Rajasthan Culture

Timaniya or Aad Jewellery

Timaniya is one of famous Rajasthani Jewellery in Rajasthan famous among women in Rural and royal families of Rajasthan. Women wear Timaniya jewellery in their Neck. In typical rajasthani language Timaniya is also known as "Aad" or आड़ .

Here is Picture of  Timaniya or Aad Jewellery in Rajasthan.

The ancient Timaniya is Costly and Heavy in weight so now days new format of Diamond Timaniya are popular in India. Here is picture of New form of Timaniya popular:

Bishnoi Community in Rajasthan and 29 Rules

Bishnoi Community in Rajasthan and 29 Rules:बिश्नोई एक हिन्दू धर्म का पंथ है |बिश्नोई दो शब्दों से मिलकर बना हुआ है - बीस +नो यानि जो उनतीस नियमो का पालन करता है | गुरु जम्भेश्वर भगवान् को बिश्नोई पंथ का संस्थापक माना जाता है | 
बिश्नोई पंथ के 29 नियम निम्न है:
1. तिस दिन सूतक
2.पञ्च दिन का रज्सवला
3.सुबह स्नान करना
4.शील,संतोष ,सूचि रखना
5.प्राते:,शाम संध्या करना
6.साँझ आरती विष्णु गुण गाना
7.प्राते:कल हवन करना
8.पानी छान कर पीना व वाणी शुद बोलना
9.इंधन बीनकर व दूध छानकर पीना
10.क्षमा सहनशीलता रखे
11.दया-नम्र भाव से रहे
12.चोरी नहीं करनी
13.निंदा नहीं करनी
14.झूठ नहीं बोलना
15.वाद विवाद नहीं करना
16.अमावस्या का व्रत रखना
17.भजन विष्णु का करना
18.प्राणी मात्र पर दया रखना
19.हरे वृक्ष नहीं काटना 
20.अजर को जरना
21.अपने हाथ से रसोई पकाना
22.थाट अमर रखना
23.बैल को बंधिया न करना
24.अमल नहीं खाना
25.तम्बाको नहीं खाना व पीना
26.भांग नहीं पीना
27.मदपान नहीं करना
28.मांस नहीं खाना
29.नीले वस्त्र नहीं धारण करना
Bishnoi / Vishnoi Community in Rajasthan as Animal Lover & Protector of Wildlife in Western Rajasthan in Pics, Photos:

Summer Festival, Mount Abu (Rajasthan)

Summer festival 2014 is held in Mount Abhu (Rajasthan) from 12th to 14th May 2014. Summer festival is held every year during the month of May on Budh Poornima. The festival celebrates the warmth and cheerfulness of the people of hill station, who welcome the tourist from the depth of their hearts. The hospitality of the people, their colorful culture and exotic location made this festival a never to be forgotten experience.
The festival begins with a ceremonial procession, which starts from the RTDC Hotel Shikhar and gather at the Nakki Lake Chowk followed by folk performances of Rajasthan & Gujrat states. The grand finale of the Festival a display of dazzling fire works all three days. This three day colourful festival is organized by the Rajasthan Tourism, Municipal Board, Mt.Abu & District Administration. The second and third day of the festival is more interesting because of various competitions that take place the whole day. Skating Race, skater’s Show, CRPF Band Show, Boat Race, Horse Race, Tug of War, Panihari Matka Race and Deepdan add to the excitements of the celebration.

Bhapang Music Instrument

Bhapang Music Instrument: Bhapang is a rare single stringed percussion instrument affectionately known as a 'talking drum' It originates from the Mewati community in the Alwar district. It is known as a Chongar in Maharashtra, Apang in Gujarat and Tumba in the Punjab. The Bhapang emits a unique sound due to the gut string passing through a skin parchment. It has a varying pitch which requires rapid hand movements and dexterity for the innumerable slides, oscillations and grace notes that are necessary in producing a haunting melody. It is often played to accompany Bhajans - spiritual, devotional songs - and poetry. Positioned under the armpit and plucked, it has a wonderful ability to convey emotion and depth despite its superficial simplicity.

When bhapang is played the musician grasps a wooden handle that is attached to a string. The same string is attached to the membrane. During performance the drum emits a oscillating tone that gives the instrument its particular voice. A membrane of animal skin is attached with tacks to hold the instrument together. A string is attached from handle to membrane. Five small metal bells are attached to the handle.

Jalore Mahotsav, Rajasthan | Jalore Festival

Jalore Mahotsav 2013 will be held from 15th February to 17th February 2013 at Jalore stadium in Jalore district of Rajasthan. Jalore Mahotsav showcase the culture of Jalore and the best of the things Jalore district has to offer. Handicrafts, cattle, crops, plants, wild life, dance forms, Academic seminars, singing & dancing, village-life, sports, youth career guidance ,cultural programmes, trade fair, food-stalls,sports for all age-groups, Kavi sammelan, artificial rock-climbing etc.

