Rajasthan is largest state in India in terms of area. One can find variety of tourist places to visit in Rajasthan. The beautiful desert state of India has become to be identified with all things Indian. Definitely the most colourful region – Rajasthan has historic cities scattered all over the vast Thar Desert. A short air trip from either New Delhi or Mumbai, Rajasthan’s major cities are well connected by rail and road as well.

When visiting, there are historical monuments right from smaller palaces to sprawling forts housing multi layered palaces and temples. Each Rajasthani city has a unique character like the Pink City of Jaipur or the regal golden city of Jaisalmer. Camel ride is possible only in the desert.

A must for every visitor to India – Rajasthan has a unique cuisine. Local Handicrafts include- leatherwear, precious and semi-precious stones, jewellery, special tie & dye cotton fabric as well as hand block printed ones. The bazaars of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer have a fascinating array of goods on display.

The architecture has many unique features such as – storage and transportation of water in forts built over 400 years ago at heights and hill tops.

Tourist Places to visit in Rajasthan

Bikaner

The city is exercise in architecture. If ever beauty has bloomed in a desert, it has been at Bikaner. One gapes in awe at the seven kilometer embattled wall with ornate gates at elevation amidst shrubs and sand dunes; rocky scrubland below and scorching sun above. The imposing palaces, beautiful and richly sculptured temples of red and yellow sandstone display some of the finest creation of Rajput civilization.
Of all desert cities, Bikaner has the singular distinction of being a mighty trade point on traditional caravans which moved between Africa, West Asia towards East and Far East, several centuries back.

Rao Bikaji funded the city in 1488.Incidently, he was one of the descendants of Jodhaji – the founder of Jodhpur city. Rao Bikaji’s dynasty reigned supreme for four and half centuries. It was then known as a part of Jangladesh. Four centuries later(1880-1943)an enlighten ruler, Maharaja Ganga Singh had the Gang Canal dug up to satiate the parched lands of his rain starved people.

Bikaner rises from the desert, a complex town of sandstone coloured turrets, cupolas, arched windows, balconies and stone screen work in a delicate lattice style. Just beyond the town lie sand dunes, vast endless stretches of an arid desert, made to bloom wherever there is water.
Now only five centuries old, Bikaner is a handsome city, its major highlight the fort is around which the city has grown. The fort itself has several lavish apartments, built by a succession of rulers over a period of time and each therefore highlighting the architectural transition that occurred in the state.

Bikaner guarded its defenses well and its battlements never succumbed to foreign invasion. since the kingdom also sought cordial relation with power in Delhi, its last two centuries of rule were characterised by a growth in the arts, and in the rich merchant community. But even earlier, Bikaner had provided sanctuary to men of learning, and the Anup Sanskrit Library, run by a private trust, has some very rare and commendable manuscript. Bikaner is also known for its school of painting with certain distinctive features. The art of the region are rich in colour and the piece de resistance are pretty bottles and table lamps made of camel leather and beautifully painted with gold, making expensive but exquisite souvenirs.

The tutelary deity of the house of Bikaner, Karni Mata has a large following and a temple dedicated to her, at Deshnoke, is very popular. It is also very unusual for the temple provides sanctuary to mice in the belief that those who serve the goddess are reborn as mice. It is among top tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.

Another popular temple excursion is often undertaken to Kodamdesar,a temple with a water tank. It is considered auspicious to offer hair at he shrine.

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7 Places to Visit in Bikaner- Tourist Places Sightseeing

 

Chittorgarh

Chittorgarh harks back to the days of Rajput and valour. This mighty fort was the capital of the Mewar Kingdom from the 7th to the mid 16th century under Sisodia Rajputs. Bappa Rawal wrested this place in battle from the leader of the Mori Rajputs but it was Rana Kumbha, who made it the pride of Rajasthan. The Mughals under Great Mughal, akbar stormed this bastion to prove their mighty.

Chittorgarh is known for its victory and its legendary heroic Rajput princess Maharani Padmini. Another famous woman of Chittaur was the mystic saint Meera whose Bhajans/hymns still reverberate amidst the ruins. It is among top tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.

