37 Tourist Places You Must Visit in Rajasthan
Image Credit: Nihaar Gupta
Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. The state witnesses a high inflow of domestic and foreign tourists every year. The sunny weather of Jodhpur, the beautiful sand dunes of the Thar Desert, the amazing camel rides of Jaisalmer, the mouth-watering delicacies of Bikaner, the Pushkar animal fair – these are just some of the fascinating offerings Rajasthan has in store for its visitors. There are innumerable tourist places to visit in Rajasthan. Each and every place has something or the other to offer to its guests.
Jaipur
The capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur is the largest city in the state. The city was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727, after whom the city has been named. Jaipur is best known for its beautiful palaces that attract tourists from all over the country and the world, which makes the city one of the most popular tourist places in Rajasthan.
Among the most popular places of tourist interest in Jaipur city are the Hawa Mahal, the Nahargarh Fort and the Jantar Mantar Observatory. Jaipur is also an important destination in the Golden Triangle tourist circuit which connects it to Delhi and Agra. The most interesting fact about the city of Jaipur is that it was planned according to Vastu Shastra. All the streets run from East to West and North to South.
Here’s a list of some of the places to visit in Jaipur:
1. City Palace
'Image Credits : sheetal saini The main entry gates into the City Palace complex are the Virendra Pol, the Udai Pol and the Tripolia Gate. Commoners and tourists can enter the City Palace only through the Virendra Pol and the Udai Pol. The most famous tourist spots within the palace complex are the Chandra Mahal and the Mubarak Mahal.
2. Amber (Amer) Fort and Palace
'Image Credits : Honza Soukup - Flickr Overlooking the Maota Lake, the fort is best known for its artistic representation of Hindu elements. The fort is built with red sandstone and marble and consists of the Diwan-e-Aam or the Hall of Public Audience, the Diwan-e-Khaas or the Hall of Private Audience, the Sheesh Mahal and the Sukh Niwas. Remarkably, the Sukh Niwas has a very indigenous form of air-conditioning wherein artificial winds are blown over a water cascade to cool the surroundings.
The Amer Palace served as the royal residence of Rajput Maharajas and their families. At the entrance of the Amber Fort, there is a temple dedicated to Sila Devi, who is a goddess of the Chaitanya Cult.
3. Jantar Mantar Observatory
The Jantar Mantar attracts a number of astronomers, students of Vedic astronomy and tourists from all over the world. Local astronomers still use it to predict the weather for local farmers. The Jantar Mantar can be called the single most representative work of Vedic astronomy.
The Jantar Mantar houses a giant sun dial called the Samrat Yantra and other astronomical instruments such as the Nadivalya Yantra, the Jai Prakash Yantra and the Laghu Samrat Yantra.
4. Birla Mandir
'Image Credits : Jean-Marc Astesana The temple was built by the Birla Group of Industries in 1988 and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort Goddess Laxmi. Built in white marble, the temple is an absolute delight to behold. The images of Laxmi and Narayan have been made out of a single piece of marble and are extremely beautiful to look at. The images of different deities of the Hindu religion are depicted inside the temple. The images of renowned philosophers and figures of other religions are also depicted in this temple. These include the images of Socrates, Christ, Buddha and other religious icons.
Udaipur
Udaipur is a popular tourist place in Rajasthan and attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world due to its scenic beauty, history, culture and Rajput-era palaces. Often called the Venice of the East, Udaipur has a number of beautiful lakes such as the Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar.
The city was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh as the final capital of the kingdom of Mewar. The best season to visit Udaipur is during the autumn or winters as the city experiences a salubrious climate during this time. The city has a number of tourist destinations such as the City Palace, Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Monsoon Palace, Jagdish Temple, Sagasji Mandir, and more.
Here’s a list of some of the must-visit places during a trip to Udaipur:
5. Kumbhalgarh Fort
'Image Credits : Benjamin Vander Steen - Flickr The fort is now open to the public and is lit up in decorative lights every evening for a few minutes. The Kumbhalgarh Fort is the next most important fort in Mewar after the Chittorgarh Fort. The fort was built by Rana Kumbha and his dynasty, which belonged to the Sisodia clan of Rajputs.
