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Rajasthan, "The Land of Kings" is on the travel itinerary of most tourists, local or international. The state is known for its vibrant culture, colourful clothes, friendly people and breath taking historic monuments. Impregnable forts and palaces, picturesque lakes, shimmering deserts and exotic wild lives - Rajasthan offers you a heady mix. Tourist attractions in Rajasthan lie in its intriguing heritage, colorful villages and vibrant songs and dances.
Tourist Places in Rajasthan
Some of the popular cities in Rajasthan are:
Jaipur
The capital city of Rajasthan is home to a host of tourist attractions in Rajasthan.
Architectural marvels like Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, the Observatory, Jal Mahal, Jaigarh Fort bears testimony to the technological advancements in a bygone age and grandiose lifestyles of Indian Maharajas.
- Located in the Pink City, Jaipur, the City Palace is a beautiful amalgamation of Mughal and Rajput architecture. This mammoth palace covers one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur.
- Albert Hall Museum is located in the midst if the Ram Niwas Bagh in Jaipur. This museum has an interesting array of exceptional articles such as textiles, carpets, paintings, metal, wood crafts, pottery, arms and weapons.
Udaipur
The landscaped city is often dubbed as the "Venice of the East". The City Palace Museum, Sahelion ki Bari, Jag mandir, the temples of Nathwada and Eklingji would remind you the glories of a romantic past. An evening boat cruise in the Lake Pichola, around which picturesque forts, palaces and havelis stand, would amount to a fairytale experience. You can also take an excursion to Rankapur, Kumbhalgarh and Chittorgarh.
- Built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh as a medium sized perennial storage reservoir, the mesmerizing Fateh Sagar Lake is located to the north of the Lake Pichola and is known as the pride of the lake city of Udaipur. The lake is surrounded by hills on three sides and the Pratap Memorial on the fourth and makes for a beautiful sight. The Lake Pichola is an artificial fresh water lake created in 1362 and was named after the neighbouring Pichola village. It is famous for its picturesque location.
- Located in Udaipur, Sahelion Ki Bari is a garden which was once reserved for the royal ladies who came here for a stroll. Constructed in the 18th century by Maharana Sangram Singh, Sahelion Ki Bari is a well planned garden located on the banks of the beautiful Fateh Sagar Lake.
Jodhpur
On the edge of the Great Indian Desert, in this city, a chivalrous and sensuous past comes alive in the invincible Meharan Garh Fort, the sprawling Umaid Bhawan Palace, the graceful cenotaph of Jaswant Thada, the beautiful Madore Garden. Take an excursion to the nearby tribal Bishnoi village to visit the to exotic wild life & nature.
Located in Jodhpur the Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the world's largest private residences. The Umaid Bhawan Palace was designed by Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester and is a blend of eastern and western architectural influences.
Jaisalmer
In the heart of the desert, this is the city of famous Golden Fort. The yellow sandstone that the fort is made of, takes a shimmering golden hue with the beams of the setting sun. Visit the intricately carved havelis (palaces). A camel safari would take you right into the desert, which is one of the prime tourist attractions in Rajasthan. Ride through the sandy track and pitch your tent in the evening amid the rolling sand dunes. Camp fire, mashaals, folk dances and music - it is a tale from the Arabian Nights.
Pushkar
Lying around the sacred Pushkar Lake, the idyllic township is the holy place. The place houses the only Brahma Temple in the world. During the Pushkar Festival in October-November, millions of people gather to take a dip in the holy lake. Close by, lie the holy place, Ajmer.
Ranthambore
Sprawling over the rugged terrain of Aravali and Vindhyan ranges, this is one of the finest Tiger Reserves in India. Once the private hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, it is home to many other animals like: bear, wild boar, Leopard, Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai, Jungle cat etc.
Apart from the above, Rajasthan has a lot to offer tourists and here are some more places in the state that you should not miss.
- Amer Fort (Amer): This fort is located in Amer, 11 km from Jaipur and was built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh. This fort is a beautiful blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The Rajputs used the Amer Fort from the 16th century to the foundation of Jaipur in 1727 both for defense and residential purposes.
- Chittorgarh Fort (Chittorgarh): Located in Chittorgarh, this fort is the largest in India and has witnessed three bloody sieges and Jauhars (A Rajput tradition in which ladies from royal households immolate themselves in fire to save themselves from the hands of the enemy, when there was no chance of defeating the enemy.)The Chittorgarh fort was constructed by the Mauryan's in the 7th century AD and was ruled by the Guhilot and later by the Sisodias; the Suryavanshi clans of the Chattari Rajputs from the 7th century until it was abandoned in 1568 after Emperor seized the fort in 1567.
- Dargah Sharif (Ajmer): Located in Ajmer, this Dargah dedicted to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is one of the most holy Muslim shrines in India and is also visited by Hindus and Sikhs.
- Pushkar: Located in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan, Pushkar is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site. A dip in the sacred lake is equal to the visit to the four main Hindu shrines known as the Chaar Dhaam. The Pushkar Lake is surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the fourth side and is famous for a large scale cattle fair held every year in November.
- Shrijinath Temple (Nathdwara): Located 48 km away from Udaipur this is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna with his image carved out of a single block of black marble. Set in the middle of beautiful hills, this is said to be the second richest temple in India.
Last Updated on 07/12/2012
Rajasthan Cities
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