Top 10 Places to Visit When in Rajasthan, India
A royal region that bears the magnificent and imposing reminders of kingdoms that vied for a spot in the area, Rajasthan is definitely the Land of Kings where royalties have lavish palaces and grand forts built, once as a reflection of their status but are now remnants that make up a realm that can only be considered fabled and unreal, yet very much tangible.
Rajasthani man with Moustache and colorful turban during Pushkar Fair. Picture: Mr. Sanjar Imam
Top 10 Places to Visit When in Rajasthan
Rajasthan is more than just its maharajas and what they have left behind. This Royal state of India is more about its people, colors, culture, cuisine, and festivals.
Here are 'Top 10 Places to Visit When in Rajasthan.
1. Jaipur, Rajasthan
Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), Jaipur, Rajasthan
Amer Fort view from lake, Jaipur, Rajasthan
The capital of Rajasthan is also its largest city that was built by Sawai Jai Singh in the 18th century. Jaipur is part of the Golden Triangle, along with Agra and Delhi, which tourists from all over the world visit for a lot of reasons.
When the city was first built, its buildings were originally painted pink, an imitation to the architecture of Mughal cities that are mostly made of red sandstone.
This is why Jaipur is also referred to as the Pink City. The pink-colored buildings are no more, but the most important tourist attractions remain. These include the Amber Fort, City Palace, temples, gardens, monuments, museums and venues for activities and entertainment.
2. Ajmer, Rajasthan
Dargah Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty, Ajmer, Rajasthan | Source: Zakir Naqvi - Flickr
Popularly known as the resting place of the Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty, Ajmer is first and foremost a famous pilgrim site for both Hindus and Muslims.
But there is more to this vacation destination than a pilgrimage area. After all, it serves as the gateway to Pushkar and its temples, ghats, and bazaars, and as links to Delhi and Jaipur.
It is also home to a man-made lake called Ana Sagar with a garden and marble monuments nearby. It provides the perfect venue to relax or for a boat excursion. To make the most of your visit in Ajmer, you should also go on a camel safari.
3. Pushkar, Rajasthan
Pushkar town in Rajasthan
Decorated Camel during Pushkar fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan | Picture: Mr. Sanjar Imam
India is home to many holy cities, and one of them is Pushkar. It is famous for its Brahma temple and ghats that will make any vacation feel profound, or with just a touch of the contemplative element.
There are eight temples in Pushkar, but two of the must-see are the Brahma Temple and Savitri Temple. The former is one of the very few temples that are dedicated to Lord Brahma, while the latter is built in honor of Lord Brahma's wife, Savitri.
Reaching the top of the Savitri Temple requires a climb of the 650-step stairs, which can be very tiring but very rewarding once you get an unobstructed view of Pushkar and the lake. Pushkar town is also known for 'The Pushkar Fair' held annually during November.
It is one of the world's largest camel fairs. Locally called 'Pushkar ka Mela' it is a five-day camel and livestock fair held in the town of Pushkar
4. Udaipur, Rajasthan
Set in an 18th-century palace encompassing a Lake Pichola island, this luxury hotel is Taj Lake Palace Hotel.
Udaipur may seem familiar to you, especially if you're a fan of James Bond, as it was the location of the movie Octopussy. The capital district of Mewar is home to gardens, palaces, forts, temples, lakes, and romantic venues.
It is also where you will find Udaipur City Palace, where you can stand in the middle of it and be surrounded by small and big palaces built with grandeur and majesty.
Away from the palace complex, you can enjoy a refreshing experience in three of the lakes in Udaipur that are not only peaceful destinations but are part of other tourist attractions worth seeing.
5. Bikaner
Laxmi Niwas Palace, Bikaner, Rajasthan | Source: Daniel Mennerich - Flickr
Dominated by a stretch of desert as far as the eye can see, complete with a camel-safari scene, Bikaner is the closest you can get to living it like the Bedouins of Arab nations.
The town, however, isn't all about the swirling dust and almost inhospitable landscape, as it also has interesting tourist attractions that you can explore aboard a rickshaw instead of a camel.
These include the Junagarh Fort, Laxmi Niwas Palace, Jain Temple Bhandasar, and the Devi Kind Sagar.
6. Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Blue City, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur is situated 410 feet above the city and is one of the largest forts in India.
Rajasthan's very own Santorini, houses in Jodhpur have blue-colored roofs or are painted with shades of blue, which is why it is also known as the Blue City.
Located at the edge of the Thar Desert, it is also the gateway to a world you might not dare to venture, except that it could give you a one-of-a-kind experience, so venture you shall.
One of the highlights of the city is the Mehrangarh Fort, the largest in Rajasthan and quite literally visible from different areas of the town. Combined with historical and natural sites, and temples, Jodhpur is one vacation destination you should not miss when in India.
7. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
A local villager in Jaisalmer with Camel
Home to a living fort that takes on a golden glow when the sun shines on it, the Golden City, is the perfect example of a travel destination that will give you a priceless experience.
Jaisalmer is a tourist town for good reasons, with the Ghadsisar, Jaisalmer Fort, Jain Temple, and the Havelis that serve as tourist magnet.
Make sure you check Suryagarh, a hotel built in the middle of a desert complete with pools, fountains and gardens that literally makes it an oasis.
With its proximity to the Thar Desert, going on a camel safari is the perfect way to explore the city and a few areas of the desert.
8. Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Mount Abu lake, Mount Abu, Rajasthan | Source: Giles Clark - Flickr
Rajasthan's only hill station, Mount Abu forms a distinct rocky plateau that provides the perfect venue for a wide range of sightseeing and activities.It is surrounded by the Nakki Lake with other natural wonders found nearby.
Its highlights include a beautiful Jain temple, Dilwara Temples, carved of white marble; the highest peak of the Aravali range Guru Shikhar, and Trevor’s Tank.
9. Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
One of the largest forts in India Chittorgarh Fort is a World Heritage Site. | Source: Nagarjun Kandukuru - Flickr
With a history that is as long and intricate as the Chittorgarh Fort, along with the circular road leading to the fortress and the water tank nearby, Chittorgarh is a very interesting travel destination with plenty of stories to tell.
It has associations with the most famous female Hindu spiritual poetess, Meera Bai, and as the last bastion of Rajputs clan during an invasion.
In addition to the famous fortress, it also boasts of temples, the Gaumukh Reservoir, and the Fateh Prakash Palace.
Move to the outskirts of Chittorgarh and you will discover other popular destinations, such as Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary, 16th-century fort Deogarh, Sanwariyaji Temple, and the ruins of the Babaroli Temple.
10. Alwar, Rajasthan
Alwar Palace, Tank and Old Temples | Source: Carlton Browne - Flickr
Surrounded by the Aravali Hills, Alwar is a magical paradise that is home to both natural and man-made wonders.
Jaisamand Lake was made by the King of Alwar. The tiger sanctuary of Sariska is one of Mother Nature’s most famous gifts to India. Add to these the Bala Quila Fort, Government Museum, City Palace Complex, and Bhartari Hari, and Alwar is definitely worth a visit.
What is even better is that the city is one of the less-traveled roads in Rajasthan, which means it will be free of the pressing crowd that you will have to deal with in other tourist destinations. It is a refreshing vacation destination that you can explore at your own leisure.
Amer Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan
With these many places to visit in Rajasthan ( Top 10 Places to Visit When in Rajasthan ), your trip to this side of India will be packed with fun and excitement.
- Private Tour : Golden Triangle Trip to Agra and Jaipur from Delhi - 4 Nights | 5 Days
- Best of Rajasthan with Agra Tour - 12 Nights | 13 Days