[Explore the quaint boulevards of the Venice of the East with our heritage walking tour in Udaipur]
The entrance of the fort is through the Aret Pol or Gate. There are other entry gates such as the Halla Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ram Pol and Vijay Pol. The Hanuman Pol is important as it enshrines an image of Lord Hanuman which was brought to the fort from Mandavpur by Rana Kumbha. The Kumbhalgarh is a must-visit destination among the tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.
6. Lake Pichola
'Image Credits : Dennis Jarvis There are four islands on the lake and palaces have been developed on these lakes to provide a better view of the expanse of the lake. The four islands and the palaces built on them are:
Jag Niwas – the Lake Palace is built on this island.
Jag Mandir – the Jag Mandir is built on this island.
Mohan Mandir – a palace was built on this island and it was used by the king for watching the annual Gangaur festival celebrations.
Arsi Vilas – the Arsi Vilas is a small island which has an ammunition depot and a small palace. This palace was used by the kings to view the sunsets.
7. Fateh Prakash Palace
The Fateh Prakash Palace has won five tourism awards in the ‘Heritage Grand’ category and is one of the two authentic palace hotels in the Udaipur City Palace Complex. The palace’s counterpart is called the Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel which is quite popular with tourists visiting Udaipur.
The most appealing feature of the Fateh Prakash Palace is the old world charm it has retained, which makes it stand apart in a crowd of imitation palace hotels which is becoming a new trend in Udaipur.
8. Jain Temple, Ranakpur
'Image Credits : ravas51 - Flickr The most remarkable feature about the temple is that it has a beautiful carving made out of a single rock of marble. The heads of about 108 snakes with innumerable tails have been carved into the stone. The temple has four faces and is a chaumukha. The four faces symbolise the Tirthankara’s conquest of the four directions. The Jain Temple is a must-visit destination among tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.
9. Haldi Ghati
Haldi Ghati has great historical significance as it had stood witness to the war between one of India’s greatest warriors Maharana Pratap and Raja Man Singh of Amber, who was a general to Mughal Emperor Akbar. Today, a bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on his favourite horse Chetak has been installed at the Haldi Ghati by the Government of India. The region is also famous for its charity rose product and the mud art of Molela.
Jodhpur
Image Credits : Arati Kumar-Rao - Flickr Like other cities in Rajasthan, Jodhpur too has its share of palaces, forts and temples to explore and to entice tourists and travellers. The major attractions in Jodhpur include the Mehrangarh Fort, the Jaswant Thada, the Umaid Bhavan Palace, the Ghanta Ghar, the Mandore Gardens, the Kalyana Lake and Garden, Sardar Samand Lake and Masooria Hills.
Here are some of the must visit places in Jodhpur:
10. Mehrangarh Fort
'Image Credits : Michael Foley - Flickr The walls of the fort still bear the imprints of cannon balls from attacks during the reign of the Rajput rulers. On the left of the fort, you can find a chattri dedicated to a soldier called Kirat Singh Soda who fell on the spot while defending the fort. Handprints can still be found on the walls and for this reason, the fort attracts a large number of tourists.
Besides the palaces, the Mehrangarh Fort also has a museum which is one of the most well-stocked museums in Rajasthan. The Mehrangarh Fort is a must-visit destination among all the Rajasthan tourist places.
11. Jodhpur Flying Fox
Depending on how ambitious you are, you can choose from a range of zip lines measuring 70 m to 300 m. The zip line not only quenches your thirst for some adrenaline rush but also enables you to get a beautiful view of the Mehrangarh Fort and its surroundings like never before. For an adventure lover, the Jodhpur Flying Fox is a must-visit among Rajasthan tourist destinations.
