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Wildlife in Rajasthan

Desert National Park

Desert National Park is among the largest of its kind in the country, encompassing an area of 3162 sq kms. The park covers a huge area extending from Jaisalmer/Barmer all the way to the India-Pakistan border. In spite of being right in the middle of an arid, dry, and sandy desert, the desert national park presents a wonderful opportunity to see the wildlife such as camels, desert fox, Bengal fox, chinkara, wolves, desert cat, and the Blackbuck. The intriguing landmark offers everything one can expect from a desert ecosystem, craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes. The dunes consist of about 20% of the park.

The entire area is covered with thorny bushes, cacti and a few desert plants. If you want to explore the majestic wildlife at the Desert National Park, then the best way to do so is by going for an adventure-filled jeep safari which will be an entirely new exciting experience. It is located close to the mighty Thar desert and defies all stereotypical notions of the non-existence of flora and fauna in the deserts. As, even though the ecosystem is harsh and fragile, it houses an abundance of birdlife and is a haven for a variety of migratory and resident desert birds. One of the rarest species of birds, The Great Indian Bustard is found here.

Apart from that various eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel, vultures, Short-toed eagles, tawny eagles, spotted eagles, laggar falcons and kestrel can also be seen here. One can see the life forms continuously fighting with the harsh environment to survive and prevailing to create yet another marvel of nature. Apart from the magnificent birds, the desert park also has a collection of fossils of animals and birds, some of which are more than 180 million years old. Some 6 million-year-old fossils of dinosaurs have also been found in the area. Visiting the desert national park to witness the mighty birds soaring in the sky while marvelling the changing landscape of the desert is definitely one of the best ways to spend holidays.

Desert National Park
Desert National Park

History

The Thar Desert’s vast stretches of sand are interspersed by hillocks, rocky areas and sandy and gravel plains. It is spread across 200,000 sq.km, of which more than 60 percent of the desert lies in Rajasthan alone, while the rest extends into Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.

In 1980, a portion of it was declared the Desert National Park, which is spectacularly representative of this desert ecosystem. The highlight here is the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, which has been extirpated from 90 percent of its former range Jaisalmer Tour Packages.

There are approximately 73 villages and also settlements or Dhanis existing within the Park. Of these villages, Sudasari is the prime location for Great Indian Bustards.

Apart from the GIB, this seemingly inhospitable ecosystem hosts a variety of bird species, both migratory and resident. Chinkaras run loose on sand dunes, Desert and Indian Foxes bask in the morning sun and Desert Cats make bold appearances out of their burrows during the day.

Desert National Park

Flora and Fauna at Desert National Park

Excited to know more about the Desert National Park? Let’s peep into its flora and fauna first –

  1. Animals –

Desert monitors, deadly vipers, spiny-tailed lizards, Krait, and sandfish are the prominent members of the wildlife family.

If you are fortunate enough to be there on time, you can even spot on Desert and Bengal foxes munching on some fresh berries. Apart from these key animals, the Desert National Park also shelters Vulpes, Blackbuck Antelope, Gazelle gazelle, Desert Cat Felis Libyes, and Cervicapra Rajputana Chinkara.

  1. Birds –

As stated early, this park is never-ending heaven for all bird lovers. Desert National Park of Jaisalmer is known to house 150 different varieties of residential and migratory birds. It is a common phenomenon to locate endangered species of The Great Indian Bustard.

Amongst the other common species you have – Demoiselle, Eagles, Falcons, Partridges, Bee-Eaters, Vultures, Larks, Shrikes, Macqueen’s Bustard. As you move on to the next section of the park, you will come across some ponds and waterholes. Larks and wheatears are common species to be located here.

  1. Reptiles –

Not all, but Desert National Park has surely got several reptile species to exhibit before you. Monitor lizard, Spiny-tailed lizard, Russell’s viper, Saw-scaled viper, common krait are few of the reptile species to be traced here.

  1. Vegetation –

Although a sparse one, you still can find a variety in the vegetative species at the Desert National Park. Prominent amongst the vegetative species are aak shrub, sewan grass, and cacti.

It has got a well-diversified desert type of landscape where you have small salt lake bottom, fixed and shifting dunes, and craggy rocks.

While strolling through the park, do not forget to raise your head high above the sky. You will be surprised by the number of vultures soaring high to present a delightful sight Jaisalmer Monuments.

Desert National Park

Best Time To Visit Desert National Park

The best time to visit the park is from October to March. Given the climate, it is not advisable to travel to the region in summers. The daytime temperature remains very high and usually touches around 42 degrees in summer. Nights are relatively cooler, typical of the arid desert climate. Winters in Jaisalmer are comparatively cooler with day temperatures remaining pleasant at around 24 degrees Celcius and the nights are chilly with the temperature falling as low as 7 to 8 degrees Celcius. As Jaisalmer is situated in the middle of Thar Desert, the monsoon is almost negligible. Jaisalmer remains dry for most parts of the year.

How to reach Desert National Park

Air: Though Jaisalmer is not directly connected to Airways, Jodhpur airport which is 300 Km away is the nearest airport. From Jodhpur you can hire Cabs or take a train journey to reach Jaisalmer.

