Rajasthan’s Abhaneri Draws 80,181 Visitors in H1 2026
Rajasthan’s historic village of Abhaneri recorded 80,181 tourist visits between January and June 2026, with foreign visitors accounting for nearly 45% of footfall.
By SOH Edit Team
Abhaneri, in Rajasthan’s Dausa district, recorded 80,181 tourist visits in the first half of 2026, including 44,140 domestic and 36,041 foreign visitors, according to tourism department data. Foreign tourists accounted for approximately 45% of the total, highlighting international interest in the village’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Chand Baori, renowned for its geometric design and intricate stairways, remains the principal attraction, alongside the historic Harshat Mata Temple.
Culture as a Tourism Driver
Held in October, the Abhaneri Festival 2026 brought together heritage tourism, traditional performing arts and rural experiences. Organised by the Rajasthan Tourism Department and Dausa District Administration, the event sought to connect the village’s architectural legacy with Rajasthan’s living cultural traditions.
According to Upendra Singh Shekhawat, Deputy Director, Tourism, the festival also provides local performers and artisans with a platform to engage directly with domestic and international visitors.
The programme featured regional art forms, including Pad Dangal, Kachhi Ghodi folk dance, Behrupiya performances, Nat art, traditional puppetry, Bhapang recitals and shehnai performances.
Bringing Local Craftsmanship to the Fore
The festival extended the visitor experience beyond monuments and performances. Lacquer-bangle makers, potters and blacksmiths demonstrated traditional techniques, while visitors could purchase handicrafts directly from artisans. Camel-cart rides and street theatre added further dimensions to the village experience.
By bringing heritage, performance and traditional crafts together, the festival created a broader platform for showcasing Abhaneri’s cultural identity and local skills.
For smaller heritage destinations, such initiatives offer a way to expand tourism beyond monument visits, deepen visitor engagement and connect cultural preservation with local economic participation.
Abhaneri’s visitor profile, particularly its significant share of international tourists, underlines the potential of Rajasthan’s lesser-known heritage destinations to draw audiences beyond established tourism circuits.