12. Umaid Bhawan Palace
The palace has about 347 rooms and is divided into three parts. One part of the palace is the royal residence, the other part is a heritage hotel and the third part is a museum. The Umaid Bhawan Palace museum showcases the 20th century history of the Jodhpur Royal Family. The museum also has a gallery which showcases the automobiles owned by the royal family.
The Umaid Bhawan Palace was initially called the Chittar Palace due to its location on the Chittar Hill, which is the highest point in Jodhpur. The construction of the palace was done in 1929 to provide employment to thousands during the famine.
13. Mandore Gardens
'Image Credits : Nagarjun Kandukuru - Flickr The Mandore Fort is one such place and is a must-visit in Jodhpur. The Mandore Gardens is well known for its Chattris of several rulers of the state of Marwar. The most prominent among all the Chattris is that of Maharaja Ajit Singh II, which was built in 1793. The Mandore Gardens also has a government museum that has a Hall of Heroes and a temple dedicated to 33 crore gods. The Hall of Heroes is dedicated to popular folk heroes of the region.
Ajmer
Image Credits : Mark - Flickr Ajmer is surrounded by the Aravalli Range of mountains of Rajasthan. The Anasagar Lake, an artificial lake, situated to the North of the city of Ajmer is a very popular tourist destination within Ajmer. The city is protected from the Thar Desert by the rocks of the Nagpathar Range.
Here’s a list of some of the must-visit sites of Ajmer:
14. Pushkar Lake
'Image Credits : shantishakti7 - Flickr Furthermore, the Brahma temple situated near the Pushkar Lake also attracts a large number of tourists from all over the country and the world. There are about 500 Hindu temples situated on the banks of the Pushkar Lake. The lake has about 52 bathing ghats and hundreds and thousands of pilgrims throng these ghats to take a holy dip, especially during Kartik Purnima.
The Brahma temple is one of the main attractions near the Pushkar Lake. The present structure dates back to the 14th century, while the original temple is believed to be more than 2000 years old. The Pushkar Lake has been referred to as Tirtha Raj in scriptures and is believed to be the King of all pilgrimage sites.
15. Pushkar Camel Fair
'Image Credits : Koshy Koshy - Flickr The Pushkar Camel Fair is one of the largest camel fairs in the world. As per the Imperial Gazetteer of India, as many as 1,00,000 pilgrims participated in the fair in the 1900s. To attract more tourists, the state tourism department has also introduced a friendly cricket match between the local club members and random tourists.
However, the main attraction of the Pushkar Camel Fair is the competition of camels. Camels are decked in jewellery and rallied to the grounds. The camels participate in a number of competitions such as camel dance, tug of war, camel races, and many others. These activities, in particular, are extremely popular with tourists. The Pushkar Camel Fair is undoubtedly one the most unique and must-visit.
16. Nizammudin Dargah
The main entrance to the shrine is the Nizam Gate. Following this is the Shahjahani Gate, which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The next gate that follows the Shahjahani Gate is the Buland Darwaza, which leads to the shrine. The Urs flag is hoisted on the Buland Darwaza and marks the beginning of the shrine.
The dargah is managed by the Dargah Committee, appointed under The Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act of 1955. The committee takes care of the maintenance of the shrine, manages donations and runs charitable institutions such as guest houses for pilgrims and dispensaries.
Bharatpur
Image Credits : Saad Akhtar The Royal House of Bharatpur dates back to 11th century AD. Bharatpur is an important tourist destination in Rajasthan and attracts a large number of tourists from all over the country and the world. It is a lesser known destination in Rajasthan, but has a number of secrets hidden within itself.
Some of the must-visit destinations in Bharatpur are listed as follows:
17. Deeg Palace
There are several pools, fountains and plants in the Deeg Palace. There are two large water tanks called the Gopal Sagar and the Rup Sagar that help in lowering the temperatures during summers. The most interesting part of the Deeg Palace is the Keshav Bhawan. It is a single-storeyed baradari which has an octagonal base. Another interesting feature is the artificial rain and thunder atmosphere created in the palace. The water jets in the fountains create a monsoon like effect and heavy metal balls placed around the roof produce the thunderous sound.
