Rajasthan : The Legendary Land of Maharajas : Video Compact Disc
Come, experience Rajasthan, the abode of erstwhile princes of warrior class, who like the knights of medieval Europe, rode off into the battles for the honor. The land set amidst the great That desert of the continent where appear together-the smile and metaphor, the shifting sand dunes, wooded hills, amazing lakes, palaces and rugged forts that witnessed the blood and valor and from where appeared the great tales of heroism and romance, the men in colourful turbans and women in Ghagras and Odnis, burstling towns and villages, camels, elephants and tigers, harsh sunlight and cool evenings abuzz with local dancers swaying to the folk tunes against the backdrop of the desert shimmering in the moonlight, ornamental gardens, exquisite temples and colourful havelis—each an architectural masterpiece. The Indian state of Rajasthan is a huge open-air museum where the relics of a golden past have been carefully preserved for the benefit of the tourist. In Rajasthan, India is at its colourful best. Capture live on our digital VCD Rajasthani traditions at its festive best-dazzling, theatrical and lively. In spirit the great cities of Rajasthan-Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaipur, Ranathambore and Shekhawati are the legendary land of the Rajputs or martial warrior. Even the wildlife sanctuaries that were once the exclusive hunting grounds of royalty are steeped in romance and chivalry.
"The Golden city of Jaisalmer founded in 1156 Ad, evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and brilliance of the desert—the exotic, remote and beautiful. Here the fort seems to rise out of the desert haze with its yellow sandstone walls and bastions taking on a golden hue of the afternoon sun. In fact, at whatever time of the day one looks at the golden fort, it appears like a fairy tale creation where the fabulous palaces, exquisitely sculptured temples and exotic mansion, display the decorative and architectural brilliance. Besides its monuments packed with history, Jaisalmer has breathtakingly beautiful sunrise and sunset adding a dazzling glow to the golden city. The citadel reverberates with melodious sounds and rich culture during the desert festival in February each year.
"The hilltop fortess city of Chittorgarh, the pride and glory of Rajasthan and the fiercely contested seat of power in medieval India, has countless stories of its legendary heroes that fill the pages of Indian history books. The city was ravaged thrice between 1303-1568 AD. The Sultan of Delhi, Allauddin Khilji was so struck by the legendary beauty Rani Padmini that he laid a siege of Chittor to capture her. In the war that followed, the queen preferred to perform Jauhar (self-immolation by fire) along with the other womenfolks. Having watched them burning to ashes, the Rajput warriors smeared their holy ashes on their foreheads, donned the saffron robes and with the sword in hand flung open the gates of fort to thunder down the hill into the enemy ranks only to finish, fighting till the last man. These tales of chivalry and glorious death accupy a prime place in the Rajput psyche even today.
"The Lake City of Udaipur (City of Dreams) or (Venice of the East) or (City of Dawn) is one of the most beautiful of all Indian centers. Reflected in shimmering waters of Pichola lake, the city’s skyline of whitewashed havelis and tapering temple shikharas, surmounted by the domes and ornately carved balconies of the famous Rajput city palace, are one of the most exotic spectacles of Asia. Cradled in green hills and surrounded by lakes, Udaipur, with its marble palaces and planned gardens, was founded in the mid-16 century by Maharana Udai Singh who leaving the defence of Chittorgarh in the hands of faithful general, Jaimal, left in search of new capital and on the advise of a hermit, built this city of dreams.
"Surrounded on three sides by the rugged Aravali hills, is the picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, the pink city of India, founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jaisingh II, an avid scientist, architect and astronomer who conceived and designed the bulk of the city when he moved from Amber. In his new city, traders and craftsmen had their own areas and distinctive architecture painted in pink colour, a symbol of welcome. The rubble and plaster walls of Jaipur imitate the Mughal architectural style of Delhi and Agra, built in expensive red sandstone. Jaipur is indeed a flamboyant showcase of Rajput architecture.
"Situated at the junction of the world’s oldest Aravali mountains, is Ranthambhore National Park, one of India’s conservation success stories. Spread across an area of 1,334 square km, the locale is spectacular-rugged hills, highland boulder plateaus and lakes and rivers providing a home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals and reptiles. At Ranthambhore you stand a good chance of spotting the big cats. While there, visit 10 century fort within the precincts of the park, echoing tales of Jauhar.
"Shekhawati, often called as the ‘Open air art gallery of Rajasthan’, where small sand-blown towns nestle between dunes and sprawling expanses of parched land, was the busy highway that connected China with the coast of Gujarat. Here on the ancient ‘spice route’ emerged the trader community of Marwaris who displayed their wealth by building huge havelis and decorating them with frescoes, like life-size miniature paintings, a chronicles that reflects the concerns of those days—from religious and mythological themes to new wonders."
