Jaipur— The Pink City Beckons
The Pink City, situated on one end of the Thar Desert, encompassed by the Aravalli Hills, is the crowning jewel of Rajasthan. Whether you’re travelling solo or with your loved ones, Jaipur will mesmerise you with its palaces, forts, bazaars and cuisine. The city’s pink colour scheme is a joy to behold, and you’ll need more than a few days to get your fill of Jaipur and its many attractions. Whether you’re exploring the royal observatory, or dodging foot traffic as you haggle in a multi-coloured bazaar, Jaipur will ensure you have the time of a lifetime. It comes as no surprise that Jaipur is part of India ‘golden triangle’ travel circuit, that includes Agra and Delhi.
Best Time to Visit:
Year-round
Tourist Attractions:
Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, City Palace, Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Birla Mandir, Raj Mandir Cinema, Albert Hall Museum, Rambagh Palace, Anokhi Museum, Maota Lake, Samode Palce, Bazaars of Jaipur, Jhalana Leopard Conservation Reserve, Man Sagar Lake, Chour Ghati, Bhuteshwar Nath Temple, Achrol Fort, Sisodia Rani Garden.
Weather:
Summer (April-June), Winter (October-March), Monsoon (July-September)
AJMER— THE CITY OF THE ‘INVINCIBLE HILL’
About 130kms southwest of Jaipur lies the city of Ajmer, an important location of Islamic heritage and history. Located beside the calm waters Ana Sagar Lake, a day trip here will introduce you to beautiful structures of early Islamic architecture and the city is best known for the shrine of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti. An important Sufi saint who founded the Chishtiya order of Sufism. Ajmer’s roots go deep as the city was founded in the 7th century, and it was also one of the first meeting points of the Mughals and the British. Sir Thomas Roe met Emperor Jahangir here in the early 1600s. Today, Ajmer is a bustling centre of tourists and pilgrims. The city’s Naya Bazaar has a vast collection of tie-dyed fabrics and silver jewellery.
Best Time to Visit:
Year-round
Tourist Attractions:
Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpda, Soniji ki Nasiyan, Nareli Jain Temple, Ana Sagar Lake, Lake Foy Sagar, Sai Baba Temple, Ajmer Government Museum, Gateway of Taragarh Fort, Kishangarh Fort, Prithvi Raj Smarak, Victoria Clock Tower, Ana Sagar Baradari, Akbar’s Palace, Daulat Bagh, Mahila Mandi
Weather:
Summer (April-June), Monsoon (July-September), Winter (October-March)
PUSHKAR— THE LAND OF MULTI-HUED FAIRS
Pushkar’s uniqueness lies in its religious history and modern touristy vibes. It is a popular Hindu pilgrimage town with 400 temples, over 50 bathing ghats, and exists on the banks of a sacred lake that, according to Hindu mythology, sprung up when a lotus flower was dropped by Lord Brahma. Non-pilgrim travellers flock to Pushkar because of the quietude on offer, and this town is the perfect balance of religiosity and tourism. Even though tourists appear in large numbers here, Pushkar is still surrounded by a mystical aura. The camel fair that takes place in October/November is an experience of a lifetime and shouldn’t be missed if you’re travelling in Rajasthan during this period. Pushkar is known as ‘the rose garden of Rajasthan’ and Nag Pahar (Snake Mountain) separates it from Ajmer.
Best Time to Visit:
Year-round
Tourist Attractions:
Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple, Varaha Temple, Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Savitri Temple, Rangji Temple, Pap Mochini Temple, Atmateshwar Temple, Pushkar Camel Fair, Merta, Naga Pahar, Rose Garden, Sarafa Bazaar, Kishangarh, Man Mahal
Weather:
Summer (April-July), Monsoon (July-September), Winter (October-March)
UDAIPUR— THE TRANQUIL CITY OF LAKES
The moniker, ‘Venice of the East’, doesn’t do the city justice because Udaipur is a unique travel getaway in its own right. The azure waterbodies and the rippling green Aravalli Hills elevate this southern Rajasthan city’s natural splendour. Udaipur was born in the mid-1500s as the capital of the Mewar Kingdom. The palaces, temples, and lakes here are testament of a bygone royalty that charms and excites travellers. Explore the cream-coloured City Palace, in the middle of Pichola Lake, or the Monsoon Palace, that sits pretty on a peak like a beautiful mirage, to get a taste of the man-made structures of Udaipur. Whether you explore this romantic city on foot, or horseback, you will be taken in by the natural magnificence and royal grandeur. When it comes to romantic places to visit in Rajasthan, Udaipur is second to none.
Best Time to Visit:
Year-round
Tourist Attractions:
The Lake Palace, City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Monsoon Palace, Shilpgram, Udaipur Solar Observatory, Fateh Sagar Lake, Fateh Prakash Palace Crystal Gallery, Lake Pichola, Bagore ki Haveli, Eklingji Temple.
