BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
KOLKATA, 13 JULY 2024
Last Year Rajasthan has recorded a tourist footfall of over 18 crores with a growth of over 250 percent in inbound tourism and this year expects more than 20 crores tourists footfall, says Mr. Madhusudan Singh, assistant director of tourism, Sawai – Madhupur, Rajasthan.
Talking exclusively to The Travel and Toursim Times at the sidelines of TTF Kolkata 2024 held at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Mr. Madhusudan Singh said that the Rajasthan state government has announced a new tourism policy 2024 and has earmarked Rs.5000 crores fund for upgradation of infrastructures at the tourism destinations and also to set up new tourism destination sites.
“ Our Rajasthan state government has focused on farm stay, paying guest house and rural tourism unit policy to further boost the tourism in the state ,” he said.
The Rajasthan Tourism Development Board has also undertaken projects along with the central government for setting up border tourism projects.
“ As part of our border tourism project we are developing Ganga Nagar, Bikaneer, Jaisalmer and Barmer. Within the next couple of years the toursits will be able to witness border retreat ceremonies like the Attari – Wagah border in Punjab,” he added.
He has further said that as part of the spiritual tourism a fund of Rs.100 crores has been allocated to develop the Khatu Shyam Temple ( a popular pilgrimage of the Marwari community), located about 43 kilometres away from the Sikar City.
In this pilgrimage site deities Krishna and Barbika are worshipped. Devottes believe the temple houses the head of Barbarika or Khatu – Shyam, a legendary warrior who sacrificed his head upon the request of Krishna during the antebellum of the Kurukshetra War.
Infact the Spiritual tourism circuit will be a key and main focus area of Rajasthan, a many splendoured state with over 5000 years old and is a rich mosaic of heritage and cultural diversity.
In the past few years three more tiger sanctuaries have been added. It is the only state in the country which boosts leopard safari along with bird sanctuary and Ramsar sites, he said.
“ We have also digitized all types of cultural traditions,” Mr. Madhusudan Singh added.
Mr. Hinglaj Dan Ratnoo, officer in charge of Rajasthan Tourism Information Centre in Kolkata said that still the most popular and top destinations for tourism are Ranthambore, Ajmer, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Bikaneer, Bharatpur, Joypur and Jodhpur.
“ This year already 4 million tourists from West Bengal have visited Rajasthan and with five more months still to go the tourist footfall from this state will further rise. Rajasthan and West Bengal , both culturally rich states, are strongly connected and Swami Vivekananda and film maestro Saryajit Ray have played a key role,” said Mr. Hinglaj Dan Ratnoo.
Rajasthan epitomizes all that dreams are made of —think of architectural memoirs built with studied detail, effervescent colours, stunning handicrafts, glittering gems, throbbing towns, wildlife sanctuaries, cattle fairs, or pulsating festivities and touching hospitality. Here tradition blends seamlessly with the modern, resonating exuberance. The land narrates the tales of chivalry, valour, royal extravagance, and affluent tradition, and talks of dynasties and the erstwhile rulers, as if it was just yesterday.
From the sun kissed sand dunes in Jaisalmer to shimeering lakes in Udaipur, magnificent forts and palaces dot the state’s pictueresque landscape. From enchanting Shekhawati frescos, a feast for the art connpoisseurs, to piety at Pushkar, famous Jain Temples at Mt. Abu and National Park at Ranathambore, the magical land is a kaleidoscope of sundry hues.
And each quaint town churns out an indigenous recipe that deserves mention – if there is the ubiquitous lal maas and ker sangria, there also is daal- baati- choorma, Jodhpur mawa ki kachori, Alwar mawa, Bikaneer rasgullas and Pushgkar maal puas et al.
From bed to breakfast options to a plethora of heritage hotels there is accommodation to fit any budget, which makes Rajasthan, a truly the incredible state of India.
Advertisement:
Add Comment