Rajasthan was ruled by various rulers and dynasties including the Rajputs & Mughals over centuries. They constructed and re-furbished old forts, monuments and structures. The state is known for preserving the art, culture & heritage of customs and traditions by these monuments. The royal touch of these ancient structures is difficult to find today. Most of these beautiful palaces in Rajasthan are accredited as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
These are the top monuments recognized by UNESCO with brief information.
Chittorgarh Fort
This massive fortress in Rajasthan is a declaration to the great architecture of the Rajputs. One of the biggest movies that faced issues in Indian Cinema called Padmavat shot most of the movie here. Several visitors visit this fort situated in Chittorgarh city with seven huge entrances & many old structures.
Even India’s finest luxury train Palace on Wheels takes guests to the great fortress on the third day of the luxury tour post lunch. Guests can take time to see the fortress built on the Gambhiri & Berach river banks.
They can then enjoy refreshments with tea at a cafeteria within the Chittorgarh Fort and watch the sound and lights show in the evening. The fort is built on a hill at 180 meters height and is a great structure to visit.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
The Kumbhalgarh fort is known for the longest wall through the fort with a distance of 36 kilometers. It is the second largest fort in the world. There are many gates with two enormous gates to this fort. It is set in the scenic Aravallis mountain Ranges at an altitude of 1,194 meters above sea level. There are at least 360 smaller structures inside this massive UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is said that the ruler of Mewar Maharana Pratap took birth here. This huge Fort has several structures inside. The highest point is the palace of Clouds where you can see the desert moving into the Mewar region. The combination of colours like green Turquoise, and white give a unique look to the palace in Udaipur.
Ranthambore Fort
Sawai Madhopur is famous for the wildlife Park called Ranthambore National Park. Some people know that the former National Park was given the name Ranthambore National Park because of the massive Fort that overlooks the forest area. You have to going to the park for 7 km to see the Ranthambore Fort period Damini parts of it have been destroyed over time there still awesome portions that preserved well. This fort was captured by Prithviraj Chauhan from Yadavas in the 12th century.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is built on a hill at a height of 700 m above sea level.
The Palace on Wheels arrives at Sawai Madhopur on Day 3 of the week long luxury tour. Guests enjoy a Jungle Safari to see wildlife in the Ranthambore National Park that got its name from the fort.
Amer Fort, Jaipur
Rajasthan’s capital city Jaipur has several Forts and palaces and the great Fort called Amber fort with many different structures inside. It includes famous structures like Diwan E Azam, Diwan E Khaas and Sheesh Mahal. Shooting for the top Bollywood hit song in the 1990s called Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya happened here.
If you like a candle it is sufficient for the entire Palace to light up because this palace is made up of several thousands of glass pieces. Guests of the luxurious Palace on Wheels train have lunch at the Amber Fort on the second day of the week on luxurious tour of Jaipur. Post lunch they can explore the UNESCO World Heritage site and shop as there is a local market close by.
Jaisalmer Fort
The Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest forts in Rajasthan situated in the Thar Desert. It is popularly called Sone Ka Quila due to its colours changing during sunset and sunrise. This UNESCO World Heritage site is constructed with yellow sandstone in a great combination of Rajput and Mughal architecture.
There are even people living inside the Fort in small societies, famous sightseeing spots include Raj Mahal, Jain and Laxmikant temples and Jawahar Fort.
Palace on Wheels train visits the Golden city of Jaisalmer and gifts article on the sides sightseeing tour of the golden city between 9:15 and 9:30 in the morning. This is the best time to see the sunrays on the fort that makes it glow like gold.
Jantar Mantar
The former ‘Yantra Mantra’ consists of fourteen instruments with different geometric designs. The largest natural sun instrument accurately shows local time. The largest solar observatory points out eclipse, and gauges celestial structures. The famous instruments are Sundial, Ram Yantra, Samrat Yantra, Jaiprakash Yantra and Composite Instrument.
The Jantar Mantar also measures altitude, azimuth, and sun’s declination. Jantar Mantar also has Samrat Yantra where the cupola’s shadow tells oncoming monsoons or an eclipse. Medieval age astronomers used these tools for astronomy.
This is one of the sightseeing structures in Jaipur with Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum & many more in Jaipur. The Palace on Wheels itinerary includes these on 2nd day of tour when guests also ride an elephant!
Keoladeo National Park
This UNESCO World Heritage site is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers. Thousands of rare migratory & resident species of birds are found here. Officially declared as a national park in the year 1982 this park in Bharatpur is closed inside a wall with regular supply of water for birds. Some include the Demoiselle & Siberian Crane from over 360 species of birds that come from various parts of the globe to live in this bird sanctuary.
One of the best ways to visit the Bharatpur bird sanctuary is by the Palace on Wheels where you can experience the jungle safari to the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. The birds come out for their early morning meal and the travelers de-board as early as 5.30 am to go on the safari to catch the best moments.
Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur is famous for the ghost story and the Indo-European architecture. The fort historically known for greatly defending many residents and the British Resident’s wife in a war in 1857. It’s built in the backdrop of the scenic Aravallis giving visitors a splendid view of the city. It is less than 3 kilometers great sites in Jaipur like Hawa Mahal, Jaigarh Palace, Jantar Mantar, Jal Mahal & City Palace.
Jaigarh Fort
Spread over 3 kilometers in the city of Jaipur, this World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO was built for the defense of Amer Fort and to keep the stores of war and ammunition. The largest cannon is found in this fort that is built on a hill of eagles. Another great feature about this fort is the lattice work on the windows. From outside nothing is visible but it gives clear views from inside.
It offers greatest views as it is situated on a hill of 500 ft. above sea level & it has a beautiful garden made in Persian style. This is one of the oldest forts dating back to 1700’s and also known as Victory Fort.
City Palace, Udaipur
This is one of the most famous structures in Udaipur dating back to 1500s. It is built with two precious stones – marble and granite over the beautiful Lake Pichola waters. The City Palace is situated in the beautiful surroundings of Aravallis hills. It consists of amazing arches and domes as well as towers.
Explore the beautiful gardens, courtyards, ancient rooms, terraces, and pavilions of City Palace in sheer luxury by Palace on Wheels train. The guests tour Jaipur for sightseeing on Day 2 of the itinerary and experience the royal feel visiting City Palace in sheer luxury.