Rajasthan, the “Land of Kings”, is a state situated in the northwestern part of India and spread across 10.4% of India’s total geographical area. This royal state was established in the year1950 after India had become a republic. There are two major rivers in the state namely the Ganges and its tributary Yamuna and these two rivers meet at a point called the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj which is a Hindu pilgrimage site. However, other two notable rivers flow through the heart of the city called Gomti and Saryu.
The nickname of Jaisalmer is “The Golden city”. It has been named so because the town is standing on a ridge of yellowish sandstone and is home to the famous “Jaisalmer fort”. There is a royal palace and several ornate Jain temples inside this fort that were built of finely sculptured sandstone. The Great Indian Thar Desert is present in this city which is a major tourist attraction of Jaisalmer.
Places to visit in Jaisalmer:
Earlier, it was considered to be the kingdom of the Mewar kingdom and is located in the western part of the state. Since it was founded by Maharana Udai Singh in the year 1559, this place has been named in the honor of the King. People visit Udaipur to witness its series of artificial lakes as well as royal lavish residences. Moreover, it is also referred to as the “Venice of the East” due to the presence of its azure water lakes, accompanied by lush green hills of Aravallis. One of the most beautiful sights of Udaipur is the famous Lake Palace which is located in the middle of Lake Pichola and attracts thousands of tourists every year.
Historically, it was known to be the capital of the Kingdom of Marwar and is now the second-largest city in Rajasthan. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Rajasthan that has gained popularity over the years for its palaces, forts, and temples. Jodhpur has something to offer for people of all ages, be they a kid, youth, or old. People of Rajasthan also call it the “Blue city”.
The famous Mehrangarh Fort is present in this city and there are a series of gates that surrounds this fort. Moreover, this city is a hub of various significant educational institutions such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Arid Forest Research Institute, and many more. Thus, young tourists can explore these educational institutions and gather related information
Apart from the Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur is also home to some of the notable tourist attractions of Rajasthan. Some of the top attractions of this city that can impress tourists are:
One of the major cities of Rajasthan, Chittorgarh is situated at the bank of the Gambhiri and Berach Rivers (a tributary of the Banas). People visit Chittorgarh for the famous Chittorgarh Fort (the largest fort in Asia) that had been sacked thrice (by Alauddin Khilji, Bahadur Shah, and the Mughal Emperor Akbar) but the Rajput rulers had fought till the last drop of blood present in their body to maintain its independence. When the rulers succumbed to death and sacrificed their lives to protect the Fort, the women committed suicide by jauhar (mass self-immolation). It is also the land of worship for Meera, who dedicated her entire life to Lord Krishna.
The only hill station occupying the Sirohi district of the state of Rajasthan, Mount Abu is home to numerous Hindu and Jain temples. The highest peak on this station is Guru Shikhar which is situated at an altitude of 1,722 m above sea level. Besides, it is also called “an oasis in the desert” as its heights are home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests. Some of the popular temples located here are the Adhar Devi Temple, the Shri Raghunathji Temple, and a shrine and temple to Dattatreya built atop the Guru Shikhar peak, and the Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple.
There is another popular temple called the Durga Ambika Mata Temple that lies in a cleft of rock in Jagat, just outside Mount Abu town. This mountain also houses some of the most famous Jain temples that include Dilwara Temples (a complex of temples carved out of white marble), built under the supervision of Vimal Shah, between the 11th and 16th centuries.
Also known as the Great Indian Thar desert, the Thar desert is situated in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent and is spread across an area of 200,000 km2, forming the natural boundary between India and Pakistan. Moreover, it holds the record of being the World’s 20th-largest desert and 9th-largest hot subtropical desert. This desert is mainly famous for Camel Safari, Desert Safari, and Jeep Safari. People who want to explore nature and its wide range of flora and fauna can also visit the National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary located in the desert. Another fun activity that tourists can try here is camping.
One of the main reasons people like to visit Rajasthan for its rich variety of food. Both vegetarians, as well as non-vegetarians, have something to taste here in Rajasthan. The cooking style of Rajasthan is greatly influenced by the war-like lifestyle of its inhabitants and the availability of ingredients. Since the region is arid, the ingredient availability is less as compared to other non-arid regions. Thus, Rajasthani people preferred the kind of food that could last for several days and that too without heating. The Rajasthani pickles are famous all over the nation for their spicy and tangy flavor that immediately satisfies the taste buds. Also, the Bikaneri bhujia produced here is quite famous. Some of the other famous dishes include:
Several dishes that have been glorifying Indian cuisine across the World originated in Jodhpur. There is a wide range of food items starting from Pyaaj kachori to Mirchi Vada and Mawa kachori.
Rajasthan is home to some of the most enchanting forts (Amer and Mehrangarh) as well as religious attractions comprising Dilwara Jain temples and Karni Mata temple. People who want to visit this royal state must plan their tour in winter by consulting with their travel agents because summers are very hot here. Thus, winters are considered to be the most ideal period to visit Rajasthan.