Rajasthan

Rajasthan is rightly termed as the land of colours. This remains the richest Indian state in terms of history worth cherishing. Every year thousands of travellers plan holidays to Rajasthan to know what makes this state fascinating. The land is dotted with some of the most majestic forts of the world where many dynasties ruled and shaped India's priceless history. And not to forget Rajasthan's vibrant festivals each of which flaunts every hue of traditions residing here.

People & Culture of Rajasthan
People of Rajasthan take pride in their cultures and hold their traditions close to their heart. Walk through the streets here and you will find smiling locals dressed in vibrant attires. While women wear flowing cotton ‘ghagras’ (skirts) in rainbow colours, men carry colourful turbans with big mustache. Folk music and dance play a major role in the state’s fairs and festivals.

Forts & Palaces in Rajasthan
Forts and palaces make the real pride of Rajasthan. The state has earned soaring popularity due to these historical caretakers which tell numerous stories. All cities of Rajasthan have numerous such architectural wonders dotted around. The city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, houses the grandest Amber Fort crowning the crest of a hill. The fort has a grand outlook and can be reached by taking an elephant ride. City Palace of Jaipur also charms visitors with its larger than life appeal. It was raised between 1729 and 1732 and brings a perfect fusion of the Shilpa Shastra of Indian architecture. Other prominent forts of Jaipur include Jaigarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, etc.

Udaipur is another city where you will find many beautiful looking forts sitting right in the center of lakes. Visit City Palace flaunting a blend of Rajput military architecture and Mughal-style decorative techniques, or Lake Palace which looks like a snowy white dream casting shadows on the pristine waters of Lake Pichola.

Travelers can also explore Jaisalmer Fort, Chittorgarh Fort Junagarh Fort, Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhavan Palace which adding splendor in the skyline of Rajasthan.

Nature in Rajasthan
Rajasthan is not just about its forts and palaces. Nature plays a major role here. Here you will find some beautiful looking lakes and gardens where you can have a whale of a time. Kishore Sagar Lake is a popular manmade lake adding beauty to this deserted land. Nakki Lake in Mount Abu also charms travellers with its amazing nature and cool ambience. Pushkar Lake of Rajasthan is a sacred lake where devotees visit to wash their sins in its holy water. Also, spend some time around the Jaisamand Lake, Asia’s second largest artificial lake.

Rajasthan also has a bag full of gardens where you can plan a day picnic with your loved ones. Sar Bagh is known for its rich collection of royal cenotaphs. Also visit the Samode Bagh beautified with marble arches, well maintained pavilions, beautiful fountains, well manicured lawns and tents.

Adventure in Rajasthan
Rajasthan gives you enough options to push your limits and try some exciting adventure activities. The state lets you partake in activities like camping, Jeep safaris, horse safaris, wildlife safaris, hot air ballooning as well as camel safaris. Desert safari remains the most popular out of all as it bestows a different experience to visitors which they cherish all their life.

Wildlife in Rajasthan
Wildlife enthusiasts visiting Rajasthan never get disappointed as the state treats them with some beautiful abodes of wild animals where a perfect mix of flora and fauna can be found. Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur and Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in Alwar are known for jeep safaris for spotting tigers. Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur brings streams of bird watchers where they enjoy cycle and rickshaw rides to enjoy sites of uncountable resident and migratory birds.

Religious Destinations in Rajasthan
Locals of Rajasthan are deeply devoted to their religion which shows in their everyday lifestyle. Pushkar remains the most popular town among Hindu pilgrims visiting Rajasthan. The town houses the famous Brahma Temple which is the only temple of Brahmaji ‘"the creator of mankind" on earth. Along the banks of Pushkar Lake you will find numerous temples like Varah Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Gayatri Temple and Raghunath Temple where temple bells keep ringing all day long. Dargah Sharif of Ajmer is a highly popular mosque visited by people of all religious backgrounds. This is the tomb of a Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and remains over packed with visitors especially during the annual Urs fair.

Shopping in Rajasthan
Shopping in Rajasthan is sheer fun as markets here are colourful and vibrant looking. You can find everything from here like ornaments, Rajasthani attires, footwear, textiles, handicrafts and much more. Jaipur’s Johari Bazaar, MI Road, Nehru Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and Chaupar Stalls are highly popular and sell all kinds of Rajasthani artefacts. Local markets of Bikaner like Kote Gare and Station Road are good to buy exquisite crafts. Jodhpur’s Kapra Bazaar is great to pick richly designed mojris. Also, Udaipur’s local textile outlets are worth exploring to bag Lahariya Bandhni saris, block-printed quilts and hand woven carpets.

Food in Rajasthan
Rajasthan’s food is rich in spices and flaunts the dedication of locals towards the uniqueness they put into their dishes. Some of the must try dishes of Rajasthan include Dal Bati Churma, Laal Maas, Mohan Maas, Rajasthani Kadhi, Mawa Kachori and Pyaaz Kachori. Those having sweet tooth must savour the mouth-watering taste of Churma Ladoo and Ghewar.

Fairs & Festivals in Rajasthan
Fairs and festivals of Rajasthan remain the most wonderful caretakers of its cultures, traditions, history, food and much more. The Summer Festival of Mount Abu is a popular one with loads of warmth and joyfulness in the form of cultural performances, folk dances and exciting boat race. Mewar Festival is a major festival of Udaipur where beautiful cultural events are organised. Pushkar Fair is perhaps the most awaited event in Rajasthan where thousands of camel owners participate to sell and buy cattle. The fair offers you enchanting views of dance, music, camel races, some unique competitions and vibrant stalls selling everything from clothes to jewellery. Another popular event is the Ajmer Sharif Festival also known with the name of Urs fair. For an exciting desert safari experience, the Desert Festival of Jaipur and International Camel Festival of Bikaner are perfect.

Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Rajasthan is between November and February when the state experiences winters. Winter nights here can be chilly whereas days are soothing. Summer months from April to June can be very difficult due to hot and humid climate. Mount Abu, the only hill station of Rajasthan, is the only place which can be visited during summers in Rajasthan.

How to Reach Rajasthan
Jaipur Airport is a major international airport of the state serving both domestic and international flights. Popular domestic airports are in cities like Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. Train is also a good option to reach Rajasthan. The state enjoys a good railway network linking with cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Travellers can also plan a road travel reach all parts of the state.