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 Rajasthan,
literally "Land of the Kings", was once a
clutch of princely kingdoms. The Rajputs,
who ruled here for over a thousand years,
were legendary for their chivalry. Today,
this desert state's battle-scarred forts,
historic cities, palace hotels, feudal
traditions and riotous colours represent
India at her exotic best.
Situated on the western side of the country,
the state is diagonally divided into the
hilly and rugged south-eastern region and
the barren north-western Thar Desert, which
extends across the border into Pakistan.
Rajasthan is one of India's prime tourist
destinations. Nobody leaves here without
priceless memories and a bundle of
souvenirs.
Fast Facts
Area - 342,239 sq km
Population - 49.7 million
Capital - Jaipur
Climate
Summer (March to June) - Warm
Monsoon (July to August) - Warm
Winter (November to February)- Cool
and Pleasant
Clothing Summer - Cottons;
Winter - Light Woollens
Languages spoken - Hindi, Rajasthani
Best Time to Visit -
Mid-October to mid-March
Cities
Jaipur
 The state capital is known as the "Pink
City" because of the color of the stone
used exclusively in the walled city. Built
by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable
astronomer, this city is 260 years old. Be
sure to visit The City Palace, The Observatory,
Ram Niwas Gardens, Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the
State, with the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of
Victory, glittering with mirrors). Ascend to
the fort on elephant back.
Nargarh (Tiger fort), 15 kms to the
north-west of Jaipur, once a royal retreat
for
maharanis (queens), provides a breathtaking
view of the city. Jaigarh (the fort of victory) has the
world's largest cannon on wheels. Its
impressive water supply, storage system, and
museum are worth seeing.
Don't leave without a visit to the bazaars.
Pick up the typical embroidered leather
shoes, blue pottery, and tie and dye scarves
for gifts back home.
Mount Abu
The exquisitely sculptured ancient Dilwara
Temples have intricate ornamental carvings.
The five Jain temples were built starting at
the beginning of the 11th century.
Also visit the Achalgarh Fort, famous for
its Shiva Temple.
Enjoy a boat-ride on the placid water of
Nakki Lake studded with little islets.
 Jaisalmer
Right in the heart of the Thar desert, is an
intricately molded city made of burnished
sandstone. In ancient times, the surrounding
sand-dunes rendered the sand-coloured fort
impregnable. Today, Jaisalmer is an
inhabited city whose chief attractions are
the exquisite carvings and filigreed work on
the facades of havelis (private homes)
dating from the 12th to 15th century, and a
series of ornately carved Jain temples.
Close by is The Desert National Park - a
vast stretch of protected Bio-sphere Reserve
covering an area of over 3000 square kms.
This is the Great Indian Bustard's breeding
site. Inside the park are the awe inspiring
Sam Sand Dunes.
Jodhpur
Jodhpur's exquisite Meharangarh Fort,
situated on a low sandstone hill, is now a
museum. Visit
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The Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal
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Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble memorium
built in 1899
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The museum located in the Umaid Public
Gardens.
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Udaipur
Visit the city palace, Jagdish Temple,
Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki bari (Queen's
Resort for Her Friends) and Bhartiya Lok
Kala Mandir (Folk Art Museum). Cruise on the
Pichola Lake and drop in at the island
palace, Jag Niwas.
Ajmer
Approachable by road from Jaipur, is Ajmer,
with the Tomb of the Sufi Saint, Khwaja
Moinuddin Chisti, the Dargah Sharif. The
city, which was founded by the Chauhan
ruler, Aiaipal, during the 11th century, is
dominated by the Taragarh Fort built by
Prithiviraj Chauhan. Some 800 years ago, a
splendid embankment was built by the lovely
lake, Ana Sagar. Shahjahan, the Mughal
emperor, has erected 5 beautiful marble
pavilions here.
Bikaner
The city, founded by Raja Rai Singh, is
bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th
century fort housing old palaces, temples
and a mosque. The fort is distinguished by
its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of
balconies and aerial windows of varying
designs. An enormous arched doorway leads to
the Joramal Temple. The royal chapel, Har
Mandir, is where royal weddings and births
were once celebrated.
Sanganer
Sanganer is best known for its Jain temples
and carvings, as well as its hand made paper
and block-printed fabrics.
Bundi
Seldom visited Bundi is remarkable for its
palace fort and gallery of fine frescoes,
executed in the style for which the state is
famous.
