Rajasthan

Jaipur

Widely known as the ‘Pink City ‘, Jaipur is color washed pink to welcome Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria of England who visited India in 1883 A.D. The city was founded in 1727 A.D by one of the greatest ruler Jai Singh II. Jaipur is surrounded by hills on three sides, crowned by formidable forts and majestic palaces, mansions and gardens. Jaipur is the only city in the world, which is sub-divided in to nine rectangular sectors symbolizing nine divisions of universe. Jaipur is the first planned city designed in accordance with ‘Shilpa Shastra’- epochal treatise of Hindu architecture.

Places to See:

Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort, Birla Mandir, Sisodia Gardens, Birla Planetarium, Jal Mahal, Nawab Ki Haveli, Galtaji’s Temple.

Ajmer

Founded in 1100 AD by Aijpal Chauhan, Ajmer derives its name from `Ajaya Meru' the invincible hill, at the foot of which the present city stands. Ajmer owes its composite culture to the reign of many dynasties that came, ruled and left, leaving behind indelible marks of their culture and traditions. Ajmer is situated in a valley surrounded by the Aravali hills, 131kms west of Jaipur. ‘Dargah Khwaja Sahib’ is one of the holiest Muslim shrines in the country. The city has some splendid masterpieces of Indo-Islamic architecture.

‘Pushkar’, 11kms west of Ajmer, along the picturesque Pushkar Lake lies the tranquil town with deep religious significance. The biggest attraction is being the temple of Lord Brahma. Pushkar fair is one of the largest and colorful cattle fair in the world.

Places to See:

Adhai-Din-Ka-Jhonpra, Ana Sagar Lake, Circuit House, Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Soniji ka Nasiyan, Mayo College, Swami Dayanand Saraswati Smarak, Taragarh Fort and the Museum.

Udaipur

On the banks of the shimmering lake Pichola, is one of the most romantic cities of Rajasthan. Nestled among the lush hills of the Aravallis, it has inevitably been dubbed the 'Venice of the East'. It is a kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carries the flavor of the heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry.

Founded in 1568 A.D by Maharana Udai Singh, the city is a harmonious Indian blend of whitewashed buildings, marble palaces, lakeside gardens, Udaipur 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 marvelous architecture of the palaces is spell bounding.

Chittaurgarh

Chittaurgarh, the town known for its massive fort atop hill, crowned on a 6kms long hill, covering an area of 280 hectares with fortifications, temples, towers and palaces. The city can be single out for its glorious past and valor, unique to the Rajput tradition. Chittaurgarh is fortified settlement, which is history witnessed a number of sieges but refused to bow before foreign invaders. Tales of Princess Padmini are told here who was known for her chivalry and beauty. A ruined citadel, where the royal past lives in its imposing forts and palaces.

Places to See:

Chittaurgarh Fort, Vijay Stambha, Kirti Stambha, Rana-Kumbha Palace, Padmini Palace, Meera Temple and Kumbha Shyam Temple and Kalika Mata Temple, State Archaeological Museum.

Mount Abu

The only hill station of Rajasthan, crowning at the highest peak of the Aravali hills at altitude of 1220 meters. It is 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.

Places to See:

Adhar Devi Temple, Andhra Point (Honeymoon Point), Dilwara Jain Temple, Gaumukh, Nakki Lake, Red Temple, Shri Raghunathji Temple, Sunset Point, Traver's Tank.

Jodhpur

The home of Rathores – The awesome princely city of Rajasthan. Founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha, today Jodhpur is one of the largest city of Rajasthan. Once the capital city of the Marwar State, crowning it is the imposing Mehrangarh Fort. The old city is situated at foothill of a hillock. The city built in a high wall 10kms, long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions. Umaid Bhawan Palace could be defined as Taj Mahal of North India. The city carries rich heritage and culture and flourishing industry of wood, cattle, camels, salt and agricultural crops.

Places to See:

Bharatahari Cave, Gopal Mandir, Jantar Mantar, Kailadah Palace, Mahakali Temple, Sandipani Ashram, Shipra Ghats, Vikram University Museum.

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer, the city of the golden fort is a fantasy in yellow sandstone in the heart of the Thar Desert. Rawla Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput King, founded the city in the year 1156 A.D.

Perched atop the Trikuta Hill, it stands tall against miles of gleaming sand. The sunset has a peculiar glow here. As the night descends, the sky goes up in flames, which fade leaving a few embers, till it becomes black. A breathtaking sight indeed! Every house, here, is exquisitely
Jaisalmer carved, having filigreed work all over. These houses date back to 12th – 15th century. And hence Jaisalmer is called ’the Museum city’.

Places to See:

Golden Fort with 99 bastions, Jain Temple, Gyan Bhandar, Salim Sing Ki Haveli, Patwon ki Haveli, Nathumal ki Haveli & Amar Sagar, Mool Sagar, Gadisar Lake, Jain Temples.

Bikaner

This is 500-year-old town standing still in time. The rulers here built beautiful forts that echo of opulence and images of monsoon clouds in this dry land. The wealth of its architectural heritage lies in its forts, palaces and temples– magnificent creations in red and yellow sandstone, are living. Here is a temple where rats are held sacred. Today the city is known for flourishing industries of food, wool and camel breeding.

