Gardens in Rajasthan

After all the impression of the barrenness of a desert region, it is almost surprising to see the blossoming flowers in the vast landscaped gardens full of divine fragrance and cool breeze that looks like a mirage for an instance. These gardens are the victory of human will over the harshness of the nature and it's a pleasure to stroll through them with all their beautiful pavilions and fountains that adorn them.

Bada Bagh: 3 km from Jaisalmer, Bada Bagh is a fruitful oasis in the charming backdrop of a pretty rain fed lake and a dam in the middle of the plateau. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, much of the city's fruit and vegetables are grown here and above it are royal cenotaphs with elegantly carved ceiling and equestrian statues of former rulers.

Ram Niwas Garden: The last Maharaja Ram Singh II, as a famine relief project, laid out the popular Ram Niwas Gardens located in Jaipur in 1868. It houses a zoo, an aviary, a greenhouse, a herbarium, a museum and several sports grounds. The Albert Hall museum is especially noted for its Indo-Saracenic structure. Recently there have been some additions such as Rabindra Manch with an auditorium, a modern art gallery and an open-air theatre.

Vidyadhar Garden: Vidyadhar Garden, situated near the Sisodia Gardens of Jaipur, it is a beautiful vineyard dedicated to Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, the architect of the city of Jaipur who planned the town using the principles laid down in the Shilpa Shastra (an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture). These tiered gardens house several galleries, pavilions and lovely murals depicting scenes from the life of Lord Krishna.

Gulab Bagh: Translated as 'The Garden Of Roses', it is located in the Sajjan Niwas Park, Udaipur. Laid out by Sajjan Singh in the late 19th Century, it boasts of all types of roses available all over the world. It houses Saraswati Bhawan Library (originally called the Victoria Hall) was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and the Aravalli Express, a toy train, shows off the garden in a most pleasurable way.

Sahelion Ki Bari: Saheliyon-ki-Bari or the 'Garden of the Maids of Honor' of Udaipur was once reserved for the royal ladies who came here for a stroll. A well planned garden, with extensive lawns and shady walks situated on the banks of the dainty Fateh Sagar Lake was constructed in 18th century by Maharana Sangram Singh for forty-eight young ladies-in-waiting sent to the royal house, as part of the dowry. There are many fountains in the four scenic pools of the garden and it boasts chiseled and sculpted kiosks and marble elephants.

Vidyadhar Mandore Gardens: 9 km from Jodhpur, Mandore was once the capital of Marwar. The extensive gardens with high rock terraces houses the ruins of the former capital along with the cenotaphs of Jodhpur rulers, the most remarkable being the memorial of Maharaja Ajit Singh. Its highlights include the graphic Hall of Heroes, a rock wall with high relief, bright paintings depicting scenes from the lofe of local heroes such as Pabuji and Chamunda and crowded modern shrine of 30 crore gods. Mandore Gardens also provide the perfect venue for the much-famed Marwar Festival.

Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh: Several landscaped gardens were built in the 18th and 19th centuries by the kings and their courtiers, but Sisodia Rani-ka-Bagh of Jaipur is the largest and most famous garden built by Sawai Jai Singh II for his Sisodia Queen. The tiered multi-level garden has beautiful fountains, watercourses and painted pavilions.