| Weekend Getaways | Services |
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Sir EdmundHillary, the great Everester, who's thirst for adventure had proved enduringand never-ending, had found Rajasthan ideal for undertaking a journey on acamel caravan. It was an unusual way to choose to cross the arid Thar desert. And, following in his footsteps, one can live the adventure. Fortunately, one can choose from a number of adventure sports options. Relax with golf, govintage, or practice archery, go boating - in the Chambal river through the gorges of the Vindhayan plateau of Hadoti, or, go up in the air, for a bit of aerial sightseeing over heritage cities by small aircraft or in hot air balloons. The terrain in Rajasthan is tailor-made for most adventure sports, what with its Aravalli and Vindhayan hills, the open desert tracts, the vast lakes and rivers, the wildlife parks, and little villages abandoned by the march of civilization as is known, but no less hospitable forit. And threading these together, a landscape where the paths and trails weave through a history rich with forts and palaces, mansions and cenotaphs. And a culture that binds these together into a fascinating journey. Just spot and sport it out.
Polo Rajputs have been keen equestrian and they take to the horses like a fish to water. Their taking to polo in big way was only natural. Their association with polo dates back to the Mughal period and miniature paintings at the Mehrangarh Fort bear testimony to this early introduction to the game. However, Polo did not become a passion until the British period when it became a natural and a marvelous peacetime pursuit.
It was in 1889, when the colorful Prime
Minister of Jodhpur, Sir Partap Singh invited the Bengal Lancers to
raise the Jodhpur Lancers; Polo was introduced to Jodhpur in its current
modern form. Three years later Jodhpur raised its Polo Team, which won
manyaccolades home and abroad.
This super premium category sport still thrives in Rajasthan and has seen a quantum jump in its popularity as a life style sport. It has attracted attention from corporate houses for sponsorship. It has also attracted interest of the many celebrities and the army. Today, polo is not just restricted to the royalty and the Indian Army, many companies and firms too patronize the sport. Polo facilities are on the rise and polo holidays in India too are in vogue, especially in Rajasthan. The superb synchronization between man and his horse, the amazing speed, the brute power, with the backdrop of the green arena makes for the most exclusive and glorious sport of all. Rajasthan also gave the game its Royal Tradition with patronage of the Maharajas, which earns it the nickname 'The Game of Kings-The King of Games'. Rajasthan still stages exciting Polo games and is a treat for the tourist who watch this game that demands extreme physical and mental condition.
Golf
Vintage Car Rally
When the first motorcars started coming to India, Rajasthan's princes and aristocracy were among the earliest to order them. These, in turn, have become the venue for various rallies. Vintage car rally: an annual event, the Jaipur Vintage Car Rally has become an important one on the Indian social calendar. Held in January, and keenly contested, it invites prestigious entries. Since some of the aristocratic families have still kept their vintage cars in their garages, the turnout too is impressive, with some cars dating back to the very early years of the turn of the century. However, if you are a vintage car buff, and are likely to miss the rally, you will find it heartening to note that many of these beauties are still in peak running condition, and are also hired out for special occasions, rides, incentive parties, or marriages,
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
In
1897, when Sir Pratap travelled to London for Queen Victoria's Diamond
Jubilee, he took his polo team along, amongst the very first Indian
teams to travel abroad, and, for that matter, foreign teams to defeat
England and create history. They won many matches there, at Hurlingham
and Ranelagh, and returned with their reputation enhanced; the finest
Indian team during those years. Rajasthan produced many great polo
players, which include Sir Partap Singh, Rao Raja Hanut Singh, Thakur
Hari Singh and the colorful Maharaja Man Singh II of Jaipur, who took
over the pride of Jodhpurs an inevitable gift by being the suave son in
law of Jodhpur. Thus the best of the players and the finest of the polo
ponies were shifted to the royal house of Jaipur. The rest is history.
The
aristocracy were enamored 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 18-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.
