Rajasthan is the largest state of our country and one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. This Indian state is known for its rich cultural and ethnic heritage.
Located in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan is known for its splendor and vibrant beauty. Rajasthan greatly flourished under the rule of Rajput Kings and the royalty of Rajasthan is evident in the various historic monuments, each of them an architectural wonder of its own.
Rajasthan with its palaces and forts, breathtaking sand dunes, camel rides and its prolific cultures paints the picture of a very colorful and vibrant side of India. You can read and get all information about this magnificent royal state on - eRajasthanTourism.net
The following are some of the best places in Rajasthan that you should definitely visit.
Famous places to visit in Rajasthan
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal is the most popular and distinctive monument in Jaipur. The architecture of this structure will totally captivate you. Built in pink and red sandstone, Hawa Mahal is a fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The honeycomb like structure of Hawa Mahal has a total of 953 ‘jharokas’ (windows). Hawa Mahal was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, for all the royal ladies to watch the festivities happening in the city.
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer Fort
The Jaisalmer Fort is a beautiful architectural edifice located in the city of Jaisalmer. The fort palace is made of golden yellow sandstones, which makes it look very beautiful I the sun. The natives call it Sonar Qila (golden fort) because of this golden hue. It is the only fort in India, where people still live. About one fourth of Jaisalmer’s population still dwells within the fort and inside it you will spot beautiful merchant havelis, resorts and hotels as well.
Location: Jaisalmer, India
Amer Fort
Amer Fort also known as Amber Fort is a significant historic palace and fort in Rajasthan. The place overlooks Lake Maota and is a prolific specimen of Mughal architecture. Significant structures inside the fort comprises of the ‘Diwan-e-Aam’ (hall for the public audiences, ‘Sukh Mandir’ made of marble and ivory, a place where the royals used to relax and ‘Sheesh Mahal’ made of mirrors and ‘Kesar Keyari’; the Mughal gardens. A light and sound show too takes place every evening showcasing the history of Jaipur.
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Bhangarh Fort
Located in Alwar, Rajasthan, Bahangarh is probably the spookiest place in our country. This 17th century fort is believed to be haunted and there is even a sign from the government of India, stating that entry to this fort is restricted after sunset. The drive to the fort itself is quite eerie. Along your drive, you will see ruins of ancient havelis and villages that are no longer inhabited by people, which is quite enough to spook you.
Location: Alwar, Rajasthan
Jantar Mantar Observatory
Jantar Mantar Observatory in Jaipur, built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The king was an expert in astronomy and had the observatory built during his reign. He built four other similar observatories, the others being located in Delhi, Mathura, Varanasi and Ujjain.
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Chittorgarh Fort
Marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this fort is a must see when you are visiting Rajasthan. This massive fort dates back to 7th century and is one of the most historically important structures in the state. The fort is definitely the most grandest of all Rajasthan forts and it used to be the ruling seat of the Mewar kings. This is also the place where Rani Padmini along with other Rajput noble ladies performed Jauhar ceremony after Chittor was laid to siege by Alauddin Khilji.
Location: Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
City Palace
The city palace is one of the most popular tourist places in Rajasthan. The palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II ad it is a great place to visit for all the art and history lovers. The architecture of the Palace is a blend of both Mughal and Rajput architectural styles. The Mubarak Mahal and the Chandra Mahal are two most significant structures inside the palace complex. There is also a small artisan market section, from where you can buy souvenirs as well.
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan holds a special place in the history of our country. This fort is the birthplace of the great Rajput warrior, Maharana Pratap. Built during the 15th century, Kumbhalgarh fort was a prominent fort of the Mewar region along with Chittorgarh Fort. The most prominent architectural part is definitely its 36 kilometers long fortification. This fort too is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Chittorgarh Forty and Jaisalmer Fort.
Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan
Mehrangarh Fort
This is one of the largest forts in our country. Located in Jodhpur, Mehrangarh Fort was built in the 15th century. The fort has seven gates in total and is situated at quite a high elevation from the city, offering some of the most panoramic views of Jodhpur.
Location: Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Nahargarh
Nahargarh is another architectural gem in Jaipur. The fort is located on the top of Aravalli hills and offers some of the most scenic views of the city. Initially named as Sudarshangarh Fort, it later became popular as Nahargarh. The fort has a long walled trail as well that connects it to the nearby Jaigarh Fort.
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
There are many other attractions in Rajasthan that you would like to visit including Jal Mahal in Jaipur, Taragarh Fort in Bundi, Pushkar Lake and Khwaja Gharibnawaz Dargah in Ajmer, Lake Pichola in Udaipur, Sam sand dunes in Jaisalmer, Junagarh Fort and Karni Mata Temple in Bikaner and Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary in Sawai Madhopur.
Rajasthan presents to you the most colorful and exotic side of India. The rich cultural past of our country is evident from all the royal palaces and forts that adorn the beautiful desert state. A trip to Rajasthan will pleasantly surprise you and captivate with stories of our country’s glorious past and you will definitely be wanting to come back for more.