Rail: Jaisalmer railhead is the nearest railhead to Desert National Park. You can also travel to Jaisalmer by the exotic Palace on Wheels.

Road: Jaisalmer is well connected to the rest of state by roads. Deluxe & Ordinary buses of Rajasthan Roadways & Private companies run from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, Barmer, Mount Abu, Jalore, Ahemdabad etc., Roadways main bus stand opposite Railway station & Golden bus terminal near State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, Shiv road, Jaisalmer are the two main bus stands.

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Top Attractions

Bhatner Fort

Bhatner fort is located in Hanumangarh, in Rajasthan (a state in India). This fort is one of the ancient forts of Rajasthan built in the year 295. It is said that the fort was built by the King Bhupat when he was searching for a shelter in the town. He had lost a battle with the Sultan of Ghazni and wanted to find a safe shelter; instead, he built a shelter with bricks and named the fort as Bhatner Fort. King Bhpat was the son of King Bhati who was the ruler of Jaisalmer; therefore he named his fort after his father – King Bhati. The fort is built in the middle of a forest, near the Ghaggar River.

The fort was later reconstructed by Sher Shah Suri, who was also known as Sher Khan, in the 14th century. He reconstructed the Fort of Bhatinda and Bhatner in the same year and strengthens the fort’s pillar and turned it into a fort with strong defense system. Even in the book of “Tuzuk-e-Timuri”, which is an Autobiography of Timur, it is mentioned that the Fort of Bhatner was considered as the strongest fort during the 14th century even if the fort was originally built in the year 295 Rajasthan Monuments.

The Bhatner fort was occupied by various rulers over the years and the last Emperor who captured the fort was Emperor Soorat Singh, the ruler of Bikaner. Since he captured the fort on Tuesday and the day is considered as the Day of Lord Hanuman, the town was named as Hanumangarh.

Bhatner Fort

History of Bhatner Fort Hanuamgarh Rajasthan

In 1805, Raja Surat Singh of Bikaner defeated the Bhati rulers of Jaisalmer and took it under his control. It is said that in this Bhatner fort, great importance has been given to Hanuman Ji. The day Surat Singh defeated the Bhatis was Tuesday. For this reason, this city was also named Hanumangarh.

All the external attacks on India passed through the route of Bhatner, which is why Timur, Prithviraj Chauhan, Akbar, Qutubuddin Aibak and Rathore, etc. ruled it. Timur in his biography ‘Tujuk-e-Taimuri’ described Bhatner as India’s strongest fort. Sher Shah Suri is buried in this fort.

Bhatner’s fort located in Hanumangarh, on the banks of the Ghaggar river, has been placed in the category of Dhawan fort due to being surrounded by desert. Being located on the Delhi-Multan route, it also had strategic importance. According to Jan Shruti, this fort was built by Bhati King Bhupat in the last phase of the third century.

This fort is spread over 52 bighas of land. There are 52 huge bastions in it, the fort is built of ripe bricks and lime. Because Maharaja Surat Singh of Bikaner taking possession of this fort on Tuesday, in 1805 AD, Bhatner was renamed Hanumangarh and a temple of Hanumanji was also built in the fort.

Mahmud Ghaznavi captured Bhatner in 1001 AD. Sherkhan was the ruler of this place during the reign of Balban. Which retaliated against the Mongol invaders from here. Sher Khan’s graves still exist inside the fort. In 1398 AD, Timur attacked Bhatner and looted it Rajasthan Budget Tours.

For the first time in 1527, Rao Jaitasi established the Rathore suzerainty over the fort. At the time of Humayun’s brother Kamaraj’s attack, Rao Khetasi showed immense valor for the fort’s defense and Virgati was received. In 1549, Rathore Thakursi took over Bhatner.

Thakursi was the ruler of Bhatner for nearly 20 years. Once during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar, the royal treasury was being moved from Kashmir and Lahore to Delhi, then plundered in the Machli village of the Bhatner pargana.

Bhatner Fort

HOW TO REACH ?

By Air :Hanumangarh does not have an airport. Nearest airport is Ludhiana Airport.

By Road :There are regular buses from other major cities of the country to Hanumangarh.

By Rail :Hanumangarh have own railway station which is Hanumangarh Junction (HMH).

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India Tourism

Fatehpur Sikri Agra

Fatehpur Sikri Agra or ‘the City of Victory’ is a fortified city in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It was founded in 1569 by the Great Emperor of the Mughal dynasty Akbar. The palace city atop a rocky ridge, confined within walls on its three sides and a lake in the foreground, was designed by Tuhir Das using Indian principles of art Agra Tourism.

The structures in the city have been designed following the styles of Hindu, Jain and Islamic architecture, using red sandstone, which is also called as ‘Sikri sandstone‘. The city can be entered through several gates that are erected at different points along the wall bordering the fort. The gates are namely the Chandanpal Gate, the Agra Gate, the Tehra Gate, the Lal Gate, the Delhi Gate, the Birbal Gate, the Gwalior Gate, the Ajmere Gate and the Chor Gate.

