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Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – An Eminent Shooter Won First Individual Silver Medal for India in Olympics

Mar 9

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Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the eminent shooter came into the spotlight when he won the first individual silver medal for India in the Men’s Double Trap shooting event at the Summer Olympics of 2004 in Athens.

Personal Life of Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was born on January 29, 1970 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in an army background. While his father, Laxman Singh Rathore, is a Col. in the Indian Army and his mother, Manju Rathore, is a teacher.

Rathore was such an able cricket player that he was about to be selected in the Madhya Pradesh state cricket team for the famous Ranji Trophy in India. However, since he was only in class 10 at that time, his mother discouraged him to go in the team, as she wanted him to complete his preliminary education. Eventually, Rathore was not selected for the team.

He, then, appeared in the National Defense Academy examination and cracked the test. Subsequently, as army personnel, Rathore continued to show his talent in the Indian Army as well.

He fought against separatist militants in Indian-administered Kashmir in Kargil War 1999. While he was posted in Mhow, he started shooting. He took up competitive shooting only in 1998 just after his marriage  to Dr. Gayatri an army doctor. They have two children a son, named Manav, and daughter, named Gauri.

Won Various Shooting Championships

In addition of winning Olympics Silver medal, In 2005 Commonwealth Shooting Championships in Melbourne, he was the member of the winning team in the double trap event. He won the gold in the individual and team events in Men’s double trap at the 2005  Asian Clay Shooting championships at Bangkok.

Awards & Honors

  • As Major in the Indian Army, Rathore was conferred with the ‘Sword of Honor’ from Indian Military Academy in 1990.
  • Lt. Colonel Rathore was rewarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), a gallantry award for services he has provided, especially for        fighting terrorists in    Kargil war.
  • Rathore was conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honor in India, for the year 2004.
  • Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore also received the Padma Shri.

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Tazia Tower in Jaisalmer Rajasthan – Five Storied Structure of Great Historical Significance

Jan 12

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Tazia Tower is one of the major tourist attractions in Jaisalmer. It is a five-storied structure of great historical significance, which ascends from Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace) in Jaisalmer.

Tazia Tower in Jaisalmer

Imposing Architecture

Each storey of this pagoda like imposing figure features a beautifully carved balcony that is famous for their individual designs.

The most important palaces in this complex are Badal vilas, Jawahar Vilas, Dari Khana and Zenana Mahal. These were the homes of the former royal family adorned with modern facilities which indicates the British influence.

Significance of Tazia ?

Tazias are the fragile, split bamboo and elaborately decorated paper and tinsel models of Taj like mausoleums made by Shia Muslims during the period of Muharram, to commemorate the martyrdrom of Hassan and Hussain, the Prophet’s grandsons.

History about Tazia Tower

The silavats of Jaisalmer, being Shia Muslims, decided to migrate to Pakistan when it was established in 1947. Before leaving their desert Home, they expressed their love for their homeland and their ruler by building this tower in the shape of tazia and presenting it to the ruler.

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Desert National Park of Rajasthan Approved in Unesco’s World Heritage Properties

Jul 10

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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

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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Tour Rajasthan On Camel Back – Caravan Tourism To Be Promoted By Rajasthan Government

Jul 6

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One of the best possible ways to discover the magical land of Rajasthan is by riding on the back of a camel. Camel Safari is considered one of the most adventurous tourism of Rajasthan.

Camel Safaris – Explore the Sands Dunes of Rajasthan

Carvan Tourism - Travelling Rajasthan Desert on Camel Back

Carvan Tourism - Travelling Rajasthan Desert on Camel Back

Camel back is in fact one of the most magical way to explore the sand dunes of Rajasthan, especially the unending sand dunes of Jaisalmer and Bikaner.

Route Navigation in the desert is an acquired art, and caravans must be manned by riders who not only know how to study the stars, but also recognize the shifting sands of the terrain.

Caravan Journeys on Camel

Union tourism ministry has decided to announce policy initiatives for promotion of innovative programmes like caravan tourism in its 100-day agenda.

The ministry plans to explore Jaipur-Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur-Mount Abu, Delhi-Sariska-Ranthambore, Delhi-Jaipur-Ajmer-Pushkar as the popular routes for the caravan journeys. The camp safaris are already very popular among tourists. Now they will be even allowed to move at their will.