Sanwariya Seth Temple, Mandaphia (Rajasthan)

Sanwariya Seth Temple, Mandaphia: Sanwaliya Seth is Avatar of Lord Krishna.Sanwaliyaji also known as sanwariyaji or sanwariya seth or sanwara seth or setho ke seth.This temple is very famous in north india especially in Rajasthan, Gujrat, Maharashtra,Uttar Pradesh & Madhya Pradesh. 

Various festivals and ceremonies organized round the year by the Mandir Mandal or by the devotees from different parts of the country. Especially, on the 11th day of Bhadra- Shukla (Dev-Jhulni Ekaadashi), the Mandir Mandal organizes a mela (fair) and a rath processesion of the Lord in which lakhs of people participate with great religious fervour and zeal.

Rupayan Sansthan, Jodhpur

Rupayan Sansthan: is and NGO or Community Development center established in 1960 at Paota, Jodphur (Rajasthan). He founded the Rupayan Sansthan in the 1960, with Vijaydan Detha, an institute that documents Rajasthani folklore, arts and music. Rupayan Sansthan was established with the simple idea of collecting folk tales and folk songs to bring out the richness of the Rajasthani language, which is the mother tongue of more than 40 million people of Rajasthan. Since its inception, Rupayan has expanded its scope from merely research and archiving, to educating Rajasthanis on traditional livelihoods and cultures and working with traditionalperforming arts communities on development issues.

Bhakti movement in Rajasthan

Bhakti movement in Rajasthan: Bhakti movement in Medieval India is responsible for the many rites and rituals associated with the worship of God by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs of Indian subcontinent. Bhakti movement originated in ancient Tamil Nadu in 12th Century.  Nayanmars and Alvars played major role in Bhakti movement. It began to spread to the north during the late medieval ages when north India was under Islamic rule. The main period of Bhakti Movement in Rajasthan is early 16th Century to late 18th Century.  The Islamic rulers were pressing public to convert religion from Hindu to Islam. The Bhakti movement was counter to the prevalent caste ideology which was dividing Hinduism. So, the Bhakti movement has its own importance to save Hinduism. The movement was spontaneous and the mystics had their own versions of devotional expression which play a major role in Rajasthan.

Main Characteristics of Bhakti Movement:

One chief characteristic of the Bhakti movement can be mentioned as belief in one God. A devotee could worship God by love and devotion. The second characteristic of the Bhakti movement was that there was no need to worship idols or to perform elaborate rituals for seeking his grace. The third feature on which the Bhakti saints laid stress was the equality of all castes. There was no distinction of high or low as far as the devotion to God was concerned. The fourth feature was the emphasis, which these saints laid on Hindu-Muslim unity. According to these saints all men irrespective of their religion are equal in the eyes of God. The saints preached in the language of the common people like Rajasthani, Khadi and other local language. They did not use Sanskrit, which was the language of the cultured few. These saints laid stress on purity of heart and practice of virtues like truth, honesty, kindness, and charity. Some saints regarded God as formless or Nirguna while others consider him as having different forms or Saguna. Most of Bhakti Movement saint in Rajasthan are of Saguna Bhakta.
Important Bhakti Saints of Rajasthan:
1. Dadu Dayal
2. Sundar das
3. Meera Bai
4. Bhakhan
5. Wajind
6. Raghavdas
7. Lal Das
8. Charan Das
9. Movaji
10. Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti 

Camel festival is held in which City ?

Camel festival is held in which City ?

A. Bikaner
B. Jaisalmer
C. Barmer
D. Jodhpur
Ans: A, Bikaner

Main religious center of Vallabh sect in Rajasthan is ?

The main religious center of Vallabh sect in Rajasthan is ?

A. Nathdwara
B. Salemabad
C. Pushkar
D. Goga-medi
Ans: A

Nidari Navami and Nevala Pooja

Nidari Navami: Nidari Navami is occasion five days letter of Naag Panchmi which is dedicated to Navami or Mongoose Pooja as per Religion beliefs. Here is Article about Nidari Nawami by one of renowned pundit of India.

Allah Jilai Bai of Rajasthan is ?

Allah Jilai Bai of Rajasthan is ?

A. Rajasthan Author
B. Rajasthani Folk Singer
C. Musician
D. Social worker
Ans: B

Rani Sati temple is situated at ?

Rani Sati temple is situated at ?

A. Sikar
B. Jhunjhunu
C. Karoli
D. Udaipur
Ans: B

Godwad Festival, Rajasthan

The Godwad festival is a new three-day cultural festival introduced by the Rajasthan Tourism Department to promote the 'Godwad' region of the Pali district. The festival is held at Ranakpur and was initially promoted as a "Yoga Retreat and Classical Dance Festival". The first festival was held in August 2011 and the second Godwad festival was held in March 2012. Classical dances performances are held at the 13th century Sun Temple, besides traditional processions of Marwari horses and elephants, horse dancing and racing and folk dances as part of the festival. Godwad Festival- 2013 is scheduled to be held on 9-12 April 2013.

