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Ajmer:
Ajmer, an ancient pilgrimage town is situated on the banks of the Ana Sagar
Lake. Ajmer was founded by the Rajput chieftain, Raja Ajaipal Chauhan, who also built
the first hill fort in India, the Tara Garh. Ajmer is a famous pilgrimage
centre for Muslims, due to the Dargah of Khwaja
Muin-ud-din Chisti. This dargah is visited by various pilgrims and
devotees from all over the world. Besides Dargah, Ajmer is also known for
the Tara Garh Fort and Ana Sagar Lake. The British developed Ajmer as an
educational centre, and Mayo College and Sophia College are among the
India's best boarding schools.
Alwar:
Alwar is referred as the gateway to the historic and colorful state of
Rajasthan. Alwar is located in the north eastern part of Rajasthan and flanked by the barren hills of the Aravali range.
Alwar has its own heritage, which goes back to the mythological legends of the
Mahabharata. Alwar, also known as Mewat came under Muslim rule during the
13th to 18th centuries and the Kachchawaha princes win this kingdom back in
1771. It offers the traveler various sites of historical importance
which are Vinai Vilas, City Palace and Yashwant Niwas and some other
lakeside palaces. Sariska Wildlife
Sanctuary which is one of the India's finest wild life sanctuaries is
about 30 kms. from Alwar.
Bharatpur:
Bharatpur, the eastern gateway to
Rajasthan is famous for the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, one of the finest
bird sanctuary in Asia. Once the
hunting ground of the princes, today, Bharatpur is ranked
among the world's best bird sanctuaries. It was the only city that was ruled by
Jats. Bharatpur is not only famous for its Bird Sanctuary but also for its
historical forts and palaces.
Bikaner:
Bikaner, Jaisalmer and
Jodhpur forms the desert triangle in the state of Rajasthan. Bikaner was founded
in the year 1488 by Rao bika, a descendant of Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur.
It lies in the north of Rajasthan at an altitude of 237 mts above sea
level. The Bikaner's 15th century history combines adventure with
enterprise. In later centuries, as a result of the Mughal and British
rule, it was able to develop as a modern state, but its architectural
attractions remained splendidly Rajput. Bikaner is also a major centre for
camel breeding. It
is famous for its durries, carpets, hand painted lamp shades, and mojari slippers. Bikaner is famous for
the Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, camel safaris and Karni Mata temple.
Bundi:
Bundi, a tiny picturesque town is situated in the
south eastern part of Rajasthan. It is one of the unexplored cities with a rich historical wealth.
Earlier Bundi was part of Kota and was ruled by the Hada Chauhans. Bundi is surrounded by the Aravalli hills on three sides. It is bounded in the north by Tonk, in the west by Bhilwara and
in the south west by Chittorgarh districts. Bundi is famous for impressive medieval forts
and palaces, with the apartments, artificial lakes and waterside
pavilions, havelis, temples with beautiful stone idols and chattris with carved
pillars, intricate carvings and murals and Rasleelas frescoes.
Chittorgarh:
Chittorgarh was founded by Bappa Rawal in 8th
century, on the top of the Aravallis. Chittorgarh was sacked by Allaudin
Khilji in the 14th century, by the sultans of Gujarat in the 16th century,
and finally by the Mughal emperor Akbar’s forces. Later it was abandoned
by its rulers. Chittorgarh is known for its massive fort
which is 3 miles long and 495 feet high and also for Vijay Stambha and
Kirti Stambha (Tower of
Victory). Mirabai, 16th century poet and Rani Padmini belongs to
Chittorgarh. It is about 120 km from Udaipur and 325 km from Jaipur.
Deogarh:
Deogarh is located on the boundaries of Mewar, Marwar and Merwara, about
80 miles north-east of Udaipur in the state of Rajasthan. The main tourist
attraction in Deogarh is the Deogarh Mahal and the Dashavatar temple. The
Deogarh Mahal is situated on a hill top and provides an awesome view of
the Aravallis and lakes.
Dungarpur:
Dungarpur means the city of hills. Dungarpur is one of the important city
of the Vagad region in Rajasthan and dominated by the Bhils. Dungarpur is built around the immense
Gaibsagar Lake and surrounded by lolling hills on three sides. This
fertile region was created into a state in the 13th century. Since the
natural protection afforded it isolation, a highly decorative style of
architecture developed. The tourist
attractions in Dungarpur are the Udai Bilas Palace and Juna Palace.
Jaipur:
Jaipur,
also known as the "Pink City" is the capital of the modern state
of Rajasthan. This city was founded by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727
and built according to the specifications laid down in ancient
architectural texts. Jaipur is famous for Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Sisodia Rani Ka
Bagh and Raj
Mandir (Movie
theater). Jaipur is also known for the textile block prints, semi precious
jewellery and handicraft items.
Jaisalmer:
Jaisalmer
is the exotic city and is known for its forts and palaces of breathtaking
grandeur and whimsical charm. Jaisalmer is also known as "Golden
City". Jaisalmer was founded in
1156 AD by Rao Jaisala, a Bhati Rajput King. Jaisalmer has an ancient
history linked with its development as a trading centre. Jaisalmer is famous for the
Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon-ki-haveli and Sam sand dunes which are ideal for
camel safaris. Some parts of the Jaisalmer fort continued to be inhabited,
and its cobbled streets lead through a journey of medieval enchantment.
