|
Yesterday’s royal pursuits are today’s modes of relaxation - leisure opportunities that are as exotic as they are varied!
The Rajput’s love for fun and adventure gave them the ability to transform the mundane into the exciting. Skilled warriors and horsemen themselves, they were able to refine their riding skills when it came to competitive sports. They have to their credit, the creation of one among the finest polo teams in the world. At a less privileged level, the villagers too responded with races for camels and cattle and also unusual competitions that ranged from turban-tying to racing horse carriages and carts.
Safaris and safari camps were an essential part of the defense strategy. With the advent of the British, many of these sports were formalised. In more recent years, outdoor lovers have found the open countryside with its undulating dunes ideal for recently introduced sports opportunities such as ballooning or gliding, while traditional pursuits have been turned into leisure activities such as rallies and desert safaris. The extensive waterbodies in Rajasthan are now seeing the origin of water-related sporting activities.
Golf: The desert is an unlikely place to have golf courses and of course the lack of water makes it difficult to green even the smallest of gardens, an 18-hole course being a virtual impossibility. The aristocracy, however, remained enamoured of the gentlemen’s game that was so popular in British India. Unfortunately, the weather did not permit them the indulgence of creating golf courses in this arid wilderness, and it was only in Jaipur, as a part of the large scale palace renovations undertaken by Maharaja Man Singh, that a course was added to the city. That 9-hole course is still the only one in Jaipur and, in fact, in Rajasthan, and though it is not a professional course, it is good for a round of golf in what are picturesque surroundings: a palace next door and peacocks on the hazards… A golf course in Bikaner is unconventional in that the course exists exactly in the nature of the desert terrain and even the ‘greens’ have been replaced here by ‘browns’ which, if nothing else, are at least unconventional.
Kite Flying: The passion for kite-flying in Jaipur is legendary and every locality has community clubs where the sport is ardently practiced. The city skyline is alive with kites during the early morning and evening, and sometimes even during the day. Children gather at rooftops to compete about both their prowess as well as the resilience of their strings.
Makar Sankranti in January is when the sport of kite flying is almost endemic, with an international kite flying competition in Jaipur, while the monsoon period is another favourite. However, but for a brief spell during the peak months of summer, kite flying continues throughout the year.
Visitors can participate through the simple measure of buying colourful kites and string inexpensively for only a few rupees and joining the Rajasthani people at what could almost qualify as the state festival.
Cycling: The most popular mode of transport in Rajasthan could also provide the ideal leisure, since travelling on a bicycle is almost therapeutic, provides exercise without being exhausting, and is certainly inexpensive. Bicycles can be hired almost anywhere in Rajasthan and literally for a song. Though the bikes tend to be basic, they are foolproof and unlikely to develop major snags. The period of hire can range from a few hours to a few days. However, those looking forward to doing some serious biking in the state should opt to buy racy, gear bicycles that are available in all major towns and are not expensive. At the end of a trip, such bikes can either be sold or simply gifted away. Obviously, bikes are ideal when exploring the countryside where towns are in close proximity, (Shekhawati, for example) or for getting around the hilly idylls of places such as Mount Abu.
Trekking: If you thought the Himalayas or the Ghats are the only places where trekking is possible, you obviously need to re-think your options, for the hilly areas of Rajasthan provide several days of ideal trekking opportunities. The Mewar belt with the Udaipur-Kumbhalgarh-Chittaur combine, or the area around Mount Abu, or the Sariska-Alwar-Amber belt is best for trekking.
Winter is the best time for trekking, though the monsoon months provide romantic, green getaways. It is best to trek in a small group and carry only basic necessities, since provisions can be bought along the way, but do ensure a supply of bottled water. Trekkers can choose to camp in the open countryside, though there are likely to be quaint, personalised hotels available in most areas. Trekking can be along established routes, though a more exciting option may simply be to chart one’s own trails, moving practically as one likes.
 Camping: Camping is a fine art in Rajasthan, with established camps in set locations that would be fit for royalty. Especially created tents include those with bedrooms, a small hallway or leisure area, and attached bath. These tents use hand-block printed fabrics within the interiors to create a rich ambience. Such tented camps can be found at places like Samode Bagh, an hour’s journey outside Jaipur, or at Pushkar, for the duration of the fair in November. However, such tents can also be hired and agents use them to create cities wherever required; or for moving visitors to different places, where these tents are pegged each night.
Such camping expeditions are fine for they bring the outdoors alive, and in style. From the food to the entertainment, everything takes on a more exciting edge while at camp. And if you are able to strike up the right camaraderie over the bonfire, you could end up making friends for life, or taking back with you nostalgic memories of the best times you have had in your life. For those of you who would like to stay in a tented camp, such opportunities are on offer in different parts of the state. A makeshift camp, of course, can be set up almost anywhere, but fully functional camps are located, sometimes only in season, with camp cots, attached baths and showers, and a regular kitchen staff to look after your meals.