The genesis of Bikaner dates back to 1488A.D, when a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji, son of Rao Jodhaji of Jodhpur, chose a barren wilderness called ’Jangladesh’ and transformed it to a charming city called ’Bikaner’, after the founder’s name. Not only do the traditions come alive here in colourful bazaars and Havelis, but Bikaner is also famous for the best riding camels in the world.

Places to See:

Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, and Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, Bhandeshwar Jain Temple.

Ranthambhor National Park

The town is experience of royal past and encounter with majestic tiger. The area became a hunting preserve of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in A.D. Sprawling over a undulating terrain of Aravali and Vindhyan ranges is wilderness of Ranthambhor National Park. The park is one of the finest Tiger Reserve of India. A system of three artificial lakes enhances beauty of the park.

Places to See:

Amreshwar Mahadev- 8 kms, Mahavirji-110 kms, Kela Devi- 125 kms, Shivad- 30 kms, Khandar- 60 kms, Rameshwaram- 90 kms in Khandar Area.

Barmer

Tiny yet lively town in sun-drenched sands, Barmer is a miniature Rajasthan with all its colour, warmth and tradition. According to history, the 13th century founder of the district, Bahada Rao (popularly known as Bar Rao) gave the town its name - Barmer, i.e., the hill fort of Bar.

Although a barren land with harsh climate and rough terrain, Barmer is known for its rich crafts, dances and music. Once on the ancient camel trade route, the town is now the center for woodcarving, pottery, carpets, intricate embroidery work, block printed fabrics and multi-hued traditional costumes. Every year in March, the desert town is at its colorful best during the exuberant Barmer festival.

Places to See:

Barmer: Perched on a rocky hill, the town has ruins of an old fort. Of interest are a temple dedicated to Balark (the Sun) and the ancient ruins of Juna Barmer. The three Jain temples, an inscription of 1295 AD and a massive pillar in the hall of the largest temple of Maharaja Kula Sri Samanta Sinha Deva, a ruler of Bahadmera (Barmer) are also worth a visit.

Alwar

Alwar is nestled between clusters of small hills of the Aravali range. It is the gateway tone of the finest wildlife sanctuary – Sariska that is an excellent home of tigers, birds and variety of animals. Apart from its long history, the city has a rich heritage with some beautiful lakes and picturesque valleys thickly wooded in parts. The medieval fort crowning a scarped hill, over looks the town below. Rao Pratap Singh founded Alwar in 1775 A.D.

Places to See:

City Palace, Museum, Puran Vihar, Sagar (tank) Bala Fort, Vinay Vilas Mahal.

Bharatpur

Bharatpur, along with Deeg and Dholpur, holds an important place in the history of Rajasthan. Visited mainly for Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur is a small town. Located near the world famous bird sanctuary amidst 40 acres of landscape environs, the Laxmi Villas Palace was built in 1899, for the younger brother of the Maharaja of Bharatpur. The architecture is a blend of the Mughal and the Rajputana styles. Today government offices and a museum occupy most of the forts. The museum in the fort has some interesting sculptures, collected from various ancient and early medieval sites in nearby areas.

Places to See:

Keoladeo Ghana Sanctuary, it is famous for rare avian species. Bharatpur Fort, Government Museum, Bharatpur Palace.

Kumbhalgarh

The formidable medieval citadel- Kumbhalgarh stands a wary sentinel to the past glory. Rising from a prominent ridge, 1914 meters high from the sea level, the fort was built in 15th century A.D by Maharana Kumbha and is the principal fortification after Chittaurgarh, lying 90kms northwest of Udaipur.

The massive fort, encompassed by 36kms long wall (2nd largest wall after the great wall of China) has seven majestic gates and seven ramparts, one within the other. Rounded bastions and soaring watch towers strengthen the crenellated walls of the fort making it an impregnable structure.

Places to See:

Kumbhalgarh Fort & Kumbhalgarh Wild Life Sanctuary, Haldi Ghati.

Kota

Rao Madho Singh, who was nominated as the ruler by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan, formed Kota in 1631 A.D. The city is known for impressive forts, opulent palaces and splendid temples dating back over several centuries retain the past glory with an exciting contrast to the modern edifices and industries. Standing over the river Chambal is commanding 'Garh-fort Palace', dating back to the time when Kota was a part of Hada Rajput kingdom.

Places to See:

Kumbhalgarh Fort & Kumbhalgarh Wild Life Sanctuary, Haldi Ghati.

Bundi

This picturesque little town in Rajasthan, the atmosphere of which more or less remains, fills a narrow valley in the oldest hills in India: the Aravallis. This walled town, 37 km north of Kota, lies in the north of the former Hadaoti state, shielded on the north, east and west by jagged outcrops of the Vindhya range. Bundi, renown for its intricate paintings and murals, made a perfect capital of a major princely state during the heyday of the Rajputs

According to legend, back in the 12th century, restless young nobles of the warrior Chauhan clan conquered the Bhil and Meena tribals of these lands.. Kota was a part of Bundi until its separation in 1624 at the instigation of the Mughal emperor, Jehangir.

Places to See:

Taragarh Fort or Star Fort, Palace, Chitra Mahal, Phool Sagar Palace, Nagar Sagar Kund, Sukh Mahal, Shikar Burj, Rani Ki Baori.