Journey through Rajasthan is like moving through a kaleidoscope of history, culture, royalty and colours. Here are few shades of the vivid colours of Royal Rajasthan. here are the Ten Must Visit Destinations in Rajasthan.

1. Sun Kissed Rajasthan - Ten Must Visit
Destinations in Rajasthan

2. Pushkar Camel Fair
The five day annual camel and livestock
fair held in Pushkar, Rajasthan is a sight
to behold. Thousands of people throng
the banks of Pushkar Lake, around which
the fair takes place, in the months of
October-November. Legend has it that
the Hindu god Brahma, the creator from
the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu,
Mahesh, sprung from the lake on Kartik
Poornima (full moon day of the month
of Kartik, 15 days after the Hindu festival
of Diwali) and hence numerous people
swim in the sacred waters of the lake.
Take a stroll through the vast cattle
camp and see the magic come alive.
Pushkar Camel Fair is an experience to
cherish.

3. Ranthambore National Park
Located at about 160 km south-east
of Jaipur, Ranthambore National
Park is one of the biggest national
parks in India and was declared one
of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973
by the Government of India. Spread
over an area of 392 sq km
Ranthambore is one of the best
places to see the tigers in their
natural habitat. While the park
remains open from October to June,
the best time to visit is between
November to May when the tiger
spotting is easier. Do visit the
Ranthambore fort which overlooks
the park and watch out for one of the
big cats.

4. Udaipur
Founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai
Singh II, Udaipur is the historic capital
of the Kingdom of Mewar in the
erstwhile Rajputana Agency. Udaipur
is also known as the City of Lakes
and Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar
Lake and Udai Sagar lakes are some of
the most beautiful lakes in Udaipur.
Asia’s only solar observatory, the
Udaipur Solar Observatory, is situated
on the island in middle of Fateh Sagar
Lake. It is home to the Rajput-era
palaces, many of which have been
converted into luxury hotels.

5. Jodhpur
A former princely state and capital
of erstwhile kingdom of
Mewar, Jodhpur has many palaces,
forts and temples to boast of.
Strategically located in middle of
the state, Jodhpur is also a
convenient base for travel around
Rajasthan. Mehrangarh Fort, one
of the largest forts in India, is
located in Jodhpur and also
exhibits the heritage of the
Rathores in arms, costumes and
paintings. Umaid Bhawan Palace,
Ghanta Ghar (clock tower)
and Jaswant Thada mausoleum
are brilliant pieces of architecture.

6. Jaisalmer
Named after the Maharawal Jaisal Singh,
the Rajput king who founded the city in
1156 A.D.,Jaisalmer is a World Heritage
Site. It lies in the heart of the Great
Indian Desert (Thar Desert) and the
yellow sandstone used in the
architecture gives the city a yellow hue
to it. Do visit the Trikoot Garh Palace,
which was built in 1156 and be a part of
the history of Rajasthan. Jaisalmer also
has beautiful Jain temples with exquisite
marble carving as well as some of the
oldest and rarest manuscripts and
artefacts of Jain tradition can be found
here. Do not miss out the desert festival
held here in January/February which is a
fantastic mix of folk songs, dance and
music.

7. Bundi
Home to magnificent palaces, towering forts and
stepwell reservoirs, the narrow lanes of Bundi
have a very old world charm to it. Constructed in
1354 A.D., the Taragarh Fort is one of the most
impressive structures of the city, whereas the
Bundi Palace, on the hill next to the Fort is a
great example in traditional murals and frescoes.
The intricately carved stepwells were the only
source of water for the town till the piped water
system was introduced. Various day excursions
to places like Dugari Fort, Gudha Dam,
Kedareshwar Dham and Keshoraipatan can be
carried out at Bundi.

8. Jaipur
Jaipur is the capital and the largest city of
Rajasthan. Also known as the Pink City,
Jaipur is included on the Golden Triangle
tourist circuit along with Delhi and Agra.
Jaipur is rich in heritage, culture and
architecture with fortresses, palaces,
temples and havelis making it one of the
most preferred tourist destinations. The
Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, City Palace,
Jaigarh Fort and Nahargah Fort are just few
of the must-see places in Jaipur. Do check
out Jantar Mantar, the observatory, which
is also one of the World Heritage Sites.
October to March is the best time to visit
Jaipur as weather is pleasant during this
time.

9. Mount Abu
Mount Abu is a popular hill station
situated on the Aravalli range of
mountains, which is the oldest fold
mountain range in India. The highest
peak of the mountain is Guru Shikhar
and it is situated at 1,722 m above
sea level. Abu has several Hindu and
Jain temples including Dilwara
Temple complex carved out of white
marble which was built between the
11th and the 13th centuries.
The Nakki Lake and Sunset point are
some of the other tourist attractions.

10. Kumbhalgarh Fort
Built in the 15th century,
the Kumbhalgarh Fort, a Mewar fortress
in the Rajsamand district, is a World
Heritage Site. The walls of Kumbhalgarh
extend over 36 km, and are claimed to
be the second-longest continuous wall
after the Great Wall of China. Do visit
the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
which is one of the few parks that
allows people on horsebacks and where
activities of the rarely found wolves can
be seen. It is also home to many of the
endangered species and best time to
visit it is between October to June.

11. Nagaur
Founded way back in the 4th century
B.C., Nagaur was at the centre of Muslim
invasion from Central Asia. The remains of
the early settlements can be seen along
the banks of now dried up Saraswati river.
The Nagaur Fort, built in the early 1100s,
is one of the finest examples of Rajput-
Mughal architectures. Tarkeen Dargah is a
very sacred place for Muslims and Sufis.
Day excursions to nearby places
like Khimsar Fort, Dadhimati Temple and
the 400 year old Meerabai Temple can
also be carried out from Nagaur.

12. Photographic Attribution
• Thank you all for your contributions!
• Pushkar Camel Fair: www.flickr.com/photos/thebigdurian/4326459967
• Ranthambore National Park: www.flickr.com/photos/mikereys/2015678737
• Udaipur: www.flickr.com/photos/saad/4886937855
• Jodhpur: www.flickr.com/photos/michaelfoleyphotography/3996454055
• Jaisalmer: www.flickr.com/photos/amre/1428659074
• Bundi: www.flickr.com/photos/trapheler/13442165904
• Jaipur: www.flickr.com/photos/himalayan-trails/3341369670
• Mount Abu: www.flickr.com/photos/utsavv/6129819271
• Kumbhalgarh: www.flickr.com/photos/utsavv/6129819271
• Nagaur: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nagaur_Fort.JPG