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Traditional
Adventure Sports of Rajasthan |
Camel
Safari
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Camel Safaris in Rajasthan are organized to take
one through the golden sands of the vast Thar
desert and untamed countryside, enabling one to
experience the days gone by when time drifted at a
leisurely pace. Most of the journeys into the
hinterlands are still made on camel back, or in
camel carts. The camel-carts are fully equipped
and tourists need not bother about comfort in the
desert of Rajasthan. The camels safaris are
conducted in the entire Shekhawati belt, Bikaner,
Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur and around Pushkar. Such
safaris are usually run by professionals who hire
Raikas. The camel breeders of Raika are the best
guides for camel safaris in Rajasthan.
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They
know every pasture, waterhole and village of the
region and can find the best routes for the camel
safaris. The safaris runs from one day to several
days, and covers about a distance of 30-40 km a
day and can be adjusted on the basis of need. The
best time for a camel safari is in the morning and
evening and during winters.
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Elephant Safari
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The
most royal way to visit Rajasthan is an
elephant safari, since nothing can be compared
with it. Various rulers used elephants for their
journeys and were equipped with a howdah, a large
seat on which they would sit, and a ceremonial
umbrella over their heads, but the modern elephant
safaris are very different from them, and regal as
they used to be. The elephant treads slowly and
steadily, hence an elephant safari would be ideal
to visit the princely towns and wild life
sanctuaries in Rajasthan. The elephant safari
camps are lavish and the tourists will have a
unique experience, which they are unlikely to ever
have elsewhere. The elephant safaris will provide
you an opportunity to experience the royal past of
Rajasthan. |
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Jeep Safari
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The open jeep
safaris are the best way to visit Rajasthan,
especially in the winter months when the chilly
breeze and warm sunshine provide a heady
combination. A safari means exploring the lesser
known destinations and the countryside, away from
the roads. The jeep safaris are conducted around
Udaipur and Shekhawati region in Rajasthan since
the rugged terrain with the forested valleys,
hills and desert provides an enchanting landscape.
The tribal regions, the small villages, the ruins
of old forts and the temple complexes are covered
in such safaris. Jeep safaris can be fun because
the pace can be varied to suit one’s needs, and
packing in days of fast travelling with leisure
camps. |
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Horse Polo |
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Polo
is the most fascinating sport of elites in
Rajasthan. A formidable horse polo playing family
belongs to Jaipur, and the last Maharaja of the
state also died with his spurs on, on a polo
field. Polo is such an exciting sport that it
excites even a spectator who knows a little about
the game. The polo is a glamorous game and draw
international publicity for India. Along with
Jaipur, some polo teams are also located in
Jodhpur and Udaipur, while the 61st Cavalry, also
based in Jaipur, has kept it alive in the army. It
is not possible to simply arrive and start playing
polo, since the sport needs special breed of large
number of horses. |
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These horses are largely maintained by the players
themselves, or with the help of their sponsors. In
this play, the men on their horses, move the ball
with their sticks with great skill. So, you are
requested to send a special request in advance to
the concerned authorities to play, before planning
your trip to Rajasthan. Even if you do not get the
chance to play, you can also watch the sport as a
spectator, which is almost as good as playing. |
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Camel Polo |
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Camel
Polo has also been introduced as a friendly,
competitive sport at various festivals in the state.
The Camel Polo is only played n Rajasthan and provides
a great deal of amusement, but is still not a serious
sport. The camel polo is also organized only on the
special request.
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Horse
Safari |
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The
horse safaris are very exciting and more recent
variation of the camel safari. The horse safaris
are the most historic way to explore Rajasthan.
The Rajputs were great horse riders, and the
tradition was strongly enforced in the medieval
ages when the cavalry formed one of the most
important flanks of the desert armies. Some of the
famous breed of horses are the Marwari, Kathiawadi
and Sindhi. Horse safaris are usually conducted in
Udaipur where the hilly terrain and forested
countryside are ideal for the taking the trail.
The horse safari routes are diverse and passes
through the villages, ruined historical monuments,
and temples. |
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Cart
Races |
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Cart Races
are held in sandy terrain and pulled by the camels. The
camel carts are especially decorated for the special
events and during the festivals, with streamers and
buntings. Camles can be made to run fast, and as they lope
ahead, the carts seem to jump behind to keep pace with the
beasts. Camel cart races are fun, and provide lot of
merriment and excitement to the people. |
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Elephant
Polo |
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Polo
is also played on the back of elephants in
Rajasthan. Although, it is not a serious sport,
but still attracts the people as polo is a fast
game and it is played on the elephants who can
hardly move as fast in the confined space of a
stadium. It is very amusing to watch the elephant
polo. The elephant polo can also be specially
organized on request and competition are arranged
annually at Chaugan Stadium in Jaipur during the
festival of Holi (February-March). |
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Tonga
Races |
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The tonga or horse chariot provides an environment-friendly
mode of transport in most of the towns of Rajasthan.
Although, they are very slow but their fastness can be
tested only during the fairs when tonga races are
organized. In these races as the owners ride the carriage,
they make a wonderful sight when they passes through the
sandy countryside. |
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