Rajasthan Department of Tourism to organize Abhaneri Festival on December, 30-31, 2008 to promote Heritage Tourism

For the first time, the Department of Tourism, Rajasthan in collaboration with the Dausa District Administration will organize a two-day festival in the Abhaneri village (80 kms from Jaipur) on December, 30-31, 2008 to promote Heritage Tourism in the area. The two day Abhaneri Festival will be a mixture of live cultural performances, village safari, and a craft bazaar. A visit to Bhangarh / Bhandarej has also been planned as part of the activities of the Festival.

“Abhaneri is an ancient 9th Century village in Rajasthan, (on the Ahmedabad - Delhi railway line) which is famous for its post-Gupta and early medieval period monuments. The village has contributed numerous pieces of sculpture to various museums across the world. The Abhaneri step-well and Harshat Mata Temple (9th Century) are amongst the major attractions here which need to be further promoted for Heritage Tourism,” said Usha Sharma, Commissioner of Tourism, Rajasthan.

The Commissioner informed that the festival will inaugurated at 10:15 am on December, 30, 2008 with the opening of fair and the craft bazaar.