Indian Sub-Continent

City Guide

Colours of Rajasthan

• Jaipur
  The capital city of Rajasthan, also popularly know as the pink city has a lot to offer. Jaipur was founded in 1727 AD by one of the greatest rulers of the Kachhawaha clan, the astronomer king Sawai Jai Singh. Apart from the history and monuments and the Elephant ride, the city is a shopper’s paradise.
  Tourist’s attractions – Amber Fort, Observatory, City Palace, Palace of Winds, Jaigarh Fort.
• Samode
  In an enclosed valley in the dry rugged hills, Samode stands on a former caravan route. The Palace that dominates the village is fabulously decorated with 300-year old wall paintings.
  Tourist’s attractions – Samode Palace
• Ajmer
  Considered the second holiest site after Mecca, Ajmer is the burial place of the great Sufi Saint Muin-ud-din Chisti.  The Dargah or the tomb of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chisti is equally revered by the Hindus and Muslims hence making Ajmer a very important pilgrimage town.
  Tourist’s attractions – Daulat Bagh, Dargah
• Pushkar
  The village gets its name from the Pushkar Lake, almost magically beautiful in the early mornings or late evening light, considered to be India’s one of the most sacred lakes. A gentle peaceful village gets transformed into a lively and a colourful confusion of about 10 days during the annual Camel fair which takes place around the Kartik Purnima festival (full moon of November – December)
  Tourist’s attractions – Pushkar Lake, Temples, Camel Fair
• Bikaner
  An oasis among scrub and sand dunes, it was set up as an independent kingdom in late 15th century, it developed as a major centre in the cross-desert caravan trade. The landscape of Bikaner provides a dramatic setting for the Junagadh Fort, one of the finest examples of the paradox between medieval military architecture and beautiful interior decoration of Rajasthan.
  Tourist’s attractions – Lalgarh Palace, Junagarh Fort
• Mandawa
  Mandawa, Jhunjhunu and Sikar districts of Rajasthan are put together to form the region of Shekhawati which used to be the part of the Caravan Trade route between Central Asia and China. The rich merchants built themselves grand havelis or mansions (mid 19th and early 20th century) and covered then inside and out with lively frescoes and forming an open art gallery. Mandawa in Jhunjhunu has some interesting havelis.
  Tourist’s attractions – Havelis and Forts
• Khimsar
  Khimsar, On the edge of the desert, Khimsar is a small village, which at one point of time used to be a small kingdom. The village of Khimsar is dominated by its 450-year-old fort that today has been converted into one of the most delightful heritage hotels of India.
  Tourist’s attractions – Khimsar Fort
• Jodhpur
  Situated almost at the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is dominated by two huge edifices – the impressive Meherangarh Fort on a cliff top around which the entire city sprawls and the Umaid Bhawan Palace (1930’s) erected by then Maharaja as a solution to unemployment during famine.
  Tourist’s attractions – Meherangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace
• Jaisalmer
  In the hot barren Thar Desert, Jaisalmer city shimmers like a mirage. The city has a medieval feel to it and an incredible atmosphere with its golden sandstone walls and narrow streets with exquisitely carved buildings.
  Tourist’s attractions – Forts, Havelis
• Rohitgarh
  Rohet is a picturesque hamlet settled by the Bishnoi community (known for reverence for wildlife and environmental management). The fort has been converted into a heritage hotel, it is a family concern with rooms overlooking the gardens or overlooking the lake.
  Tourist’s attractions – Rohitgarh Fort
• Osian
  An ancient town, 55 kms north of Jodhpur in the Thar Desert, Osian was a great trading centre and has the largest group of 8-10th century Hindu and Jain temples in Rajasthan. Beautifully sculpted and designed, most of these temples have stood the ravages of time.
  Tourist’s attractions – Jain Temples
• Kumbalgarh
  Little known is the fort of Kumbalgarh about 60 km from Udaipur, one of the finest examples of defensive fortification in Rajasthan. The fort built in 15th century; its walls stretch 36 km. The fort is a great place to wander around amidst its palace, many temples and along the walls for great panoramic views. To the west of the fort is the Kumbalgarh wildlife sanctuary.
  Tourist’s attractions – Kumbalgarh Fort & Wildlife Sanctuary
• Deogarh
  About 2 km off the National Highway, Deogarh is a little  frequented town with a dusty but an interesting bazaar. The magnificent palace on a hillock in the centre with murals too has been converted into a charming heritage hotel. Being on a slight elevation, it is relatively cool and the countryside makes for some walks.
  Tourist’s attractions –
• Mt. Abu
  The only hill town in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is famous for Dilwara Jain temples from the 13 –15th century known for their superb marble carvings. A pleasant small town with a lake in the centre it is away from the hustle and bustle of other cities of the plains.
  Tourist’s attractions - Dilwara Jain temples
• Ranakpur
  Boasts the best-known Jain temple complexes in the country from the 10- 11th century. The temples have very fine ornamentation in terms of engravings and sculptures in white marble. A must visit on Jodhpur – Udaipur route.
  Tourist’s attractions - Jain temples
• Udaipur
  Is a romantic collection of green hills as a backdrop to exotic gardens filled with blossoming trees and fantasy island palaces shimmering in mirror calm lakes making it an oasis of colour in a stark and dry region. Perhaps that is the reason Udaipur is considered as one of the most romantic cities of India.
  Tourist’s attractions – Lake Pichola, Jagmandir Isalnd, City Palace & Museum, Sahelion-Ki-Bari, Fateh Sagar Lake