Fatehpur Sikri Agra

INTERESTING Facts about Fatehpur Sikri

  • Fatehpur Sikri Agra was the Mughals’ first planned city in India. Fatehpur Sikri was much larger and more populous than London at the time, according to Ralph Fitch, a 16th-century English traveller. Fatehpur Sikri’s structure and layout influenced the design and construction of Shahjahanabad, or Old Delhi.
  • In 1619, when the region was ravaged by bubonic plague, Jahangir, Akbar’s son, stayed at Fatehpur Sikri for three months.
  • After abandoning the city, Akbar only came back once before dying.
Fatehpur Sikri Agra

Fatehpur Sikri: History

Fatehpur Sikri Agra is considered to be the crowning architectural legacy of Mughal Emperor Akbar who founded it in 1571. The city derives part of its name from a village called Sikri, which existed on the very spot where it was constructed. History has it that Akbar had visited this village and consulted a Sufi saint by the name Shaikh Salim Chishti. The saint foretold the birth of his heir and when the prophecy was fulfilled, Akbar began constructing his capital in the village.

From 1571 to 1585, Fatehpur Sikri served as the capital of the Mughal Empire. In 1573, when Akbar returned victorious from his Gujarat campaign, the city was named Fatehpur Sikri or the City of Victory to commemorate the win. When he proceeded towards Punjab in 1585 to fight for his next military campaign, he abandoned the city. It is believed that the city was abandoned due to two primary reasons – the lack of water and the unrest in the north-western part of the country. Akbar later shifted the capital of his empire to Lahore and then to Agra, and by 1610, Fatehpur Sikri became a fully abandoned city.

Much later, when the colonial rulers occupied Agra in 1803, they established an administrative center here, which remained functional until 1850. The monuments at Fatehpur Sikri Agra were repaired in 1815 under the orders of the Marquess of Hastings Agra Monuments.

Fatehpur Sikri Agra

Fatehpur Sikri Architecture

Fatehpur Sikri Agra is a fortified city that is enveloped by 6-km long defensive walls with several entryways on three sides while fourth side borders on an artificial lake. The city features the Indo-Islamic architectural style and is constructed using red sandstone Agra Tour Packages.

A number of palaces, mosques, monuments, public buildings, and other structures adorn the city, each of which displays exemplary architectural beauty. Within this fortified city, Akbar also built three palaces for each of his three favorite wives. There are also eight gates that serve as entryways to the city, including the Delhi Gate, the Agra Gate, the Lal Gate, the Gwalior Gate, and the Ajmeri Gate, among others.

Among the most famous structures of the city is the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India which is functional even today. The intricate architecture of structures like the Buland Darwaza, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, and the Panch Mahal attracts tourists from all over the country and beyond.

Best time to visit

Fatehpur Sikri Agra can be visited between February and April and between July and November as the climate is very pleasant. In the rest of the months, the climate is either very hot or very cold which can cause discomfort to the visitors.

How to Get There

Reaching Fatehpur Sikri from Delhi is convenient as the destination is well connected with the capital of the country by all modes of transportation.

BY AIR : The nearest airport to Fatehpur Sikri is the Kheria Airport. Regular flights ply from Delhi to Agra. The airport is only 40 km away from the city and hired taxis are available at a very affordable charge.

BY RAIL : Reaching Agra on train is a good idea for the travelers who want to make their tour cheaper and yet memorable. From Delhi quite a few trains run on regular basis. The nearest railway station to Agra City is the Agra Cant Railway Station.

BY ROAD : An efficient network of roads connects this amazing tourist spot with all major cities. However, if one is leaving from Delhi, Yamuna Expressway-Mathura-Fatehpur Sikri is the best way to reach at your destination. UPSRTC bus service is available to reach from Bharatpur (25km), Delhi and other major cities.

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Top Attractions

National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary

National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 5,400 sq. km tri-state protected area in northern India home to critically endangered gharial (small crocodiles), the red-crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganges river dolphin. Located on the Chambal River near the tri-point of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, it was first declared as a PAs in Madhya Pradesh in 1978 and now constitutes a long narrow eco-reserve co-administered by the three states. Within the sanctuary the pristine Chambal River cuts through mazes of ravines and hills with many sandy beaches along its banks.

Deep within the subcontinent lies a land whose many secrets lie still hidden from the human eye in its still largely unexplored terrain. A land is synonymous with harsh terrains and on its breath taking beauty, Chambal. Now uncover the many secrets of the famed land at the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary. Originating in the Vindhayan ranges in M.P. the Chambal River snakes its way thought the states of M.P. Rajasthan and U.P. before finally meeting the Yamuna in the Etawah district of U.P.

Its rich bio-diversity ensured that it was declared a National Sancturary in 1979 with its total area spanning across the three states of M.P. Rajasthan & U.P. The last bastion for some of the country’s most endangerd wildlife like the Gharial, Muggar, Turtles, Otter and the fresh water Dolphin, the Chambal region also boasts of a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial bird.

After rampant poaching and fishing almost wiped out the Gharial population from the country in the 70’s, captive breeding and reintroduction programme was started. Chambal was chosen as one of the main areas for reintroduction the species back in to the wild. The Chambal Sanctuary in U.P. covers an area of 635 sq. kms National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.

