Major Tourist Circuits and Stand-alone Tourist Sites of Rajasthan- (Important GK for RAS Mains/ I Grade / II Grade Exams)I

THE BACKGROUND-

Rajasthan has been emerged as very popular tourist destinations in India for both domestic and foreign tourists. The number of tourist arriving in the state, has increased four times in the last 30 years and in 2001. The state is famous for its diversity in terms of natural resources, cultural heritage, historical, archaeological wonders and rare wild life. The colourful fairs and festivals, forts and palaces, heritage hotels, local art and handicrafts, versatile cultural traditions etc. has been a unique proposition to attract tourists coming towards Rajastan. The desert environment in the western parts of the state is also a major attraction for visitors, particularly the foreign tourist.

Four decades ago tourism in Rajasthan was small industry that was largely confined to the elite foreign tourists and domestic pilgrim traffic. Tourist arrivals were restricted to a few thousand tourists annually and were primarily recorded in selected places such as Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur (for foreign tourists) and the pilgrim centers of Ajmer, Pushkar and Nathdwara (for domestic tourists). The employment in the sector and the sector’s contribution to the state economy, as well as employment potential were limited. But, due to the focused efforts of Rajasthan Tourism Dept., various State Government agencies, selected entrepreneurs, tourism has increased over the last few decades, putting Rajasthan firmly on the foreign and domestic tourist map. Today the tourism in the state meant desert tourism, heritage tourism (forts, palaces, etc.) and pilgrim tourism, because of wide canvas of places, attractions and activities chosen from all over state, which is enhancing the overall tourism experience of visitors. The State Government of Rajasthan has accorded tourism as an industry status from the year 1989.

The industry today employs more than one lakh people directly and over three lakh people indirectly. Its contribution to the State economy is estimated to be over Rs 2000 Cr. This increasing  scenario of  tourism sector is playing an important role in the overall socioeconomic development of the state.

The Department of Tourism (DoT) is working as a nodal agency to promote tourism in the state, along with the DoT promoted Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC), which was established in November, 1978. RTDC has played a key role in the tourism growth primarily to act as catalyst by developing tourism infrastructure facilities (for domestic and foreign tourists), particularly by way of basic amenities like accommodation, catering and organised tours / sight seeing facilities. The prestigious ‘Palace on Wheels’ is catering to the up-market foreign tourist, was started on 26th January, 1982 by RTDC in collaboration with Indian Railways is also playing a vital role in state tourism.

MAJOR TOURIST DESTINATIONS (CIRCUITS AND STAND ALONE SITES)-

The ‘Tourist Hubs’-

Major tourist activities is concentrated around six main cities, which serve as ‘tourist hubs’ for places of tourist attraction in and around these ‘hubs’. These tourist ‘hub’ cities are Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Udaipur and Mount Abu.

Almost every tourist, with the possible exception of pilgrim traffic, who visits Rajasthan would visit one or more of these ‘tourist hub’ locations as part of their tourist visit. Each of these hubs is usually a part of a Tourist Circuit given as follows :-

•  Golden Triangle- Jaipur is a part of the popular ‘Golden Triangle’ circuit (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) which is very popular with the foreign tourists.
•   Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer form the popular ‘Desert Circuit’ of Rajasthan.
•    Udaipur is the entry point into south Rajasthan and forms the hub for tourist activity in the Mewar and Vagad region of the state.
•  The only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is largely a stand-alone tourist destination for domestic tourists (especially from Gujarat but also Western India).

Major Tourist Circuits-

 A unique character of tourism in Rajasthan is the development of tourist circuits rather than stand-alone destinations. Dept. of Tourism, Rajasthan identified 9 tourist circuits based on their Geography, attractions and coverage by independent or group tourists. These circuits are as follows :-

1.      Desert Circuit

2.      Mewar Circuit

3.      Dhundhar Circuit

4.      Godwar Circuit

5.      Merwara-Marwar Circuit

6.      Brij-Mewat Circuit

7.      Shekhawati Circuit

8.      Hadoti Circuit and

9.      Vagad Circuit

Out of these 9 circuits, the 3 circuits [ Jaipur (Dhundhar) Circuit, Desert Circuit and Mewar Circuit] are well developed, whereas tourism is limited in other circuits which cover of only 1-2 destinations rather than the circuit as a whole.

