Rajasthan, the land of impeccable beauty, is a one stop destination for tourists from and outside India. Famous for its sand dunes, lakes, havelis, shopping districts, forts and palaces Rajasthan is one place where people can enjoy while living in utmost luxury and receiving a desired hospitality similar to those of the Maharajas. If you want to explore the state all you need, is a week off from your regular routine, and tour around the land of beauty.
Number of exquisite palaces, plethora of temples, and famous Rajasthani cuisine awaits you.
Jaipur:
Capital city of Rajasthan is often termed as the ‘pink city’ because major buildings in the city were painted pink in order to welcome Prince Albert in 1876. In order to visit the tourist attractions you need to make sure that you reach the city as early as possible, because the gates of the major tourist attractions are closed by the evening. You can be relived to visit important places; you need not travel much as most of them are situated close to each other. Important destinations in Jaipur are Jantar Mantar, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Govinddevji ka Mandir and Amer Fort.
Amongst these the Hawa Mahal is an architectural grandeur which is made of red and pink sandstones, and is highlighted with quicklime. The Hawa Mahal has a unique architectural beauty which is visible in all the five stories of the palace. The Ratan Mandir in the Mahal showcases stunning glassworks, whereas the third storey is significant because it was here that the king used to worship Lord Krishna also known as the Vichitra Mandir. The monument draws its name from the fifth storey of the Mahal, known as the Hawa Mandir which is an open roof.
Here also do visit the city palace, which is the ideal place for buying historical artifacts, sold off at the auctions. A part of this monument is still a home to the royal family, and do remember that photography is not allowed here.
Pushkar:
From Jaipur, you could head towards Pushkar which is bordered by sand dunes on one side and hilly terrains on the other three sides. It is believed that the famous lake in Pushkar originated when a blossom fell from the hands of Lord Brahma.
There are approximately 50 Bathing Ghats or areas in the lake, and people in Rajasthan believe that taking a dip in the waters, especially on Kartika Poornima, will free you from all the bad karmas. The temple in Pushkar is extremely renowned for its Shiva shrine and the legendary Brahma shrine. Here you could also visit Nag Pahar, Aravali ranges, and Chishti Dargah.
Jodhpur:
You must visit Jodhpur next, and explore the Mehrangarh fort eminent for its museum and architecture. This museum showcases an array of weapons, palanquins, paintings, howdahs, and cloths.
Jaisalmer:
Tour from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, where you could tour the government museum famous for housing a variety of stuffed animals and birds, and you should not miss the gorgeous sight of the sunset which can be visible from the various sunset points in the city. If you are a food lover, then visit some of the best authentic Rajasthani restaurants found plentifully in Jaisalmer and taste their traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
Udaipur: The ‘Golden Fort’ or ‘Sonar Quila’ in Udaipur derived its name from the yellow sandstones on the walls of the fort which shimmers in the sun. It is also famous because it is nearly a millennium old and houses several hundreds of villagers who reside within the fort walls. Another must see attraction is Lake Palace which is run as Luxury hotel now.
You can get best Holiday packages to Rajasthan covering all Historic Monumnets from any leading Indian Tour Operator like Minar Travels, who had won several National Tourism awards from Govt of India and is associated with major Travel and Trade Unions.
Mount Abu:
The sole hill station in the state or Mount Abu is a one stop destination for all photographers and nature lovers. Here trek to the Dilwara Jain temple which attracts several thousands of worshippers every year. The interiors of the temple highlight unique pristine beauty and consists of domes and five shrines, all decorated with beautiful carvings. Here you could also visit the wildlife sanctuary, and the artificial water body or the Nakki Lake.
Chittaurgarh:
You must also visit the Chittaurgarh Fort which is approximately 170 km away from Udaipur, and about 300 km from Jaipur. This fort is significant for the stories associated with it and is also believed to be the largest and most significant fort in the country.
This fort was initially the home to Rajput rulers, and was later captured and secluded by Emperor Akbar. It is renowned for two historical events, namely Rana Udai Singh’s escapade, and the suicide or Jauhar of Rani Padmini. Chittaur’s legendary Bhakti poet, Mirabai had , in the past, erected a temple – a shrine for Lord Krishna.