History

Chambal was once infamous for its denizens – the dacoits and bandits; almost every Indian who grew up in the ’70s, ‘80s and ’90s are familiar with these notorious names – Daaku Maan Singh, Phoolan Devi a.k.a. the Bandit Queen, Paan Singh Tomar and many more. The labyrinths of the Chambal ravines and its dry scrub forests gave generations of bandits a safe shelter to play hide and seek with the governmental forces. But the presence of these bandits and dacoits saw the area benefit from an environmental perspective.

Due to their presence, the area has seen no industrial development and the absence of polluting units in the vicinity has essentially contributed to the survival of the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary and for it to thrive untouched and unpolluted. In fact, today, it is one of India’s most pristine rivers. A 400km stretch of the Chambal river with up to 6km wide ravines on either side, this sanctuary is a tri-state protected area with a total area of 1235 sq. km Rajasthan Budget Tours.

Flora & Fauna

Common plants in the sanctuary include khair (Mimosa catechu/ Acacia catechu), palash(flame of the forest /Buteamonosperma), churel (Indian elm tree), ber (Indian plum/Ziziphusmauritiana) and grassy patches on both sides of the river.

National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary is the main area for the species reintroduction programme of the gharial. Apart from critically endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle and the Ganges river dolphin, other large threatened inhabitants of the sanctuary include smooth-coated otter, mugger crocodile, Indian wolf and striped hyena . Chambal supports 8 of the 26 rare turtle species found in India, including three-striped roof turtle, Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle, and crowned river turtle. Other reptiles that live here are: Indian tent turtle, soft shell turtle, Indian roofed turtle, Indian flapshell turtle and monitor lizard.

Other Mammals include: Hanuman langur, rhesus macaque, golden jackal, common palm civet, Bengal fox, Indian small mongoose, Indian grey mongoose, wild boar, sambar, nilgai, jungle cat, blackbuck, Indian gazelle (chinkara), porcupine, northern palm squirrel, Indian flying fox, Indian hare and hedgehog National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.

It is also an important bird area with over 320 species of resident and migratory birds reported here. The most popular is the Indian skimmer. Others include Sarus crane, Pallas’s fish eagle, Indian courser, lesser flamingos, pallid harrier, black-bellied terns, ferruginous pochard, red-crested pochard, bar-headed goose, great thick-knee, darters, greater flamingos, and brown hawk owl National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.

Best Time to Visit Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary

Throughout the year, the place receives different weather conditions. However, the best time to visit the sanctuary is the winter season. As compared to other seasons, it is more relaxing and comfortable go on a wildlife safari in National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in the winter because of the favourable weather conditions.

How to Reach Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary?

The sanctuary of Chambal can be easily reached by all the means of transport, whether rail, road or air. However, the best way to reach is by railway. Because of the vast rail network, railway proffers better connectivity as compared to the other two means. The airway is also an ideal way to reach National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary for those who are travelling from far destinations and prefer time over money.

By Air: The nearest airport to Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary is Kheria Airport, which is located in the city of Agra. The distance between the airport and the sanctuary is around 140 km, which can be easily covered by 3-4 hours drive. The airport is pretty well connected with all the major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata through Air India flights. From the airport, one can hire a taxi to reach the sanctuary.

By Rail: Agra Cantonment Railway Station serves as the nearest railhead to Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary which is located at distance of around 157 km. Trains to/from all the major cities of the country like Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Chennai, Kolkata and Chandigarh run operate to/from Agra Cantonment Railway Station. Through its wide rail networks, railway provides impressive connectivity to travellers from any corner of the country. From the station, tourist can hire a taxi or board a bus reach Chambal. The railway is the best way to reach National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.

By Road: National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary is also accessible via road and national highway networks. Buses from nearby cities and towns ply on a regular basis to Chambal. Besides, one can also prefer a self-drive to reach Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary from neighbouring cities like Delhi and Agra via roads and national highways.

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Religious Destinations India

Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple

Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple Jaipur is dedicated to the Hindu God Hanumanji. The temple is stationed at the Delhi- Jaipur bypass and is situated at the hilltop giving the visitors a panoramic and wide-angle view of the hills that surrounds the mandir.

Besides the mandir, there is an altar that can hold up to 500 people at a time. The Khole Ke Hanuman ji temple was built by Pandit Radhe Lal Choubey in 1960 and it is believed that once, RadheLal Ji was chilling while he spots a Hanumaanji carving out of the rock.

He envisioned it to be as a sign from God to build a Mandir and so he did. According to the legends, it is believed that the area was known as Narwar Das Ke Khol which is the place where Baba Nirmal Das spent the rest of his life dedicated to lord Hanumaanji centuries ago.

The temple is spread about 100 square feet area in the Laxman Dungri Hills. With the flow in time, the temple complex expanded and new constructions were built in and around the pilgrim Religious Places in Rajasthan.

Though there are several Jaipur tourist places to visit without any doubt this is one of them. Hence this amazing place should add into JAIPUR TOUR PACKAGES. So we will say if there is a plan to visit in Jaipur, this place should not miss anyway.

Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple

History and Legend behind Khole Ke Hanuman Temple

The temple situated on a hill top and surrounded by hills on three sides, was commissioned by Pandit Radhe Lal Choubey, a resident of Jamwa Ramgarh, after he chanced upon a rock with carving of Lord Hanuman. Taking it as a cue, he decided to build a temple at the site in 1961.

