Rajasthan: The land of the royal palaces
The land of the royals - kings and warriors - and the proud Rajput community, Rajasthan is a beautiful desert state that’s both colourful and barren at the same time. This contrast of the dry and the vivid is what sets this flamboyant state apart. The ornately royal palaces sitting on sun-lit lakes, the sounds of Iktara in barren desert lands, the mouth-watering Rajasthani Thali and the mesmerising folk dances
- Rajasthan assimilates such cultural richness.
The state’s affinity to art and culture stems from its rich legacy of kings and royal aristocrats from the ancient times. Rajasthani Kings - most of them hailing from Baroli and Hatodi regions, had special inclination towards arts and paintings. This is why the palaces here are possibly the most ornate in India, the jewellery and clothing the most intricately crafted. Rajasthan also offers an array of touristy and offbeat places to visit and experience.
Top 3 reasons to visit Rajasthan –
1] The lands of festivals: Throughout the peak season (Nov-Feb), Rajasthan enjoys several festivals. Starting from the Jaipur Literature Festival in January every year, other festivals are Pushkar, Desert Festival, Kite Festival, Camel Festival, Teej Festival and tourists may enjoy one or other festivals each time they visit Rajasthan.
2] Ornate forts and palaces: Rajasthan is known for the most ornate royal palaces, some of which are now converted into heritage hotels, making it possible for tourists to get a taste of royal life during their stay in the state. Some of these palaces are Hawa Mahal (Jaipur), Taj Lake Palace (Udaipur), Lalgarh Palace (Bikaner), Umaid Bhavan Palace (Jodhpur), Patwon ki Haveli (Jaisalmer) among others.
3] Desert Safari: Rajasthan is famous around the world for its exotic desert experience where you can enjoy desert camping and desert safaris in the Thar Desert.
Jaipur -- Known to the world as "The Pink City", Jaipur has rich and magnificent stucco structures that border the city's vast streets. Spend your days seeing the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and the forts of Amber and Jaigarh. If you're searching for a one-of-a-kind memento, go to one of the local bazaars and take in some local flavours.
Jodhpur -- Jodhpur, Rajasthan's second biggest city, is also known as the Blue City, named due to the vibrant blue colour dominating most of its forts, palaces, temples, havelis, and even residences. The sturdy fortifications that soar above this lovely city add up to a show you won't want to miss.
Udaipur -- Udaipur, known as the 'Venice of the East,' is a city of lakes surrounded by blue water lakes and bordered in by lush green Aravallis hills. The city is well-known for its abundance of zinc and marble. The solar observatory at Lake Fateh Sagar is India's sole observatory on an island, and it was designed after Big Bear Lake in Southern California.
Jaisalmer -- Serving as the guardian of Rajasthan's (and India's) western border, this 'Golden City' enjoys proximity with the Pakistani border and the Thar Desert. If geology is something you're into, Jaisalmer is the place to go. The Wood Fossil Park, also known as Aakal, is around 15 kilometres from the city. Here, geologic catastrophes that occurred 180 million years ago in the Thar Desert may be discovered and traced.
Bikaner -- Bikaner is home to one of just two British biplane variants utilised during World War I. The British gave them to Maharaja Ganga Singh, the city's monarch at the time. The sand dunes that are distributed across the region, particularly from the north-east to the south, are another distinctive feature of Bikaner.One of the first formed cities in India has retained its old wealth via palaces and forts made of red sandstone that have weathered the test of time.
Chittorgarh -- Chittorgarh is filled with tales of Rajput courage, pride, and romance. Rajasthan's bards sing songs of bravery and sacrifice, narrating stories known to everyone in the city. Chittorgarh is named after its most imposing monument, the Chittorgarh Fort, which is sprawled across 700 acres and rises atop a 180-metre-high hill.
Ajmer -- Ajmer is a lively city 130 kilometres southwest of Jaipur and 14 kilometres from the holy site of Pushkar. Ajmer draws its name from "Ajay Meru," which translates approximately as "invincible hill." Ajmer, which is home to a variety of tourist attractions, is a great depiction of the diversity of Indian culture and ethics, displaying a beautiful combination of religion, community, culture, and so on, all thriving and growing in harmony. Ajmer is still a famous tourist destination, as well as a Hindu and Muslim pilgrimage site.
Alwar --Alwar, a charming city nestled in the Aravali Mountains, is home to a diverse population and a long history. Alwar is known for its magnificent fort, spectacular City Palace, and vibrant marketplaces.
Amer Fort -- The Amer Fort, one of India's most spectacular palaces, is perched on a hill near Jaipur. The maze-like corridors and serpentine stairs of the Amber Fort, , are an architectural marvel and of considerable importance in Indian history. Amer Fort is a cluster of pink and yellow sandstone buildings around 11 kilometres from Jaipur. Akbar's most trusted commander, Maharaja Man Singh I, built Amer Fort in 1592, which served as the Rajput Rulers' principal palace.
Bharatpur National Park -- Bharatpur National Park, currently known as the Keoladeo National Park, is a renowned avifauna refuge and a birdwatcher's dream come true. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Acres of grasslands, forests, wooded swamps, and marsh make up the 29-square-mile reserve called Ghana in the local language. 366 bird species, 379 flower species, 50 species of fish, 13 species of snakes, 5 species of lizards, 7 frog species, 7 turtle species, and a variety of other invertebrates may be found in these various ecosystems, as well.
City Palace, Jaipur -- Located in the historic area of Jaipur, the City Palace is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. The huge palace complex, constructed over a seven-year period by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, took up one-seventh of the city's walled perimeter. It was, in reality, the palace of Jaipur's Maharaja. The Chandra Mahal and the Mubarak Mahal are two of the many courtyards, structures, and gardens that make up the palace.
