The state of Rajasthan has one of the highest tourist attracted places in India as well as the world. Rajasthan is full of historical monuments, modern architectures, cultural, and traditional wealth. Thus, tourists visiting Rajasthan are never disappointed and enjoy visiting this state again and again. The royalty of the great Thar desert can be seen in the magnificent palaces, forts, and temples constructed here. Rajasthan is considered as one of the most tourists attracted states in India, and every third foreign tourist visits this state to experience its rich culture, traditions, and royalty.
Major Cities in Rajasthan
Jaipur: This city is the capital of Rajasthan and one of the highest tourist attracted places in India. The city is often referred to as the “Pink City” or the “Paris of India”. Jaipur was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. While building this city, several astrological, mathematical, and astrophysics concepts were used which made this city one of the best-planned cities during the early ages. One cannot miss the magnificent architecture of the enormous places, historical monuments, and temples on their visit to this city. Some of the major tourist attractions of this city include Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort, Nahargarh Fort, City Palace, Rambagh Palace, Central Museum, Albert Hall Museum, Sisodia Rani Garden and Palace, Ram Niwas Garden, Jaigarh Fort, Govind Dev Ji Temple, Jal Mahal, Birla Temple, Garh Ganesh Temple, and Chokhi Dhani.
Ajmer: This city is known for the shrine of Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Pushkar, which is one of the oldest Hindu pilgrim centres in India. The city is said to be founded by Ajayraj Singh Chauhan in the 7th century A.D. The city thereafter saw the rule of several dynasties including Muhammad of Ghor, Maharaj of Mewar, Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, Mugal Emperor Akbar, and the Marathas. Surrounded by the great Aravalli Mountains, the city is one of the major tourist attractions in Rajasthan. Some of the worth visiting places in Ajmer include Brahma Temple at Pushkar, Pushkar Lake, Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti, Taragarh Fort, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpda, City Museum, Maqbara Shaikh Husain, Mayo Collage, Anasagar Lake, Digambara Jain Temple, Lake Foy Sagar, and Nareli Jain Temple.
Jaisalmer: The city is also commonly known as the “Sun City” and lies in the heart of the Thar Desert. Jaisalmer is said to be founded in 1156 AD by Rajput King Maharawal Jaisal Singh. The city flourishes with several palaces and temples made by using yellow sandstone and sand due to which the city is also known as the “Golden City of India”. Some of the major tourist attractions in Jaisalmer include the Jaisalmer fort, Lodarava, Amarsagar, Brahmsar, Pokharan, Gadsidar Lake, Bada Bagh, Amar Sagar, Desert National Park, Bhaniyana, Government Museum, Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum, Lanela, Indira Gandhi Canal, Kuldhara, Sam Sand Dunes, etc. The camel safari in the desert is one of the major tourist events in Rajasthan and one must not miss their camel ride on their tour to Rajasthan.
Bikaner: The city is the fifth-largest city in Rajasthan and was founded in 1486 by the scion of the Rathore clan named Rao Bika. Even after the location of Bikaner is in the Thar Desert, it has adequate spring water. Since olden times, Bikaner is considered as the oasis on the trade route between Central Asia and Gujarat. Bikaner has always been a major tourist attraction, as the city contains some of the most magnificent palaces with unique architecture. The tourist attracted places in Bikaner include Junagarh Fort, Karan Mahal Palace, Laxmi Niwas Palace, Lalgarh Palace, Maru Nayak Ji, Laxmi Nath Temple, Bhandasar Jain Temple, Mukam Temple, Kolayat, Karni Mata Temple, Shiv Bari Temple, Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, Rajasthan State Archives, Kalibangan, Kolayat, and Doda Thora. The camel festival is another major tourist attraction in Bikaner which is organized by the Rajasthan Tourism Department.