Pandit Choubey had already started offering his prayers long before the temple was established. It is believed that Baba Nirmal Das used to worship Lord Hanuman at the same site a few centuries ago and this site was earlier called Narwar Dar Ki Khol. Pandit Radhe Lal Choubey also played an instrumental role in coming up with the Narwar Ashram Seva Samiti, a community that dedicatedly worked towards the temple building.

At the time when the temple was built, it occupied only 100 square feet of area at the site of Laxman Doongari hill. As time passed and the temple gained popularity, the temple complex was expanded and today, it is spread across several acres of land (around 300 times compared to the initial area) with a grand structure for the temple.

The name of the temple, ‘Khole Ke Hanuman’ was termed after the word ‘Khola’, which means valley in local language.

Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple

Architecture of Khole Ke Hanuman Temple

The Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple is built in a typical mix of Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. It majorly appears like a replica of any Rajput palace, made out of Dholpur sandstone and marble, with domes and walkways lined with carved columns. The abundance of latticed windows and chhatris does add to the elegance of the temple structure.

The central location of the temple complex is dedicated to the sanctum sanctorum, where the original idol of the presiding deity is placed. It is a tiny room inside a huge building, and the idol of the deity is installed on a single piece of marble stone.

Apart from the main deity, the temple complex also houses small temples dedicated to Goddess Durga, Lord Ram, Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva. The Shiva temple also has replicas of the 12 jyotirlingas.

The temple complex has lush gardens, guest houses, kitchens and dining areas for visitors. The dining areas are so huge that they can serve up to 5000 people at a time. The lawns outside the temple are beautifully manicured with seating areas and chhatris. There is a marble chhatri dedicated to Pandit Radhe Lal Choubey, the founder of the temple.

Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple

How To Reach Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple

Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple is located amidst the Lakshman Dungri Hills close to the Delhi Bypass road, about 13 kilometres to the north-east if Jaipur city centre. It is easily accessible by the roadways within the city and people can choose one of the three routes that lead to the temple.
The first route goes via Shanti Path – NH 248, the second goes via Tonk Road – NH 248 and the third goes through NH 248 – Galta Road. Rental cabs are best for tourists as they can cover several attractions in a day. Otherwise, an auto-rickshaw, a tuk-tuk or a local bus ride can be a good option to commute shorter distances in the city.

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Top Attractions

Fateh Prakash Palace

Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel is a prestigious member of the heritage hotels of India. This gorgeous building in Udaipur is a matter of pride for the country. The Palace can be viewed via boat as it is located on the banks of Lake Pichola. It is certainly worth a long regard due to its golden majesty and grandeur.

The Hotel itself is a heritage hotel and is very well equipped with amenities ranging from swimming pools to squash courts. It is sure to be an enjoyable as well as regal experience if you intend to stay here.

Fateh Prakash Palace You can plan a dinner or lunch at the Gallery Restaurant here. If you love continental food you are sure to enjoy the food as much as the experience. The Sunset View Terrace which is a lake side restaurant on the premises is great for an evening coffee or some snacks. They also have buffet dinners Udaipur Tour Packages.

History of Fateh Prakash Palace

The Fateh Prakash Palace was built in the early 20th century under the reign of Maharana Fateh Prakash, and thus the palace got its name from the ruler. It has now been converted into a luxury hotel.

Fateh Prakash Palace is smaller than the other two authentic palace hotels found in City Palace Complex of Udaipur. The palace was earlier used for an exclusive venue for most of the royal parties; this is the place where the Maharanas of the Mewars held the court.

Even in the present scenario, the hotel is used for hosting some of the most propitious ceremonial dinners and corporate events. The Royal family of Mewar still owns this hotel, and it is considered to be the great hotel from all of the HRH Group of Hotels. They have hotels all over the Rajasthan.

The palace hotel has created history and is an unbeatable winner of the National Tourism Award. It is known for being the greatest heritage hotel in the Heritage Grand category. Shiv Niwas Palace hotel is the counterpart of the Fateh Prakash Palace which is surprisingly much more famous than the Fateh Prakash Palace.

It is the very special interiors of the hotel that makes it the best out of the lot. It holds an invaluable collection of royal artifacts, weapons, crystals, and portraits.

Architecture

The palace is studded with numerous corridors and pillars built in Rajasthani style. It is beautifully decorated with wall paintings showcasing legends from Rajasthan belonging to the 17th. and 19th.centuries. In 1968, a large portion of Fateh Prakash Palace was converted into a museum.

Places to visit near Fateh Prakash Palace

Some of the best places to visit within a 10 km distance of Fateh Prakash Palace are mentioned below.

City Palace – Situated at a distance of 4.6 km from the Fatehgarh, the City Palace of Udaipur is an architectural wonder and is a trendy sightseeing place. The natural settings around the palace are breathtakingly beautiful. There are light and sound shows organized here which are worth watching.

Jagdish Temple- Located 1.2 Km away from the Fateh Prakash Palace, Jagdish Temple is an important religious center of Udaipur. Jagdish Temple is one of the most prominent Hindu temples in Udaipur fetching devotees from all over the world.

Monsoon Palace- Also known as the Sajjangarh Fort, located 8.2 km away from the Fateh Prakash Palace, it is a treat to watch. This is one of the most astonishing castles built in the hills overlooking Chittorgarh and Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary.

