The arid and semi-arid regions of Thar Desert stand
divided between India and Pakistan. A vast expanse of hot sand
mountains, Thar Desert yields sal and gypsum. The scanty rainfall and
extreme climate makes it a perfect desert experience topped with warm
desert people who are ready to entertain the visitors with their folk
dance and music performances in their characteristic colorful dresses,
camel and elephant rides. Sand dunes, thorny bushes, parched thirsty
fields, broken rocks along with majestic forts and palaces that rise
from the barren backdrop like a mirage makes Rajasthan a preferred place
for the tourists to visit. It is difficult to believe that this land was
once under the sea and was full of varied marine life. According to the
popular legend, Lord Rama tried to dry the sea to reach Lanka with his
army and rescue his wife Sita from the clutches of demon-king Ravana who
had abducted her. However, just before he could shoot his arrow, Sea
himself came to Him in a human form and prayed to him to have pity on
life in sea. Since, nothing else could be done, he shot the arrow to a
far-away sea, which dried up instantly. This dried sea is said to be
today's Thar Desert.
Though, the mythology seems a little far-fetched, archaeological
evidences and fossils found in the region prove that there was indeed
sea life some thousand years ago. As Kipling puts it, Rajasthan is a
'land of camels and snake charmers'. It exceeds the human imagination
with haunting desert music in the backdrop of huge and massive forts and
palaces. Hawa Mahal of Jaipur, Sam sand dunes of Jaisalmer, Lake palace
of Udaipur, the Brahma temple of Pushkar, Ranthambhore National Park,
Chittaurgarh fort are just some of the items on the long list of tourist
destinations of Rajasthan. Explore the bygone era of Rajput rule in
Rajasthan and get lost in the dreamy and fantastic illustrations of
Rajput chivalry and valor as one witnesses the various cultural
performances and participate in the myriad of festivals.
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