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Rajasthan is where all the country’s similes and metaphors appear to have come
together to create a visual extravaganza. Majestic palaces and rugged forts, spectacular
deserts, wooded hills and tranquil lakes, bustling towns and quiet villages, amazing flora
and fauna and of course, the colorful and vibrant people of Rajasthan form an intricate
tapestry of mysticism, grandeur and rusticity. Behind the breathtaking beautiful facade,
expect to find contradictions to the ordinary and mundane aspects of vacationing.
Wherever you travel, particularly when you escape from the popular tourist destinations,
you will come across the unexpected, whether it is a local fair or a bustling bazaar or
mind-blowing architectural wonders. The mood and the rhythm of the countryside
changes from one region to another, and from season to season. It is a land of magical
fantasies that remain a lifetime memory.
Come and discover it for yourself...
The history of Rajasthan dates back to 5000 years and boasts a heritage as rich as its
landscape. There is something for everyone in this land - those looking for an action
packed holiday will find endless opportunities, right from jungle and desert safaris,
adventure tours or just a laid-back cushy royal experience in one of the several palace
hotels or heritage hotels found in each and every part of Rajasthan.
Whether you are visiting Rajasthan's big cities, or exploring historic towns or quaint
villages, you will find the people very warm and friendly. Rajasthanis, are one of the most
flamboyant and multi-hued people of the Indian sub-continent, known for their cultural
and artistic works, rich lifestyle and rusticity blended with modern ideals. Their history
has been witness to many acts of valor and bravery shown by these people, which have
passed on from generation to generation.
Rajasthan is one of the 26 states that, along with seven union territories, form the
Republic of India. Located in the northwest, it shares its borders with Punjab, Haryana,
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, and an international border with Pakistan.
The 3,42,274 sq km of its topography comprises 22 former princely states that merged
at the time of Indian independence.
Geographically, located between 22 and 30 north latitude, and 69 and 78 east longitude,
the region consists of the Aravalli hills, the plateau of Hadoti and the Malwa tableland
that blocks the flow of the monsoons to the region, creating the vast desert land that lies
to the west. Temperatures here can be sub-zero in winter nights, though at 12 to 25
degree Celsius during the daytime, this is the best time for visitors to travel within the
state. Summers, not surprisingly, are hot and dry, and though the fierce winds have now
ceased as a result of the large-scale plantation, the temperature hovers in the vicinity of
45 degree Celsius during the day.
From the most discerning and seasoned traveler to the first-timer, Rajasthan has
something for everybody. Beautiful vistas to imperial locales, artistic antiquities to
traditional handicrafts, exotic wildlife to unusual getaways, sufficient memories of
memorable vacation to last forever.
It is among the richest states in the country as far as handicrafts are concerned. The
craftsmen here have been creating some of the most exotic and unusual forms of arts
through generations. Stone, clay, leather, wood, ivory, lac, glass, brass, silver, gold and
textiles are given the most brilliant forms, for visitors to take back the vivacity and wealth
of the Indian state of Rajasthan.
PRINCIPAL DESTINATIONS
So rich is the history of the land that every roadside village has its own tales of valor and
sacrifice for the telling. However, for most visitors, lengthy forays would be difficult,
though camel safari’s sometimes offer them the opportunity to interact with people who
may have never stepped out of their villages - or seen rainfall.
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AJMER: A 7th century Chauhan dynasty stronghold, Ajmer is now a pilgrimage center for
Muslims, though people from all faiths and religion come to pray at its famous mosque.
The British developed Ajmer as an educational center, and Mayo College, once an
exclusive school for boys from royal families, is now among the country's best private
schools.
ALWAR: Once known as Mewar, the Rajput kingdom came under Muslim domination
from the 13th to 18th centuries with constant attempts to win it back which, the Prince of
Kachhwa dynasty succeeded in doing in 1771. Alwar has some beautiful lakeside
palaces, not all open to the public.
Alwar, paradoxically, was both the oldest and newest of all the Rajput Kingdoms. On the
one hand, it traced its traditions back to the kingdom of Viratnagra that flourished here
around 1500 BC. On the other, it was officially created – carved out of the Martha
territories – by the British as late as the 1770’s. The rulers of Altar were distantly related
to the Kachhawaha dynasty of Jaipur and, until the mid – 18th century, were merely the
chieftains of two villages in Jaipur state. But, by skillfully aligning themselves with the
right party at the right time – the Jats of Bharatpur, the Kachhawahas, the Mughals and,
finally, the East India Company – they rapidly jockeyed themselves into a position of
political consequence.
BARMER: A 13th century forfeited town, Barmer is in the heart of the desert and is
known for the quality of its wood and stone carvings. Earlier fortifications reveal the far
limits where the Rajputs raised defense out-posts.
BANSWARA: Ribbed with streams and covered with dense forests, Banswara lies off
the conventional tourist circuit. Artificial lakes and dams, and the ruins of ancient temples
make this an exciting place to discover.
BIKANER: Founded by one of the scions of the house of Jodhpur, Bikaner's history
combines adventure with enterprise. In later centuries, as an ally of the Mughals and the
British, is was able to develop as a modern state, though its architectural attractions
remain splendidly Rajput. One of the principal outposts of the desert, it is also a major
center for camel breeding.
BHARATPUR: The only Jat kingdom in the state, the rock-hard mud fortifications of its
fort proved invincible even under repeated siege. The fort houses early remnants of
artifacts and sculpture, while the modern palace outside is a sprawling structure.
However, Bharatpur is better known for its Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National
Park).
Bharatpur was an unusual Kingdom of Rajasthan because it was the only one that was
ruled by a dynasty of Jats – peasant sons of the soil – rather than Rajputs. Under its
aggressive rulers, the kingdom of Bharatpur became a major military and political force
in the 18th and 19th centuries, its armies sweeping the plains of northern India, virtually
olds and masters of all they surveyed. However, the history of Bharatpur goes back far,
far earlier, to the great ancient kingdom of Matsyadesh that fluorides here around the 5ht
century BC. There are several fine archeological remains of this civilization that you can
see in the Bharatpur Museum.
BUNDI: Nestled in a fold of the Aravalli hills, Bundi bristles with medieval enchantment.
Its fortifications house palaces and apartments, artificial lakes and waterside pavilions.
Ruled by the Hada Rajputs, Bundi is renowned for its Rasleela frescos.
CHITTAURGARH: The former capital of the Sisodia rulers of Udaipur, Chittaurgarh
perches atop the scraggy spine of the Aravallis. Ransacked by Allaudin Khilji in the 14 th
century, by the Sultans of Gujarat in the 16th century, and finally by the Mughal Emperor
Akbar's forces, it was abandoned by its rulers who vowed never to return until they
avenge their defeat. The few remaining palaces and towers are part of its stirring history.
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DEEG: The summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur, Deeg is known for its Jat
architecture and for the colored fountains and pleasure pavilions that are contained
within a fortified environment.
JAIPUR: The capital of the modern state of Rajasthan, Jaipur is a modern city built
according to the specifications laid down in ancient architectural texts. Known as a Pink
City on account of the flush color of its sandstone palaces, it is a major center for
handicrafts. Its former capital, Amber consists of fortifications with an interesting range of
highly decorated public and private apartments.
