is celebrated not only celebrated by the Muslim community but also by different communities offering prayers and greeting each other with 'Eid Mubarak'.

"Before offering namaz in a masjid, we have to see that no poor is left hungry and it is the duty of every devotee that he should ask them for their needs," said S F Hussein Chishti, a khadim at the dargah.

Many people were seen giving out 'firka', a tradition to give food and money to the poor.

People from Hindu, Jain and Christain faiths went to the dargh in their best clothes to offer prayers and wish their Muslim colleagues. "Since time immemorial, it is a regular tradition that people of our area came out, gather near the dargah to welcome and celebrate Eid with our Muslim friends," Avinash Kane of Kaserganj sabji mandi said.

P K Shrivastav, a resident of Nala bazaar, said, "It is a custom that we all wear new clothes and went to the homes of our Muslim friends along with our families to wish them a happy Eida. My five-year-old son is liking his new cap for the occasion."

A special attraction for kids is the traditional toy shops outside different masjids where items made from clay and woods are sold. "The bazaar which came up for a day, made us remember our old days when we ask our father after the namaz to buy these toys," Mohammad Ayub of Ramganj said.

On the occasion, most houses and shops were decorated with lights and different colour of paints. The dargah was illuminated with decorative lights in the evening.

Famous Tourist Attraction in Ajmer

The city of Ajmer, in Western India, is situated on the banks of the tributaries of Luni and Banas rivers. The Aravalli Ranges overlook the city on one side while the Ana Sagar Lake flanks it on the other.

Historically, Ajmer has a special place in the History of Ancient India as a significant part of the latter is linked with the former in some way or the other. Ajmer was founded by a Rajput ruler called Ajaipal Chauhan in the eleventh century. This was followed by the reign of the legendary Rajput ruler, Prithviraj Chauhan. Later, during the Mughal period from the middle of the fifteenth century, Ajmer served as an important military base.

Another famous tourist attraction in Ajmer is the tomb of the famous Sufi Saint of the thirteenth century, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Every year, the tomb is visited by umpteen numbers of tourists from all around the world.

Some special about Marble City Kishangarh :

KISHANGARH

The Phool Mahal Palace on the bank of the Gundalao Lake

Phool Mahal Palace stands between the Gundalao Lake and the Kishangarh Fort, both of which had been nearly invisible under the cover of the night. But in the morning, they redefined the landscape completely. The Fort, although not so large as its Jodhpur cousin, towers above the palace like a hill. It is a maze of buildings, and off-limits to all but the royal family and its guests. As for the lake, we were in luck because it held water after almost 20 years. Scanty rainfall and obstructed water channels had played havoc with it down the decades.

The old Kishangarh lay at the foot of the fort, and it seemed to have largely stuck to its old ways. True, we found a Swift, some Altos and 800s parked before houses, but the town's defining image was one of carts and cows. Going through its lanes - not easy in a six-feet-wide SUV - we were of as much interest to the locals as their morning repast of blood-red jalebis was to us.

If the town seemed caught in a time warp, the feeling was even stronger inside the fort. Old carriages, fading paintings, silent fountains, dark galleries… they were proof of the splendorous life those strong walls had witnessed in the first 350 years of their existence. And now, five decades after the Kishangarh royals had vacated the fort, they stood stonily silent, as if sworn to secrecy.

First clone multi-plantation garden to come up in Ajmer

AJMER: To save regional flora in the land of Rajasthan, forest department took the initiative to establish Rajasthan first clone multi plantation garden in Ajmer. The garden would witness the growth of rare Aruvedic species of semi desert region. More than 35 species of Arudev has been identified in Rajasthan which are auspicious for Aruved and homeopathy. The garden would develop mother plant and clone of endanger species.

One can take a turn to the foot hills of Aravllis and found dense plantation of vajerdanti, googal and chironj. "They are the products which are costly and demanded overseas" said Subhash Jain, an exporter of aruvedic medicines. The importance of these plants is that they are even use in Allopathic treatment. "Like vajerdanti which is useful in toothpaste and mouth ulcer" said aruved doctor. The goggle plant which is important as anti biotic are now listed in rare species. The property of this plant is that it kills the germs in the air too.