18. Lohagarh Fort
In 1805, the British, under the leadership of Lord Lake, laid siege to the fort. Despite repeated attacks, they could not penetrate the fort. They lost more than 3000 soldiers and the British forces withdrew from the attack. The British later had to strike a compromise with the ruler of Bharatpur. The fort has two gates facing the North and South directions. The one facing the North is called the Ashtadhatu Gate while the one facing the Southern direction is called the Chowburja Gate.
Noteworthy monuments in the fort include the Jawahar Burj, Fateh Burj, the Kishori Mahal and the Kothi Khas.
19. Keoladeo National Park
'Image Credits : Björn Ognibeni - Flickr The park was declared as a protected zone in 1971 and has also been included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The Keoladeo National Park is man-made and was earlier used as a hunting ground for waterfowls. Today, the reserve protects the town of Bharatpur from floods, provides grazing ground for cattle and is home to a number of wild animals and birds.
The Keoladeo National Park is one of the richest bird sanctuaries in the world and hence attracts a large number of wildlife enthusiasts, ornithologists and tourists from all over the world.
Bundi
Image Credits : Justin Morgan - Flickr Bundi is well known for its beautiful forts and palaces and step well reservoirs called Baoris. It is believed that an ancient tribe called the Bunda Meena inhabited the region and hence the city got its name. Some of the important tourist destinations in Bundi include the Taragarh Fort, the Bundi Palace, the Nawal Sagar, the Dabhai Kund and the Sukh Mahal.
The step well reservoirs or Baoris of Bundi are of particular architectural and cultural interest. There are more than 50 step well reservoirs in the city, but only a few have been maintained.
Here’s a list of some of the most popular tourist places in Bundi:
20. Badal Mahal
Opium, which was grown in Bundi and traded to China, was the connecting factor between the town and China. The paintings depict the faces, flowers and the general life of the people, and effectively portray the richness of life during those days.
21. Taragarh Fort
During earlier times, the Taragarh Fort had a number of tunnels running through the entire hill. These tunnels have now been closed for want of maps. The fort had impressive battlements, the largest of them being the Bhim Burj, on which were mounted huge cannon balls called the Garbh Gunjam.
The fort also has huge water reservoirs, which were built to cater to the water requirements of the residents of the city. The other major attraction of the Taragarh Fort is the Rani Mahal, which served as a harem for the wives and concubines of the rulers. The fort also has Miran Saheb ki Dargah.
22. Step Well of Bundi
Most people abandoned the step wells after piped water was introduced and this resulted in their dilapidation. Some of these step wells unfortunately are now being used as dumpsters. The step wells of Bundi boast of exquisite beauty and architectural excellence. Several rich people constructed magnificent tanks and step wells and attached religious significance to the tanks. These people were considered to be noble and won the respect of the commoners.
Jaisalmer
Image Credits : Jasvipul Chawla - Flickr The city lies in the heart of the Thar Desert and is known for its temples, palaces and forts. The city is named after its founder Maharaja Jaisal Singh. Some of the most important tourist places in Jaisalmerinclude the Jaisalmer Fort, the Jain Heritage of Jaisalmer and the museums.
The Desert Festival is held in January and February every year at Jaisalmer and attracts a large number of tourists from all over the country and the world. Folk dances and song performances are held during the Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
The following is a list of must-visit destinations in Jaisalmer:
23. Jaisalmer Fort
'Image Credits : Saad Akhtar It is home to a number of people and is noted for the palaces, Jain temples, Laxminath temple, massive gateways and merchant havelis that are enclosed within its walls. Of late, the Jaisalmer Fort has been facing issues due to seepage problems. Water from the restaurants and hotels within the fort is seeping through the walls and is causing it damage.
24. Sam Sand Dunes
There are several camps at this point which can offer you a Desert Safari on a camel. In the months of February and March, the region turns into a cultural hub. The Desert Festival is organised here and several cultural programmes such as puppet shows, folk dance performances, competitions and general festivities are held here. This attracts a large number of tourists from all over the country and the world.