The city of Jaipur is the logical starting point for anyone traveling in Rajasthan because
to its central location and good air road and rail connections. To the west lies the desert
region of Mercer (Biker, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur), to the north and south run the craggy
Aravalli hills. From jaipur it is an easy drive to Al war and the Sariska Tiger Reserve. In
the Northeast, or to Ajmer, Pushkar, and Kishangarh in the southwest. Also within reach
is the shekhavati region in the northwest and Ranthambhor National Park in the east.
The kingdom of jaipur was originally known as amber, which was also the name of its
ancient capital situated 7 miles away. Its history can be traced back to the 12 th century,
when Amber was the stronghold of the fierce Mina tribesmen. According to legend, the
Minas once gave shelter to a Rajput Prince called Duleh Rai. But the prince later
betrayed them by getting them drunk one night, slaying them, and taking over Amber. In
the 16th century, Amber suddenly came to the fore when the Mughal emperor, Akbar
(reigned 1556 – 1605) married one of its princesses, the first of several shrewd
matrimonial alliance between a Mughal ruler and a Rajput Princess.
JAISALMER: The westernmost citadel of the desert, Jaisalmer has an ancient history
linked with its development as a trading center. Parts of its `Golden' fort continue to be
inhabited, and its cobbled streets lead through a journey of medieval enchantment.
Jaisalmer is celebrated for the exquisite stone-carved havelis or mansions of the
merchants who held the reins of its destiny.
JHALAWAR: A 19th century offshoot of Kota, Jhalawar's verdant landscape is unusual
for a desert state. Its fort functions as a government office but the 9th century Gagron
Fort close by is one of the most important citadels of Rajput history.
JODHPUR: The 16th century capital of the Rathore Rajputs, Jodhpur's history is evident
in the hilltop fort, Mehrangarh, from where its destiny was written. Narrow paths wind up
the steep path, leading to the innards of the fort. Once within, the architecture is less
formidable, with delicate windows and painted chambers. From its ramparts one has a
view of the 20th century art decorum from the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
KOTA: Verdant, fertile plains flank one of few perennial rivers in Rajasthan, the
Chambal. Located on its banks, Kota is a modern industrialized city, but its antecedents
are as romantic as any other Rajput kingdom. This is evident in its many palaces, and
the large fort with its fabulous paintings known for their hunting scenes.
MOUNT ABU: A summer retreat in the Aravallis with a large lake and several temples,
Mount Abu also doubles as a pilgrimage center with its 11th-13th century Delwara Jain
temples known for the quality of their sculptures and artifacts.
NAGAUR: Located between Bikaner and Jodhpur, yet largely bypassed, Nagaur serves
as an important link in the state’s martial history, and its fort has frescos in Mughal and
Rajput styles.
PUSHKAR: A pilgrimage center with the only temple in India dedicated to Lord Brahma,
the Divine Creator, Pushkar is the venue for the annual camel fair.
RANAKPUR: Ranakpur is well known for its 15th century temples built by Jain
merchants, these are characterized by the fine quality of their carving.
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RANTHAMBHOR: The fort of Ranthambhor has been abandoned to nature for in this
national park, where the Royal Bengal Tiger rules the jungle. One of the country’s finest
tiger reserves, its topography of low hills and large lakes provides a tranquil idyll.
SHEKHAWATI: A region of small towns, Shekhawati is primarily known for its havelis or
mansions richly ornamented with frescos that, over time, ranged from the sacred to the
secular.
UDAIPUR: A lake city, and the capital of the Rana of Mewar, founded in the 16th century,
Udaipur is known for its fairytale palaces that nestle along the banks of a lake, or
completely cover islands in its midst. The Sisodia rulers of Chittaurgarh who ruled here
obviously had more leisure to exercise their taste than at Chittaur where much of their
time was spent at war.
DUNGARPUR: A Bhil stronghold in the foothills of the Aravallis, this fertile region was
created into the state of Dungarpur in the 13th century. Since the natural protection
afforded the place complete isolation, a highly decorative style of architecture and other
arts developed.
KUMBALGARH: Built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha of Chittaurgarh, Kumbalgarh
is Rajasthan's highest fort, and it’s most formidable. The air here is rife with medieval
tales of intrigue and treachery. It is because its history is characterized by some of the
pivotal points that characterized the Sisodia dynasty.
SARISKA: A tiger reserve, Sariska is densely wooded, making sightings difficult, though
the picturesque park is also home to deers, langurs and avifauna.
SARISKA TIGER RESERVE: this game sanctuary, 20 miles southwest of Al war, was
once the personal hunting ground of the Maharajas of Al war. It became a sanctuary in
1955 and was taken up under project tiger in 1979. It covers an area of 320 square
miles (with a core area of 192 square miles). The forested hills of Sariska are among
the best places to view tigers in India. There is a tiger population of approximately thirty
here. Unlike other sanctuaries, the tigers here can sometimes be sighted by day. These
daytime sightings are on the increase, with the tigers gradually becoming more confident
with human beings around. The best time of the year to see the tigers is during the
summer months, when they come out to the water holes to drink and when there is less
jungle foliage to provide them with cover. Other animals here are panthers (which tend
not to overlap in the same areas with tigers), jungle cats, and caracals. In addition, there
are the Nilgai, Chital, Sambar, Wild Boar, and Porcupine. The reserve is also rich in
Birds, including gray partridge, quail, sand grouse, and white – breasted kingfisher. The
best way to see the animals is to drive through the reserve either in the early morning or
in the late evening. While there are paved roads within the reserve, and you can drive
through it by car, it might be preferable to hire a jeep so that you can go off the regular
track into the interiors of the forest. In the core areas, especially, you can see from the
lovely forests what much of the Indian countryside must have looked like, right up to the
first half of this century. Also, it is a unique experience to visit the remote little village in
the outer areas of the reserve to see how the way of life, totally untouched by outside
influences, remains virtually the same as it has been for centuries. The villagers still live,
for instance, with the daily threat of their cattle being carried away by leopards!
TRAVELING WITHIN THE STATE
Visitors coming from overseas can choose to come via Delhi or Mumbai, with Delhi
being closer, and providing the ideal entry point through Jaipur. From Mumbai, the entry
point into Rajasthan is Udaipur. The only other national airport used for civil aviation
services is at Jodhpur.
All points within the state are connected by both road and rail. While railway connections
offer convenient overnighters, reservations are necessary. Most principal road heads are
an average five-hour journey apart, making intra-state travel convenient. Scheduled
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tourist bus services are available, and tourist cars can be hired.
Rajasthan is visitor-friendly. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist towns, and
certainly at hotels and shops. For visitors wary of the local cuisine, continental cuisine is
widely available: where it may fail to be authentic, or come up to gourmet standards, it
will most certainly offer the familiar taste of home. Bottled mineral water is widely
available. The state has an extensive network of postal services and banks, as well as
telecommunication links with the rest of the world. While it may not lack in modern
amenities, Rajasthan's flavor is delightfully medieval - truly a place where time, as the
cliché goes, has stood still.
The natural splendour of Rajasthan
One is usually given to assume that Rajasthan is all a desert region. Truth however, is
that the region, in fact, has a varied topography, and includes from semi-arid, desert-like
conditions to among the oldest mountains in the world, with lush verdant valleys.
No wonder that its wildlife is so rich in variety, from tigers and leopards to endless
varieties of deer, monkeys, reptiles including the Indian python, and a profusion of bird-
life that includes water birds from distant lands.