"We are planning to cultivate mother plant of this species and then distribute to the local people who are interested in plantation" said K.C. Meena divisional forest officer. According to him well equipped nursery would be prepared for the production of these plants in large number. In Ajmer only half a dozen verity of goggle grows. There are other species which are origin of desert land Jodhpur and Jaiselmer.
Meanwhile the department has identified Googra nursery situated on the gateway of Ajmer from Jaipur. "People are not aware about the importance of goggle and therefore it is used as wood fuel in rural areas" said forest officer. The department has started preparing base material of this plant in the nursery. "We are going to use one hectare of land in the garden to confirm the growth of this plant" added Meena.

The theme of this garden is to prepare a bank of plants. There are several verities alone in the goggle and it is needed to develop and improve the species" said an agriculture scientist Googra nursery is based on the hill step and most of its part is on the hilly region. "The place is right for developing every sort of species in the area" said J.P. Bhati, assistant forest conservator. He said that forest headquarter has released the budget for establishing the garden.

Beside goggle the department would collect the plants of different species all around the state to cultivate more plants from it. From Kumbhalgarh ( Udaipur range) Salar plant would brought to cultivate in the nursery. From Chittorgarh Chironj and Gajrutsama from Jaiselmer would be brought to add in the species of multi plantation garden. Traversal Rajasthan Isis would be brought from Jodhpur and orojilam indicum from Banswara for the garden.
Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Jaipur

Rajasthan Attractions and Temples of Rajasthan

In northwestern Indian region, Rajasthan is spread over the golden sand of the Great Indian Desert- the only desert of the sub-continent. This state of India is surrounded by the pride mountain range of Aravali which is one of the oldest mountain range of the world. Rajasthan is the land of great warriors & princes flaunts, its history through each of its miniature. The richest of rich Indian culture, tradition & natural beauty blends to mesmerize the tourists from all across the world.

This state of India has been appropriately named Rajasthan as it literally means "The Land of the Kings". This state of India is rich in history, grand architectures, beautiful landscapes and windswept sand dunes. If you are on a Tour to Rajasthan, you get an opportunity to witness the grandeur of history. Architecture & exceptionally beautiful palaces at Rajasthan would certainly steal your heart. Travel on a desert safari or a luxury train 'Palace on Wheels' & you will feel like a King on a royal tour.

Attractions

The main attraction of Rajasthan which seduces the tourists most is its naturally beautiful sights, geography, rich history of royal glory & tradition. Other major attraction for nature lovers & tourists are Bharatpur, Ranthambhor, Sambhar salt lake & natural sights of Mount Abu. Most of the population here at Rajasthan is traditional and they are into constantly transferring their traditional values & rich cultural heritage from one generation to another. Height of the art & creativity can be seen here among the people of Rajasthan. Tourists all across the world come to experience the beauty of this heavenly place on the earth.

Visitors are curious to know & learn the tradition, art & culture of Rajasthan as this is the place which represents one of the most pride Gharana 'The Rajputs'. In the forts and palaces at Rajasthan, one can experience the legends of those glorious Rajputs who were great warriors. They lived & died for admiration, commitment, love for the country & self respect.

Monuments of Rajasthan such as Forts, Palaces, Temples, Havelis etc. are the prime attractions of this state. They are in fact a testimony of an era that marked its presence in the golden pages of the history.

Temples of Rajasthan

The temples at Rajasthan reflect the great architectural revolution that gripped the state from 8th to 11th century. Temples of Rajasthan are living testimony to the artistic talent of Rajasthan. The notable temples of Rajasthan are Dilwara Temples, Someshvara Temple, Mahavira Temple, Jain temples of Jaisalmer, Birla Mandir- jaipur, Eklingji Mandir- Udaipur, Brahma Mandir- Ajmer & Karni Mata Temple- Bikaner. Famous Ajmer sharif the final resting place for 'Garib Nawaz' Kwaza Moinuddin chishti is situated here in Rajasthan's Ajmer district where people of all religion come to participate in annual Urs (A festival which belongs to Muslim religion but enthusiastically celebrated among all communities & religions).