Best time to visit Fateh Prakash Palace

October to all year round, you can visit this beautiful structure as the sight of Lake Pichola is breathtaking. However, during the winter months from October to March, the beauty of this palace and surrounding increases manifolds, making the stay here all the more worthwhile.

How To Reach Fateh Prakash Palace, Udaipur

By Road: Fateh Prakash Palace is located in the city palace complex on the shore of Lake Pichola of Udaipur city. One can easily reach here with the local taxi, private buses or cab.

By Rail: Fateh Prakash Palace, Udaipur is well connected through nearest Udaipur Railway station to major cities railway stations like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Chennai, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad.

By Air: Fateh Prakash Palace can be reached through nearest Udaipur Airport which is well connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, and Jaipur.

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Top Attractions

Sambhar Lake

Sambhar Lake is the largest inland saltwater lake in India. Located at a distance of 80 kms from Jaipur and 64 kms from Ajmer, Sambhar Lake sprawls over 5700 sq. km. of the catchment area. Boasting of an extremely extensive saline wetland, the lake is divided by a 5.1 kms long dam that also helps in the salt-making process. Besides, the area attracts a lot of migratory birds. That makes it one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. It is frequented by nature lovers, wanderers, birdwatchers, photography enthusiasts and all kinds of tourists.

Sambhar Lake is fed by five rivers namely Medtha, Samaod, Mantha, Rupangarh, Khari and Khandela and is elliptical in shape. The beauty of the landscape is further enhanced by the backdrop of the beautiful Aravalli mountains. In addition to that, the city surrounding the lake is called the Sambhar Lake town and that also has a couple of tourist attractions like the Salt Laboratory and the Salt Museum.

Sambhar Lake

History

Sambhar Lake is steeped in antiquity and even finds a mention in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. History states that the lake was part of the kingdom ruled by the demon king ‘Brishparva’. According to a Hindu legend and local beliefs, the protector goddess of the Chauhan Rajputs (Of Prithviraj Chauhan fame) – Maa Shakambari Devi, converted the forested region into a vast plain of precious jewels. People around the area got worried that this will result in permanent strife in the region and prayed to the Goddess to withdraw the boon Rajasthan Monuments.

Shakambari Devi relented and converted the area of jewels into a jewel of different kind, ‘salt lake’. Thus, Sambhar Salt Lake is said to have come into existence. A temple devoted to Maa Shakambari Devi is located on a rocky outcrop near Sambhar Lake. From the higher elevation on which it is situated, it appears as if the Goddess is guarding the lake. Shakambari Mata Temple is the venue for a popular religious fair in the month of August when people from the surrounding villages come to attend it.

Sambhar is the setting for an important event in Indian Mughal history – the wedding of Akbar and Jodha Bai took place at Sambhar Lake in 1562. Over a period of time, Sambhar Lake was controlled by the Scindhias, Marathas and Mughals. In 1709, the Rajput Kingdoms of Jaipur & Marwar regained control over it. The rulers of Jaipur and Jodhpur jointly owned the lake, and in the year 1870 Sambhar Lake was leased to the British.

According to some historical records, Sambhar town was founded in the 6th Century AD by Raja Vasudev of the Chauhan Kings.

Sunset and sunrise in Sambhar Lake are surreal and must be experienced for the feeling of calmness that they bring. There is also a Bhairav Temple in front of Shakambari Mata Temple. Locals worship the deity and make small homes with rocks in the open space, I couldn’t understand the reason for the same though.

Sambhar Lake

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Sambhar Wildlife Sanctuary and the lake is from October to March. Avoid travelling to Sambhar from June to September, as this is the monsoon season and neither would you find much wildlife then, nor would you be able to witness much of salt production Rajasthan Budget tours.

Sambhar is home to the largest saline lake in India and home to rare avian species. Located 60 kilometers to the west of Jaipur, Sambhar is a quaint, yet picturesque town and is also becoming a very popular tourist destination. For those wanting to savor a unique, outdoor experience, Sambhar gives you the opportunity to enjoy the vast expanse of the wildlife sanctuary and one can admire the famous view of the Salt Lake.

Sambhar Lake

How to Reach

The best way to reach Sambhar Lake is by road in a bus. You can take any bus bound for Nagaur or Kucha­man, from Jaipur Sindhi Camp Bus Stand. The first stop is Sambhar and here you can get down. The nearest railway station is at Sambhar Salt Lake Station. Most trains do stop at this station, however, it will be better to confirm before booking tickets. The nearest airport is in Jaipur which is around 120 kms from Sambhar Lake.

By Road: Sambhar lake is located near the Jaipur city at a distance of 80 km. One can easily reach here with the local taxi, roadways or private buses or cab.

By Rail: Sambhar lake, Jaipur is well connected through nearest Sambhar Lake Railway station to major cities railway stations like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Chennai, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad.

By Air: Sambhar lake can be reached through nearest Jaipur Airport, also called Sanganer Airport which is well connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, and Udaipur.