DESERT NATIONAL PARK
The vast tracts of desert sands around Jaisalmer, with their wood fossils, have become
the Desert National Park. To the layperson, there may be little about the desert that calls
for ‘protection’, leave alone support wildlife, but the desert has a fragile eco-system that
has a unique variety of wildlife species. These include the somewhat ungainly bird the
Great Indian Bustard, which, because of this effort, has made a comeback in recent
decades, though it is still on the endangered list.
Since the sandy desert has only a limited scattering of indigenous trees, leaf cover being
minimal, this environment is ideal for the Spiny-tail lizard that lives in underground
colonies, Desert monitor lizard that look like miniature replicas of dinosaurs, Sandfish
that ‘swim’ under the sand, Chameleons, and of course, Snakes that include the deadly
Saw scaled viper and Sand krait. Other faunal species here include the Desert hare,
Hedgehog, the Predatory Indian wolf, Desert fox, and Desert gerbil. However, it is with
the Great Indian bustard that the Desert National Park is most closely associated;
especially since its conservation efforts have borne fruit. A bird that lives in small flocks,
it has strong legs meant for walking and feeds on everything from cereals and berries to
grasshoppers, locusts, and even snakes.
Other avifaunal species include a variety of Sand grouse, Gray partridge, Quails,
Peafowl and some insect eating birds such as Bee-eaters, Shrikes, Orioles, Drongos,
Warblers and Babblers can be found. Special mention needs to be made of the
Houbara, the lesser bustard which was almost hunted to extinction, and which has now
been allowed to flourish once more in the Thar Desert.
The Desert National Park, unlike most wildlife preserves throughout the world, does not
overwhelm with a profusion of either vegetation or wildlife, but it is precisely because of
this that its preservation has ensured that a vital link in the eco-system has not been
destroyed. Visitors to the park will need patience and perseverance to establish the
sighting of wildlife, and though they may miss the ‘glamour’ of tiger sightings or a view of
the long-legged bustard, the spectacular journey is every bit as rewarding.
JAISALMER: Visit: During the winters. Overseas visitors may require special
permission since the park is close to the Pakistan border; travel agents can help with
procuring permissions. A good way to view the wildlife is camping out in the desert, but
they must ensure that no infringement of the park rules is caused.
OTHER SANCTUARIES Rajasthan has a large number of sanctuaries that are smaller,
more inaccessible or lesser known than its more popular counterparts. Some of these
are listed below:
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BHENSRODGARH: Close to Kota (53 km), it consists of dry deciduous forests and is
home to the Leopard, Sloth bear and Chinkara deer.
DARRAH: Once the hunting preserve for the royal family of Kota, this sanctuary, 50 kms
from Kota, is home to the Leopard, Sloth Bear, Chinkara Deer and the Indian Wolf.
JAISAMAND: Located on the fringes of a vast man-made lake of the same name, the
small sanctuary is picturesque and houses the Leopard, Wild Boar and a variety of Deer,
while its waters are home to a population of crocodiles 50 kms from Udaipur.
KUMBALGARH: A large sanctuary in the Aravallis, 120 kms from Udaipur, it has a
formidable collection of wildlife that includes Leopards and Sloth bears, a variety of deer
including the Chousinga or Four-horned Antelope, and the Ratel as well as the Flying
Squirrel.
MOUNT ABU SANCTUARY: Located on the fringes of the town of the same name, this
small sanctuary is thickly forested. Wildlife includes the Leopard, Chinkara, Sloth Bear,
Sambhar and Wild Boar. The slopes of the hills provide some of the state’s most
interesting topography, especially since the height of this hill station keeps it cool even in
the summer months.
CHAMBAL: Just beyond Kota, along the banks of the river Chambal all the way to its
confluence with the Jamuna, this is where the waters are rich with Gharial Crocodiles for
which it is a breeding centre. Other wildlife includes the Caracal, Wolf, Black Buck and
Chinkara.
SITAMATA: In forests of bamboo and dry deciduous vegetation, 108 kms from Udaipur,
this forested sanctuary provides rich foraging pastures for a variety of deer that include
the Chousingha, and for Caracal, Wild Boar, Pangolin and Leopard.
TALCHAPPAR: A very small sanctuary, 210 kms from Jaipur and in the Shekhawati
region, this is home to a large population of graceful Black buck. Desert fox and Desert
cat can also be spotted along with typical avifauna such as Partridge and Sand grouse
KEOLADEO GHANA NATIONAL PARK One of the finest bird parks in the world,
Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as
well, though there is no doubt that this is primarily a bird sanctuary. Once a shooting
preserve of the royal family of Bharatpur who diverted water from irrigation canals to
flood the low depression, creating a permanent home for waterfowl, created the marshy
swamplands. Today, 120 species of bird’s nest at Keoladeo, and the heronry is believed
to be the best in the world. Several more species are migratory visitors, journeying to the
park in the winters from distances as far as Siberia. The most famous of these winter
migrants is the greatly endangered Siberian Crane though its numbers have reduced
drastically from a few hundreds a few decades ago to barely a few birds now.
Motorized vehicles are not encouraged within the park, and visitors navigate the narrow
paths in between the artificially created lakes on bicycles, cycle rickshaws or on foot.
They can observe bird life from closer quarters in boats. Painted storks, easily
identifiable by their long, pink legs, can be seen nesting on treetops. The entire park is a
medley of sounds, fluttering wings, and a great to-do about hunting for Fish, Aquatic
Roots and other insects. Spoonbills and Ibises, Geese and Ducks, Cranes, Herons and
Egrets, Storks, Pelicans and Flamingos, Cormorants and Darters, Kingfishers, Blue
Jays, Shrikes, Orioles, Paradise Flycatchers, Parakeets, Eagles and Harriers take wing,
settle down, or simply watch the rest of the winged denizens of the park go about their
way. But it isn’t just birds that the park is noted for, though its mammalian and reptilian
species expectedly get short shift. These include Wild boar and Deer (Chital, Black-
buck, Nilgai), Mongoose, Otters, Jackals, Fox, Hyena, Hare, Porcupine, the Rock
python, and three feline species - Leopard, Jungle cat and Fishing cat.
Though one of the country’s most well managed, and well-represented parks as far as
the variety of wildlife and bird life is concerned, it is astonishingly easily accessible
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located close to the township of Bharatpur, and barely an hour’s drive from Agra, and
only a little more from Jaipur. Delhi too is reasonably close. Accommodation is available
both within the park, and in its outskirts, to suit most budgets. The park is also unusual in
that it is open round the year for visitors.
RANTHAMBHOR NATIONAL PARK If there is a park that can almost guarantee tiger
sightings; it must be Ranthambhor, its landscape dominated by the Vindhyan hill range
with its steep escarpments. The ancient sedimentary limestone and sandstone rocks,
perennial lakes, and dry deciduous vegetation are part of its indicative topography.
Ranthambhor's great fort, in the background, is a royal presence, but abandoned for
centuries, the only majesty here is the tiger’s presence. Once a hunting preserve for the
maharajas of Jaipur, and now a Project Tiger reserve, the park has also shown that
Tigers can live and breed in close proximity to human settlements. But the tiger isn’t the
only predator at Ranthambhor, though it may be its most famous one. Leopards live in
the higher vegetation, while the lakes are infested with marsh crocodiles on which the
tigers sometimes prey. There are also Caracals, Jungle Cats, Jackals, Hyenas and Sloth
Bears. Among foraging animals are deers (Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai, Chinkara), Wild
boars and have course species such as Hare, mongoose, and Monitor lizard.
