Rajasthan,
one of the North Indian state is the largest state in terms of area. The
geographically diversified land of Rajasthan is famous for its Thar Desert.
The Aravalli hill ranges in the state is one of the oldest mountains of the
world. Mount Abu is only hill station of the state, which is situated in
Aravalli ranges. The state referred as the land of Kings, is known for its
royal grandeur. The palaces and forts narrates the tales of the Maharajas of
the Rajasthan. Rajasthan is renowned for its arts, crafts, temples, camels,
elephants, bird sanctuaries, festivals and fairs, luxury trains, folk dance
and music etc.
The people of Rajasthan still bear the old charm with vibrant colours in
their lifestyle. The popular festivals of the state are Holi, Dussehara,
Gangaur, Pushkar Camel festival and Kite festival etc. Rajasthani cuisine
include the famous recipes of the Khansama (the royal cooks), curries, lapsi
(a sweet dish) and the most popular dal (lentils), bati (baked wheat ball)
and churma (powdered sweetened cereal).
Main Tourist Attractions of Rajasthan
» Ajmer - Ajmer is famous for the 13th century tomb of Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja
Moinuddin Chisti. The shrine is visited by millions of pilgrims throughout
the year. People from different religions reach Ajmer to attend the Urs of
Khwaja Moinuddin. Another attractions of the city are Taragarh Pahari
(hill), Mughal styled buildings and local handicrafts.
» Jaipur - The capital city
of Rajasthan is also called as the Pink city of India. Jaipur is major
tourist destination of Rajasthan. The city is home to royal forts, palaces
and serene lakes. The main attraction of the city is the City palace. The
beautiful palace houses a museum, which has the collection arts, crafts
carpets, enamelware and weapons. Other attractions are Nahargarh Fort,
Jantar Mantar, Government Central Museum and Gardens, The Amer Fort and the
Hawa Mahal (The Palace of Wind).
» Udaipur - The city also called as the 'White City' is famous for its beautiful
lakes, surrounded by the lush Aravalli hills. Udaipur was named after its
founder, the Sisiodia King, Maharana Udai Singh.
The city is home to royal palaces, temples, lakes and gardens. The major
attractions in Udaipur include the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Bharatiya
Lok Kala Mandir, The Suraj Gokhada, Saheliyon-ki-Bari (Garden of the maids
of Honour), Fateh Sagar, Pichhola Lake, Pratap Memorial, Sajjan Garh and
Gulab Bagh etc.
» Jodhpur - Jodhpur the second largest city of the state is the gateway to
Rajasthan. The city situated on the eastern bank of the Thar Desert,
narrates the stories of royal grandeur. The native place of the Rathores,
Jodhpur houses several palaces, forts and temples. Mehrangarh Fort is one of
the major attractions of the city. Other attractions include the Umaid
Bhawan Palace & Museum, Jaswant Thada, Girikot and Sardar Market etc.
» Jaisalmer - Jaisalmer also referred as the city of towers or golden city, is
famous for its golden fort.
The fort built of sandstone is perhaps the only fort in world, where
medieval pattern of life still prevails. In addition to the Jaisalmer fort
other attractions of the city are Desert Festival, Camel races, Folk music
and dance and Desert ballads etc
» Ranthambore - Situated 132 Kms away from Jaipur, Ranthambore is famous for its
National Park. The park located close to Sawai Madhopur, falls in the
Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges. Once the hunting ground of Maharajas,
Ranthambore declared a sanctuary in 1955. Ranthambore became a Project Tiger
Reserve in 1986. In addition to the Tigers, the park provide shelter to
Panthers, Hyenas, Jackals, Jungle cats, Crocodiles, Sambar, Sloth bears,
Nilgai, Chital, Wild boars and Chinkara etc. The park is open between
October To March : 6.00 am - 9.00 am & 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm and between
April To June : 6.30 am - to 9.30 am & 3.30 pm - 6.00 pm
» Sariska - The town situated in the backdrop of Aravali hills, is known for its
National Park. Sariska became a sanctuary in the year 1955, later in 1979 it
became a tiger reserve and a national park in 1982. The park is home to
tigers and several other animals and flora.
» Pushkar - The city located close at a distance of 11 Kms Ajmer is famous for
Pushkar Camel festival. Pushkar camel and cattle fair held annually in
November, is one of largest in the country. The camel merchants, camel
buyers and sellers, cultural artists and tourists throng the city during the
festival. The city is also famous for its temples including the Brahma
temple.
» Bikaner - Bikaner is located on the northern part of Rajasthan. The city with
scores of sand dunes keeps its medieval grandeur. Bikaner also called as the
camel country, is famous for its temples, forts and palaces etc. The major
attraction of the city are Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Ganga Golden
Jubilee Museum and Karni Mata Temple etc.
Reaching
» Air - The cities Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and
Kota have their own airports. The airlines operate flights for the cities of
Rajasthan as well as other major cities of the country.
» Rail - The state is well connected by major cities
of the country. The luxury train, The Palace on Wheels connects Delhi with
Bharatpur, Jaipur, Kota, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner,
Alwar, Sirohi, Kishangarh, Bundi, Dungarpur, Jhalwar, and Dholpur.
» Road - Highways and good roads connect Rajasthan
with other parts of the country. The state and private buses run within the
state as well as outside the state.