Circuit	Season	Main Tourist Locations	Largest Tourist Location	Main Attractions/ Tourism Experience	Other Places of Tourist Interest
1. Desert Circuit	Oct-Mar	Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner	Jodhpur	Sand dunes and desert experience Two unique forts Palaces and carved Havelis	Osiyan (near Jodhpur) Sam and Khuri dunes, Lodurva Jain temples (near Jaisalmer) Gajner Palace and WLS, Deshnok Karni Mata temple (near Bikaner) Barmer
2. Mewar Circuit	Sept-Mar	Udaipur Chittaurgarh Nathdwara* Kumbhalgarh	Udaipur	Leisure, history and pilgrim Lakes, few forts and palaces Pilgrim centres	Jaisamand Lake, Jagat and Nagda temple ruins, Rana Pratap memorials (near Udaipur) Wild life sanctuary (near Kumbhalgarh)
3. Vagad Circuit	Sept-Mar	Dungarpur Banswara	Banswara	Tribal culture, fairs and festivals, forts and palaces and nature	Baneshwar, Galiyakot (near Dungarpur) Mahi Dam, Arthuna (near Banswara)
4. Godwar Circuit	Feb-June. Sept-Dec	Mount Abu* Ranakpur	Mount Abu	Leisure: Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan Pilgrim: Ranakpur, one of the five holy Jain places, Delwara temples.	Nakki lake Gaumukh temple, Arbuda temple (near Mount Abu)
5. Dhundhar Circuit	Sept-Mar	Jaipur*	Jaipur	Forts, palaces, havelis, gardens Jantar Mantar Observatory	Samode Palace and gardens, Abhaneri step-well, Sambhar Lake, Ramgarh Lake (near Jaipur)
6. Brij Mewat Circuit	Oct-Feb	Bharatpur S Madhopur* Alwar Sariska*	Bharatpur	Nature/ Wild life tourism Few forts, palaces and lakes	Siliserh Lake Palace (near Sariska and Alwar) Deeg (near Bharatpur)
7. Merwara- Marwar Circuit	Domestic– Throughout the year. Foreign– Nov	Ajmer* Pushkar	Ajmer	Pilgrimage (Dargah Sharif and Pushkar Lake)	Lakes (in and around Ajmer) Kishangarh (on Ajmer-Jaipur route) Roopangarh (near Kishangarh) Nagaur Fort, Merta City (Nagaur district)
8. Shekhawati Circuit	Sept-Mar	Sikar Jhunjhunu	Jhunjhunu	Frescos and painted havelis
9. Hadoti Circuit	Sept-Mar	Kota Bundi Jhalawar	Kota	Natural beauty Few forts, palaces and temples

*Also popularly covered as standalone destinations.

1. Desert Circuit (Jodhpur-Jaisalmer-Bikaner)-

The Desert circuit comprises the popular tourist locations of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. Barmer and Nagaur are the other sites, which also increasingly form a part of the Desert circuit excursionary. An extended Desert circuit tour also includes other places such as Ajmer, Pushkar and Merta. The Desert circuit is popular with both foreign as well as domestic tourists.

This circuit is a part of the great Indian Thar Desert and is characterised by the sand dunes spread across the region. The climate is the hot and dry for most part of the year except for a short monsoon period. Hence, tourism is seasonal with the season extending from October to March.

2. Mewar Circuit (Udaipur-Chittaurgarh-Nathdwara)-

The Mewar circuit offers a combination of religion and history. Udaipur is the tourist hub of this circuit, other key tourist locations in this circuit being Chittaurgarh, Nathdwara and Kumbhalgarh. Other places of tourist interest, though less frequented are Jaisamand Lake, Rajsamand lake, Kankroli, Jagat, Rikhabdeo, Eklingji, Nagda temple, Haldighati, etc. are relatively underdeveloped tourist areas adjoining the Mewar circuit.

Mewar region falls in the Aravalli range that surrounds lakes, beautiful hills, biodiversity and deep valleys. The climate in the region is pleasant for most part of the year except the summer months from April to June. The tourist activity is high during the months of September to March. The region being popular amongst domestic tourists, also receives tourists from the neighbouring states e.g. Gujrat, M.P., during vacation months in summer.

3. Vagad Circuit (Dungarpur-Banswara)-

The Vagad circuit offers a combination of tribal culture and history. Although a separate circuit by itself, Udaipur (Mewar Circuit) is most often the hub for this circuit. Other key tourist locations in this circuit are Baneshwar, Deo Somnath, Arthuna, Galiyakot and Mahi Dam. This circuit is relatively unexplored due to its proximity to the popularity of the adjoining the Mewar circuit.

Vagad region consists the southern tip of the Aravalli range and lies on the Rajasthan-Gujarat border. The region encompasses wild and rugged terrain in the northeast to alluvial soil in the southwest. The climate in the region is pleasant for most part of the year except the summer months from April to June. The tourist activity is high during the months of September to March, peaking during the Baneshwar Fair in February.