With the attention one pays to the tiger, it is easy to slip up speaking about the bird life
attracted to the park because of its aquatic habitat. The landscape, with its lakes,
vegetation, the second-largest banyan tree in the country (in which langur’s have taken
up residence), the occasional palace or building, make it one of the most picturesque
parks in the country.
SAWAI MADHOPUR, which is a rail terminal serves as the vital link to Ranthambhor,
and offers accommodation for visitors. The park is closed in the peak summer and
monsoon months.
SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS IN THE LAP OF NATURE: Two things combine to make
Rajasthan the ideal choice for special interest holidays - the amazing variations of its
countryside, the historic nature of even isolated buildings that dot its landscape.
Of course, Rajasthan is an easy state to discover because a network of road and rail
connections makes travel relatively simple. And while there may be some curiosity about
visitors, they are rarely harassed or troubled. Here then are some pointers for those who
would like to discover the state’s more natural heritage in a non-tourist, non-packaged
sense.
GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL: For those of you who would like to give the cities a
miss, and discover the pleasures of living in small village communes, whether in
erstwhile hunting lodges, summer retreats or in specially created cottages, the answer
may well lie in persuading your travel agent to book you into some of these isolated
resorts. The following list mentions the name of some of these places according to
geographical location.
ALWAR: Fort Kesroli, a professionally managed heritage hotel is isolated from the bustle
of the busy world around it. Yet another escape can be to Lake Palace at Silliserh, a lake
resort that is popular with picnickers.
CHITTAURGARH: The Teekhi Magri Resort at Dhamotar is ideal for getting away from it
all, breaking away from the isolation once in a while by paying a visit to the forts at
Chittaurgarh.
JODHPUR: Get to stay in the Samrau village to get a feel for the lifestyle of the village
folk.
KUMBALGARH: The hilly tracts of this area are best savoured from Aodhi, one of
Rajasthan’s most charming getaways.
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MANDAWA: Even though Mandwa, and much of the Shekhawati region, is firmly
planted on the tourist map, the Desert Resort complex, set at a distance in the sand
dunes, recreates the wonderful ambience of a Rajasthani village.
NAGAUR: One of the least explored places in Rajasthan, its fort can be savoured at
leisure while you take your accommodations at Nagaur Fort (tents).
NAWALGARH: A part of the Shekhawati circuit, the Roop Niwas Palace Hotel is quiet
and isolated, set in a garden with a wonderful air of seclusion.
PALI: Rajasthan’s Pali district has a number of quiet getaways that include the
comfortable Maharani Bagh and Sardar Samand resorts, and two former hunting lodges
at two feudal holdings, Bagon-ka-Bagh at Ghanerao and Leopard Lair at Bera.
PUSHKAR: During the November fair this pilgrimage centre, with its colourful camel fair
and Pushkar Resorts sets up a huge tent camp that provides an experience quite unlike
any other with its profusion of colour and celebration.
TONK: In the only Muslim kingdom of Rajasthan, the Raj Mahal is the perfect spot from
where you can discover the offerings of this colourful, provincial town.
UDAIPUR: The Shikarbadi, once a royal hunting lodge, and now run by the family as an
idyllic, if luxurious retreat, recreates the farm experience of wealthy landowners in
Rajasthan.
TRAVELING AT LEISURE: With a map to guide you and plan your itinerary, keep your
times flexible as you set out to discover the unknown face of this colourful state. Carry
timetables of the railways and roadways with you, if you really want them, but otherwise
you can go pretty much without the clock dictating your moves.
Most places in Rajasthan offer some kind of accommodation, and when this is not in
family-run, heritage properties, it could be in the form of government-run tourist
bungalows, Circuit Houses, Irrigation or Forest Bungalows, PWD Bungalows etc, built for
travelling officials. When rooms are vacant, they are given out to casual visitors, and the
charges are extremely low.
ANGLING HOLIDAYS: Though it may seem a little difficult to imagine, this desert state
abounds with a large number of fresh water lakes, and these are teeming with fish
because few people in the state eat fish. If you are inclined to set off with a rod and reel,
the best fishing opportunities will be at some of the following lakes:
AJMER: Savar and Junia.
ALWAR: Jaisamand and Siliserh.
DAUSA: Kalakho.
JAIPUR: Chetoli, Bairath and Ramgarh, the last with a lovely hunting lodge turned into a
hotel where you can stay.
PALI: Hemawas and Jawai.
If you do not carry your own rods and bait, even makeshift ones could do for the
purpose, with earthworms as bait.

DETAILS OF RAJASTHAN TOURISM (RTDC) HOTELS

Motel Code No. Room Room Room Room Bed Of Bed Catg. Bar Seeing
Hotel / CITY District STD Phone Suite A/C Air Cool Ord. Dorm. Total No. Sight Boat
Khadim Ajmer Ajmer 0145 627490 1 30 21 4 10 122 A YES NO NO
Meenal Alwar Alwar 0144 22852 NO 2 4 NO NO 12 B YES NO NO
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Khartal Barmer Barmer 02982 22956 NO NO 4 NO NO 8 B NO NO NO

Motel Barr Pali 02937 84224 NO NO 2 NO NO 4 B NO NO NO
Motel Behror Alwar 01494 20049 2 9 4 4 6 44 B YES NO NO
Saras Bharatpur Bharatpur 05644 23700 NO 12 11 5 7 63 A NO YES NO
Dholamaru Bikaner Bikaner 0151 529621 NO 6 10 16 6 70 B YES YES NO
Vrindawati Bundi Bundi 0747 32473 NO NO 2 5 NO 14 B NO NO NO
Panna Chittor Chittor 01472 41238 NO 6 14 10 NO 60 B YES YES NO
Motel Dasua Dasua 01427 31033 NO NO 1 NO NO 2 B NO NO NO
Motel Deogarh Rajsamand 02904 52011 NO NO 4 NO NO 8 B NO NO NO
Motel Dholpur Dholpur 05642 20006 NO 1 3 NO NO 8 B NO NO NO
Haveli Fatehpur Sikar 01571 20293 NO 1 5 2 4 20 B NO NO NO
Motel Gulabpura Bhilwara 01483 23645 NO NO NO 1 NO 2 B NO NO NO
Durg Café Jaipur Jaipur 0141 320538 NO NO NO 1 NO 2 A YES YES NO
Gangaur Jaipur Jaipur 0141 371641 NO 50 13 NO NO 126 A YES YES NO
Swagatam Jaipur Jaipur 0141 200595 NO 19 12 6 68 A YES YES NO
Teej Jaipur Jaipur 0141 203199 NO 20 26 NO 17 109 A YES YES NO
Tourist Jaipur Jaipur 0141 360238 NO NO 15 18 NO 66 B YES YES NO
Moomal Jaisalmer Jaisalmer 02974 52392 8 17 12 23 10 130 A YES YES NO
T.Bungalow Jhunjhunu Jhunjhunu 01592 38266 NO 1 NO 5 NO 12 B NO NO NO
Ghoomer Jodhpur Jodhpur 0291 544010 NO 23 26 26 6 156 A YES YES NO
Chambal Kota Kota 0744 326527 NO 5 5 3 10 36 B NO NO NO
Motel Mahuwa Dausa 07461 33260 NO NO 5 NO NO 10 B NO NO NO
Shikhar Mount Abu Sirohi 02974 38944 3 5 31 40 6 164 A NO YES NO
Gokul Nathdwara Rajsamand 02953 30917 NO NO 4 NO 8 16 B YES NO NO
Yatrika Nathdwara Rajsamand 02953 31119 NO 1 4 NO 6 16 B NO NO NO