 

Tanot Mata Temple, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Tanot Mata Temple: Tannot Mata temple is situated in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. The village is close to the border with Pakistan, and is very close to the battle site of Longewala of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Tourists cannot go beyond this temple to see the Indo–Pak Border without permission from authorities. It is now a tourist destination in India. The area is said to have oil and gas reserves. 

History behind Tanot Mata Temple: It is said that during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Pakistani Army dropped several bombs targeting the temple but none of the bombs could fall on the temple and large number of the bombs in the vicinity of the temple did not explode. After the war the temple management was handed over to Border Security Force of India. On date Border Security Force Jawans man the temple. The temple has a museum which has collections of the unexploded bombs dropped by Pakistan.

Sitabari Mela | Sitabari Fair, Rajasthan

Sitabari Fair, Rajasthan: Sitabari Mela or Sitabari Fair is biggest fair of Sahariya tribe of south-east rajastha, Sitabari fair is also referred as Kumbh in the Sahariya tribe. Holy Dip in Kunds at Sitabari FairHoly place Sitabri is about 45 Km. from the Baran city near the Kelwara Kasba. A big tribal fair is organised here on Jeshta Amavasya. The place has number of "Kunds" attributed to Sita, Laxman, Surya, Lav & Kush and taking a holy dip in them is considered auspicious. The Swyambar (marriage function) of Sahariya tribes is organised in this fair where people comes from all over Rajasthan state and adjoining Madhya Pradesh. A Sahariya boy drops the handkerchief for proposing Sahariya Purchasing at tribal fair girl in the fair, if the Sahariya girl accepts the Handkerchief, it is said that they are agreed for marriage. The bride and grooms take the 7 rounds (sat phere) of the Barnawa tree and after the blessings of their parents they are accepted as married couple.

Sitabari Fair derives its name from the place where it is held, that is Sitabari. It is a small-town but has tremendous religious significance to the Hindus as Sita, wife of Lord Rama, had stayed here. Thus, the place derives its name from this mythological belief. According to the Hindu Mythology, when Sita maa (wife of Lord Rama), was serving her period of banishment, she had stayed here.When Sita felt thirsty, Laksman ,her brother-in-law, shot an arrow in the ground that resulted in the spring of water. This stream is called “Lakshman Babhuka”. The Fair of Sitabari lays its roots in the importance of the town of Sitabari, according to the Hindu mythology.

Bhagoria Festival

Bhagoria Festival celebrated by Bheel tribal people at Jhabua and Alirajpur districts a week prior to Holi has been the amalgamation of modern elements and traditional landscape. Bhagoria festival is one of festival during which young boys and girls are allowed to elope after choosing their partners for marriage.  Bhagoria Haat Festival is organized in the district of West Nimar(Khargon) and Jhabua. The haat is organized in the form of a 'swayamvar' or a marriage market where young girls and boys are allowed to choose their partners. 

In our endevour to provide the true flavour of the colorful and vibrant land of border of Madhya Pradesh / Rajasthan/ Gujarat, Bhagoria festival, is a unique festival which speaks of the multicultural base of modern India. The Bhagoria Haat in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh reminds us of the age old colorful traditions of the tribal, since this festival originated with the Bhil tribal of Madhya Pradesh. The fun filled nature of the festival is representative of the rich cultural heritage that India represents. The concept of the festival originates in the process of elopement seen from its nomenclature, of “bhaag”, which literally means “run” in Hindi. It is also something like the idea of “Swayambhara” where young partners elope, and are later sanctioned by the society predetermined by their customs. Usually the couple may have met before the fair several times, and hence the idea of eloping is rather a formalized process, more stylistic than real, and conforming to the laws of their traditional rules and regulations. Bhagoria Festival is celebrated in the month Phalguna(February-March).The festival falls before Holi, another major Indian festival, and is also associated with agricultural harvest and fertility. 

QUIZ. कोनसी जन-जाति भंगोरिया त्यौहार के अवसर पर अपना जीवन साथी चुनते है ?
A. मीणा
B. डामोर
C. भील
D. गरासिया
Ans: C

Bohra Ganesh Ji Temple, Udaipur Rajasthan

Bohra Ganesh Ji Temple is one of famous Ganesh Temple in Udaipur city of southern Rajasthan. Bohra Ganesh Ji Temple is situated near Mohanlal Sukhadia University gate or Thokar railway station. This is old and famous Ganesh Temple with standing statue of Shree Ganesh Ji considered very fruitful (Chamatkarik).Thousands of Bhaktas(devotees) come here every Wednesday. It is belief that every holy event like marriage or other work like new business or any new purchase started with the worship of lord Ganesha will be done happily with the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

Ganesh Chaturthi, the most sacred festival of Lord Ganesha, occurs in August or September. It is an important event in India and celebrated with fervor. Due to this special power of Lord Vigneshwara, devotees lovingly shower him with prayers, sweets, and poojas at the commencement of every task and enterprise, thus becoming capable of completing the task without hardship or complexity.