Rajasthan, a well-embroidered beauty in itself, is the treasure trove of Indian tourism. Formerly known as ‘Rajputana’ (the land of kings), Rajasthan manifests the stateliness of Indian Rajputana rulers. If you want to witness the vibrant culture of India, head to Rajasthan. I must say, today if there is a place in India where heritage culture blooms at its entire vista is Rajasthan. In Rajasthan, the surreal beauty of Rajputana culture and royal palaces will surprise you in every single step. From the grand palaces to majestic forts, far-reaching deserts, never-to-be-forgotten camel & elephant ride, and the incredibly colorful culture, Rajasthan gives an experience for the lifetime. The beauty of Rajasthan is so majestic that you can’t explore it entirely on your first visit. That’s why here we listed down places to visit in Rajasthan.
Must-Visit Places in Rajasthan
If you want to learn an interesting history buff, to feel the serenity of a religious place, to witness the majesty of our Indian rulers or want to experience the quaint beauty of nature all in one place, Rajasthan is a wonderful place to explore every bit of it. If we dig deeper in every tiny detail about Rajasthan, this article would never end. So, let’s cover only the must-explore places to visit in Rajasthan.
Jaipur
In the real sense, the history of Rajasthan is the pride of India. Rajasthan has a very boasting, eventful, and proud history. Rajasthani Rajputs are known for their indomitable gallantry, royal lifestyle and being true to their word. It’s not only their chivalry that was unsurpassed. Their architectural style was even more consummate and structural. Jaipur is an object lesson of this architecture. The city is full of historical monuments. Every single pebble of these monuments is satiated with a prideful history. The evocative ruins of royal palaces and forts portray grandeur of Rajputana rulers. Every fort and palace of Jaipur has embraced a heroic history within itself. The awestruck architectural style mixed with stout stories gives these palaces a lifelike beauty. Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Birla Mandir, Nahargarh Fort and Jaigarh Fort are some of the noticeable places to visit in Jaipur.
Pushkar
After visiting and exploring so many historical monuments, I’m sure you would be deadly exhausted and wouldn’t be left with any stamina. So, next day head to Pushkar, the king of pilgrim sites in India. Here, explore some religious places and feel the divine spirit & peace in temples. Rajasthani Rajput rulers were the fervent devotees of ‘Maa Bhawani’( Maa Durga) and they have built many marvelous temples in the name of their ideal God and Goddess. These temples evoke a pure, calm, and divine feeling of spirituality and devotion. If you want to spend some time in utter serenity far away from the hustle and bustle of chaotic city life, you can’t find a place better than these temples. Spend some time here.
Admire the architectural beauty and feel the inner peace. Pay a visit to the most famous temples of the city such as Apteshwar temple, Brahma temple, Varaha temple, and Rangji temple. Don’t leave city yet. A visit to Pushkar would be incomplete if you don’t relish the fun of camel riding. Pushkar is particularly known for the camel fair and one of the beautiful places to visit in Rajasthan.
Bikaner
Bikaner! The city, founded by Rajput king Rao Bika, is known for the forts, food, and museums. Rajasthan has such a rich history and the state has successfully preserved all the memorials of its kings. In almost every fort of Rajasthan, you will find a museum where the remains of the rulers of that fort have been conserved like a jewel. The same is with the museums of Bikaner. Sadul Singh museum and Ganga Singh museum are the must-visit places in Bikaner. These museums and art galleries showcase the royal lifestyle, stateliness, gallantry, inclination for art & culture of Rajputana rulers. From their weapons to jewelry, paintings, crowns, garments, and handicrafts, these museums have kept Indian history and culture alive even today.
Apart from these two museums, Junagarh Fort and Lalgarh Fort are the major tourist destination in Bikaner. These forts are hugely admired for their stellar and intricate carved architecture. In Bikaner, Karni Mata Temple is also a noticeable place. It is always thronged by the Rajput devotees and outsider visitors. These things make Bikaner one of the beautiful places to visit in Rajasthan.
Sawai Madhopur
A paradise for nature and wildlife0 lover! Want to see something more than the rusty majestic forts, the flamboyant culture, interesting looking traditional dresses, and of course the Rajputana lifestyle in Rajasthan? Then head on to Sawai Madhopur. This city hasn’t many touristic places but there is one named ‘Ranthambore National Park’ which is enough to entice millions of visitors alone. If you want to give your eyes a visual treat, don’t forget to explore the entire park. The soothing lakes, absorbing surroundings, rugged mountains, fascinating flora & fauna, rocky landscapes, lush greenery, and of course encounter with the tigers would give you a thrilling experience to cherish for the lifetime A jungle safari catching the view of wild animals from the closest proximity through the dusty lanes of National parks can make you forget the world.
Ranthambore National Park is especially known for tigers. So, there is a possibility that you may encounter the one at the spitting distance. Keep your camera ready!! In Ranthambore National Park, natural wonder and architectural splendor stand side by side. Inside the national park, you’ll find the Ranthambore Fort which is a part of UNESCO World Heritage site. The fort is thoroughly imbibed in a rich history and certainly deserves a visit.
