An Epic Land of Art and Culture
Rajasthan – the Land of Kings – is located on the North Western side of India. It is the largest Indian state by area with most of the area covered by the Thar Desert. Rajasthan shares border with Pakistani provinces and five Indian states – Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. If you want to see India at its vibrant best, visit Rajasthan.
The massive forts and palaces will take you to the world of fairy tales. Rajasthan is not just the home to chivalrous kings and battle field of the brave warriors; it also holds religious, cultural and artistic significance. From the ruins of Indus Valley Civilization at Kalibanga to national tiger reserves to the lively folk music and dance, Rajasthan presents a kaleidoscope of experiences.
Jaipur, Alwar, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Pushkar, Udaipur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Mount Abu, Bharatpur, Bundi, Chittaurgarh, Kota, Ranakpur, Shekhawari
24°C to 45°C
(April to June) 40°C to 45°C
(July to Sep) 30°C to 36°C
(Oct to Feb)
Rajasthan, Land of Kings and one of the most unique and colourful provinces in northern India
Travellers of all genres have been fascinated with this royal state of India. From palatial architecture to vibrantly colourful& unique culture, from adventure to spiritualism, it is all there in Rajasthan. This is a traditionally and culturally rich state with cities that reflect the true essence of the state. Some of the major cities that you must cover on your trip to Rajasthan include Jaipur, Alwar, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Pushkar, Bikaner, Ajmer, Mount Abu, Bharatpur, Bundi, Chittaurgarh and others. Every city or town or village here stores something or the other for tourists. Jaipur, the state capital, provides a grand entry to the state. This city is known for its palaces, forts, heritage monuments, lakes, traditional marketplaces and more. Nearby, there is Chawki Dhani, which is not to be missed. This village-cum-resort is worth an evening for a prismatic experience of Rajasthani culture. The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and Ranthambore National Park have also interested global travellers. Jodhpur is another prime city of Rajasthan, dotted with forts. The Mehrangarh fort is never to be missed. Udaipur, the lake city is one of the most romantic getaways. Lake Palaces with intricate designs & lavish architecture, Temples and more have attracted tourists for generations. Along with these Bikaner, Ajmer, Mount Abu, Bharatpur, Bundi, Pushkar, Chittaurgarh etc., are also prime places of tourism. When in Rajasthan, do not miss a desert safari at the Thar Deserts in Jaisalmer. Adventure lovers often go for night safaris and camping into desert and the Aravali Mountains.
Rajasthan never disappoints travellers who are always looking for ways to get adrenaline rush. Some of the adventure activities to indulge in are (a) Camping - Camping amidst the Thar Desert will surely be a magical experience. Camps have all the basic amenities and also arrange bonfire with music and dance under the clear sky. Although, you can do camping in most of the cities, head to Jaisalmer or Jodhpur to experience more; (b) Hot Air Ballooning - Get a breathtaking view of the heritage sites in a hot air balloon. The activity is currently offered by many travel and adventure sport companies in Jaipur and Pushkar. (c) Camel Safari - Explore the rustic villages andthe golden desert on a camel safari. It is a popular adventure activity in Rajasthan becauseone gets to see the rural life closely.
This princely state of India has some of the best national parks such as Ranthambore National Park, National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Sariska National Park and Mount Abu Sanctuary. The accommodation options include a stay in resort, camp or lodge. Rajasthan has rich flora and fauna even when a large area of the land is desert. The Desert National Park in Jaisalmer is a good example of the ecosystem of the desert and diverse fauna. There are massive fossilized tree trunks and seashells in the park. Harriers, laggar falcons, tawny eagles, kestrels, vultures and buzzards are easily spotted in the park. Unique and rare growing herbs are found in the Dhosi Hill in Jhunjunu. The Tak Chhapar Sanctuary in Sujangarh is home to caracal, desert foxes, blackbuck and partridge.
Owing to deep rooted culture & heritage, people at Rajasthan are religious and ardent followers of rites & rituals. The state has numerous religious places like temples, lakes and more. The Pushkar Lake is one of the most sacred places for Hindus. The lake is believed to be created from the lotus petals that fell on the earth from the hands of Lord Brahma. There are around 50 bathing ghats and more than 400 temples around the lake. A dip in the lake is believed to have healing powers. The Shiva Temple, also known as the Neelkanth temple, near the Sariska National Park in Alwar is populously visited by the locals. It is one of the important temples that survived after Mughal emperor. Shiva temple is believed to be built by the Pandavas. There is a Meera temple in Chittorgarh, which has historical and religious importance and is dedicated to Meera Bai, a devotee of Lord Krishna. Located near Sadri town, Rankpur temples are one of the five important pilgrimages of Jainism. These were built in 15th century. The Chaumukha temple is the most important of all the five temples and is dedicated to Lord Adinath. The Dargah Shareef in Ajmer is the resting place of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-Ud-Din Chisti. It is one of the most holy places in Islam and is visited by millions of pilgrims every year. Dargah Shareef was built by Mughals and has the original tomb of the saint.
A number of fairs and festivals are held in the incredible Rajasthan. The display of state's legacy, folk songs, fold dance, and delicacies is something common in every fair and festival. Some of the popular events to attend are Mewar festival, Pushkar fair, desert festival, camel fair and kite festival. More like itsvibrantculture and colourful attire, Rajasthani food has multiple dimensions. Though it is generally very spicy, but people love the taste. Most of the restaurants serve vegetarian food. Dal-baati-churma is the most popular Rajasthani dish made from wheat flour, jaggery, lentil, and ghee. Non-vegetarians must try Lal-maans, a spicy delicacy made of lamb meat.
Rajasthan is a shopper's paradise. A trip to the state is incomplete without buying the traditional handicrafts, artefacts, jewellery, stone carving, blue pottery, semi-precious stones, terracotta items, tie and dye products and textile. When shopping in local stores, remember that bargain is the keyword.
Summers are hot and dry in Rajasthan and the average temperature can go beyond 45 degree Celsius. Avoid planning a trip between April-June. Winters are pretty pleasant in Rajasthan, except the desert where it is chilling at night. Most people speak Hindi and Rajasthani. Tourist places have trained English and French guides also.
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