Paniharin Pali Pali 02932 31839 2 1 5 NO 8 24 B YES NO NO
Motel Pokharan Jaisalmer 029942 2275 NO NO 6 1 NO 14 B NO NO NO
Sarovar Pushkar Ajmer 0145 72040 1 2 12 23 12 81 A NO YES NO
T.Village Pushkar Ajmer 0145 72074 NO NO 10 20 NO 60 B NO NO NO
Jheel T.V. Ramgarh Jaipur 01426 52170 NO NO 10 NO NO 20 B NO NO NO
Shilpi Ranakpur Pali 02934 85074 NO 1 6 5 8 32 B NO NO NO
Motel Ratangarh Churu 01567 22286 NO NO 5 NO NO 10 B NO NO NO
Motel Ratanpur Dungarpur NO No. NO NO 4 2 NO 10 B NO NO NO
Gavri Rishabdeo Udaipur 02907 30145 NO 1 5 2 7 23 A YES NO NO
Samdhani Sam Jaisalmer 02992 52392 NO NO NO 8 NO 16 B NO NO NO
Tiger Den Sariska Alwar 0144 41342 2 10 18 NO 6 66 A YES YES NO
Jhoomar Baori Sawai Sawai 07462 20495 2 5 5 NO NO 24 A YES YES NO
Vinayak Sawai Sawai 07462 21333 1 NO 8 NO NO 18 A NO YES NO
Motel Shahpura Jaipur 01422 22264 NO NO 6 NO NO 12 B YES NO NO
Lake Place Siliserh Alwar 0144 86322 3 2 5 NO NO 20 A YES NO YES
Kajri Udaipur Udaipur 0294 401501 NO 19 39 5 15 141 A YES YES YES
Refund Rules
Period Refundable amount
30 days prior to arrival date 90%
29 days to 7 days prior to arrival date 75%
6 days to 24 hours prior to arrival date 50%
Within 24 hours to arrival date Nil
SAHEKHAWATI CIRCUITS
Shikar – Nawalgarh – Dundlod – Mandawa – Fatehpur – Jhunjhunu
The area of Shekhawati covers several villages and towns in northeastern Rajasthan,
which can be approached from Bikaner, Jaipur and Delhi comprising of the Shikar and
Jhunjhunu districts. Small towns dot these two districts and contain within themselves
some of the most elaborate havelis, step wells, and temples. When traveling around this
region, you will stumble across some truly marvelous treasures.
Even today, the entire region of Shekhawati is known for its exquisite frescoes popularly
called the ‘open art gallery’. No other region, anywhere in the world, has such a large
concentration of frescoes. This is even more interesting as the landscape here is totally
bare – flat and colorless.
 10

SIGHTSEEING: Rao Shekha, the founder of Shekhawati, came to power at the young
age of 12 and established a reign that lasted 43 years. The Rajput nobles, who ruled
over the small thikanas, or fiefdoms, became great patrons of art and financed the
frescoes on their havelis. Up to the early 19th century the themes were largely religious.
Other historic events, personages, battle scenes, and folk heroes were also painted in
great detail. These paintings were a record of those times. By the end of the 19th century,
there was a slight change in the patronage. Marwaris, the business community, found
itself in a position of strength.
When the East India Company began to make its presence felt in this part of Rajasthan,
it opened several avenues for the hardworking and enterprising Marwari. Volume of
trade increased and the Marwaris began to spread their braches across the country.
Even after spending several years away from their homeland, these now successful and
wealthy businessmen remained true sons of the soil. While they lived austerely in their
adopted cities, they sent back huge sums of money to their families. Spending large
sums on the welfare of their community – wells, reservoirs, schools, colleges,
dharmashalas and gaushalas were financed.
Most of them had left their families behind and they returned to build some huge
mansions for them. They were in a position to show off their new status and there was
no better way of doing this than commissioning the most intricate frescoes on their
havelis. Very soon it became customary to have a painted haveli and the artists were
kept busy moving from one village to the next. The demand for these painters kept
growing and very soon unskilled painters and masons too began to get involved in the
paintings, reflecting those times and very soon the purely mythological themes gave way
to western influences. Cars, trains, airplanes, ships, telephones, foreigners in hats, suits
and gowns began to appear on the walls with scenes from Lord Krishna’s life.
Most of the villages of Shekhawati have kept their rustic charm intact making a drive
around these painted towns a wonderful experience. While the painted mansions are
certainly the focal point here, don’t miss the unique architectural style of the havelis.
They are marvels of good design. Several courtyards and inner chambers were
designed to keep the women folk safe and comfortable yet segregate them from the
outside. The havelis looked like huge blocks but were so ingeniously planned that they
provided adequate protection from the harsh summers. Other monuments to look out for
are the step wells, four-pillared wells, temples and dharmashalas.
Some of the important towns that should not be missed are Shikar – where the temples
of Gopinath, Raghunath and Madan Mohan are interesting as are the biyani havelis with
their unusual blue and white colors. Two other important temples in the vicinity are the
Harsh Nath temple and Jeen Mata temple. The fort of Lachmangarh is one of the most
impressive and imposing in Shekhawati. Try to get a bird’s eye view of the town below –
it has been designed to resemble the planned city of Jaipur. Ramgarh is famous not only
for the havelis of Poddars but also for its rustic wood furniture. Fatehpur has some
beautiful frescoes in Indian as well as western styles. Particularly noteworthy are the
Chamariya and Singhania havelis. Khatu Shyamji is more famous for its temple of Shri
Shyamji and draws devotees throughout the year. People walk several miles to offer
homage at the temple from all over India.
Nawalgarh is home to some of the leading merchant families of the country. This is also
the place to find some of the finest frescoes in the entire region. Look for Roop Niwas,
Poddar haveli, Saat Haveli, few old temples, forts and heritage hotels. The Goenka
havelis are also famous. The fort of Mandawa dominates the town and it was one of the
earliest heritage hotels in this area. The Chokhani, Ladia and Saraf havelis should be
seen not only their frescoes but also for their design. A temple dedicated to Shiva is also
worth a visit.
 11

If carrying excess baggage does not daunt you, then buy rustic, carved wooden furniture
and other items for your home. Quaint little wooden antiques that belong to the late 19th
century, or may be the early 20th century, can be found all over this region. If pots and
pans interest you then do look out for some traditional cooking vessels in the markets.
MERWARA MARWAR CIRCUIT
Ajmer – Pushkar – Merta – Nagaur
Located in the heart of Rajasthan, Ajmer, founded in the 7th century A.D. by Raja Ajai Pal
Chauhanis has a very interesting past. The Chauhan dynasty reigned here. It was from
Ajmer that the last Hindu ruler of Delhi, Prithviraj Chauhan, controlled a major part of
northern India. His exploits are related with the valiance of a war hero, becoming a force
to reckon with in history.
