Rajasthan is the most colorful region in India exhibiting splendor and
royalty in every walk of life. It is truly said "a land of valiance and
chivalry,' which is endowed with invincible forts, magnificent palaces,
waves of sand dunes and serene lakes. The state represents an unusual
diversity in all of its forms- its people, culture, customs, costumes,
cuisine, dialects and rustic music.
No other region in the country assembles as many paradoxes of India as
does the desert land of Rajasthan. Unexpected forest glens, lakes and
temples appear like mirages in the deserts. On the crag are seen rugged
forts, testimony to a turbulent history. Innumerable temples dating back
to the 7th century still survive amidst scattered ruins. You can also
observe medieval cities existing around turreted marble palaces and
spacious gardens.
 The princely state of Rajasthan is a land of contrasts - the Thar desert,
mountains, man-made and holy lakes, forests and jungles, impregnable
fortresses and magnificent palaces, of warrior kings and princes, saints
and mystics, Rajputs and Moghuls. In common with other parts of India,
Rajasthan has a wealth of royal residences and stately homes in the form
of palaces (great and small), forts, hunting lodges or large estates. It
has become increasingly difficult in this modern age to maintain large and
historic properties without seeking additional sources of income. In
Britain whilst many of the owners of stately homes have resorted to
opening them to the general public in India, where the properties tend to
have many bedrooms, their most appropriate use has been to convert them
into hotels. Some of the larger palaces adopted this innovative idea a
number of years ago and are firmly established in travel itineraries; in
some cases owned or managed by international hotel chains.
Getting There
Rajasthan
is located 259 km from Delhi, 405 km from Udaipur, 336 km from Jodhpur,
657 km from Ahmedabad.
By Air
Rajasthan is directly linked to Delhi, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad,
Mumbai and Ahmedabad of Indian Airlines and Jet Airways. The major
international airport is at Jaipur-Sangner airport connecting to Dubai and
some places in UK.
By Rail
Connected from Delhi by A/c Shatabdi Express. Other connections are from
Ahmedabad, Secunderabad, Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai, Calcutta.
By Road
Rajasthan roadways run excellent regular service of A/c and Deluxe coaches
from Delhi.
Get A Room in Rajasthan
The various hotels and resorts in Rajasthan offer the best of facilities.
The well-furnished rooms place most of the comforts at your feet. Enjoy
the luxuries of life on your stay at the hotel. Take your pick from a
range of luxury and budget hotels in Rajasthan besides the star
categorized accommodation hotels.
Heritage Hotels of Rajasthan
» Lake Palace hotel
» Narayan Niwas hotel
» Hotel Pushkar Palace
» Gajner Palace
» Ram Garh Lodge
» Rang Niwas Palace
Deluxe Hotel
» Man Singh Tower
» Tah Hari Mahal
» Lake Palace
» Choki Dhani- The ethnic village resort
» Vanya Vilas Resort
» Raj Vilas
The Myriad Attractions of Rajasthan
Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan
Mehrangarh Fort
Perched on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and
magnificent fort in Rajasthan. Rao Jodha founded it in 1459 but subsequent
rulers of Jodhpur have also added to it over the centuries.
Lalgarh
Palaces
During the reign of Maharaja Ganga Singh, the first phase of Lallgarh
Palace was completed in the year 1902. It was the most completely
integrated example of Indo Saracenic architecture and the perfectly
realized creation of Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. Further additions were done
between 1906 - 1910. In the year 1972 Dr.
Junagarh Fort
One of the most imposing forts of Northern India-- Junagarh Fort has
remained unconquered till date. This fort was built in 15th century by one
of the most able and trusted generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh.
Bissau Palace
Bissau Palace is an elegant traditional hotel built in 1919 and recently
renovated.
It is close to the walled city and overlooks the Tiger fort. The Bissau
offers an oasis of calm, care, comfort and respite from the 'heat and
dust' of the city. The guest rooms are spacious and comfortable. A
gracious hotel with old-world charm and a reputation for excellent cuisine
and service.
Jaisalmer Fort
Known as SONAR QUILA, rising from the sand , the mega structure merges
with the golden hues of the desert ambience and the setting suns in its
most colourful shades gives it a fairy tale look.