Jodhpur: Also known as the “Blue City”, Jodhpur is the second largest state in Rajasthan. This city is situated in the Thar Desert and was founded by the Rathore clan Rajput chief, Rao Jodha. Jodhpur was set up at a strategic position on the trade route of Gujarat and Delhi. Thus, the city earned enormous profits from the flourishing trade of silk, date palms, copper, opium, and coffee. Jodhpur, nowadays, is a famous tourist destination and has several must-visit tourist destinations including Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jaswant Thada mausoleum, Kalyana, Balsamand Lake, Sardar Samand Lake, Masooria Hill, Veer Durgadas Smarak, Khichan, Osian, Nakoda Ji, Jaswant Tada, and Ghanta Ghar.
Udaipur: Also known as the “City of Lakes”, Udaipur is one of the major tourist attractions in Rajasthan. The city of Udaipur was established by Maharana Uday Singh which then became the capital of Mewar province. The city has some of the most beautiful lakes, palaces, and temples. The worth visiting places in the city of Udaipur include City Palace, Shiv Niwas Palace, Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Monsoon Palace, Jagdish Temple, Fateh Sagar Lake, Rangsagar Lake, Pichola Lake, Udai Sagar Lake, Saheliyon-ki-Bari, Gulab Bagh and Zoo, Doodh Talai, Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal, Maharana Pratap Memorial or Moti Magri, Nehru Garden, Bagore-ki-Haveli, Ahar Museum, Shilpgram, and Neemach Mata Temple.
Must Visit Places in Rajasthan
Chittorgarh Fort: One of the major tourist attractions in India itself, this fort is the largest fort in India and the grandest in Rajasthan. The fort is spread over an area of 691.9 acres and is endowed with several magnificent palaces, temples, gates, and two spectacular commemoration towers. Taking a journey of this fort, along with the available guides who explain the history of this great garrison, gives you a lifetime experience. Some of the major attractions of this fort include Vijay Stambha, Kirti Stambha, Rana Kumbha Palace, Fateh Prakesh Palace, Gaumukh Reservoir, and Padmini Palace.
Jantar Mantar: It is a huge collection of several astronomical instruments built by Maharaj Jai Singh II. Located in the city of Jaipur, it is one of the largest and best-preserved architectural astronomical observatories built by Maharaj Jai Singh II. This observatory consists of several geometric devices used for measuring time, tracking stars, predicting eclipses, ascertaining the declination of planets, and determining the celestial altitudes and related ephemerides. This is one of the must-visit places in the Jaipur city of Rajasthan where one can experience the age-old knowledge about astrology.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park: One of the World Heritage Sites in Rajasthan, Keoladeo Ghana National Park is one of the most visiting places. This national park was formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and is home to around 230 species of birds. Various Ornithologists from all over the world visit this place during the hibernal season. Major attractions of this national park include herons, storks, cormorants, tufted duck, sarus crane, darter, osprey, spotted eagle, imperial eagle, crested serpent eagle, blue bull, jungle cat, jackals, hyenas, spotted deer, sambar, leopard cat, Bengal fox, hog deer, chital, etc.
Mount Abu: Situated in the Aravali ranges, Mount Abu is one of the major tourist attractions in India. The mountain is considered an oasis in the desert, as it is blessed with several rivers, lakes, evergreen forests and waterfalls. Some of the major tourist attractions in Mount Abu include Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Shri Raghunathji Temple, Dilwara Temples, Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Kantinath Temple, Achalgarh fort, Rana Kumbha, Nakki Lake, and Durga Temple. This is the highest mountain peak in Rajasthan and one of the most visiting places.
Kumbhalgarh Fort: Situated near Udaipur city, this fort was built by the Rajput Maharaj Rana Kumbha in 1458 A.D. One can still view the strong protective walls and fortification of this fort which is supported by a series of round bastions. The fort is full of Hindu temples which include Neelkant Mahadev temple, Ganesh temple, Parsvanath Temple, Vedi temple, Pitaliadev temple, Bawan Deori, Mahadev temple, and several Jain temples. One can also get to see several palaces within the fort and some of the magnificent amongst them are Badal Mahal, Kumbha Mahal, Jhalia Mahal, Maharana Pratab birthplace, and other ancient bunds.
Some of the other must-visit tourist attractions in the state of Rajasthan include the great Ranthambore fort and wild-life sanctuary, Amber fort, Jalor fort, and Bala Kila fort.