The Chauhans dominated Ajmer for many years and it was only toward the end of 12 th
century that Prithviraj was killed in the battle with Muhammad Ghori. This totally changed
the history of the region. The importance of Ajmer diminished with the death of its most
valiant ruler and Ajmer passed under the Delhi Sultanate. From then on, Ajmer saw
many upheavals until Emperor Akbar came to the throne in 1556 and gave Ajmer the
status of a full-fledged province. He also used Ajmer as a base for his operations in
Rajputana. But Ajmer saw some more turbulence when the Mughals, the Marathas and
British all tried to interfere in the affairs of this province. However, from 1818 AD
onwards, the British Empire gained full control here and it remained so until India’s
independence. The British left behind a legacy that still lives on in the fine education
institutions, the colonial bungalows, the clubs and the old railway quarters.
SIGHTSEEING: Today, Ajmer is more important as the final resting place of the great
Sufi Saint –Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Muslims from all over the world revere the Dargah
Sharif, where the saint lies buried. This has been so for centuries now. Even Akbar
walked to the Dargah all the way from Agra. Every year lakhs of Muslim devotees gather
here to pay homage to the Garib Nawaz, the protector of the poor. If you want to see an
altogether different side of this of this sleepy little town then make sure you’re here
during the annual URS. This town where very little activity seems to be going on, on
normal days, suddenly booms into a bustling, lively place. While you’re around the
dargah, don’t miss seeing the beautiful Adhaidhin-ka-jhonpra with its ornate calligraphic
inscriptions. There are other areas of interest like the Taragarh fort and the Ana Sagar
Lake with its marble pavilions.
Just as the Muslims revere the Dargah here, the Hindus accord the same sanctity to the
holy town of Pushkar. Located just 11 kilometers from Ajmer, the holy lake of Pushkar is
believed to have been created by lord Brahma himself. It is as important as Benaras of
Puri. Devout Hindus believe that it is essential to visit Pushkar at least once in their
lifetime.
No pilgrimage is considered complete without a dip in the holy Pushkar lake. Pushkar
has as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats and the only temple in the country that is
dedicated to Brahma is found here. While Pushkar is a haven for the religiously inclined,
it is also the venue of one of the country’s most colorful cattle fairs – the Pushkar fair.
This annual fair is an unforgettable event when the entire little town is taken over by
lakhs of animals and visitors. This is certainly the right time to be in Pushkar. Just relax
and let yourself go, you’ll be carried away by the heady exuberance that is so much a
part of the mela. Ride camels, shop at the colorful market, watch the sunset over the
sand dunes... you can even try donning the local outfits--gorgeous odhnis (scarves) and
turbans. Do what you will; Pushkar fair is an once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will
want to repeat.
 12

The little 16th century town of Merta has much to offer historically. Drive around this
fortified town and see some of the ruins that go back several centuries. The famous
temple of Charbhuja is located in the centre of the town and visited by devotees through
out the year. The saint poetess Meera Bai was also associated with this temple. Another
famous shrine is the mosque erected by Emperor Aurangzeb on the ruins of Shiva
Temple. It is an imposing edifice, as are the various Hindu shrines surrounding It.
Nagaur, on the other hand, is a small town with numerous fascinating monuments. The
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan granted his town to Raja Amar Singh and the focal point
here is the fort itself. Now painstakingly restored, the fort has some splendid palaces,
temples, and palatial mansions, some of which have been built by Akbar and Shah
Jahan. The beautiful Moti Mahal, Badal Mahal, and Hawa Mahal are superb architectural
creations. The walls of the baradari are adorned with some exquisite frescoes that are a
combination of Persian and Nagaur styles. These paintings depict various episodes from
the Hindu epics Ramayan and the Mahabharata. Nagaur is also the venue for annual
cattle fair that draws people from distant places. It's a good idea to combine one’s trip to
Nagaur with the fair. Though not as well attended as the Pushkar fair, it is still interesting
to join the simple village folk, dressed in their best, as they buy and sell in festive gaiety.
Participate in the folk dances, listen to music or just sit back and watch the camel races
and bull fights. Marble artifacts, miniature paintings and traditional textiles from this
region are great mementos.
DESERTS CIRCUIT
Jodhpur - Barmer - Jaisalmer – Bikaner
Rajasthan has long been synonymous with camels, sand dunes and women dressed in
bright colorful hues. Many are pleasantly surprised however, when they come here
setting their eyes on expanding stretches of greenery. Lush green hills and deep valleys,
the lake palaces and gardens. If you are wondering just where the deserts lies, welcome
to Marwar. This is your desert land. Come and explore sand dunes, taste the thrill of
riding on camel backs. Drink in the dazzle of colors in ethnic art and costumes of the
folks from Marwar.
SIGHTSEEING: Jodhpur can be your ideal starting point. Popularly called the Sun City,
Jodhpur gives the impression of being a rugged, no-nonsense city that has little time for
decorations and artistic details. But take a look at Mehrangarh Fort, one of the most
impressive and formidable structures that look down from a height of 125 m. Once
you’ve entered, it's another world altogether – magnificent palaces with marvelously
carved panels and latticed windows like the Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal
and the Daulat Khana, Spend a lot of time in the museum, one of the best in Rajasthan,
and see the fabulous collection of Jodhpur royalty – palanquin, howdahs, furniture,
miniature paintings, musical instruments, and costumes.
There are other interesting areas in and around Jodhpur like the Jaswant Thada,
Girdikot and Sardar Market, and the 20th century Umaid Bhavan Palace. A little further
away from the city is the Balsamand lake and gardens, Mandore with its unusual Hall of
Heroes, Mahamandir temple, and Kailana lake; it's more than a handful for sore eyes.
The observant visitor will notice soon that most of the houses here use the red stone
typical of Jodhpur, tainting it as a city wearing the red uniform look. Today, craftsmen,
use the stone to produce a wide range of gift items that the visitor can take away as
souvenirs. There is a great demand for this stone from other cities for making carved
pillars and balconies shaped to give a unique look to houses.
Barmer is another thriving desert city, not yet polluted by the tourist population. A city
that traces its origins to the 12th century. Once you're mounted on the ancient camel
 13

route; adventurous barren land and rough terrain surrounding the town wait to the
explored.
Barmer is famous for its intricately carved wooden furniture and the hand block printing
industry. The ideal time to visit Barmer is during its grand festival time, the Tilwara Cattle
Fair.
Kiradu, near Barmer is famed as an archaeologist’s dream; with ruins of beautiful 12th
century temples well preserved for the beholder's pleasure.
Jaisalmer the golden city, nothing can quite prepare you for the magic and artistic
brilliance of this city. Do not wrongly assume that visiting one desert city means having
seen them all. A visit to Jaisalmer will prove this. Worth a visit is the fort, which seems to
emerge out of the desert haze, its yellow sandstone walls and bastions taking on a
golden hue in the afternoon sun. The fort dominates the small city that spreads around it.
