The Land of the Maharajas, Rajasthan with its medieval forts and palaces, colorful festivals and tigers is one of the best places to visit to India. The state can be visited independently or as part of the popular Golden triangle circuit (New Delhi- Agra-Rajasthan) and is a popular tourist destination not just among Indians but among foreigners as well.
Must Visit Places in Rajasthan
Jaipur- Jaipur’s close proximity to New Delhi and easy accessibility to other cites has made it of the most popular tourist places in Rajasthan. A treasure trove of history, cuisine and crafts, Jaipur will have you asking for more. Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Rambagh Palace, Jal Mahal Nahargarh Fort, and the City Palace and Museum are some of the places worth visiting as are Johari bazaar, Krishnapole bazaar, Nehru bazaar and Sireh Deori bazaar for shopping.
Udaipur- The city made famous by the movie Octupussy, Udaipur with its fabulous climate, artificial lakes and beautiful palaces is one of the most popular destinations of Rajasthan. Start your day by watching the sun rise over the Lake Pichola before heading off the many palaces to see he grandeur of the maharajas. Hop for a boat ride at Lake Pichola or the grand Fathesagar Lake. If crafts interest you then head to the Shilpigram ; if its history then Bharitya Lok kala museum and the government museum are for you. The garden of Saheliyon –ki –bari is another place that you should miss. A 2-3 day stay at Udaipur is more than enough but if you are planning on going on an excursion to Kumbhalgarh, Ranakpur, Chittorgarh or Mount Abu, then add another 2 days at least.
Jaisalmer – The ‘golden city, Jaisalmer is famous for its majestic fort (Sonar Qila), age old havelis (Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli and Salim Ji ki Haveli) , the scenic Gadisar lake and the great Indian desert. The best way to experience Jaisalmer is to go on a camel ride, camp at the Thar Desert under the open sky, witness a traditional Rajasthani dance or better still visit the India Pakistan border.
Jodhpur-Known as the ‘blue city’, Jodhpur is known for its imposing Mehrangarh Fort, the elegant Umaid Bhavan Palace, the beautiful Mandore Gardens and the Jaswant Thada. A day is more than enough to explore Jodhpur but if you want to explore the stunning Jain and Hindu temples of Osian or visit a nearby village then you can extend your stay by one to two days.
Best Time to Visit Rajasthan
Winters (October to January) are the best time to visit Rajasthan, as this is time when the state experiences a mild weather with temperatures ranging between 10°C – 30°C for most parts. During this time, nights are a bit cold but the mornings are perfect to move around..
In addition to the climate, winters is also the time when most fairs and festivals take place across the cities notable among them being the Pushkar festival and the Jaipur Literary Fest.
One can also travel during the monsoon season (July- Septemeber) but be aware that some parts (eastern and south eastern part) may receive a bit of rainfall as opposed to the North West region.
Summers (April –June) are usually hot and dry and its best to avoid until unless you are planning to visit Udaipur and Mount Abu where the weather is much pleasant.
Though Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer are the most popular tourist destinations of Rajasthan, there are various other towns and cities that are rich in history and culture. To visit these cities, connect with a travel agent from Swosti Travels to plan out your perfect Rajasthan holiday.
