From the majestic forts and palaces to the exuberant art on trucks; from the sarees of the rarely seen before vivid colours to the rustic charm in the voice of the turban man who greets you with a heartfelt, “Ram Ram Sa.” If you want to savour the taste of life, Rajasthan is definitely the state to be!
The heritage state is so high on beauty and happiness quotient that it attracts a heavy tourist crowd from people across the world. Despite all the positives, though, this state has been a target of stereotypes for quite some time now. Some of which are:
1. It has no water
Yes, it does not because all Rajasthanis are equipped with a secret camel-like water storage system so we consume less and leave our share of water for the rest of the country to drink. Yes, we are also humanitarians.
All the sarcasm apart, the water problem is limited to the areas of desert. And desert by itself is an inhospitable geographical feature. Despite this, Thar desert is one of the most habited deserts in the world, housing almost 40% of the population. And you would think people live here because it has no water!
2. Rajasthan = Registan
The 17th largest desert in the world, The Thar Desert, marks the boundary between India and Pakistan, and runs along the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. Jaisalmer and Bikaner are two cities which are located in desert exactly, thus specifying, that the rest of the Rajasthan is NOT a desert.
Also, it is a beautiful feature of the state, just as the hills are to the hill stations and seas to the coastal cities. So should we start cursing Shimla and Goa also for their beautiful geographical features?
3. Marwaris = Misers
Firstly, Marwadi is not any cast but a term used to refer to people hailing from the Marwar region (Jodhpur area). You know how you say Bangaloreans and Delhites, it is the same thing.
Secondly, they might be superb at handling their expenses but they do know a thing or two about living a contented life.
4. It is all about villagers and farmers
It is not all about them, but Rajasthanis are glad that you think so. Because the hours of hard work they spend on fields sure needs a mention.
In other words,
Yes, we have villages, and no we don’t think of them as a blot of shame. Instead, we feel proud of being living in a state which has scenic villages where farmers work with full devotion to yield crops for our benefit.
5. Rain Gods hate Rajasthan
Before you go on falsely publicizing the state by calling it super hot, let me break it to you that Rajasthan is one state that enjoys all three seasons, which includes hot days, RAINY days when the sky becomes a canvas of vibrant shades, and brutally cold winters that bring along the season of peanuts, jaggery and baajre ki roti (chapatis made of barley).
6. All Rajputs are royals and live in beautifully decorated Havelis
Sure, Rajasthan is known as the land of the brave Rajputana kings. But how can one typecast all Rajputs living in Rajasthan as royals? The truth of the matter is that all Rajputs may not be royals but, all the Rajputs are definitely humans and most of them live in regular-sized homes.
Also, while we are at it, not all Brahmins from Rajasthan are saint-like and vegetarians.
7. It has no trees
It has the desert, and it has the beautiful Aravali hills obscured under the thick sheet of greens. There are trees lined up on roads, in residential colonies, on terraces, every-freaking-where!
8. It is boring!
The state offers unique fun experiences that you won’t find anywhere else!
- The vibrant folk dance performances in Dharohar (Udaipur),
- the haunting qawwali nights,
- living the real ‘wind in my hair’ moment standing by the window in the Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal- Jaipur),
- being stuffed with food out of sheer love by turban clad servers at Chowki Dhani (Jaipur),
- watching the very original elephant polo at Dera Amer, and
- talking to the skies in Sky Waltz Balloon Safari at Ranthambore.
These are just a few of hundreds of unique experiences that the state has to offer.
But if your idea of fun is only clubbing, then I feel sorry for everything else beautiful that you are missing out on.
9. Camels, camels, everywhere.
Yes, we do have camels and they are pretty useful to the labour class. We also have peacocks, elephants, and horses strolling on main roads, and they all too, never bother us.
10. Rajasthanis are narrow-minded
And a judgmental person is broad-minded?
People are deeply rooted in their traditions and celebrate them whole-heartedly. As far as being narrow-minded is concerned, you will find them across the globe. Why stereotype it on Rajasthanis? The fact of the matter is that they are fun-loving, peaceful, warm, and the best of the hosts, who will never let you leave the house empty stomach.
11. Rajasthani ladies are only proficient in home science
They also make great chartered accountants, psychologists, engineers, scientists, administrative officers, doctors and writers (case in point, me). They are multi-talented. #JustSaying
12. All that a Rajasthani eats is red chillies
We love spicy food, but Bikaneri rasgulla, jalebis and ghevar, are some of the other equally significant areas of delicacies that we master in.
Despite being smeared in stereotypical comments, Rajasthanis are an immensely colourful bunch.