In the past, getting to Jaisalmer was a task. Its remote location kept it safe from external
influences, very few invading armies had the courage to cross the harsh desert to attack
Jaisalmer. Even during the British ‘Raj’, Jaisalmer was the last to sign the Instrument of
Agreement with the British. This remote citadel is today famous for its carved havelis, its
narrow cobbled streets and its well-preserved Jain temples. The small market located
outside the fort is the main hub of activity, you can pick up a large variety of local crafts
here and explore the streets on foot. The other places that you would like to see are
Gadsisar lake, Ludrava, Aakal and the royal cenotaphs at Bada Bagh. For a closer look
at the sand dunes, get somebody to take you to Sam! Ride a camel on the desert dunes
and gear yourself for an unforgettable experience of watching a sunset over the desert
horizon.
At Bikaner, some more desert life awaits you here. This city lies on the northern tip of the
triangle among the desert cities. A city that goes back over 500 years when it was
founded by one of the princes of the Jodhpur clan. An interesting bit of history about
these desert cities is that although they were located on the major trade routes that
connected Central Asia and North India with the Gujarat ports, outside influences were
minimal. This is true of Bikaner as well. Like most of the other cities of the desert region,
Bikaner has been able to maintain its medieval flavor.
The wealth of its architectural heritage lies in its forts, palaces and temples. Two
outstanding palaces of Bikaner are the Lalgarh Palace and Gajner Palace. Other
important sights are Junagarh Fort and the Camel-Breeding farm. For those inclined to
archaeology, it would b interesting to know that the Rajasthan State Archives is located
here. The vast collection of rare exhibits covering almost every period of Indian history.
When in Bikaner don’t miss the famous temple of Karni Mata at Deshnok, Gajner, for
lovers of wildlife, and Kolayat, an ancient pilgrim center.
Visitors will love the camel wool products of this region. Carpets, durries, carved wooden
furniture, stone carving and block printing are popular items to pick up from here. Other
desert crafts like leatherwork, basket weaving and pottery are as interesting.
GODWAR CIRCUIT
Mount Abu – Ranakpur – Jalore
Mount Abu, located in the southwestern corner of Rajasthan, sees people from
everywhere escaping to this cool, scenic hill station. It is also a major pilgrim center. The
Aravalli mountain range that cuts across Rajasthan reaches its greatest height at Guru
Shikhar. Interestingly, not many people are aware that this is also the highest point
between the Nilgiris in the south and the Himalayan range up North.
The origin of Mount Abu goes back several centuries. The Padam Puran relates the
story of how this holy city came into existence. Once Nandini, the cow belonging to the
venerable sage Vashishta, was trapped in a deep chasm and could not free herself.
 14

When all efforts failed, the sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance. Saraswati, the
divine stream, flooded the pit and the cow floated up. Once this cow was free,
Vashishtha approached the great Himalayan and asked him to fill the gorge permanently
to avoid further mishaps. The youngest son of Himalayan, with the assistance of Arbud,
the mighty snake filled the chasm. The place came to be called Mount Arbud and was
later reduced to its present name.
For those keen to teach more about the history of Rajasthan it will be interesting to note
that this place was also the site for one of the most sacred Hindu rites-a yagya. The
same sage Vashishtha for the purification of the ancient fighting caste, the Kshatriyas,
performed this. From this mystical fire rose the mighty Rajputs who later dominated the
history of Rajasthan.
SIGHTSEEING: Due to the presence of sages and seers here, this place became a holy
retreat. But for most visitors today, Mount Abu is a hill station with verdant green
getaways to make a tourist's trip delightful. The Nakki lake, 1200 meters above sea
level, is picturesquely set amidst hills and is believed to have been carved out by the
gods with their nails.
It is a popular spot for boating. Be prepared to go for longs walks and treks as you visit
the spectacular Sunset Point, Toad’s Rock, and the beautifully sculpted hill temple of
Gaumukh and Arbuda.
Mount Abu was also an important Hindu Vaishnava and Shaivite pilgrim center up to the
11th century. Today, it is recognized the world over for its magnificent Jain temples. No
visit to Mount Abu can be complete without a trip to the famed Delwara temples. Let your
mind be dazzled by the exquisite carvings on stone. When you look at these temples
you find yourself at a loss for words to describe this sheer poetry in stone, its elegance in
marble, as no description can really do justice to this beauty. These are better seen than
described.
More such marvelous carvings can be found in the 15th century temple complex of
Ranakpur. This is once of the five holy places of the Jain community. The most important
temple is dedicated to Rishabhji and sprawls on some 48,000 sq. ft. and has 29 halls
and 1444 pillars, all distinctively carved. Feel free to explore its various mandaps and
study the intricate carvings, your guide will point out the fact that no two pillars are alike-
the carved design is different on each one.
It makes you admire the skills of the stone carvers of so many hundred years ago. The
musical chimes of temple bells, the gentle breeze flowing through the carved corridors,
in fact, the serenity of the surroundings tempts you to spend more relaxed moments
here than you may have planned.
Lush green hills with a wealth of flora and fauna, peaceful surroundings and very little
traffic make the drive to Ranakpur a very pleasant one. It is a typical small town of
Rajasthan where the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities is absent. Take time to drink in
the countryside, explore the forts and the temples and observe the simple lifestyle of the
rustic and friendly rural folk.
VAGAD CIRCUIT
Dungarpur – Banswara
Dungarpur and Banswara are the two important cities of the Vagad region. They have an
interesting topography, ranging from the wild and rugged terrain in the northeast to fertile
plains of alluvial soil in the southwest. The magnificent Mahi river separates these two
districts from each other. This region was the stronghold of the Bhils and had its own
unique lifestyle. Outside influences were minimal, as the region was quite inaccessible.
Even today, this region does not fall in the regular tourist circuit but should be explained
for its natural scenic beauty. The area is rich in teak, Mahuwa and mango trees. The
 15

untouched-forested areas provide shelter to the jackal, jungle cat, Indian fox, hyena;
black faced monkey and porcupine. This area is ideal for those interested in outdoor life.
The terrain is ideal for walks and treks; you can spend your time studying the flora and
fauna that is unique to this area. This region is so different from the rest of Rajasthan
that it is like being in a different state. Also, not being on the tourist circuit, the facilities
are a little limited here, but you will find enough to make your trip comfortable. In fact, it
is just the place to explore if you’re looking for the unexpected. Let yourself be
surprised…
SIGHTSEEING: Dungarpur was founded in the early 13th century. Famous for its unique
architectural style, the areas of interest here are Udai Bilas Palace and Juna Palace.
Another interesting place to visit is the famous shrine dedicated to Shrinathji that lies on
the bank of the Gaib Sagar Lake. The water bodies in Dungarpur attract a large variety
of migratory birds during the winters. Other commonly seen birds are partridges,
peafowl, quails, cuckoos, eagles and vultures.
Udai Bilas Palace is a good example of Rajput architecture with its intricately sculptured
pillars and panels, impressive balconies, bracketed windows and marvelous panels.
Juna Mahal is a seven-storied structure, resembling a fortress with crenellated walls,
turrets, narrow entrances and corridors.
The interiors are embellished with beautiful frescos, miniature paintings, glass and mirror
work. While invaders vandalized some of the most beautiful palaces all over Rajasthan,
Dungarpur was fortunate to have been located in the deep interiors. Its wall paintings are
well preserved and there is very little damage to the buildings.