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Kesroli Hill Fort

Kesroli Hill Fort is one of the rare heritage hotels in Alwar that has been in existence since the 14th century. A wonderful destination to enjoy the barrier sunsets, showing daily since 700 years and discovering the Neemrana heritage hotels in Alwar is this resort. Hill Fort-Kesroli is a great holiday choice for those looking for a relaxing weekend getaway from Delhi.

Built in the14th century, Neemrana’s Kesroli Hill Fort is a spectacular ancient heritage palace that will take you back in history. This fort is surrounded by fields all around. The hotel has a huge swimming pool and a beautiful garden. The rooms are decorated in a typically Rajasthani style which giving it a royal feel.

Kesroli Hill Fort

History:

Kesroli Hill Fort, Alwar was made by the Yaduvanshi Rajputs. Earlier in the 14th century, they were converted into Islams and were known as ‘Khanzadas’. The design and structure of this Kesroli Hill Fort had to undergo plenty of alterations during several centuries and according to the culture of its ruler occupants. From the hands of Mughals and Jats, finally, Rajputs’ reign has come to this historic fort in 1775. Many rulers came and gone but it was during the ruling period of Ranawat Thakur Bhawani Singh, the fort witnessed its golden period Rajasthan Monuments.

Kesroli Hill Fort

Architecture

Kesroli Hill Fort, Alwar is built upon a large-sized rock and lies above the sea level. The splendid layout and design of this fort make it superior attractive. To watch out the soldiers, it is surrounded by a strong wall with towers. Arched verandahs give it an artistic look. Granite stone has been used to build the main fort and many pillars are supporting it. It is the nature of this stone that makes the ambiance cool inside the building Rajasthan Budget Tours.

The fort building is square-shaped which includes many gigantic rooms and halls. Large windows inside the rooms make them airy and bring enough lights inside them. The majestic roof is no less attractive. From the fort, you can admire a better view of Alwar.

The architectural designs and features of the fort are splendid in the forms of arched verandahs, ramparts, and turrets. There is a total of 7 turrets but their design patterns have undergone several changes many times under different rulers. Finally, in 2004, Francis Wacziarg and Aman Nath of Neermana Hotels Group took the lease of this Kesroli Hill Fort, Alwar. They gave a facelift to this place and turned it into a heritage hotel.

Kesroli Hill Fort

Best Time To Visit Kesroli

The months of November-February are the best time to visit this place as the winter months in this area are very pleasant. Summers can get quite hot here and the temperature rises very high. The monsoon brings relief and the temperature drops Kesroli Hill Fort.

How to reach Kesroli

Air: Jaipur (152kms), New Delhi (160kms), Agra (170kms) are the nearest airports to the place. You can take a bus or hire a taxi from here to reach Kesroli Hill Fort.

Rail: Nearest Railway Station to Kesroli Hill Fort is Alwar. You will have to take a taxi from here to reach the Kesroli.

Road: Regular buses are available from all the nearby major cities such as Gurgaon (130kms), Jaipur (152kms), Agra (170kms), Noida (175kms), New Delhi (160kms) to Kesroli Hill Fort.

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Gagron Fort

Gagron Fort is situated in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, in the Hadoti region of India. It is an example of a hill and water fort. The Fort is one of six forts of Rajasthan were included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013.

Snuggling in impressive isolation, is the fortress of Gagron. It is one of the popular places near Kota, which are visited by a good number of tourists every year. The wonderfully sculptured Jain temples lie in a serene valley of Aravalis in Ranakpur. The main temple is devoted to Tirthankara Adinath and has 29 halls maintained by 1444 pillars. This impregnable fort was the Capital of Khichi Chauhans and has a glorious history of valour and sacrifice. The foundation of this magnificent for t was laid in or around 7th or 8th century AD Tourist Places Rajasthan.

It is surrounded on three sides by the water of the Ahu and Kali Sindh Rivers and is an ideal example of a Jaldurg. Outside the fort is the mausoleum of a Sufi saint, Mitte Shah, where a fair is held every year during the Islamic month of Ramjan.

Gagron Fort

History

Even though the scenery, location and everything is beautiful, the history of the place can give you chills. The fort belonged to the Royal Rajput families and several battles have been fought over that place centuries ago. One of those battles is the ‘Battle of Gagron’ which was fought between The Rajput King Rana Sanga and the Malwa Sultan MahmoodKhilji in the year 1591. Sultan Mahmood Khilji was trying to intrude in a matter between RanaSanga and MediniRai therefore Rana Sanga attacked on Sultan Khilji to teach him a lesson and hence the battle was fought.

In this battle The Rajput King Rana Sanga completely defeated the Sultan Mahmood Khilji, but the reason of the battle was not capturing a kingdom or territory. Therefore, Rana Sanga treated him with respect and released him after imprisonment of some time. He not only released him but also restored Sultan Mahmood Khilji his kingdom back. Sultan Mahmood Khilji had an auspicious crown and a belt which was passed on from generation to generation in his family starting from Sultan Hoshang Shah, as a gift Sultan Mahmood Khilji gave that crown and the Belt to Maharana Sanga. Maharana Sanga released Sultan Mahmood Khilji but kept his son as hostage.

