Rajasthan- the Land of Rajputs is a majestic tapestry of camels plodding over soft sand dunes of the Thar Desert. The landscape of Rajasthan is dotted with island palaces gleaming on idyllic blue lakes; temples and fortresses situated on hilltops of the rugged and rocky Aravalli; strong testimony of Rajput dynasties; and well laid out gardens which add to the grandeur and charm of this majestic land. The royal cities of Rajasthan India like - Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, Pushkar, Ajmer, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Ranakpur, Jaisalmer and the charismatic Shekhawati Region - add up to the attraction of Rajasthan.
Ajmer - The Door of Khwaja
Location: The city of Ajmer is located in Rajasthan, 130 km southwest of Jaipur. It is flanked by the Ana Sagar Lake on one side and the Aravali range on the other. Ajmer is drained by the Luni River and by the tributaries of Banas River.
Tourist Destinations : Ajmer is famous as a pilgrim place. It houses the Dargah or tomb of the Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world throng Ajmer to visit the tomb every year. The city also boasts of a number of monuments belonging to the Mughal era. It is also known for its traditional handicrafts. The Ana Sagar Lake and Daulat Bagh are other important sites within the city. Ajmer also has an imposing fort built by Akbar. It also houses the government museum within it. The Nasiyan (Red) Jain Temple built in the 19th century is also worth paying a visit.
Bikaner - The Fort City
Location: This desert city of Rajasthan (India`s north-western province) is an eye-catching site of well-fed camels and citadels. Bikaner is situated in the north of Rajasthan. The city just like Jodhpur, is surrounded by great walls. It has Ganganagar and Hanumannagar in its northern side whereas Churu lies in its eastern side.
Tourist Destinations : Junagarh Fort was built by a Mughal army general, Raja Rai Singh, in 1593. The various parts of the palace-the Dewan-iI-khas, the Phool Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Badal Mahal and Anup Mahal-reflect the glorious architecture of Bikaner. Lalgarh Palace is situated 3 km north of Bikaner city. Some portions of the palace have been converted to tourist hotels while other parts of the palace have been converted into a museum named as the Sadul Museum. Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, The Bhandasar Jain Temple and The Camel Research Farm are the other must visits.
Ajmer - The Door of Khwaja
Location: The city of Ajmer is located in Rajasthan, 130 km southwest of Jaipur. It is flanked by the Ana Sagar Lake on one side and the Aravali range on the other. Ajmer is drained by the Luni River and by the tributaries of Banas River.
Tourist Destinations : Ajmer is famous as a pilgrim place. It houses the Dargah or tomb of the Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world throng Ajmer to visit the tomb every year. The city also boasts of a number of monuments belonging to the Mughal era. It is also known for its traditional handicrafts. The Ana Sagar Lake and Daulat Bagh are other important sites within the city. Ajmer also has an imposing fort built by Akbar. It also houses the government museum within it. The Nasiyan (Red) Jain Temple built in the 19th century is also worth paying a visit.
Bikaner - The Fort City
Location: This desert city of Rajasthan (India`s north-western province) is an eye-catching site of well-fed camels and citadels. Bikaner is situated in the north of Rajasthan. The city just like Jodhpur, is surrounded by great walls. It has Ganganagar and Hanumannagar in its northern side whereas Churu lies in its eastern side.
Tourist Destinations : Junagarh Fort was built by a Mughal army general, Raja Rai Singh, in 1593. The various parts of the palace-the Dewan-iI-khas, the Phool Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Badal Mahal and Anup Mahal-reflect the glorious architecture of Bikaner. Lalgarh Palace is situated 3 km north of Bikaner city. Some portions of the palace have been converted to tourist hotels while other parts of the palace have been converted into a museum named as the Sadul Museum. Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, The Bhandasar Jain Temple and The Camel Research Farm are the other must visits.
Chittorgarh - The Victory Tower
Location: Chittorgarh is located in the southern part of Rajasthan beside a high hill near the Gambheri River.
