Jawai, the hills of leopards, in the Pali district in Rajasthan is among the very few places in India where you can easily admire these fantastic animals. A picturesque area that is also home to other wild animals and various migratory birds. The area is rich in prairies, riverbeds, and pastures.
GEOGRAPHY
The Jawai Hills were formed millions of years ago and are composed of lava. The many natural caves and rock shelters are a den of leopards, crawling hyenas, wolves, jackals, and panthers. The area flanks the Aravali mountain range, the most impressive in Rajasthan. The granite rocks of Jawai offer rare scenes where many wild animals live in the vicinity of the villages in the area.
FLORA AND FAUNA
Jawai is famous for leopards, robbing crocodiles, and migratory birds such as cranes and flamingos. Local people raise sheep, dromedaries, buffaloes, goats, cows. The vegetation is relatively scarce due to the dense presence of granite rocks that dominate the area’s skyline. However, the area abandons “prosopois juliflora” a plant of South American origin introduced by European colonizers in past centuries.
CULTURE OF JAWAI
The area is famous for the Rebari or Raika, the nomadic breeders of dromedaries and sheep. Raikas are famous for their colorful and embroidered clothing: both women and men use to dress and embellish themselves very elegantly. Women use special bracelets made from camel bone that covers almost the entire hand. Their jewelry is made with the classic ethnic Rajasthani designs, mostly made of silver. Rebari’s are obsessed with the red color they use for their clothes. Men wear giant turbans of this red color, while women wear red saree with very sensual blouses. They are always out and about throughout northern India looking for grass for their livestock, especially during periods when the rains are scarce. The other most famous caste living in this area are the Rajputs: the warrior caste of Rajasthan. Jawai is an ideal place for those who want to experience the culture, colors, traditions, nature, and fauna of Rajasthan. An extraordinary place, off the beaten track of mass tourism.
AROUND JAWAI RAJASTHAN
Interesting places to visit near Jawai are Ranakpur Jain Temple, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Mount Abu, Jodhpur, and Udaipur.