Along with the Battles, the place has witnessed the act of “Jauhar” twice. Jauhar is a ritual which used to be performed by Indian ladies in antient times. In this ritual all the ladies used to dress in their wedding outfits, light up a huge fire and then put themselves in the fire. There was a reason for doing this. This ritual used to be performed when the kingdom was losing a war and the opponents were coming to take over the kingdom. According to Indian culture and traditions respect and dignity are more important things for women than their lives. If they won’t perform the Jauhar ritual then they may be slaved, captured or raped by the opponents.

So, to prevent that from happening they used to perform this ritual and thus burning themselves up in the fire was the way of protecting their dignity and saving themselves from the upcoming torture of life. Not only the ladies but also their daughters, even the pregnant women used to do this. The spot where this ritual was performed twice called the JauharKund is still there somewhere in the Gagron Fort. The place is even considered to be haunted by some locals Rajasthan Budget Tours.

Gagron Fort

Unique Architecture

Surrounded by Ahu, Kali and Sindh rivers on three sides, Gagron fort is the only hill and water fort of rajasthan. Built without foundation, this fort is one of its kind and is also called as ‘jaladurga’.

The fort has two main entrances, one leading to the waterfront, the other to the hills.

Gagron Fort holds a number of beautiful sites in its premises, including deewan-khaas, deewan-e-aam, Madhusudan mandir and Rang Mahal along with temples of Lord Shiva, Ganesh and Siren Durga.

Gagron Fort

Where is Gagron Fort?

The Jal Durg of Gargron is situated 14 Kms from Jhalawar City. Kota is 88 Kms from Jhalawar.

How to Reach

By Air: The closest airport is Indore that is 240 kilometers away, and Jaipur Airport is at a distance of 345kms

By Road: Jhalawar lies on Highway No. 12 and is connected by bus to many cities in Rajasthan.

By Rail: Jhalawar has a newly-constructed railway station that is 2 kilometers from Jhalawar city.

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Barmer fort

Barmer Fort is one of the most famous tourist attraction in Barmer. The Fort was built by Rawat Bhima in 1552 AD at a hillock in the present city of Barmer when he shifted his capital from Juna to the present city Barmer. He builds a fort on top of the city which is also known as Barmer Garh. The top point of the hill in which the fort is built is about 1383 feet but Rawat Bhima builds a fort at height of 676 feet which is a safer place than the top of the hill. The main entrance of Fort is on North direction, Safety Burg is made on east & west direction Rajasthan Monuments.

The boundary wall of the fort was ordinary due to natural wall protection of hill. You will find numerous temples surrouding the fort. Of all these temples there are two most famous temples; Top of the hill is temple of Jogmaya Devi (Garh Mandir) which is situated at height of 1383 & at Height of 500 feet there is Nagnechi Mata temple, Both temples are very famous and have fair during Navratra festivals. The rest area is the residence of the former royal family of Barmer.

Barmer fort

History of Barmer Fort

Built on top of a rocky hillock, the Barmer Fort was the brainchild of Rawat Bhimawho built it in 1552 AD when the old Barmer was shifted to the present one. This city is also known as BarmerGarh and it is believed that Rawat Bhima had built this fort on top of the city.

The hillock on which the Barmer Fort stands has a height of 1383 feet; however, the fort was built at a height of 676 feet which was considered to be a safe height for the fort rather than building it right on top of the hill. In the year 1308, the Barmer Fort came under the ownership of Alauddin Khilji who was later defeated by Luntiga Chauhan who took over the Barmer Fort after killing the Muslim battalion. After this battle, no Sultan of Delhi took over the Barmer Fort.

Barmer fort

Structure of Barmer Fort

Though the Barmer Fort is currently in ruins, it is still worth a visit as this tourist attraction was a significant part of Barmer’s history. As mentioned earlier, the fort was built on the side of the hillock to maintain safety. The fort was constructed using the stones from the hillock itself. The Barmerfort’s main entrance is in the North direction and the Safety Burg are on the east and west side.

The Barmer Fort is surrounded by temples and people from all over the country visit this religious site for two of the most important temples – Jogmaya Devi temple which is also known as Garh Mandir (located at 1383 feet height) and Nagnechi Mata temple (located at 500 feet height). Both these temples experience high footfall during the Navratri festival.

Barmer fort

Best Time to Visit Barmer Fort

Though Rajasthan can be visited anytime during the year, it is highly recommended to avoid visiting the state during the summers. This is because the temperatures can really soar up and can also lead to heat strokes. Monsoons are also a good time as the climate is pleasant and you will also get to experience nice greenery in the land of desert.

How to Reach Barmer Fort?

There are three ways by which you can reach Barmer Fort – by air, rail, and road Tourist Places Rajasthan.

By Air: The Jodhpur Airport located at a distance of about 200 kms away from Barmer is the closest domestic airport. It will take you around three and half hours to reach Barmer from the Jodhpur Airport. For international travelers, the closest international airport is located in Ahmedabad which is about 375 kms away from Barmer. This airport is well-connected to a number of cities in India such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Pune, etc.

By Road: The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) as well as a number of other private tour operators run buses from major cities in Rajasthan to Barmer. You can easily book an A/C or non-A/C bus from other nearby states as well.

By Rail: This is one of the easiest modes of transportation to reach Barmer as there is a railway station in Barmer city itself. There are a number of trains running to and from the Barmer station to major cities in India.

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