4. Dhundhar Circuit (Jaipur-Dausa-Tonk)-

 The Dhundhar circuit is expanded around Jaipur and is known for its rich combination of history, culture, architecture and religion. Besides Jaipur, it includes tourist locations such as Samode, Abhaneri, Tonk and Ramgarh. These locations can be normally covered by one-day excursion from Jaipur.

The Dhundhar circuit is located between the northern Aravalli range and close to the Sambhar Basin. The climate in the region is extremely hot during the peak summer months of April-June. As a result, the peak tourist season extends from September to March. Being the capital city and the main gateway into the state, Jaipur and the region also experiences some tourist arrivals during the vacation months.

 The circuit is very popular with both foreign as well as domestic tourists. The  main attractions of the Dhundhar circuit are the palaces, forts and museums. Apart from this, Jaipur is also a place for arts and handicrafts and numerous festivities.

5. Godwar Circuit (Mount Abu-Ranakpur)-

The Godwar circuit consists Mount Abu which is the sole Hill Station in Rajasthan. The pretty temple town of Ranakpur is the other important attraction in the circuit. Mount Abu is very popular leisure destination with the tourist coming from Gujarat, while the Ranakpur is famed in both the internal as well as foreign tourist. Another destination in the circuit is the simple Rajasthani town of Jalore, which is relatively unexplored by the tourists.

Although a part of the Aravalli range, Mount Abu is detached completely from it by a narrow valley and the highest point Guru-Shikhar is situated at its northern end. The place also has the richest vegetation in Rajasthan. Being the only hill station in the state, Mount Abu is a popular as a summer retreat, and the tourist season extends from February to June and in the vacation period from September to December. Located nearby are the famous Delwara Jain Temples, which are renowned all over the world for their exquisite stone carvings.

6. Merwara-Marwar Circuit (Ajmer-Pushkar Circuit)

The Merwara-Marwar Circuit is the heart of pilgrim activity in Rajasthan. Ajmer and Pushkar are the important pilgrim centres for tourists from all over India. Pushkar is internationally renowned for its 'Annual Camel Fair' organised in November with a large number of foreign tourists visiting the fair every year. Other locations in the circuit are Merta and Nagaur which are relatively less popular.

The circuit lies in the Sambhar Plains. The tourist season is spread out evenly during the year although the tourist arrivals are very high during the annual Urs at Ajmer and the Pushkar Fair.

7. Brij Mewat Circuit (Alwar-Sariska-Bharatpur-Sawai Madhopur)-

The Brij Mewat circuit is very renowned with wildlife enthusiasts. This circuit also occupies a fair share of historic places and archaeologically important sites. This circuit covers locations bordering Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and includes Alwar, Sariska, Deeg, Bharatpur, Karauli and Sawai Madhopur. Although termed as a circuit these tourist locations can be covered as daily excursions from Jaipur or enroute Jaipur from either Delhi or Agra. Sawai Madhopur is also covered as a stand-alone circuit by the domestic to tourist.

The circuit is situated between cluster of small hills of the Aravalli range. The southern and eastern part of the circuit bordering Uttar Pradesh, has large areas under wetlands, locally called as Orans. The tourist arrivals at these locations are the maximum during the winter months from October to February.

The main attractions in the Brij Mewat circuit are the National Parks at Sariska, Bharatpur and Ranthambhor. The circuit (especially Sariska and Bharatpur) is also popular as a weekend tourist destination for visitors coming from Delhi and the National Capital Region.

8. Shekhawati Circuit (Sikar-Mandawa-Jhunjhunu)-

 The Shekhawati region in Rajasthan is renowned for its fresco-painted havelis built by the former rich businessmen of the region. The Shekhawati region is popularly called the ‘Open Art Gallery' of Rajasthan. This region includes numerous small towns like Mandawa, Nawalgarh, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Fatehpur, Churu, Mukundgarh, Dundlod, Chirawa, etc. each having their share of such marvelous, beautiful and amazing havelis.

 This circuit attracts the foreign tourists visiting in the state. The region also acts as the gateway for tourists arriving from Delhi and moving towards Bikaner in the Desert circuit. The tourist season of this region is from September to March.

9. Hadoti Circuit (Bundi-Kota-Jhalawar)-

The Hadoti circuit is amongst the least explored regions of Rajasthan. This circuit includes the districts of Bundi, Kota and Jhalawar. Places of tourist interest in the adjoining Baran district are also covered as a part of this circuit.

The Hadoti region falls in the Harawati plains, which is interspersed with the Bundi hills and Kota plateau. The region has beautiful hills, valleys and lakes, which form a picturesque countryside. The tourist season in the region extends from September to March.

The main attractions of the Hadoti circuit are the palaces at Kota and Bundi. The Hadoti circuit also has several places of religious interest, especially for domestic tourists arriving from Madhya Pradesh. Jhalawar is also well known for its annual fair.