Top 5 Destinations in Rajasthan is where one experiences a magnificent union of architecture, history, cuisine and chivalrous. The Land of Kings is a worthy etymology, owing to the rich heritage founded by the Maharajas who once ruled with pride their kingdoms. What they left for us is a map of various palaces and forts, beautiful craft markets and their descendants welcoming us with a ‘Ghani Khamma’ and a warm smile.
A significant portion of Rajasthani land is a golden sand carpet that is otherwise known as the Thar Desert. There is also the Aravalli Range with the magnificent Mount Abu adding to Rajasthan ‘s geographical splendour. But this isn’t what it needs to boast about. The heart of Rajasthan ‘s tourism lies in its cities which burst with all the fuss about which Rajasthan is Here are the top five places to visit in Rajasthan.
1. Jodhpur – The famous Blue City
This “Blue City,” the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is a mesmerising array of azure abodes that soothes and delights everyone who beholds it.
A sea of boxy indigo houses extends along the walls of the historic walled old city for more than 10 kilometres in the town of Jodhpur. A blue pigment coating on a house suggested a Brahmin — the priests There dwelt the Indian caste system, but over time the colour became an identification badge for non-Brahmins, too. It is also said to have power to repel insects.
Jodhpur is also known as the “Sun City,” located on the edge of the Thar Desert, named for the sheer amount of bright and sunny days it experiences. It is home to popular forts , palaces, mausoleums, gardens, lakes and towers which make it a tourist hotspot. The city has won renown for its textile industry, exquisite furniture shops, delicious cuisine, and vibrant bazaars, among many other attractions since its founding more than 500 years ago.
Above all, however, tourists are unlikely to forget the eye-catching colour that coats the houses, producing a luscious blue sea in the arid Indian countryside. A view from the top of the towering Mehrangarh Fort, one of fifteenth-century India’s largest forts, lets tourists overlook the bountiful, striking blue the city is renowned for.
2. Udaipur – The City of Lakes
Udaipur is one of those lakes-laden Rajasthan cities. There are so many lakes in and around Udaipur, actually, that it’s called the City of Lakes.
These lakes are all man-made, and are used in this dry and arid land to provide (and still provide) water. Udaipur has to boast of one more name, and it’s called ‘Eastern Venice.’ Like Venice in Italy, at Udaipur you’ll find bridge, lakes, royalty & heritage elegance, colourful bazaars, rural charm in their handicrafts, and romance in their gardens. It’s these which make Udaipur one of Rajasthan’s most romantic cities.
Not many places in India, at first sight, are easy to love but Udaipur will immediately blow you away. This small town is home to majestic palaces and temples, bustling markets, picturesque lakes and spectacular sunsets. It is all at once photogenic, romantic and colourful. Udaipur has become a popular Indian wedding destination, because of its beauty. It’s fairly easy to see that there are couples who want to tie the knot. Udaipur has become a breath of fresh air after the craziness of Delhi and Jaipur (as fresh as the air gets in India!)
3. Jaisalmer – The Golden City
Jailsamer ‘s remote city in India is where you need to go if you want to discover artistic buildings, temples, and monuments, the reasons why it is a World Heritage Site.
Jaisalmer is one of the few cities in the world for a city in India, with a population of no more than one hundred thousand. It occupies 5.1 square kilometres of total area and is nestled in the heart of the Thar Desert. Maharawal Jaisal Singh, a Rajput king, founded the town in 1156 A.D. The only way to get into town is from a variety of cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur, and Ajmer by rail , bus, or by car. You can take a 14 day trip camel ride from Bikaner if you have weeks to spend travelling!
Jaisalmer stands on a yellowish sandstone ridge, Used in the construction of houses and structures, that is why the town exudes a yellowish-golden tinge, hence the Golden City name. The town is overshadowed by the Jaisalmer Fort also known as Sonar Qila, a living fort where families still live in hotels , shops, old houses and a royal palace. Ninety-nine bastions encircle the fort. Bada Bagh, Patwaon-Ki-Haveli, Jain Temples, Jaisalmer War Museum, Kuldhara Abandoned Village, The Thar Heritage Museum, Maharaja Palace, Mandir Palace, and Tanot Mata Temple are among the top attractions in the city. You shouldn’t miss seeing Queen Harish, a cross-dressing dancer known for Rajasthan folk dances, who performs frequently in his hometown, Jaisalmer.
4. Bharatpur – The Avian Heaven
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, India is a refuge for the avifauna and a delight for both nature lovers and photographers. Now recognised as the National Park of Keoladeo Ghana it is home to over 230 species of birds. The bird sanctuary is overflooded with ornithologists and visitors during the hibernal season. In 1971, the sanctuary was also a World Heritage Site, and designated a protected area.
One of India’s many national parks, the sanctuary is a man-made wetland which is maintained. It is a blissful amalgamation of 29 square kilometres of wetlands, swamps of forest, woodlands, and dry glasslands. The diverse ecosystem is home to birds, invertebrates, turtles, lizards, rodents, fish, and species of florals. Every year, migrant waterfowl visit the sanctuary to breed. It is one of the world’s most popular bird sanctuaries, notable both for its resident breeding birds and migratory birds.
5. Mount Abu – The Sole Hill Retreat in Rajasthan
Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan, is located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the scenic Aravalli mountain range and is surrounded by evergreen forests. Its altitude of 1,220 m means the town has a cool climate and extensive views over the plateau surrounding it.
The charming hill town at the Jain pilgrimage site is most famous for its intricately carved Jain Dilwara Temples marble. These can be found concealed in the shadow of the trees north of the city, and are considered some of India’s best carvings. The Dilwara Temples, hewn from white marble and constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, consist of five separate temples, each special in its own way, although a minute attention to detail in its beautiful carvings and doorways unites all of them. Especially awe-inspiring is the Vimal Vasahi temple, with intricate rows of elephants carved into corridors and ceilings overflowing with lotus and petals.
Thanks to its temperate climate, the town draws tourists – and wedding parties – and many prefer to spend time on the picturesque Nakki Lake. Tourists will boat around the holy lake by day, watching Toad Rock amid the green hills, sunset, fountains capture the last light rays. Lovers of animals can enjoy the nearby animal sanctuary, as well as the diverse bird life that can be seen throughout. Other town events include shopping for brightly coloured clothes and hand-loomed pieces at Khadi bazaar.
Mount Abu is also the site of a holy Hindu rite, the ‘yagya agnikund’ or fire ritual, to add to its strengths. Many Rajputs come here to visit the temple of the Gaumukh stone, three kilometres north, Enter pilgrims by ascending 750 steps to reach the temple with its stunning panoramic view over the Aravalli Hills.