Jaisalmer is also known for the exquisite stone-carved havelis or mansions
of the merchants.
Jodhpur:
Jodhpur is the second
largest city of Rajasthan and a major tourist attraction in Rajasthan.
Jodhpur is situated on the edge of the Thar Desert at an altitude of 216
meters above sea level with Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Nagaur as the major
adjoining cities. Jodhpur was founded by the Rajput chief Rao Jodha in
1459 and the 16th century capital of the Rathore Rajputs. Jodhpur is famous for its Mehrangarh Fort, Ummed Bhawan Palace,
museum and handicrafts.
Karauli:
Karauli is a picturesque old
fortified town situated
at a distance of 180 kms from Jaipur in the North Indian state of
Rajasthan. It was founded in 1348 AD by Raja Arjun Pal.
Initially, the town was known as Kalyanpuri, which was named after the
local deity Kalyanji. Karauli is well known for its Madan Mohanji Temple. Karauli is
also known for the fair at Kaila Devi temple, which is celebrated annually
at Kaila in Karauli district.
Khimsar:
Khimsar is a small
village situated around 92 km on the highway from Jodhpur to
Bikaner in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. Khimsar is part of the Nagaur
District that is located between Bikaner and Jodhpur. The desert
village of Khimsar offers an interesting insight into the rural
life of the desert people and also provides an
excellent starting point to explore the district of Nagaur.
The Nagaur Cattle Fair is a major tourist attraction and attracts thousands
of tourists every year.
Kota:
One of few perennial rivers in Rajasthan, the Chambal river is flanked by
verdure and fertile plains. Along the eastern bank of the Chambal River lies Kota,
a modern and industrialized town. The commanding Kota fort overlooks the modern Chambal Valley
project with its dams like Kota Barrage, Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar and Jawahar
Sagar.
Kumbhalgarh:
Kumbhalgarh
is about 90 km in the north west of Udaipur and lies on a hill 1100 m above the sea
level. The main attraction of the Kumbhalgarh is the Kumbhalgarh fort. The
Kumbhalgarh fort was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha and is the
highest and most formidable fort of Rajasthan. Encompassed by a 36 kms long wall, it is the second most important
fort after Chittorgarh. This fort has
seven majestic gates and amazing ramparts,
ideal for nature trail.
Mount
Abu:
Mount
Abu is the only summer retreat in Rajasthan which nestles at the height of
3500 feet on the highest peak of the Aravalis. It is the Rajasthan's most
popular hill station. At the heart of the town is Nakki Lake that
according to legend, was gouged out by a divine finger nail. Mount Abu is famous for Dilwara Jain Temples,
Guru Shikhar, Sunset Point and Nakki Lake.
Osian:
Osian, an ancient small temple town in the Thar Desert, is located about 65
kms, north west of Jodhpur. Osian contains the largest group of the Hindu
and Jain temples in Rajasthan and was an important centre of pilgrimage
between the 8th and 9th centuries. The major tourist attraction in Osian are
the 15 Brahmanical Hindu temples and shrines and Jain temples. These temples
were built during the rule of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty between 8th and
the 12th century.
Phalodi:
Phalodi is
situated between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer district. The city is
well known for salt business, old historical presence, temples
and the art works. A lot of migratory birds gather in Phalodi
and watching them circle in noisy, undulating formations
overhead, or stepping gingerly across the sands, is one of the
great spectacles of the Thar region. Here a small village is
worth visiting. Phalodi is known for heavy woolen fiber 'Pattu”
and Havelis.
Pokaran:
Pokhran, also known as
Pokaran is a city and a municipality located in Jaisalmer district in the
Indian state of Rajasthan. Surrounded by rocky, sandy and five salt
ranges, Pokaran means “the place of five mirages”. It is en route both
from Jodhpur to Jaislamer and Bikaner to Jaislamer. It is a remote
location in the Thar Desert region and served as the test site for India's
first underground nuclear weapon detonation.
Pushkar:
Pushkar,
the holy city is located just about 11 km from Ajmer. Along the
picturesque Pushkar Lake lies the town of Pushkar with religious
significance. Pushkar is one of the important pilgrimage city for Hindus.
The main attraction of Pushkar is the Pushkar Lake and the temple of God
Brahma. Pushkar is world famous due to the Pushkar Festival which takes
place in the month of November.
Ranakpur:
Ranakpur
is known for its superbly carved Jain Temples. These temples are located
about 96 km away from Udaipur. These 15th century group of temples were
raised by Jain merchants and known for the carving. One of the five places sacred to Jains, this
place of great beauty and spiritual tranquility lies within shady woods,
alive with dancing peacocks and restless monkeys.
Ranthambore:
Ranthambore is known for the Ranthambore Fort and the Ranthambore National
Park. The well-preserved and imposing Ranthambore fort was built in
994 AD on the top of a steep high creek. Ruined
pavilions, walls, chhatris and splendid monuments are interspersed within
the majestic fort. The 392 sq. km. Ranthambore National Park comprises of dry deciduous
forests sprawling over an undulating terrain of the Aravalli and Vindhyan
ranges. The park is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country under
the Project Tiger. The majestic predators, assured of protection, roam
freely during the day time and can be seen at close quarters.
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