Which are the best places to visit in Rajasthan?
1. Jaipur: Recently declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jaipur makes for the capital city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Known popularly as the “Pink City”, this adorable place forms an integral part of the famous Golden Triangle Tourist Circuit of India.
Founded back in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, Jaipur city has gained a lot of popularity across the globe primarily for its heritage monuments and exemplary shopping options. Some of the important attractions of Jaipur include the City Palace, Jantar Mantar Observatory, Amber Fort, Birla Mandir, Rajasthani textiles, and handicrafts.
2. Udaipur: Known affectionately as the ‘City of Lakes’, Udaipur served as the Mewar kingdom’s capital in the times gone by. Also referred to as the “Venice of East”, this place is the land of rich traditions, glorious history, and charming landscapes.
Udaipur is best known for its postcard perfect lakes, such as Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar Lake, and Doodh Talai Lake. A visit to Udaipur is also not complete without an exploration tour of its spellbinding architectural wonders including Jag Mandir, Kumbhalgarh Fort, City Palace, and Monsoon Palace.
3. Bikaner: Lying north of the city of Jodhpur, the quaint Bikaner town is one of the least crowded yet renowned places to visit in Rajasthan state. More than anything, this remote desert town is famous for its magnificent forts, charming palaces, beautiful temples, impressive handicrafts, and annual Camel Festival.
The city of Bikaner is also popular for its brilliant artforms of Usta and Chadwa. Some of the major places of interest that most tourists visit on a trip to Bikaner include Junagarh Fort, Karni Mata Temple, Laxmi Nath Temple, Lalgarh Palace, and Laxmi Niwas Palace.
4. Pushkar: The colourful and flamboyant town of Pushkar is known popularly across the world for its fascinating yearly Camel Fair. Considered to be one of the country’s oldest cities, Pushkar also makes for one of the most important pilgrimage sites for the Hindus.
The city is packed with a plethora of age-old Hindu temples, including Meerabai Temple, Brahma Temple, Gayatri Mata Temple, Rangji Temple, Varaha Temple, Mahadev Temple, Savitri Temple, and Apteshwar Temple. The sacred Pushkar Lake is also a revered pilgrimage destination in itself and features several ghats where the enchanting evening aarti is hosted.
5. Alwar: Founded back in the year 1770 by Pratap Singh, the ancient town of Alwar makes for a paradise for history lovers. In regards to history, Alwar was the first city that signed the treaty with the British East Indian Company.
This city is also known to have participated in a number of military engagements and wars in the times gone by. Alwar is also known for the Bhangarh Fort, which has been frequently linked with many haunted tales. Other primary attractions that attract tourists to Alwar include Pandupol and Sariska Tiger Reserve.
6. Mount Abu: The quaint town of Mount Abu makes for the only hill station in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Located in the mighty Aravalli range, between Gujarat and Rajasthan, Mount Abu offers a respite from the state’s scorching heat. Counted among the most offbeat places to visit in Rajasthan, this hill station offers the travellers the chance to indulge in a number of adventure activities, such as wildlife safari at Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, night camping at Aravali, boating on Nakki Lake, and hiking to Guru Shikhar.
7. Pali: The offbeat town of Pali is categorized by wobbled plains, scattered hills, and a unique snail-like shape. Spread across a total area of around 12,387 square kilometres, the town shares common boundaries with a total of 8 districts of the state with Udaipur perched on the south-east and Jodhpur lying on the North.
Pali has gained a lot of popularity across the country for its fascinating temples, including Om Banna Temple and Parshuram Mahadev Temple. This place is also known to host a number of adrenaline-pumping activities, such as trekking, village safari, desert safari, and lakeside camping.
8. Ranthambore National Park: Known as one of the most famous and largest national parks of the country, Ranthambore National Park is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. This tiger-friendly land is home to more than 40 mammal species, 40 reptile species, 320 avian species, 2 amphibian species, and 300 plant species.
This place offers the travellers a chance to enjoy a thrilling wildlife safari, allowing them to spot many different wildlife species, including leopards, chital, wild boar, nilgai, sloth bear, sambar, and hyena. Other important attractions to look out for in Ranthambore National Park include Ranthambore Fort, Jogi Mahal, Trinetra Ganesh Temple, and Kachida Valley.
Price: INR 100 for Indians; INR 800 for foreigners.
9. Bundi: Located at an approximate distance of around 210 kilometres from Jaipur, the small city of Bundi is the best place to explore the age-old step reservoirs or baoris of Rajasthan. This quaint and rustic city has been named after the ancient tribe Bunda Meena, which resided here in the times gone by.
In addition to more than 50 fascinating baoris, Bundi is also home to a plethora of ancient architectural marvels, such as the Bundi Palace, Sukh Mahal, and Taragarh Fort. Other interesting attractions of Bundi city include the Nawal Sagar, miniature paintings, colourful markets, and vibrant blue houses.
10. Jhunjhunu: Located in the heart of Jhunjhunu district, the Jhunjhunu town is one of the best kept secrets of Rajasthan state. This calm and quiet place shelters a number of charming palaces and alluring Frescos.
Some of the top architectural marvels of Jhunjhunu town include Khetri Mahal, The Dundlod Fort, The Modi and Tibrewala Haveli, and The Aath Havelis. Jhunjhunu is also known widely for its magnificent, age-old temples, including Rani Sati Temple, Khemi Sati Temple, Hanuman Mandir, and Bandhe Ka Balaji Temple.
