India Travel

Rajasthan

Located on the northwest borders of India, Rajasthan stretches out in to the Thar Desert. Rajasthan, literally translated as the land of kings & princes, is the ultimate confluence of history, chivalry, romance, rugged natural beauty, art & crafts and colour. Rajasthan is one of the most favoured destinations of tourists in India for both domestic & International traffic. Rajasthan, which is a premier tourist destination attracts tourist for its historical forts, palaces, art and culture.

Rajasthan, the land of Kings is about wars and warriors, romance and tragedy, glory and chivalry.. the amazing architecture, that still stands to narrate its tale of a bygone era. Rajasthan is culturally rich and has extensive tradition in art and culture, which reflects Indian way of life.  Majestic forts, intricately carved temples and Havelies (meaning mansion) and even step well make Rajasthan a paradise for an architecture buff.. The dance, music and art forms have been cultivated and patronised by the erstwhile courts.

Weather

The climate of Rajasthan can be divided into four seasons: Pre-Monsoons, Monsoon, Post-Monsoon and Winter. It is extremely cold from October to February while the scorching sun tortures the land from March to September.

 

Tourism

Endowed with natural beauty and a great history, tourism is flourishing in Rajasthan. The palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and desert forts of Jodhpur, Bikaner & Jaisalmer are among the most preferred destination of many tourists, Indian and foreign. Tourism accounts for eight percent of the state's domestic product. Many old and neglected palaces and forts have been converted into heritage hotels. Tourism has increased employment in the hospitality sector.

 

Places of Tourist Interest

Ajmer-Pushkar : Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage centre for the Hindus as well as Muslims. Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered by the Hindus and Muslims. Ajmer is also the base for visiting Pushkar (14 km.), the abode of Lord Brahma, lying to its west with a temple and a picturesque lake. The Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus. During the month of Kartik (Oct./Nov.), devotees throng in large numbers here to take a dip in the sacred lake.

Bikaner : Situated in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel research and breeading farm in the world.

Bundi : Bundi, the undiscovered splendour, 36 Kms from Kota location has much to offer including the palaces and forts, Rajput architecture shines and in the intricately carved brackets, pillars etc. Interesting places are Diwan-e- aam, Hathia Pol, and Naubat Khana.

Bharatpur : The history of Bharatpur dates back to the epic age, when the Matsya Kingdom flourished here in the 5th century BC. The matsya were allies of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war. According to tradition the name of Bharatpur is traced to Bharat, the brother of lord Rama of Ayodhya whose other brother Laxman was given the high place of family deity of the ruling family of Bharatpur.

Jaipur : Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra and forms the most chosen tourism golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The capital of Rajasthan, the city is natural gateway to one of the exotic destination of India. Popular as Pink City, Jaipur is the testimonial of the bygone era and a reminder of their lingering romance. Settled in the rugged hills of the Aravalis, Jaipur is the pristine jewel in the desert sands of Rajasthan. Jaipur is as remarkable for its marvellous architecture and town planning as it is for the lively spirit of the people who inhabit it. The city presents a unique synthesis of culture that has to be experienced in order to be appreciated.

Jaisalmer : The desert citadel is truly a golden fantasy in Thar Desert. Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, after whom the city finds its name, founded Jaisalmer in 1156. On advice of a local hermit Eesaal he chose the Tricut Hills as his new abode abandoning his vulnerable old fort at Luderwa just 16 kilometres northwest. The name Jaisalmer induces a picture of utter magic and brilliance of the desert. The hostile terrain not with standing the warmth and colour of people is simply over whelming. One of the main draws is the daunting 12th century Jaisalmer Fort. The beautiful havelis which were built by wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer are yet another interesting aspect of this desert city.

Jodhpur : The bustling desert city is the second largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur and has landscape dominated by the massive Meherangarh Fort topping a sheer rocky ridge. In 1459 AD, Rao Jodha, chief of Rathore clan of Rajputs, who claimed descent from Rama, the epic here of the Ramayana, laid the foundation of Jodhpur. A high stonewall protects the well-fortified city. The wall is nearly 10 km in length and has eight gates facing various directions.

Mount Abu : This "Hill of Wisdom" and a true "Olympus of Rajasthan" stands on an independent hillock, which is separated from the main Aravali ranges by a deep gorge. At an altitude of 1220 meters crowning at the highest peak of the Aravali hills, Mount Abu is the only hill station of Rajasthan and one of the prettiest hill stations in the country. Mount Abu was dedicated to Lord Shiva before it became a Jain Pilgrimage Centre. The biggest draw for Mount Abu is the Dilwara Jain Temple for its carvings. The hill boasts of a rich vegetation and thick forest. It stands out like an oasis in arid environs. It is also a unique destination for Adventure and eco tourism.

Ranthambor : Ranthambhor National Park, is the scene where the celebrated Indian Tiger is best seen. Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve lies on the junction of Aravali and Vindhyas just 14 Kms from Sawai Madhopur in Eastern Rajasthan. It sprawls over a varying and undulating landscape. Ranthambhor sanctuary has a large number of fauna, significant among those being sambhar, chital, nilgai, chinkara, langur, wild boar, peafowl and of course the King of the Jungle- the Great Indian Tiger.

Sariska : Sariska National Park is situated only 200 km from Delhi and 107 kms from Jaipur. Although larger than Ranthambor, it is less commercialised. It is located in the contemporary Alwar district and is the legacy of the Maharajas of Alwar. It was once the hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Alwar, as the park was under their jurisdication. The beautiful Siliserh Lake runs along the edge of the reserve, with a quaint hunting lodge overlooking it.

Shekhawati : is a semi desert region in north Rajasthan and it is situated entirely in the triangle between Delhi-Bikaner-Jaipur. Shekhawati is a region and not just a town or fort; it takes its name after its ruler Rao Shekha. Shekhawati means the garden of Shekha.

Udaipur : Udaipur is known as the Venice of the east. It is also called the city of lakes. The Lake Palace on Jag Niwas Island in the middle of Pichola Lakes is the finest example of its architectural and cultural explosion. Founded in 1568 A.D by Maharana Udai Singh, the city is a harmonious Indian blend of whitewashed buildings, marble palaces, lakeside gardens, temples and Havelis. According to the legend, Maharana Udai Singh, the founder was hunting one day when he met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichola. Maharana followed the advise of the hermit and founded the city. The marvellous architecture of the palaces is spell bounding. Nathdwara - This town near Udaipur hosts the famous temple of Shrinathji.

When to Go

India's peak tourist season is from mid-September through March, when the weather is temperate

Interesting Fact

The 575-year-old temple of Karni Devi (one of the nine incarnations of Durga) Located at Deshnok, 35 km from Bikaner, Rajasthan, this temple is devoted exclusively to the rats which roam around freely in the place.

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