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10 Places to Visit in Chittorgarh, Tourist places sightseeing

 

Jaipur

The city of victor, Jaipur, presides over the fascinating desert State of Rajasthan. Surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort, it is a city of beautiful palaces, mansion and gardens. The city was founded in 1727 AD by Maharaja Jai Singh who moved his capital from Amber to the city he built. Jai Singh’s various talents and interests are clearly exhibited in the city. The designing of the city was entrusted to a young Bengali architect, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya who laid the plains according to the Hindu treaties, the Shilp Shastra. Jaipur was built in the form of a rectangle, divided into blocks with raids and avenues running parallel to the side. In 1863,Jaipur dressed itself in pink to welcome Prince Albert, consort of queen Victoria. Since then the city has been known as ‘The Pink City’. Modern Jaipur, however, has surpassed its earlier limits and now extends very nearly to the doors of the ancient capital of Amber.

Besides being a fascinating city to explore. Jaipur is an excellent base from which to visit its enchanting surroundings: Ajmer and Pushkar, famous for the Dargah of Salim Chisti and the temple of Brahma respectively; Shekhwati, a region of fabulous frescoes and havelis; Bikaner and Jaisalmer, the desert cities whose colour and architecture defies their harsh surroundings; Jodhpur, the city of an impregnable fort; Sariska and Bharatpur, homes of a wealth of wildlife and birds; and scores of historical sites. It is among top tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.

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Places to visit in Jaipur, Tourist places sightseeing

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is a gilded fantasy juxtaposed in a formidable desert. To say the least, it is a shimmer of sand amidst the sun-soaked sky. For the hues thrown up both by the rising and the setting sun, Jaisalmer is worth a visit. To crown the glory are temples;the mystic forts.

Legends has it that Lord Krishna had once prophesisid that a descendent of his clan Yadav’s-would raise the capital of his kingdom here.
In 1556 AD Rawal Jaisal, a Yadav as well as a Rajput of Bhatti origin-shifted his capital here from Lodurva.

In the ten centuries gone by, Jaisalmer has emerged as an unparalled habitat of ‘havelis’-each filigreed and exquisitely carved. The city is a dream turned true. It is among top tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.

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• Desert Festival Jaisalmer Tourism, Desert Camp, Rajasthan
• Places to Visit in Jaisalmer, Tourist places sightseeing

Jodhpur

The origin of Jodhpur is antiquated in Mahabharata. It finds mention as northern Marwar in Jangladesh.
Since the 13th century, it has been knownas Marudesh or Marwar-a desert of sand made immortal by the Rathores.
Interestinly, Rathores claim direst descent from the epic-hero Lord Rama. The last ruler-still alive-is 41st in direct line of succession.
It was 1459 A.D. that Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs built the city.Today two forts-one a fairly medieval and the other a marvel in modernity-mark the city.

Jodhpur on eastern fringe of the Thar desert has the distinction of neither being in the Thar desert nor out of it. At best, it is a doorway of the wonder world of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees. A ten kilometre long high wall protect the most imposing and striking fort of Jodhpur. The city, with its exquisitely decorated stately palaces, fine buildings and gracious mausoleum and temples is also the second most important city and business centre of Rajasthan after its capital, Jaipur. It is among top tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.

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• Places to Visit in Jodhpur, Tourist Places Sightseeing

Mount Abu

Nestling (at a height of 1200 metres) in the Aravalli range passing through Rajasthan, is Mount abu. This hill station is popular both with domestic and international visitors. Mount Abu is an important hill station among places to visit in Rajasthan, India. Mount Abu also derives huge tourist from nearby state Gujarat. The world famous Dilwara Temples are close by. Many legends talk about Mount abu, the most famous of these is about how Mount Abu derived his name. The son of the Himalayas, Arbuda(abu in short)-a serpant, came down to this spot to rescue Nandi the Wahan (Mount)of Lord Shiva, Hence the name. It is among top tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.

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Places to Visit in Mount Abu, Tourist places Sightseeing

 

Udaipur

On the periphery of great Indian Desert State of Rajasthan is the city of Lakes-Udaipur. Founded in 1599 by Maharaja Udai Singh,son of the legendary Maharana Pratap od Mewar, this ‘Venice of the east’ is a jewel tucked away in the Aravalli hills.Its palace and forts, interestingly markets put Udaipur on the “must see’ map of tourist to India.Its palaces in the lakes have been the location for honeymooners. Udaipur’s palaces speak of a by-gone age when chivalry was above life and royalty and culture flowered. It is among top tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.

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• Places to Visit near Udaipur, Weekend Getaway Destination
• Places to Visit in Udaipur, Tourist Destination Sightseeing