RAJASTHAN TRAVEL GUIDE
| Rajasthan, India | |
| Established | 1 November 1956 |
| Area | 343,239 km (132,139 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | 68,621012 |
| Capital City | Jaipur |
| Largest City | Jaipur |
| Litercy | 68% |
| Official Language | Hindi |
Rajasthan a magical land that springs surprises at every turn. Its a land of contrasts. When you meet its teeming friendly people, so full of joy, colour and bonhomie you wonder, is this where bloody battles raged? The land of heroism and chivalry, where jauhar (voluntary accepting death by jumping into the ritual fire) was committed for the sake of pride, it is.
In Rajasthan, the cities are sprang up around citadals. They still retain their medieval flavor with forts and palaces, with havelies for people to stay, with temples and mosques for people to pray.
Vibrant bazaars, selling fabrics and jewellery, art and crafts that are millennia old. Yet here tradition goes hand in hand with the contemporary.
In this land of superlatives every things its people, customs, culture, costumes, manners dialects and even its cuisine is mesmerizing. Its ruins, relics and romances speak of the vicissitudes through which it has passed.
Rajasthan has, one of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli Range, cradles the only hill station of Rajasthan, Mount Abu, famous for Dilwara Temples, a sacred pilgrimage for Jains. Eastern Rajasthan has the world famous Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, a World Heritage Site known for its bird life. Rajasthan also has two national tiger reserves, Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserve, and a famous temple in Khatu, Sikar district, dedicated to Khatu Shyam Ji.
Plan to visit Rajasthan during festive season, you will be mesmerized by its folk dances that have a rhythm of their own. Ballads sung and the strains of melancholy melodies rent the air. Temple bells chime to declare the faith of the believers. Pilgrims throng to dedicate their beliefs to the one above.
Rajasthan the heritage state, today is a progressive region with well developed infrastructure and supporting institutions. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state is today a world class city with futuristic complexes, shopping malls, places of amusement and entertainment.
Rajasthan Tourism
Rajasthan is the most colourful region of Incredible India, whose topography ranges from barren desert, scrub thorn arid woodlands, rocky hills and ravines to wetlands and lush subtropical forests.The State, Rajasthan, has wide variety of tourist attractions to suit all tourist tastes forts, Palaces, havelies, temples dating back to 7th century, colourful fairs & festivals, art and craft, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, heritage hotels & Luxury swiss tents to relax.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF RAJASTHAN | |||
Ajmer
Ajmer is a pilgrimage centre for Muslims, though people from all religious backgrounds come to pray at the Dargarh of Saleem Chisti. The British developed Ajmer as an educational centre, and Mayo College, once an exclusive school for boys from royal families, is now among the country's best private school.……………more
Alwar
Once known as Mewat, the Rajput kingdom came under Muslim domination during 13th - 18th centuries with intermittent attempts to win it back which, Kachchawaha prince succeeded in doing in doing in 1771. Alwas has some beautiful lakeside palaces, but not all open for tourists.……………more
Barmer
Barmer is in the heart of the desert and is known for its quality of its wood and stone carvings.……………more
Banswara
Ribbed with streams and covered with dense forests, Banswara lies off the conventionals tourist circuit. Artificial lakes and dams, and the ruins of ancient temples make this an exciting place to discover.……………more
Bharatpur
The only Jat kingdom in the state - Rajasthan, the rock hard mud fortifications of its fort proved invincible even under repeated siege. However, Bharatpur is better known as a bird sactuary (keoladeo Ghana National Park).……………more
Bikaner
Founded by one of the scions of the house of Jodhpur, Bikaner's 15th century history combines adventure with enterprise. In later centuries, as an ally of the Mughals and the British, it was able to develop as a modern state, though its architectural attractions remain splendidly Rajput. One of the principal outposts of the desert, it is also a major centre for camel breeding.……………more
Bundi
Nestled in a fold of the Aravalli Hills, Bundi bristles with medieval enchantment. Its fortifications house palaces and apartments, artificial lakes and water-side pavilions. Ruled by the Hada Rajputs, Bundi is renowned for its Rasleela frescos.……………more
Chittaurgarh
The former capital of Sisodia Rulers of Udaipur, Chittaur perches stop the scraggy spine of the Aravalis. The few remaining palaces and towers are part of its stirring history.……………more
Deeg
The summer resort of rulers of Bharatpur, it is know for its Jat architecture and for the coloured fountains and pleasure pavilions that are contained within a fortified environment.
……………more
Dungarpur
A Bhil stronghold in the foothills of the Aravallis, this fertile region was created into a state in the 13th century. Since the natural protection afforded it isolation, a highly decorative style of architecture developed in Dungarpur.……………more
Jaipur
The capital of the modern state of Rajasthan, Jaipur is a modern city built according to the specifications laid down in ancient architectural texts. Famous as the Pink City on account of the flush colour of its sandstone palaces, it is a major centre for handicrafts.……………more
Jaisalmer
The western most citadel of the desert, Jaisalmer has an ancient history linked with its development as a trading centre. Jaisalmer is celebrated for the exquisite stone-carved havelis or mansions of the merchants who held the reins of its destiny.……………more
Jhalawar
A 19th century offshoot of Kota, its verdant landscape is unusual for a desert state. Its fort functions as a government office but the 9th century Gagron Fort close by is one of the most important citadels of Rajput history.……………more
Jodhpur
The 16th century capital of the Rathore Rajputs, Jodhpur's history is evident in the hilltop eyrie, Mehrangarh, from where its destiny was written.……………more
Kota
One of few perennial rivers in Rajasthan, the Chambal is flanked by verdure and fertile plains. Located on its banks, Kota is a modern, industrialized city , but its antecedents are as romantic as any other Rajput kingdom. This is evident in its many palaces, and the large fort with its fabulous paintings known for their hunting scenes.……………more
Kumbhalgarh
Built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha of Chittaurgarh, Kumbhalgarh is Rajasthan's highest fort, and its most formidable.……………more
Mount Abu
A summer retreat in the Aravallis with a large Nakki lake and several temples, it also doubles as a pilgrimage centre with its 11th - 13th century Dilwara Jain temples known for the quality of their sculpturing.……………more
Nagaur
Located between Bikaner and Jodhpur, yet largely bypassed, Nagaur serves as an important link in the state's martial history, and its fort has frescos in the Mughal and Rajput styles.……………more
Pushkar
A pilgrimage centre with the only temple in India dedicated to Brahma, the creator, Pushkar is the venue of an annual camel fair.……………more
Ranakpur
A 15th century group of temples raised by Jain merchants, these are characterized by the fine quality of their carving.……………more
Ranthambhor
The fort of Ranthambhor has been abandoned to nature for in this national park, the tiger has right of stay. One of the country's finest tiger reserves, its topography of low hills and large lakes provides a tranquil idyll.……………more
Sariska
A tiver reserve, Sariska is densely wooded, making sightings difficult, though the picturesque park is also home to deer, langurs and avifauna.……………more
Shekhawati
A region of small towns, Shekhawati is primarily known for its havelis or mansions richly ornamented with frescos that, over time, ranged from the sacred to the secular, and from thet sublime to the ridiculous.……………more
Udaipur
A lake city, and the capital of the Ranas of Mewar, founded in the 16th century, Udaipur is know for its fairytale palaces that nestle along the banks of a lake, or completely cover islands in its midst.……………more
