Villages in Rural Rajasthan
The villages are small communities which are also known as the peasant society. In a defined geographical area, a few dozen to hundred of families live in residential clusters surrounded by agricultural and pasture land. Such villages take their name from those of important deities, or of founder or ancestor, or even on the basis of the area's geographical or social characteristics. The villages can be spotted from highways to which they are usually connected by narrow roads. From the distance, old, large trees and cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats, camels, and other domestic animals can be seen. Villages are often located near village ponds or talabs that provide the source of water for cattle, people and irrigation. Most of the houses in the villages are connected to each other through a network

The villagers of Rural Rajasthan are friendly and helpful, but wary of strangers. Men and women never mix or talk in public except for business. Amusements for the people are in plenty but are enjoyed in segregated groups. In temples, small fortress, or at tea shops, the people sit and exchange information, or merely pass time. On the occasion of a baby’s arrival, a betrothal, or a wedding, women gather in groups, dress beautifully and sing in a chorus for hours, with the accompaniment of the dholak (small drum). Almost all villagers in the rural Rajasthan are multi-caste. Traditionally, there is one or few families of the Rajput caste who usually have larger land holdings. They hold agriculture land and employ workers from other caste groups. A few Brahmin families in the village supervise ritual activities, work as priests in temples, convey information about fasts and festivals, and regulate the local calendar of festivals and social activities. The priest chart the auspicious day and time for beginning a new venture at home or in the field. The Brahmin priests are also the village

The colorful head-wear (pugdi or turban) of men and the gaudy dresses of women provide a wonderful contrast to the bleak environs of the state of Rajasthan. In Rural Rajasthan, the rural women usually cover their faces with a red or yellow colour odhni or dupatta and wear thick, full-length ghaghara or skirt of the dark colour such as deep green or dark blue with innumerable pleats and a blouse with colorful designs. They adorn themselves with the heavy jewellery, earrings, bracelets and rings made mainly of silver, which tinkles and jingles when they grind grain, pound spices or draw water. The ornaments are representative of certain social groups. The higher the caste group, the lighter its use of dress (material and colours) and ornaments. At the highest scale, fine fabrics and ornaments made of gold are preferred. But in rural areas, silver ornaments are preferred. Silver jewellery is usually heavier and uses intricate, ethnic designs. Traditional patterns are used for making necklaces, earrings, bangles and anklets. Rings are worn on fingers and on toes. A newly married woman wear the

Music is the lifeblood of village life in Rural Rajasthan. Songs are sung on various occasions like childbirth, marriage, festivals, and during their work in fields, or at home, when they take their cattle to the pasture, or when they walk for long distances. Through music, traditions are expressed and social systems are strengthened. No festival is complete without music. Bhajans or devotional songs are also sung. On various family rituals, neighbors and relatives are invited to sing, especially at the time of Ratijaga, a ritual when women have to stay awake through the night, singing songs devoted to their ancestors and deities. Villagers also welcome and bid adieu to their guests with songs. Dancing, too, is part of community culture in Rural Rajasthan. In village life, group dances are preferred, and men and women dance in separate groups. In traditional villages, the professional castes are employed for the purpose of singing and dancing for their patrons. One or more Dholi, the drum beater caste is attached with a village.

In Rural Rajasthan, each village has its own deities (devtas) with shrines (devata sthans) where the villagers go to pay obeisance. In the summers, when most of the land has a parched and barren look, such religious spots are characterised by a denser greenery and a small pond for bathing, cooking and picnicking. These spots also provide shelter for small animals and birds. Most of the shrines are located near the source of water since cleansing of oneself is a necessary part of the ritual of worship. Pathwari, the goddess of the path, is found in almost all villages in the form of a small earthen or stone square structure which is worshipped whenever a person undertakes a pilgrimage. There are other mother goddesses before whom the villagers pray for shelter, nourishment and protection from disease. The Bhairuji is a powerful deity who looks after the interests of the people of the village. Bhairuji's shrines are rarely in the form of a temple, and only a stone platform is there. Sagasji is another local deity who offers protection to harvests and animal life. Generally, Sagasji is propitiated on the boundary of a farm, or near an irrigation well. Regional heroes such as Deo-Narayanji, Gogaji, Tejaji and Ramdevji are worshipped in villages. Some other gods which are worshipped in the temples in Rural Rajasthan include Lord Shiva, Krishna, Ram, Lord Ganesh and other incarnations of Vishnu. In villages where Muslim families have their homes, a mosque or a roadside shrine of Pir Baba can also be found. In a cluster of villages, one deity is usually more powerful or popular for a particular power or authority. The shrines and trees are not only protected, but also regarded as sacred groves.

Cuisine of Rural Rajasthan
The cuisine of villagers in Rural Rajasthan consists of one or two vegetables and rotis (breads) on which ghee (clarified butter) is used. Rotis of wheat, maize, and millets (bajra) are made. Rural cooking is a simple exercise, and done by the women of the house. There are no sweet shops in the Villages, and only milk and milk products like butter, buttermilk and curds are consumed. Many communities are vegetarian, and in most hamlets, these two frugal meals of Roti and Milk provide their basic diet. Chai (tea) is prepared early in the morning, and in the afternoon or evening, and whenever there are visitors. It is usually strong, milky and very sweet.

In Rural Rajasthan, agriculture and allied industrial sectors employ about 89.5% of the labour. Jowar and Bajra are important food grains grown in Rajasthan. Some of the roads or lanes are connected with the farms, and people are associated with some form of agrarian activity. A few prosperous farmers have substantial agricultural holdings to manage wells or canals. The middle level agriculturists tend to work on their own farms, while those whose holdings are small or not arable enough find opportunities to work outside their farms. Tractors, threshers and irrigation pumps have shortened the manual work of most men on their lands. Most of the villagers now have enough electricity to run irrigation pumps. Sheep grazing is a common sight, and sometimes girls take up this job. Wool, dyeing and hand-painting are the main industries. Bandhani prints are the main example. Today, with improved means of transportation, fresh vegetables have arrived at the doorstep of even the most remote village which was even not possible a decade ago.

Infrastructure of Rural Rajasthan
Agricultural activity is looked after and helped by government departments. The cooperative banks provide loans and new varieties of seeds, chemical fertilizers, medicines and seedlings. Most of the villagers now have enough electricity to run irrigation pumps. Drinking water facilities have been created in almost all villages. Dispensaries and medicines are not far off from villages. Roads have joined villages with towns, and regular buses and other means of transport are available. Television sets and radios are providing the basis for more changes in rural life. Telephonic communications link the smallest village with the world outside. Cinema and newspapers are reaching across to them. But even as changes are being brought