Rajasthan, a north western state in India, has a range of attractions to offer visitors. There is no denying the regal heritage of its ornate palaces and forts. Add to this the romance of its desert landscape, pilgrimage places and national parks and it is easy to see why it is one of the top tourist destinations in India.
Getting there
Jaipur, the capital, has an international airport and is also easily accessible by road and rail from Delhi. Domestic airports in Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer offer connections to Mumbai, Delhi and Aurangabad.
Main attractions
Jaipur – Rajasthan’s capital is popularly known as ‘The Pink City’ because of its rose colored palaces and forts made from pink sandstone. The city is known for Rajput and Mughal architecture, including the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the winds), the City Palace and the 16th century Amber Fort located on a hill in the outskirts. Jaipur is also a good shopping destination for textiles and gemstones.
Udaipur – The ‘city of lakes’, as Udaipur is known, is scenic with palaces bordering lakes and views of the Aravalli Hills in the background. Popular attractions include the City Palace complex, which is the largest in the state and the beautiful Lake Palace (earlier known as Jag Niwas Palace) in the center of Lake Pichola.
Jaisalmer – In the middle of the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer offers the romance of the desert with sand dunes and stark scenery. Made from yellow sandstone, the Jaisalmer Fort (also known as the ‘Golden Fort’) is a majestic sight.
Ajmer – The city is a base for Rajasthan’s famous Pushkar Fair, a camel festival that takes place in November every year. Additionally, an ancient Brahma temple nearby makes it a center for Hindu pilgrims. Ajmer also a popular place of pilgrimage for the Muslims as the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi, a Sufi Saint, is located here.
Ranthambore National Park – In the district of Sawai Madhopur, around 130 km from Jaipur, Ranthambore was once the hunting ground of the Rajput Maharajahs. It is now popular for its wildlife safaris to see tiger and other animal species.
Best time to visit
Due to its desert terrain, Rajasthan experiences an extreme climate. Summers are unbearably hot. The months from October to March have the coolest weather. In December and January, the night temperature in the desert region can drop to as low as 1°C.