Samode Haveli
Samode Haveli stands in the heart of the sprawling walled city of Jaipur,
suffused with an atmosphere of quiet beauty. Once a royal residence, the
Haveli has now been converted into a hotel and stands today as the
reminder of a halcyonic past, offering moments of subtle luxury.
Taragarh fort
It was built in 1345 and is great ramble around at leisure. This is rather
a ramshackle fort, with its overgrown vegetation.
The Samode Palace
The Samode Palace has been meticulously restored offering a retreat into
an aesthetically beautiful environment where visitors can enjoy India's
natural beauty and rich history.
Fort Chittaugarh
A standing sentinel to the courage and valor of Chittaurgarh, it stands
tall over a 180 meter high hillock covering a massive area of 700 acres.
The Sariska Palace
Sariska palace was built as a hunting lodge at the close of the 19th
century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Alwar in a calm, quiet and a
thickly wooded valley on the threshold of what is now the Sariska national
park.
Lohagarh Fort, Bharatpur
Lohagarh fort, or the Iron fort was built in the early 18th century and
took its name from its supposedly impregnable defences, which are said to
be inspired by a description given in the epic, Ramayana.
Widlife
of Rajasthan
Rajasthan is a haven for a wide spectrum of wildlife. The topography of
Rajasthan ranges from the barren desert, scrub-thorn arid forests,rocks
and ravines to wetland and lush, green forests. And each of these areas
houses a large variety of animal and bird life. Some of them rare while
some endangered.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, popularly known as Bharatpur is India's best
known bird sanctuary. This 28.7 square kilometer mixed wetland,
woodland, grass and scrub is home to 400 plus species of birds.
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambhor National park is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger’s
conservation efforts in Rajasthan.The park itself covers some 400 sq. km
and its scenery is very beautiful.
Sariska Tiger Reserve
Nestled amidst the Aravailis, Sariska sprawls over 800 sq. kms. of dry
tropical forests both dry deciduous and thorn forests. 'Dhok' is the
principal tree species that covers 90% of the entire area. There are a
diversity of grasses and shrubs in the valleys and plateaus. The core area
of the Park is 492 sq. kms. and there are three distinct and separate
core-zones which are not contiguous and result in some management
problems.
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is a great place to simply wander. The old city was once
completely surrounded by an extensive wall, much of which has
sadly been ripped away in recent times for building material.
Some of it remains, however,
Bikaner
Bikaner, situated in the northern part of Rajasthan, was founded in 1488
by a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur named Rao Bhikaji.
Kota
Kota, also Kotah, city, northern India, in Rajasthan State, on the Chambal
River. The city is a trade center for an area in which cotton, millet,
wheat, and oilseeds are grown; industries include cotton and oilseed
milling, textile weaving, distilling, dairying, and the manufacture of
metal handcrafts. The rail junction, a road hub, lies 4.8 km (3 mi) to the
north. The Crosthwaite Institute is located in Kota, as are old and new
palaces of the maharao (the maharaja). The city was formerly the capital
of the princely state of Kota, formed in 1572.
Jodhpur
Rising majestically over the rocky and rugged terrain is one of
Rajasthan's finest forts-the Mehrangarh Fort. It looks down protectively
over the fascinating city of Jodhpur.
Ajmer
Ajmer was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan and it is situated in the green
oasis wrapped in the barren hills.Ajmer used to be a major center of the
Chauhan power till 1193 A.D.
Fairs and Festivals
The Rajasthani’s love for colour and joyous celebrations is proved by the
elaborate rituals and the gay abandon with which he surrenders
himself to the numerous fairs and festivals of the region.
Desert Festivals
An
extravaganza of colour, music and festivity, is held every year during the
Hindu month of Magh (February). It has, on display, some of the most
fondly preserved components of Rajasthan's
Nagaur Fair
This eight days fair held every year during the month of
Jan-Feb, is popularly known as the Cattle fair and is the second
largest in Rajasthan. Nagaur Town is the most picturesque of
Rajput townships.
Gangaur Festival
Gangaur Festival, a spirited celebration gets underway every year during
the Hindu month of Chaitra (March - April) in Jaipur -
The Mewar Festivals
The Mewar Festival in March - April is the ceremonial welcome to spring
and is dedicated to goddess Parvati.A procession of colourfully attired
women, carrying images of the goddess to the Gangaur Ghat of the Lake
Pichhola is the major highlight. Songs, dances and firework displays mark
the festivities. |
