Places To Visit In Rajasthan

In North India is Rajasthan, an Indian state close to the border with Pakistan. This incredible state is a popular travel destination because of its landscape, which includes the immense Thar Desert and the magnificent Aravallis Mountains. As a center of Rajput culture, Rajasthan is also a wonderful place to explore palaces and temples created by Rajput kings of the past. As you criss cross the state, aim to add as many of these incredible places to visit in Rajasthan to your itinerary as possible. Jaipur — The Pink City
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.

Jaisalmer — The Golden City 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bharatpur— A birdwatcher’s paradise
Bharatpur is well known for two major attractions. First, it is home to the Keoladeo National Park (UNESCO-listed) which is an important migratory bird sanctuary and wetland. Secondly, the exuberant and multi-hued Brij Festival that takes place here, just before Holi, is a must for those who want to get a taste of local culture. Commonly known as the eastern gateway into Rajasthan, this city may not be as popular as Jaipur or Udaipur, but it certainly has its own charm. If you’re interested in Rajasthani handicrafts, this city offers a wide variety at slightly cheaper rates than the other tourist cities. Bharatpur is an amalgamation of historical structures and cultural throwbacks.

Bikaner— Home to the Ship of the Desert
Unlike other touristy cities of Rajasthan, Bikaner still hangs on to its rustic charm. For the traveller looking for a change of scenario, Bikaner has its old city surrounded by a battlement wall. The red sandstone havelis and the narrow by-lanes look almost medieval and is the perfect setting for a unique travel experience. Tourists flock here because of an extensive camel-safari scene, and the Karni Mata Temple, where rats are worshipped by the pilgrims. The fire dance performed solely by the Jas Naths, a Hindu sect, is an added attraction during the Bikaner Camel Festival. All in all, Bikaner is a haven of camel safaris and a city with its own Rajasthani appeal.

Bundi— The City of Stepwells
Bundi is for the traveller who wants to get off the beaten track. This town is painted blue and rests just below a crag-mounted palace. Bundi’s bazaars, bustling streets, hills and lakes is the perfect getaway from the dazzle of Udaipur. Situated in southern Rajasthan, this is where Rudyard Kipling wrote a novel and it is easy to understand why. Bundi is all about relaxation and enjoying Rajasthani culture at its unadulterated best. Don’t forget to ogle at the Bundi murals inside the palace and if you’re visiting around August-September, you can witness the Kajli Teej festival, a celebration of the upcoming rains. Bundi is also locally known as the City of Stepwells.

Kota— Where the River Chambal flows
If you’re in the town of Kota, there is no way you can miss out on a boat ride or three. Situated on the east bank of the Chambal River, Kota offers picturesque boat trips and, if you’re lucky, you might just spot a crocodile or a rare bird. The famous kota doria saris hail from a village in this town, and the intricate embroidery on the multi-coloured cotton and silk make for a great Rajasthani souvenir. The festival of Dussehra celebration is worth witnessing if you’re here around October or November. Make sure you check out the miniature paintings of Kota depicting a variety of social and pastoral scenes.

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.

Chittorgarh— The city with a resilient fort
Chittorgarh, or Chittor, is synonymous with Rajput pride. History reminds us, that on three separate instances, the fort was besieged by a superior enemy, and every time the Rajput warriors chose to ride out to battle towards a fatal end. The Rajput women and children performed jauhar, the act of sacrificing their lives over a funeral pyre. Chittor’s main attractions are within the fort and a visit here turns out to be an inspiring history lesson. Suraj Pol, the eastern entrance of the fort offers brilliant panoramas of the countryside and town. The 15th century palace and temple still contain impressive remnants of an ear of man-made splendour. The nine-storied Tower of Victory is another beautiful sight you shouldn’t miss while visiting Chittor.

Alwar—The City of Rajputana pride
Alwar was a former capital of a Rajput State making it an important stopover for those who want to get the best of both worlds- natural splendour and historical monuments. The good thing about Alwar is that it is not overcrowded making it the perfect haven for the peace-seeking traveller. The bazaars here are colourful and you will not be hassled by a large crowd. A good time to visit is during the Alwar Festival as the city comes alive. Alwar is a traveller’s dream because of its dense forest cover that is home to a number of rare species of fauna- from the golden jackal to the Bengal tiger. It is also a birdwatcher’s paradise with a variety of avian species- white-throated kingfisher and grey partridge, among others.

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.