25. Gadsisar Lake
'Image Credits : Terry Presley - Flickr In winters, the lake looks even more picturesque and the tranquillity of the place is broken only by the chirping of a variety of birds that flock here. There is a very interesting legend regarding the construction of the arched gate near the Gadsisar Lake.
It is believed that a beautiful courtesan offered to fund the construction of the arched gateway. However, the king refused to take the money from the courtesan as he considered it to be beneath his dignity. The courtesan however got the archway built when the king was out of town and had a Krishna temple installed there so that the king could not break it.
26. Tanot Mata Temple
Interestingly, during the Indo-Pak War in 1965, Pakistan had dropped a number of bombs on the temple to destroy it. However, none of the bombs fell on the temple and the ones that fell near the temple did not explode. The unexploded bombs are now on display in the museum at the Tannot Mata Temple. Post the war, the temple management was handed over to the Border Security Force.
The temple can be reachehtd in two hours from Jaisalmer. The shooting of the movie Border was held in this region. The area is highly prone to attacks and the armies of both governments have placed landmines in this region. The usual victims of these landmines are cattle who stray into the area.
27. Desert National Park
The Desert National Park abounds in birdlife which consists of a number of migratory and resident birds. Birds such as eagles, kestrels, falcons, Spotted Eagles, Tawny Eagles, Short Toed Eagles, etc. are found in the Desert National Park. The endangered Great Indian Bustard is also found in the Desert National Park.
The best time to visit the Desert National Park is during the months of November and December. The park also has an impressive collection of fossils of plants and animals. Some fossils of dinosaurs at the national park are about six million years old. Jeep Safaris are available at the national park to take tourists on an exploration trip.
Kota
Image Credits : Arian Zwegers The city of Kota is the third largest city in the state of Rajasthan and one of the best tourist places to visit in Rajasthan. Kota is situated on the banks of the River Chambal and is being developed as a counter magnet for Delhi in terms of tourism development. The Kota city also serves as a trade centre for its crop growing neighbourhoods that produce wheat, millet, rice, coriander, oilseeds and pulses.
Kota is famous for its distinctive style of paintings, its palaces, museums and places of worship. Some of the important places of tourist interest here are the Maharao Madho Singh Museum which houses artistic items, Rajput miniature paintings of the Kota school, sculptures, armoury and frescoes of the Kota rulers; the Government Museum, the Godavari Dham temple, the Agamgarh Saheb Gurudwara, the Khare Ganesha temple, and the Radhakrishna temple.
Here’s a list of some of the must-visit destinations while you are in Kota:
28. City Fort Palace
The City Fort Palace is a must-visit for those interested in architecture, heritage and history. Overlooking the River Chambal, the city Fort Palace is a beautiful monument in Kota.
29. Jagmandir Palace
It was built by Prince Dehra Deh of Bundi in 1346 AD. Built in red sandstone, the Jagmandir Palace is a monument of exquisite beauty and boasts of architectural excellence. The palace served as a pleasure palace for the kings of Kota.
Today, the palace is open to tourists and they can enjoy boat rides in the Kishore Sagar Lake and enjoy the panoramic view of the palace and its surroundings from the lake. The Keshar Bagh is also situated near the Jagmandir Palace and is well known for its royal cenotaphs.
30. Chambal Garden
The Chambal Gardens are famous for its well-manicured layout and are frequented by locals and tourists throughout the year. The Chambal Garden has a beautiful pond in the centre which is replete with gharials. The Chambal Gardens also had muggers in the pool earlier. The pond can be crossed using a suspension bridge or a boat. A boat ride enables visitors to view these fish-eating reptiles from close quarters.
Mount Abu
Image Credits : sabamonin - Flickr Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan and is one of the best tourist places to visit in Rajasthan. It serves as popular retreat during the summers for the people of Rajasthan and Gujarat and also attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world.