Pushkar - The Land of Fairs and Festivals
Location: Pushkar is set in a valley just about 14 km off Ajmer in Rajasthan. Surrounded on three sides by hills and sand dunes on the other, Pushkar forms a fascinating location and a befitting backdrop for the annual religious and cattle fair.
Tourist Destinations : One of the most popular and charismatic fairs of the desert is the Pushkar fair, held on the 11th day of the bright half of the moon. The fair is held during the month of October/November. The most famous temple in Pushkar is the Brahma Temple, the one and only temple dedicated to Brahma in India. A red spire marks the temple, and over the entrance gateway is the Hans (goose), the symbol of Brahma who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as his place. Another important temple is the Savitri Temple (wife of Lord Brahma) on a hilltop. Other important places to visit in Pushkar are numerous ghats that run down the lake.
Ranakpur - The Jain Temples
Location: Ranakpur in Rajasthan is one of the five most important pilgrimage sites of Jainism. Ranakpur is tucked away in a remote valley in the Aravali range in Pali district and boasts of one of the largest and most important Jain Temples in the country.
Tourist Destinations : The Ranakpur Jain Temple was built during the reign Rajput monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The basement is of 48,000 sq. feet area that covers the whole complex. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty-four pillared halls and domes supported by over four hundred columns. In the assembly hall, there are two big bells weighing 108 kg whose sound echoes in the entire complex. The main temple is a Chaumukh or a four-faced temple dedicated to Adinath. The three other Jain temples in the same complex, including a temple of the Sun God, are all worth a visit. A kilometer away from the temple complex is the temple of Amba Mata.
Jaipur - The Pink City
Location: The city of Jaipur is capital of Rajasthan, famous for its colorful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes. Also known as Pink City due to the Pink stones used in the construction of the houses in Jaipur.
Tourist Destinations : Hawa Mahal is the best-known landmark of Jaipur. In the heart of the city is situated the City Palace, a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The place is now a museum except for one section where the erstwhile royal family still lives. Jantar Mantar is only one of the five observatories constructed by Jai Singh to whom the city owes its name. Central Museum has a large collection of costumes, woodwork, brassware, Jaipur Jewellery, and pottery. The hilltop forts of Nahargarh, Jaigarh, and Amber constitute the real Rajputana legacy. The Maota Lake offers a breathtaking reflection of the magnificent Amber Fort-Palace. The other places of interest are Jaipur Museum, Albert Museum, Birla Mandir Planetarium, Sisodia Rani Park, Lakshmi Narain Temple, Kanak Vrindavan, The Rajmahal Palace, Rambagh Palace (now a Luxury hotel), and other parks.
Jodhpur - The Umaid Bhavan
Location: Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan. Jodhpur is famous for its magnificent forts and palaces. It is situated at the edge of the Thar Desert with Jaisalmer on its west, Barmar, Jalor and Pali on its south, Bikaner on its north, and Nagaur on the eastern side.
Tourist Destinations : The Mehrangarh Fort is a living testimony of the military might of the Rajputs. Umaid Bhawan, the only 20th-century-built palace, was constructed to give employment to the famine-struck population of Jodhpur. The Jaswant Thade is a shrine built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant II in 1899. Mandar Garden was the ashram of Rishi Mandu. This garden has a gate known as the Ajit pole. Giridkot and Sardar Market, located in the heart of the city, are popular for a wide range of handicrafts. About 4 miles away from Jodhpur lay the Balsamand Lake and Garden, an artificial lake built in AD 1159, an ideal place for picnics and excursions.
How to reach Rajasthan :
Rajasthan is well connected by Air with almost all the major cities of India. There are regular flights connecting the state with the rest of the country. The four airports of the state are, Sanganer in Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, and Kota. Rajasthan is well connected by a well-laid rail network. The best option is obviously, the Palace on Wheels, one of the most luxurious trains in the world. Apart from Agra, Palace on Wheels connects Delhi with Bharatpur, Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Alwar, Sirohi, Kishangarh, Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalwar, and Dholpur. Many government and private buses run regularly from Delhi to most of the cities in Rajasthan. Moreover, taxis and other vehicles are also available on hire from many places to the state.