Newer adventure sports: In recent years, people have begun to discover another facet of Rajasthan – its open spaces and unspoilt countryside as ideal for the newer aerial sports that have gained popularity in the West, and in some other parts of India. Facilities for many of these events may not exist locally, but visitors can either request operators to arrange these, or carry their own equipment into India. Do remember, however, that many of these activities may require permission and clearances from government authorities, and you must ensure these have been obtained.
Ballooning: The undulating sand dunes are ideal for ballooning buffs. People can even travel short distances between towns or historic resorts in these hot air balloons. The best, of course, is to coast over fairs such as Pushkar, Beneshwar or Nagaur in a hot-air balloon.
Para-sailing: A sport that is begging to be tried out in Rajasthan, with its open, sandy countryside, it is considerably complex to organise and expensive to operate. However, should your operator be able to put all the machinery in place, it could provide another facet of excitement to your visit to Rajasthan.
Gliding: The open countryside offers gliding opportunities that can prove remarkable, and with permission from civil aviation authorities, these may be organised in several cities where, even though there are no scheduled services, there are runways and strips. These include, besides Jaipur, cities such as Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner and Kota.
Water Sports: Watersports may appear an alien concept in Rajasthan but the presence of large lakes has actually made the development of such sports possible. Even though they are not very popular yet, the opportunities exist, a fact that was brought home when the water games during the prestigious Asian Games in 1982 were held in at Jamua Ramgarh on the outskirts of Jaipur. Unfortunately, the kick-start provided for watersports then failed to take off because, following some years of drought, the water level at the lake fell. Though the level was restored a few years later, it may require more incentive to focus on them on a more permanent basis.
Boating: Regular boating has been offered at several places in Rajasthan, whether on the lakes in Udaipur, or at places such as Siliserh lake near Alwar. Such activities are possible in most lakes in Rajasthan. However, should you wish to introduce boating in other lakes, whether paddle, motor, row or sail, you will have to cart your own boats.
Angling: For the angler, Rajasthan’s lakes and streams teem with game fish. Which is why even the most rudimentary rod, line and bait can fetch you rich rewards. Expensive angling equipment is difficult to hire locally, and should you be a keen angler, it may be worth your while to carry your own rod and line along, and be guided by the kind of bait used locally to net your day’s catch. These fishing expeditions can be undertaken with appropriate licenses in most of the lakes in Rajasthan and can be combined with a historical and cultural tour of the state.
If you are inclined to set off with a rod and reel, the best fishing opportunities will be at some of the following lakes:
- Ajmer - Savar and Junia.
- Alwar - Jaisamand and Siliserh.
- Dausa - Kalakho.
- Jaipur - Chetoli, Bairath and Ramgarh, the last with a lovely hunting lodge turned into a hotel where you can stay
- Pali - Hemawas and Jawai
If you do not carry your own rods and bait, even makeshift ones could do for the purpose, with earthworms as bait.
Countryside fare: Not all leisure activities are the purview of the elite and there are sporting events created by those who live in smaller towns and villages that are related to pastoral activities. The people create their sporting activities as they go along, and of course, there are all the usual sports played in the playing fields such as cricket, football, hockey, basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, and of course, at the shooting ranges, skeet and clay-pigeon shooting. In the latter, in fact, Dr Karni Singh of Bikaner, the late Maharaja of that state, held the honour of being an Olympics medallist. These are organised activities, but in rural areas, competitive events are more usually held during religious or social fairs. These can include camel races or bullock races. Visitors may ask for demonstrations and then join in such local sporting events as kho-kho and gulli-danda, team events played in virtually all the lanes and streets of Rajasthan. In addition, there are races involving the carriages that animals may be used to pull as a part of their daily activity schedule.
Tonga races: The tonga or horse chariot provides an environment-friendly mode of transport in most towns of Rajasthan, though, obviously, it is also slower. However, just how fast these ponies can race is put to the test during fairs when tonga races are organised. With their owners astride the carriage, whip in hand, egging along their ponies, they make a wonderful sight as they cut a swathe through the sandy countryside.
Cart races: Similarly, cart races can be held, pulled by camels and, on occasion, even asses. However, knowing the donkey’s tendency for stubborness, most people decide more wisely to lay their bets on the camels. Camel cart races are held in sandy terrain and the carts are especially decorated for the events, with streamers and buntings. Camels can be made to run fast and as they lope ahead, the carts seem to jump behind to keep pace with them. Camel cart races are fun and give rise to a great deal of merriment among the gathered audience.
|
