A travel Guide to Rajasthan

Rajasthan Tourism

Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country and is famous amongst domestic as well as international travellers. The state is well known for its historic forts and palaces that symbolise art and culture with their intricate carvings and beautiful sculptures. The Rajasthan tourism slogan is “Padharo Mhare Desh” which can be translated to “Welcome to my land”. One out of three foreign national tourists who are visiting India makes sure to do a Rajasthan tour as it falls in the Golden Triangle for tourists visiting India. Golden Triangle is a tourist circuit connecting Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

The lakes of Udaipur, palaces of Jaipur, and forts of Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur are what attract travellers from across the globe. Some of the other popular Rajasthan tourist attractions are Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Chittor Fort, Ranthambore Fort, Pushkar, Mt. Abu, Ranthambore National Park, etc. The Land of Maharajas is located in the northwestern part of India and shares a national border with Pakistan. Here’s a Rajasthan travel guide to help you make the best of your time in this state.

Places to visit in Rajasthan

1. Ranthambore

Ranthambore is one of the must-visit Rajasthan tourist places. It is rich in flora and fauna and lies in the foothills of two remarkable mountain ranges of India, Vindhya, and Aravalli. It has one of the best tiger reserves in India and as absurd as it may sound, tourists have said that the tigers are quite friendly. The Ranthambore Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in the 10th century and still stands tall over the Ranthambore National Park. This place is a haven for wildlife photographers, bird-watchers, and admirers of nature. You can visit temples and lakes in the morning for a nice bird-watching session, and if you’re lucky enough, you can even witness panthers and bears in the Kachida Valley.

2. Udaipur

If you’re a fan of Bollywood, you must have seen this place quite a few times. The White City, City of Lakes, Jewel of Mewar are a few names that Udaipur holds. International travellers call it the Venice of East and once you visit this city, you understand why. The city is home to many remarkable temples, palaces, and forts. Besides, it is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills from all sides. You can be here for a solo soul-searching trip, a honeymoon or a family trip, Udaipur caters to all.

3. Jodhpur

Jodhpur is known as the Blue City because of the fact that almost all the houses and walls are painted blue and you can witness this when you look out of your plane while landing here. You can visit the Jaswant Tada, Umaid Bhawan, and Mehrangarh Fort which are some of the key Rajasthan attractions. The city has a few other names such as the Sun City and the Gateway to Thar. Christopher Nolan chose to shoot parts of The Dark Knight Rises in Jodhpur and that has added to its popularity. You should visit Sardar Market and the Clock Tower where you can enjoy shopping and explore a variety of local foods. Because of its convenient and central location in the state, it is easier for international visitors to use it as a base to explore other parts of Rajasthan as well.

4. Jaipur

The widely known Pink City was ruled by the Rajput community for centuries. It is also the capital of Rajasthan and falls in the Golden Triangle of foreign tourists along with Delhi and Agra. Jaipur is the home of several UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Jantar Mantar and Amer Fort. It is one of the largest cities in the country and is a hub for the famous Rajasthan attractions. You can visit the Tripolia Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and Johri Bazaar for a nice walk on the streets in the heart of the city and enjoy popular dishes like Dal Baati Churma and Pyaaz Kachori. The city has an international airport and is well connected by road and rail as well. You can even stay at palaces that have been converted into exotic hotels where you can learn more about the heritage and culture of Rajasthan.

5. Bhangarh Fort

The Bhangarh Fort is a historical ruin that is known to be the most haunted place in India. It was built in Alwar in the 17th century. You’ll come across several temples and many beautiful carvings and sculptures as well when you enter the fort which is evidence that this place isn’t just known for the many haunted stories associated with it but also for its beauty and elegance. Although the ‘haunted’ bit seems to be pretty real because the Archaeological Survey, as well as the Rajasthan tourism, has put up a board outside asking the visitors to not visit the place after sunset and before sunrise, many intrigued people still visit it at night.

Things to do in Rajasthan

There are a lot of things you can do in Rajasthan. You can explore its romantic past, the spicy cuisine, watch animals in their natural habitat, and whatnot. Here are some things you can do during your stay in Rajasthan.

Wildlife Safari

You can experience a wildlife safari in the Ranthambore National Park, Keoladeo National Park, and the Sariska Tiger Reserve. You can watch several animals like elephants, bears, tigers, etc. If you opt for a safari, make sure not to wear colours or perfumes that’ll catch the animals’ attention.

Hot Air Balloon

Soar high in the sky over the cities of Jaipur and Pushkar, and get an aerial view of the beautiful places. You can even notice the Pink and Blue hues of the cities as you fly over them.

Ziplining

You’ll find a zipline in every Rajasthan travel guide. You can watch the elegant forts as you go from one cliff to another. You can try it at the Neemrana and Mehrangarh Fort.

Sand Dune Bashing

It is a must-do activity for the adrenaline junkies. Witness the magnificent architecture of the Salim Singh ki Haveli and Jaisalmer Fort in the day and enjoy Sand Dune Bashing in the evening.

Learn about Rajasthani Culture at Chokhi Dhani

Chokhi Dhani is one of the top Rajasthan tourist places. Visit Chokhi Dhani to indulge in the culture, tradition, and world-famous cuisine of Rajasthan. You’ll be entertained with folk dances as you enjoy that delicious meal.

Check out Chand Baori Step Well at Abhaneri

There are several architectural marvels in Rajasthan and this is one among them. Chand Baori, located in Abhaneri Village, is a 13-story step well with symmetric steps that leads to water at its bottom. You won’t get tired of admiring the architecture of this place.

Trekking

You can go for a trek in Mount Abu, watch birds and talk to the locals. Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan so you can go there for a nice family vacation and enjoy the pleasant weather.

Best time to visit Rajasthan

Rajasthan is away from the coast and typically has dry weather. You can visit Rajasthan throughout the year but the best time to visit Rajasthan is between November and February when the temperature is moderate and the weather is pleasant. There’s a vast margin between the temperature during the day and night and it can sometimes even drop below 0?.

Another reason that makes winter the best season to visit Rajasthan is the fact that various festivals are held here. These festivals are major Rajasthan attractions and receive a lot of visitors from across the globe.

How to reach Rajasthan

There are several answers to the question ‘how to reach Rajasthan?’ You can travel to Rajasthan via flight, railway, and by road as well. Major cities of India like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata offer direct flights to Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. If you’re a foreign traveller, Jaipur International Airport is your destination. Apart from flights, you can travel to Rajasthan via well-connected railway routes and national highways. You can even experience the royal treatment in special trains like Palace on Wheels and the Golden Chariot but if you’re looking for adventure, just hit the road.