Udaipur
Steeped deep in history, Udaipur is the second most popular city in Rajasthan. Sometimes called as ‘Venice of the East’ and ‘City of Lakes’, Udaipur was once the royal capital of Sisodia Rajputs. The city is a perfect mélange of history, culture, royal lifestyle and natural beauty. Even today, Udaipur is the one of the most famous wedding and honeymoon destination in India. The historical grandeur of Udaipur is multiplied by the mesmerizing natural beauty and pristine lakes. Today, Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities in India and it truly justifies the tag ‘The Kashmir of Rajasthan’ that has been bestowed to its bewildering charisma. The city palace of Udaipur is an ideal reflection of stateliness of Sisodia rulers.
City palace has rendered it regal beauty to many Bollywood movies such as Guide, Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani, Goliyon ki Rasleela Ram-Leela, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, and many more. The depiction of spectacular beauty of Udaipur can’t be completed without talking about Lake Pichola and Lake Fatehsagar. The ambience around these lakes always remains as if the entire city has lost into the tunes of romance. A boat ride in these lakes would give a forgettable experience for life. Saheliyon ki Bari, Lake Palace, Lake garden Palace, Jagdish Temple, and Bagore ki Haveli are other major attractions in Udaipur. These attractions make Udaipur one of the beautiful places to visit in Rajasthan.
Jodhpur
Founded by Rao Jodha in 1459, Jodhpur is definitely a must-visit city in Rajasthan. Often known as ‘Blue City’, Jodhpur draws a bewitching canvas of rich culture & history. In Rajasthan, some cities offer history grandeur while some offer natural wonders but in Jodhpur, you’ll find everything. Jodhpur is famous for impressive forts, imposing temples, enthralling lakes, busy street markets, and lip-smacking foods. The city is predominantly known for Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan. Mehrangarh fort is one of the largest forts in India and is truly an architectural masterpiece. Jaswant Thada, Mahamandir Temple, Sardar Samand Lake, Balsamand Lake, and Gadisar Lake are the other tourist attraction of the city. Don’t forget to visit Sam Sand Dunes when you’re in Jodhpur. Sam Sand Dunes is few km away from the city and certainly deserves a visit because it is one of the famous places to visit in Rajasthan.
Chittorgarh
The heroic history of Rajasthan would not have been started if Chittorgarh hadn’t been founded. It is one of the most ancient cities in Rajasthan. The history of this city is written in self-respect, pride and heroism. Chittorgarh Fort, founded in 7th century, is the essence of Chittorgarh city. If you don’t know much about the Chittorgarh Fort, I’ll describe it a very brief manner. It is the fort where great warrior Maharana Pratap and the world-famous saint Meera Bai were born. It is the fort where Rani Padmini along with other 1600 ladies committed Jauhar to save her pride. Chittorgarh Fort, Rani Padmini’s Palace, and Meera Temple are the prominent attractions in Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh is one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park
Keoladeo Ghana National Park is also known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and one of the largest bird watcher paradise in Rajasthan. Spread an area of 29 sq km, the sanctuary is about 250 years old. The bird sanctuary is a man-made wetland, where you can witness an ample amount of avian migration. It is home to more than 370 species of birds and animals. Some of the famous bird species here Indian Courser, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Sarus Cranes and Snipe darters. The bird sanctuary actually came into existence in 1971 and later declared as a National Park in 1981. Being one of the famous national parks in Rajasthan, the tourist comes here from all across the world. Undoubtedly, a perfect place for bird watching and wildlife photography too. It is also a part of the World Heritage site recognised by UNESCO in 1985.
Best time to visit Rajasthan
Anytime your bags are packed is the most appropriate time for any trip. Still, if you want to know the best time to visit Rajasthan, I would recommend you to visit between the months of November to February. We all know that Rajasthan has many deserts and they affect its climate too. So, you can plan your trip from early winters to the end of autumn but it doesn’t mean that people don’t visit Rajasthan in summer and monsoon season. The royal state is always flocked by the worldwide tourists.
How to reach Rajasthan
Rajasthan is the tourist hub in India, so it is well-connected throughout the country. From every corner of India, you can get to Rajasthan without any hassle. The major cities like Delhi and Mumbai connect Rajasthan by the road network. Means, you can go by your own vehicle or can hire a taxi anytime. If we talk about the rail network, Rajasthan has a very good rail network and many superfast trains pass by the Rajasthan. Jaipur is the central railway station which is connected to the major cities of India.
Udaipur, Bikaner, and Jodhpur are also major railway stations in Rajasthan. If you’re a foreign tourist or coming from the extreme corner of India, land at Jaipur International Airport. Jodhpur and Udaipur also have airport but Jaipur airport is the most approachable. Jaipur Airport is also very near to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Almost all the means of transportation are available to explore places to visit in Rajasthan.
If you want to experience the royalty with the touch of a deep-rooted culture, don’t miss even a single above-mentioned place. The entire Rajasthan spills a feel of proud and royalty. You can’t explore it thoroughly in just 8 or 10 days but you can certainly get a glimpse of Rajputana Rajasthan by visiting these places. So pack your bags and head to the most cheerful state of India where people live with every ounce of their being. This is all about places to visit in Rajasthan.