Foreign visitors almost half of tourists to Abhaneri village in Rajasthan

The Abhaneri Festival showcases Rajasthan’s folk performances, traditional crafts and vibrant cultural experiences

Abhaneri, a historic village in Rajasthan known for Chand Baori and Harshat Mata Temple, recorded 80,181 tourist visits between January and June of this year, including 36,041 foreign tourist visits, according to tourism department data.

Foreign visitors accounted for almost half of all tourists visiting Abhaneri, in Rajasthan’s Dausa district, in the first six months of the year.

According to a press statement by Rajasthan Tourism, the 80,181 tourists included 44,140 domestic and 36,041 foreign tourists. Foreign visitors accounted for nearly 45 pc of total footfall, highlighting international interest in the heritage destination.

The figures come as the Rajasthan Tourism Department and Dausa District Administration hosted the Abhaneri Festival 2026 that concluded on Tuesday.

The two-day event combined heritage tourism with traditional performing arts, handicraft demonstrations and rural experiences.

Chand Baori, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its stepwell with geometric architecture and intricate arrangement of steps, remains the principal attraction in the village. The nearby Harshat Mata Temple further adds to Abhaneri’s cultural and architectural appeal.

Foreign tourists explore Abhaneri’s heritage and cultural traditions during their visit to Rajasthan

Upendra Singh Shekhawat, Deputy Director, Tourism, says the festival aimed to connect Abhaneri’s architectural heritage with Rajasthan’s living cultural traditions while providing local performers and artisans with opportunities to engage with domestic and international tourists.

The festival programme included Pad Dangal, Kachhi Ghodi folk dance, Behrupiya performances, Nat art, traditional puppetry, Bhapang recitals and Shehnai performances.

The event also featured lacquer-bangle makers, potters and blacksmiths demonstrating traditional craft techniques. Visitors could observe the production of handicrafts and purchase products directly from local artisans.

Camel-cart rides and street theatre performances offered additional opportunities to experience village traditions beyond the historic monuments. According to Shekhawat, the inclusion of traditional crafts allowed visitors to understand local craftsmanship while giving artisans a platform to showcase skills passed down through generations.

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