Rajasthan

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Rajasthan is the largest state in the Indian Union. Geographically, the land of Rajasthan is more varied than any other region. It is a region of lofty rocks, rolling sand dunes, of burning heat and freezing cold, of fertile plains and deep wild glens and jungles. The Aravalli range, which is the oldest folded range in the world, divides the area into two natural divisions-North-West and South-East. North-West area is a sandy and ill watered tract emerging gradually from a mere desert in the west and  North-West to comparatively fertile land towards the East and North-East in the neighborhood of the Aravallis and the track bordering Haryana. The South-Eastern division which is more elevated and fertile than the North-West, has a very diversified character with extensive hill ranges, pockets of woodland, several large rivers, fertile tablelands and stretches of excellent soil. The Arid high plateau of South-Western Rajasthan is broken by wild cliffs and hill ranges. Irrigation dams or deep wells are the source of water for the fields in the oases lying within the Valleys.

Cliffs form the backdrop of Jodhpur, disappear into the endless barren plain from which the medieval fort of Nagaur rises as a landmark. Beyond this is the Thar desert which is a part of the great Indian desert-Burning like a furnace even in early March, it is the 'Maru-kantar', the region of death. Aravalli range starts from the borders of Delhi and becomes well defined before Alwar.  The forests of Alwar, Bharatpur and Sawai- Madhopur are the home of the tiger, the panther, the wild boar, the blue bull and the more graceful and agile animals of the deer family. 

The plains here are level and flat, with rich alluvial loam. Down south, in Kota and Bundi, in the Chittorgarh and Bhilwara districts, wheat, maize, paddy and sugarcane fields sprawl along the river-banks. 

The very opposite of its western counterpart, Eastern Rajasthan has much that belies the notion of Rajasthan being a desert state. The plateau on which this picturesque city stands marks the highest elevation of the plains of North India and it is called the watershed of India. Guru Sikhar or the Hermit's peak which is the highest point of the range near Mount Abu may be described as the roof of this region.

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