Mount Abu -- Mount Abu, the summer capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan, is located on the highest point in the Aravali range amidst beautiful green, wooded hills. It's a perfect getaway because of the area's mild and comforting temperature.
Pushkar -- Pushka is a quaint temple town located roughly 15 kilometers from Ajmer in Rajasthan. A wonderful alternative for a weekend vacation from Jaipur, Pushkar boasts an assortment of eateries and hostels for a backpacking adventure. Every November, Pushkar hosts Pushkar Mela, one of the greatest camel fairs in the country.
Ranthambore National Park -- As one of Northern India's largest and most known national parks, Ranthambore is home to a diverse range of wildlife. It was formerly a hunting site for the Maharajas of Jaipur.
Hawa Mahal -- Hawa Mahal was erected in 1799 and is located in the Pink City of Jaipur. On the outside, there are 953 windows. The honeycomb-shaped and elegantly carved windows enable the air to flow through the castle, making it a great summer palace. It was created as an addition to the neighboring City Palace.
The Kachhwaha Rajput king, Sawai Pratap Singh, ordered Lal Chand Usta to build an extension to the Royal City Palace in 1799. The Purdah system was tightly maintained at the time. It is forbidden for Rajput royal ladies to be seen by strangers or in public places. The creation of the Hawa Mahal allowed the royal women to enjoy public street views and royal processions without being observed.
Hawa Mahal is devoted to Hindu God Krishna. The form of the structure is thought to mirror Krishna's crown. For more than just being a royal palace, the Hawa Mahal is also a cultural and architectural masterpiece that perfectly blends Hindu Rajput and Islamic Mughal architectural forms. The domed canopies and fluted pillars of the Rajput style may be observed, while the stone carving and the arches of the Mughal style are magnificent examples of architecture.
Jaisalmer Fort -- Jaisalmer Fort, atop the Thar Desert's golden dunes, is a mini-town with dwellings, temples, stores, and restaurants in Jaisalmer city. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the category of Indian Hill Forts. Jaisalmer Fort was named after Bhati Rajput monarch Rao Jaisal.
The Bhati Rajput monarch Rawal Jaisal erected the fort in 1156 to dethrone his nephew Bhojdev. The fort has seen several fights and wars. Ala-Ud-din-Khilji assaulted the Fort again in the 13th century, forcing the Rajput women to self-immolate. The historic Silk Route passed through Jaisalmer Fort during the medieval period.
Incredibly primitive Islamic and Rajputana style building, Jaisalmer Fort. This massive edifice looks magnificent at night under the moonlight. The Golden Fort complex includes palaces, temples, residences, wells, and Havelis, all made of light yellow sandstone that reflects a gentle golden colour during the day and honey-gold at dusk. The balconies, windows, and arches of havelis had exquisite carvings and decorations.
Jal Mahal -- Jal Mahal, a magnificent and serene palace on the outskirts of Jaipur, sits peacefully in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. The Nahargarh Hills surround this magnificent work of art. Visitors from all over the world are awestruck by this low-rise, symmetrical Palace, which was previously a shooting lodge for the Maharajas.
Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh is said to have commissioned the construction of Jal Mahal, which translates as "Water Palace," in 1799 in order to use it as a hunting lodge for ducks.
Inspired by the Rajput architecture, Jal Mahal is a five-storey palace. Only the fifth storey can be seen because the other four are flooded. Located in the corners of the palace are four octagon-shaped chhatris made of red sandstone. Maharaja Jai Singh II rebuilt it in the 18th century and added twenty-one elegant pillars that serve as the royal family's tombs.
Fateh Sagar Lake -- As its name suggests, Fateh Sagar Lake was constructed northwest of Udaipur in honor of Maharana Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar. For more than two centuries, it has served as the city's second-largest lake.
Lake Pichola -- Located in the middle of the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan, Lake Pichola is the city's oldest and largest lake, Lake Pichola, attracts thousands of visitors each year due to its peacefulness and natural beauty. It's a haven for serenity and environment lovers, surrounded by majestic mountains, historic structures, and bathing ghats.
Jaisamand Lake -- The 100-square-kilometer Jaisamand Lake is the country's second-largest man-made lake. There are several unique species and migratory birds living in the Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary that surrounds it. The lake is a true man-made marvel that combines natural and man-made beauty.
Mehrangarh Fort -- Rao Jodha erected Mehrangarh, commonly known as Mehran Fort, in 1459 in Jodhpur. It is surrounded by enormous walls and sits on a 410 foot high hill. The fort's beautiful hilltop entryway includes seven gates. They are Victory, Fateh, Gopal, Bhairon, Dedh Kamgra, Marti, and Loha. Each one was created at a different time and for a distinct reason. The Fort and palaces were erected over 500 years, combining elements of mid-15th century architecture with 20th century design.
Sam Sand Dunes -- A few of the Sam Sand Dunes' peaks reach 30-60 meters in height, making them among the greatest and most unique attractions in the country. Golden yellow sand dunes are located around 40-42 kilometers from the Jaisalmer city, and run for about 2 kilometers across a peaceful and undulating portion of the Jaisalmer Desert National Park's boundaries.
Umaid Bhawan Palace -- Voted as the Best Hotel in the world by several travel websites, Umaid Bhawan Palace is also a significant tourist destination in Jodhpur.. Because of its location atop the highest point in Jodhpur, the Chittar Hill, it is often referred to as the Chittar Palace. The Palace provides great hospitality coupled with history tours to outstanding dining experiences. It was recently in the headlines for being the wedding venue for the world renowned celebrities Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas.
The palace includes two Beaux Arts wings. The palace's interior woodwork was made of golden yellow sandstone, Makrana marble, and Burmese Teak wood. The palace contained 347 apartments, multiple gardens, and a 300-person dining hall.