Weather:
Summer (March-June), Winter (October-March), Monsoon (July-September)
JAISALMER— THE GOLDEN CITY STRAIGHT OUT OF ARABIAN NIGHTS
As a traveller enters Jaisalmer, it isn’t hard to realize why it is nicknamed the Golden City. Situated in the middle of the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer’s undulating sand dunes, and fort situated on Trikuta (three-peaked) Hill, is the perfect introduction to this city’s historical wonders. The fort is not simply a tourist destination; the families that continue to live there are descendants of the former maharajas workers. Jaisalmer was founded in the 12th century and as you explore this city, you will find that its history is intertwined with modernity. The sandstone havelis of the old city, kaleidoscopic curio shops, and camel safaris make Jaisalmer one of the most attractive places to visit in Rajasthan.
Best Time to Visit:
Year-round
Tourist Attractions:
Jaisalmer Fort, Sam Sand Dunes, Gadsisar Lake, Patwon ki Haveli, Salim Singh-ki Haveli, Nathmal ki Haveli, Kuldhara Village, Khaba Fort, Amar Sagar Lake, Vyas Chhatri, Desert National Park, Surya Gate, Mandir Palace, Desert Culture Centre and Museum, Bada Bagh, Khuri Sand Dunes, Akal Wood Fossil Park, Maharaja’s Palace, Chandraprabhu Temple, Tazia Tower, Lodhurva, Pokaran Fort,
Weather:
Summer (March-August), Winter (November-February), Monsoon (September-October)
JODHPUR— WANDER AROUND THE BLUE CITY
The first thing that hits you when you enter Jodhpur in western Rajasthan is its mass of blue houses. As you enter the old part of the city, the blue walls dazzle in the noonday sun and create a magical setting heightened by the 16th century, 10km-long, wall that surrounds Jodhpur. A walk through the medieval bazaars of Jodhpur and their meandering lanes is filled with surprises. Curio shops sell trumpets, saris and woodwork miniatures. The scent of roses and incense hangs heavy in the air. The second largest city in Rajasthan has a massive fort on a rocky ridge that looms over the blue houses of Jodhpur.
Best Time to Visit:
Year-round
Tourist Attractions:
Mehrangarh Fort, Khejarla Fort, Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum, Ghanta Ghar, Tripolia Market, Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Ranisar Lake, Padamsar Lake, Jaswant Thada, Mandore Gardens, Balsamand Lake, Masuria Hills, Guda Village, Chokhelao Bagh, Umed Garden Zoo, Chand Baori
Weather:
Summer (April-June), Monsoon (July-August), Winter (October-March)
RANTHAMBORE—THE LAND OF THE TIGER
14kms from the railway town of Sawai Madhopur, lies the breath-taking Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve. Spread over 1334 sq.km. of thick jungle, this is where you can spot the elusive big cat in its natural habitat. Even if the tiger plays hide and seek, you can still have a wonderful safari with a number of other animals and birds on display. Jackal, hyena, Indian wolf, nilgai, sambhar deer, greylag goose, nightjar, great crested grebe, and many more. A trip to Ranthambore feels like you’re part of a live-action movie of The Jungle Book!
The dry-deciduous forest landscape is made up of sparkling rivulets, crags, lush meadows and densely-covered hills. Animal lovers are spoiled for choice when it comes to places to visit in Rajasthan, and Ranthambore is the wildlife jewel.
Best Time to Visit:
1st October-30th June. The park is closed from 1st July-30th September.
Tourist Attractions:
Ranthambore Fort, Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Surwal Lake, Padam Lake, Kachida Valley, Jogi Mahal, Raj Bagh Ruins, Lakarda, Anantpura, Malik Talao, Akaula
Weather:
Summer (April-June), Monsoon (July-September), Winter (October-March)
MOUNT ABU— THE ONLY DESERT HILL STATION
At over 1700m above sea level, Mount Abu is where tourists go for respite from the sultriness. The ripples of green, courtesy of the Aravalli Hills, makes this a travel hotspot for Indian and foreign travellers. Coupled with mild temperatures, cascading waterfalls, and tranquil lakes, Mount Abu offers a holiday in the lap of nature. The only hill station in Rajasthan is perfect for adventure lovers as there are a number of short treks in the region. A major attraction of Mount Abu is the wildlife sanctuary that spreads over 289 sq.km. of the mountain. For the religious traveller, Mount Abu is home to over 80 Hindu and Jain shrines and temples. Mt Abu is, quite literally, one of the coolest places to visit in Rajasthan.
Best Time to Visit:
Year-round
Tourist Attractions:
Nakki Lake, Guru Shikhar, Toad Rock View Point, Dilwara Jain Temples, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Peace Park, Lal Mandir, Trevors Tank, Achalgarh Fort, Achleshwar Mahdev Temple, Shri Raghunath Temple, Gaumukh Temple.
Weather:
Summer (April-June), Monsoon (July-September), Winter (November- February)
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