Barmer

It seems all the colour, warmth, tradition and happiness have been ensconsed into this little place called Barmer.

According to history, the 13th century founder of the district, Bahada Rao (popularly known as Bar Rao) gave the town its name, Barmer-the hill fort of Bar.

Way back in the 1 2 Century A.D., it was known as Mallani, made of a cluster of Parganas — Mallani Shiv, Pachpadra, Siwana and the Chohtan area. The present Barmer district was formed in 1 949 upon the merger of Jodhpur state in the United States of Great Rajasthan. So much for history.

Barmer is Rajasthan to the core – Barren land, harsh climate, rough terrain on the one hand, rich crafts, dances and music on the other.

Once on the ancient camel trade route, the town is now the center for wood carving, pottery, carpets, intricate embroidery work, block printed fabrics and multi-hued traditional costumes. What stands out are the geometric Ajrak prints in dark shades of red and blue, ideal for protection from the scorching sun.

The trip to Barmer is a journey through rural Rajasthan. As the visitors enter the interiors, they discover small villages with mud-walled houses decorated with delicate folk motifs and colourfully attired people on the way to work – a fascinating sight indeedl Come March, the desert town bursts into colour during the Barmerfestival. A good time to visit this quaint little Rajasthan in miniature.