Go through the cultural diversity of Rajasthan
Whenever Rajasthan is thought about, forts, colors, camels, temples and markets come to mind. But that’s a mere glimpse of the royal state. If you wish to explore it and have a look at its multicolored facets, you should visit the flashy cities of this princely state. It is one among the most-visited states in India as tourists from all around the globe flock this city to experience the royalty and diversity of Rajasthan. Not one or two but this state boasts of multiple attractions, which cater to the needs of all types of globetrotters. In Rajasthan, one can find various religious sites, beautiful vistas, hill-placed forts, exciting adventurous treats, blooming lakes, friendly people and a wide variety of flora and fauna. To catch a glimpse of all this, you need to plan a tour to Rajasthan. Although Rajasthan is a huge state with multiple tourist destinations, the most sought-after ones include Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Mount Abu, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Bikaner and Kota. explore the major tourist attractions of these picturesque cities and you won’t be disappointed.
The Holy City
Surrounded by Aravali Ranges, Ajmer is the fifth largest city in Rajasthan. It is quite popular for Dargah Sharif and is an important pilgrimage site for Muslims. Located on the banks of River Banas and Luna, Ajmer boasts of an exquisite specimen of Mughal architecture. Not only it holds religious significance for Muslims due to the Khwaja Gharib Nawaz, the shrine of a Sufi saint - Moinuddin Chishti but is also an important religious site for Hindus and Jains. Therefore, a lot of devotees throng the city throughout the year. Besides this, the city hosts the world’s largest camel fair, Pushkar Fair. Ajmer portrays an interesting fusion of cultures as it has been ruled by several rulers and dynasties. Some of the well-known tourist attractions of the city include Taragarh Fort, Akbar’s Palace, Ana Sagar Lake, Nasiyan Jain Temple, Lake Foy Sagar, Prithviraj Smarak and many others. Pushkar Fair along with Dargah Sharif remains the major highlight of the city.
The Pink City
Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan. This city is the part of the most famous tourist circuit of India (Golden Triangle) along with Delhi and Agra. the first planned city of India is known all across the world for its architectural wonders, bustling markets, vibrant culture and ancient temples. The forts and palaces in Jaipur are the representations of Indo-Islamic architecture and attract a lot of tourists throughout the year. The city is known by the name of the pink city as it was painted in pink as a gesture of hospitality to welcome the Prince of Wales, who visited the city in 1876. The city manages to entice everyone - may it be adventure enthusiast or history buff or shopaholic or foodie. The city has various tourist destinations like Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar and many others. One can also shop for local handicrafts and traditional attires in local markets of the city. In a nutshell, the city gives tourists the most memorable experience in India.
The blue city
Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. The city got its name from the chief of the Rathore clan - Rao Jodha, who founded the city in 1459. The city is called the Blue City due to the houses and walls being painted in blue. It is believed that the city has been painted in blue to seek respite from the scorching heat. The city is also known as the Sun City because the city remains sunny and bright all around the year. The city is the most famous due to Herculean Mehrangarh Fort, which is considered amongst the largest forts in India. One can spot well-maintained lush gardens, majestic palaces, age-old temples, royal forts and many more within the city. A few of the charms of Jodhpur are Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore Garden and Sardar Government Museum. One can also enjoy shopping in the bustling streets and zip-lining in the city.
The City of Lakes
Positioned on the convergence point of several lakes and fringed by the Aravali Mountains, Udaipur is a vision in white. The city is chock full of mountains, lakes, monuments and gardens. Located in the middle of Lake Pichola, Lake Palace in Udaipur is one of the most breathtaking sights in the city. There are several historic edifices in the city like City Palace, Lake Palace, Monsoon Palace, Jagdish Temple and so on. The city is also famed for its abundance of zinc and marble. The fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture is evident in all parts of the city. It is owing to the scenic beauty of the city that many Bollywood and Hollywood films have been shot in this royal city. Udaipur is identified by various names such as “Venice of the East”, “Jewel of Mewar”, “City of Dawn”, etc.
The Golden city
Surrounded by the gentle Thar Desert, Jaisalmer is perfect to give you fairy tale feels. If you are looking out for a serene and adventurous destination, then you must opt for Jaisalmer. This city acts as the guard for the country as it is situated in proximity to Pakistan Border. Here, you can find a large no. of camels, brilliant architecture and inscriptions of par magnificence. Counted amongst the top visited cities in Rajasthan, it has numerous tourist spots, some of which are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some of the best ones include Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer Fort, Jain Temples, Bada Bagh, Desert National Park, etc. Moreover, the city also delights adventure seekers and shopping freaks as one can shop for ethereal handicraft items and enjoy camel rides in the desert or can also go for camping under the starlit sky.
Abode of Avifauna
This small city in Rajasthan used to be the fortified city in earlier times. Today, this quaint town is referred to as the “Eastern Gateway to Rajasthan” and is one of the important tourist destinations in the state. Founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733, it houses the world-famous bird sanctuary. Keoladeo National Park shelters as many as 364 species including the rare Siberian Crane along with several species of mammals and plants. Globetrotters throng the city to visit this famous bird sanctuary. Apart from this, the city also has many tourist spots like Lohagarh Fort, Banke Bihari Temple, Laxman Temple, Government Museum, etc. If history and nature excite you, you must visit this little hamlet in Rajasthan.
Oasis of Rajasthan
If you think all of Rajasthan is sweltering, you are under the mistaken impression as Rajasthan also has the hill station. Curled up in the Aravali ranges, it is the one and only hill station in Rajasthan. Just like the other cities of Rajasthan are frequented by a lot of tourists, Mount Abu is no different. The major charm of this quaint town lies in the pleasant climate and lush green surroundings. It is due to the scenic landscape of this place that it is popular among tourists as well as newlyweds. Endowed with forests, rivers and waterfalls, the town also holds great importance in Hinduism and Jainism. Dilwara Jain Temples are a group of exquisitely carved-out temples and are the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the country. Furthermore, the town has attractions like Nakki Lake, Toad Rock, Trevor’s Tank, etc. Wildlife lovers and adventure enthusiasts can also get a fair share of enjoyment.
The Camel City
Endowed with an abundance of the camel, the ship of the desert, Bikaner is also known as the camel city. Located amidst the Thar Desert, this city also features splendid forts and holy temples. The forts and palaces nestled in the city boast of the opulence of the rulers. The city is also home to one of the only two biplane models, which were used by British in the World War I. since the city is known for its best-riding camels, an elaborate celebration of 3 days is observed in the city. It is known by the name of Camel Festival. Besides the camels, the town also has something to delight devotees and history freaks. Some of the marvelous tourist attractions in the city include Junagarh Fort, Karni Mata Temple, Gajner Palace, Lalgarh Palace, Bhandasar Jain Temple, etc. One can also relish in the experience of desert safari during the stay in Bikaner.
Education city of India
Lying on the banks of River Chambal, Kota is the third largest city in Rajasthan. The city attracts globetrotters for several reasons, some of them being gold jewelry, Doria fabric and Kota stone. The city is also rich in terms of culture and heritage as it boasts of structures like City Palace, Godavari Dham temple, Government Museum, Chambal Garden and many others. The city is also well-known for its contribution to education and industry. Students from all over the country throng the city every year to pursue training for competitive examinations. Tourists can also enjoy delicious kachoris in the city. Moreover, the city can be visited to spot crocodiles and several different species of birds along the river shores of Chambal River.
