The stations in Rajasthan now are a place to be. Moving away from the dull, drab, pan-stained walls the stations are transformed into art hubs.

The Sawai Madhopur railway station that pioneered this entire trend has now bagged the National Tourism Award for the "Best Tourism Friendly Station" for 2014-15 by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. Sawai Madhopur that had become a reflection of Ranthambhore's diverse wildlife has become a living art museum of wildlife with its junglescape. The artwork from the Ranthambhore School of Art was led by two master painters, Gajanand Singh and Narayan Singh, who were the original members of the school. Over 5,000 feet of the station's walls are painted with the flora and fauna that the reserve hosts of from tigers to darters, tree-pies, hyenas, bears, leopards and of course the Banyan tree.

Besides, 'Best heritage hotel awards' in three different categories were given to Fateh Prakash Palace in Udaipur, Coconut Lagoon at Kumarakom in Kottayam and Gajner Palace in Bikaner.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com