Better connectivity with the national capital, good road network and being on the list of must-visit destinations for majority of foreigners makes Rajasthan a preferred locale.

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Government Museum in Jaisalmer – Insight View On Glorious Past of Jaisalmer

Jun 29

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Situated amid picturesque Thar Desert, the Jaisalmer city commands premiere position among the tourist attractions in Rajasthan. The Jaisalmer city is revered both by Indian as well as foreign tourists.

Like various other cities of Rajasthan, in Jaisalmer too you will find different facets of its own glorious heritage. Although you can find historical monuments scattered all over the city, the Jaisalmer Fort and Museums of Jaisalmer will immediately command your attention.

About Government Museum in Jaisalmer

Government Museum in Jaisalmer City

Government Museum in Jaisalmer City

The Government Museum of Jaisalmer is an important landmark. It was inaugurated in the year 1984. The museum is located on Police Line Road near Moomal Hotel of RTDC and further south of the Jawahar Niwas Palace.

Different Exhibits of the Museum

The large collection of objects like wood and sea fossils help one to get insight into the glorious past days of Jaisalmer and throughout the Rajasthan region.

The main attraction of the museum are 72 stone sculptures and 8 inscriptions, 65 coins, 13 paintings, 179 embroidered dresses and handicraft. These sculptures which belonged to primitive towns like Kiradu and Lodurva, a Jain Pilgrimage, bear proofs of the artistic tradition of the then society. These are as old as 12th century pulsating with glory and grandeur. The uniqueness lies in the beautiful glass case exhibiting the Great Indian Bustard and Tailor.

Time to visit this museum is between 10.00 am to 4:30 pm. No entry fee is required on Monday. This museum remain closed on Fridays and all the gazatted holidays.

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Desert Festival in Jaisalmer Rajasthan – Enjoy Camel Races, Polo, Rajasthani Dance and Traditions

Feb 4

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A Lady Performing On a Camel Back during Desert Festival in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

A Lady Performing On a Camel Back during Desert Festival in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

The Desert Festival – An extravaganza of color, music and festivity is held in the desert city Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Its held  every year during the Hindu month of Magh (February).

The city of Jaisalmer parades its charms to the world every year during this desert festival. It has, on display, some of the most fondly preserved components of Rajasthan’s rich culture. Added to this is the warmth and cheerfulness of the people of the Rajasthan who welcomes the tourist from the depth of their heart.

Sight Seeing at Desert Festival

There are various moments you can capture during this festival. You can film the site of a turbaned , handsome man with long mustaches and the flowing beard set in the backdrop of the romantic golden sands. You can watch spirited villagers participating in the festival, attired in their colorful best, astride their gaily caparisoned camels.

Swing to the high pitched musical instruments which echo in the vast expanse of the tranquil desert. You can even  tap your feet to peppy folk music.

The spectacular gair dancers of barmer and the fire dancers are great crowed puller too.

Tourists, Locals and Polo Sportperson playing Polo on Camels in Desert Festival in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Tourists, Locals and Polo Sportperson playing Polo on Camels in Desert Festival in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Special Event During Desert Festival  – Mustache Competition

The excitement heightens as the Maru-Shri(Mr. Desert) competition and the turban-tying contest get underway.

In the turban-tying competition and tug of war, Indian competes with Foreigners which adds to the fun of the festival.

An interesting event of the festival is ‘Mustache Mustache‘. In this competition the prize is given to the man with the longest mustache.

An interesting point to keep in mind is that in the Rajasthan turning mustaches upwards signifies honor while dropping mustache indicate surrender.

There are other events as Camel race and polo on camel back to keep the tourists and locals involved in this festival.

The grand finale is a trip to the Sam sand dunes on the moonlight night, where one can also experience the pleasure of a camel ride. The folk artistes performing on the sand dunes take the enhancement to its crescendo.

Arrangement for Staying in Desert Festival

The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation  puts up a Tourist Village during the fair. Loading and boarding facilities are provides in deluxe tents and huts.

There are also large number of luxury, moderate and budget hotels for a comfortable stay.

There are many other things you might be looking to get help while you plan visiting Rajasthan. Check our tourist help on Rajasthan.

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