Places to Visit
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur
This 29 sq km bird sanctuary has the largest
concentration and variety of water birdlife
in Asia, including nesting indigenous water
birds as well as migratory water birds and
water side birds. From October till December
the indigenous water birds nest in the
acacia trees around the lake. However, the
sanctuary has gained worldwide attention as
being the winter home of several migratory
species including the endangered Siberian
crane.
 Ranthambore National Park
Rajasthan's first Project Tiger reserve is
named after a 1000 year old fort which
stands in the park. Its' habitat is home to
the stately sambar, the largest of all
Asiatic deer. Tigers, cital, and wild boar
are also found here. Woodland, ground and
water-birds, including the uncommon red
jungle fowl and varieties of eagles, abound.
Sariska National Park
The second tiger reserve of Rajasthan is a
royal hunting lodge that has been converted
into a hotel. The 27,300 hectares of dense
dry deciduous forests, make it an ideal
habitat for the tiger, leopard, panther,
deer, porcupine, chowsingha, rhesus and
langur.
Gajner
Gajner Lake is surrounded by palaces. Drive
through the famous Gajner Wild Life Game
Sanctuary where you can see and photograph
black buck, chinkara, wild boar, blue bulls
and other animals in large herds. It is a
unique place for watching and photographing
the famous Siberian Imperial Sand Grouse in
the mornings, in the winter months, when
they come to the lake for drinking water.
Chittoragarh
113 kms. from Udaipur, the Fort of Chittor
was originally built by mighty Bhim, one of
the Pandava heroes of Mahabharata. The Vijay
Stambh, 37 metres high and having nine
storeys, was built by Maharana Kumbha to
commemorate his victory over the muslim
rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440. Kirti
Stambh, the Tower of Fame, 22 meters high is
covered with figures from the Jain Pantheon.
Deeg
32 kms from Bharatpur, Deeg is an 18th
century stronghold, whose massive
fortifications are surrounded by luxuriant
gardens, woods and pools. It is known for
its palaces which have richly carved
columns, cornices and eaves.
Mandore
Mandore, the ancient capital of Marwar (8
kms from Jodhpur), was abandoned for
strategic reasons. At the foot of the hills,
amidst gardens, commemorative cenotaphs line
the silent city. A shrine reputedly of 300
million Gods, contains life size statues of
local deities and heroes.
Osian
This former temple city has an 8th century
Surya (Sun) temple with carved pillars which
support a conical roof. The temple also has
an image of Goddess Durga. The 12th century
Sachiya Mata temple has a large assembly
hall with an elaborately carved ceiling and
exquisitely sculptured figures of several
Gods. The Mahavir Jain temple stands on a
wide terrace with a three-tiered roof and a
`torana' gateway.
Mandawa
Mandawa was founded in 1755 by Thakur Nawal
Singh and is still home to his descendants.
It houses a collection of armories,
costumes, canons, ancient coins, and many
other interesting items. Mandawa fort, one
of the finest in Rajasthan, is now a
charming hotel. Mandawa also has beautiful
frescoes, havelis and mansions.
Ramgarh
32 kms to the north-east of Jaipur, Ramgarh
is a favorite picnic spot for the locals
during the monsoons, when the huge
artificial lake fills up. The ruins of the
old fort and the temple of Jambwa Mata bear
testimony to the first settlement of the
Kachhawahas before they moved to Amer.
Ranakpur
98 kms from Udaipur are 15th-century Jain
Temples situated in the lovely valley of the
Aravali. Ranakpur has grand structures and
beautiful sculptures. There are 1444 pillars
in the temple and none of them are similar.
The Surya Temple is another attraction.
Samode
40 kms north-west of Jaipur, the old palace
of Samode is now a luxurious hotel
surrounded by hills. It has a most exotic
hall embellished with paintings and mirror
work.
Pushkar
This sleepy temple town (it has one of the
very few temples dedicated to Brahma the
Creator), with its placid lake, is
catapulted into prominence for 10 days every
November, when it becomes home to India's
most splendid camel fair.
Shekhawati
In the north of Rajasthan, Shekhavati is
approachable by road from Jaipur. The
greatest attraction here are the havelis
(deserted mansions) of local merchants
decorated with a profusion of wall
paintings. The subjects and styles vary
greatly, and are not encountered elsewhere
in India.
Barmer
Journey through the sun-drenched sands of
rural Rajasthan. Stop and see the mud-walled
houses decorated with delicate folk motifs.
Barmer, once on ancient camel trade routes,
is today a centre of wood carving, carpets,
embroidery and block printed fabrics.
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