The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary was established here in 1960. There are several Hindu temples on the mountain such as the Shri Raghunathji Temple, the Adhar Devi Temple, which is carved out of a single rock, and others. It is also home to the beautiful Dilwara Jain temples which are a major attraction for tourists visiting Rajasthan.
Some of the famous places to visit in Mount Abu:
31. Dilwara Jain Temples
The Dilwara temples are considered a sacred place of pilgrimage and also the most beautiful among all Jain temples. Pilgrims visit the Dilwara Jain temples and perform puja. Devotees are required to take a bath and dress accordingly to perform the puja. The temple administration has made arrangements for the bath, changing rooms and warm water for devotees to bathe and change clothes for the puja. Water is heated using solar power in these temples.
32. Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary
'Image Credits : Corey Theiss - Flickr The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary abounds in flora and fauna and is home to about 112 plant families, 250 species of birds and a large number of wild animals such as hedgehogs, porcupines, Indian hares, mongoose, pangolin, bears, wild boars, langurs, and many others. The sanctuary provides an ideal habitat to sloth bears too.
33. Nakki Lake
According to legend, the lake was dug by gods to stay protected from the Bashkali demon. Another legend suggests that it was dug out by a sculptor called Rasiya Balam to win the king’s daughter’s hand in marriage. However, the king refused to give his daughter in marriage to Rasiya Balam. A temple dedicated to Rasiya Balam and the Kunwari Kanya, the king’s daughter, is situated just behind the Dilwara temple.
Another important tourist attraction in the region is the Toad Rock. The rock resembles a toad that is about to leap into the water and hence the name.
34. Guru Shikhar
'Image Credits : ashish v - Flickr Chittorgarh
Image Credits : Milo & Silvia in the world Chittorgarh is famous for its history of brave Rajput men and women. Chittorgarh was under siege thrice and each time the Rajput warriors fought will all their might. Jauhar was committed thrice by the Rajput women and children in Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh has several places of interest such as the Chittorgarh Fort, the Kalika Mata Temple, the Vijay Stambh, the Kirti Stambh, Rana Kumbha’s Palace, Rani Padmini’s Palace, Kumbhaswamin Temple and Fateh Prakash Palace.
Here’s a list of some of the most important places to visit in Chittorgarh:
35. Chittorgarh Fort
The fort was attacked three times between the 15th and the 16th centuries and was captured by invaders. The bravery and courage of the Rajput warriors, their womenfolk and children is what distinguishes this fort from all other forts in Rajasthan. After each defeat, the brave women and children of the Rajput warriors performed Jauhar or self-immolation.
The fort is symbolic of the courage and values of the brave Rajput rulers who reigned over Mewar.
36. Tower of Victory or Vijay Stambh
'Image Credits : Nagarjun Kandukuru The tower was erected to commemorate his victory over the combined armies of Marwar and Gujarat. The tower is dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Vishnu and is a nine-storeyed structure. The Vijay Stambh has been constructed with red sandstone and white marble and the walls of the tower have the images of Hindu gods and goddesses carved on them. Each storey is marked with openings and balconies.
Bikaner
Image Credits : S. N. Johnson-Roehr (JR) - Flickr Bikaner is also famous for its Usta art, which is practised by the Usta artisans of the state. The art is prepared in floral or geometric patterns and is embossed with gold. Another art form of Bikaner is the Chadwa art, which is quite popular among tourists too. There are a number of places of interest in and around Bikaner such as the Karni Mata Temple, the Junagarh Fort, the Laxmi Niwas Palace, the Lalgarh Palace, the Laxmi Nath Temple, the Bikaner Camel Festival, and others.
37. Junagarh Fort, Bikaner
'Image Credits : Nagarjun Kandukuru - Flickr According to historical records, the fort has withstood several attacks and has never been taken over by any attacker, except Kamran Mirza, who was the second son of Emperor Babur.
0 टिप्पणियाँ:
एक टिप्पणी भेजें