The surrounding areas are full of interesting little temple towns, archaeological sites of
great importance and ruins of ancient kingdoms. Visit Baneshwar located at the
confluence of the Som and Mahi rivers. The Baneshwar temple is much revered by the
Bhils. Other temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma are worth seeing for
their exquisitely carved pillars and gateways. This is also the place to be in when the
Bhils celebrate their biggest and most important fair-the Baneshwar Fair.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is the largest gathering of the Bhils who collect here from
all over, including Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. A visit to the fair can be great fun as
you mingle with the crowds and watch the simple tribal folk enjoying themselves.
Dev Somnath is a splendid 12th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is an exact
replica of the original Somnath temple in Gujarat. When the original temple was
destroyed several times by the Muslim invaders, devout Hindus decided to create this
replica in the interiors so that it would remain safe.
Galiyakot was once the capital of the Parmar kings but today it is renowned for its
magnificent shrine dedicated to Sayed Fakhruddin. Thousands of devotees gather here
during the URS. Other important places to see are Baroda, the erstwhile capital of
Vagad, where some temples still survive and Bhuvaneshwar, which can be visited for its
famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Banswara is another big town of Vagad to be visited for its natural beauty. The name
Banswara too has been derived from bans, or bamboo which once grew in abundance
here. The undulating green hills, deep forested valleys and lakes gave this area its own
unique feel. More than its architectural heritage, this region is a nature lover’s paradise.
You can go for walks and treks, can watch birds and study the flora and allow yourself to
enjoy the simple pleasures that keep the Bhils happy. Bhils constitute half of the total
population of Banswara. A stonewall, now in ruins, surrounds the ancient town. An
impressive palace of the former rulers of Banswara stands overlooking the town. There
are several areas of interest that can be explored in and around Banswara.
 16

The Mahi River has a number of islands that make for interesting spots; there is also a
well-maintained garden at the kagdi Pickup and the Mahi dam. Other lakes like Anand
Sagar and Dalab Lake are also worth a visit. For the adventurous, there are several
interesting places located a short distance away from Banswara. Arthuna is famous for
their carved temples, Talwara has ruins of some ancient temples that are famous for
their carved idols, the temple of goddess Tripur Sundari is dedicated to Goddess Durga
and has a beautiful idol of the goddess shaped out of black stone.
MEWAR CIRCUIT
Udaipur – Kumbhalgarh – Nathdwara – Chittaurgarh
Rajasthan Mewar region encompasses Lofty hills, Shimmering lakes, Deep valleys and
much more. It is a land rich in royal heritage, with romantic Water Palaces, historic hilltop
forts and beautiful gardens. Explore the beautiful region with its rich cultural heritage,
visit it’s numerous picturesque villages and you will discover that the charm of Mewar is
undoubtedly unique.
SIGHT SEEING: Its lakes, its marble palaces, and its beautiful gardens dominate
Udaipur, the enchanting City of Lakes. The founder, Maharana Udai Singh, was
overcome by the misfortunes that his old capital of Chittaurgarh had to face. Weary of
repeated attacks that he had to face, Udai Singh sought the help of a holy man and
asked him to suggest a safe place for his new capital to the banks of Lake Pichhola. The
holy man assured him that his new capital would never be conquered. The city of
Udaipur was thus founded and grew around the Lakes.
The City Palace is the focal point of the city and has several areas of interest like the
Suraj, Gokhada, Badi Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Bhim Vilas, Chini Chitrashala, Mor Chowk,
the Zenana Mahal, Fateh Prakash and Darbar Hall.
Located close to the City Palace is the Jagadish temple with its imposing sculpted
figures and heavily ornamented interiors. The abundance of water in Udaipur made it
possible for the town planners to design some well-laid out gardens. These were the
spots where the Maharanis would come to enjoy the natural surroundings amidst the
beautiful flowers and fountains. The 18th century Sahelion Ki Bari, or the garden of
Maidens, is a popular tourist spot with its fountains and delicately carved kiosks and
elephants in marble.
Udaipur has other attractions like Gulab bagh, Doodh Talai, Jag Mandir, Moti Magri,
Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal, Ahad and the Sajjangarh Palace. As you move around this
beautiful city, there is a lot that catches the eye, it is as if this city has been laid out with
the tourist in mind. Thankfully, with a growing awareness towards conservation,
numerous heritage sites have been preserved. The Ahar village and Museum are of
great archeological importance. A little further away from the city are Shri Eklingji Temple
complex which houses 108 temples, Nagda where the temples of Saas-Bahu, or
Shastrabahu and Adbhutji are worth seeing. More temples can be found at Rajsamand
and Kankroli, located 60 Km. from Udaipur.
To the north of Udaipur lies the battlefield of Haldighati. The very ground here is sacred
as it carries memories of the famous battle between Maharana Pratap and Emperor
Akbar in 1567. It was a fierce historic battle where the Rajputs fought so valiantly that his
encounter is referred to in murals and ballads throughout Rajasthan.
Maharana Pratap National Memorial is being built at this site to pay a homage to this
great warrior for his spirit of freedom.
Nathdwara is a renowned center of pilgrimage for the devotes of Krishna and Vishnu
alike. It is a town devoted totally to the Shrinathji temple and all activities in this little
town revolve around the famous temple of Shrinathji. Let yourself be carried away by the
religious atmosphere as you wander around the small market with tiny shops selling
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portraits of Shrinathji, beads, silver and minakari mementoes, and other related items.
While you are there don’t forget to try the special prasad, or temple offerings, and
sweets that are popular with the devotees.
If any one fort of Rajasthan had to be singled out of its glorious history and its story of
heroism, then it would be fort of Chittaurgarh. Countless tales of this rugged fort and the
battles fought here by its legendary heroes fill the pages of history books. Equally well
known were the brave and heroic Maharanis of Chittaur.
As you explore the fort and its various palaces and temples do lookout for Rani
Padmini’s palace. The beauty of Queen Padmini of Chittaur attracted the Sultan of Delhi,
Allauddin Khilji so much that he set out to attack the fort and win her in battle. A fierce
battle was fought, 7000 warriors lost their lives but the Sultan could not get Padmini. The
Maharani, with her entire entourage, committed Jauhar. It is one of the Chittaurgarh's
most enduring stories and one that is told and re-told countless times.
Travel to the west of Chittaurgarh to reach the second most important bastion of Mewar-
Kumbhalgarh. Covering the are of 12 Sq. Km. this formidable fort fell only once to the
army of Akbar and that too because the water supply was contaminated by the enemy
forces. Even today it is the one of most inaccessible forts of Rajasthan and reached with
great difficulty. It served as a refuge to the rulers of Mewar in times of strife and
contained within its ramparts almost an entire township, self-contained to withstand
along siege. Explore the huge complex and see for yourself how well prepare the rulers
had to be. Some areas of interest are the palaces and temples and water storage tanks.
It is a height of 1100 meters and if you walk around the ramparts you can get an
excellent view of the countryside.
The fort is also significant for being the birthplace of Maharana Pratap. This region is
famous for its marble, miniature paintings, kundan and meenakari work and clay and
wooden products. The colorful mud panels of Molela are available in Udaipur.
HADOTI CIRCUIT
Bundi - Kota - Jhalawar –Baran
Hadoti, in the southeast is one of Rajasthan’s least explored regions. It is a region full of
great historic towns with a proud heritage dating back several centuries. Walk right into a
bygone world as you visit pre-historic cave paintings and look for other traces of early
civilization. It will delight the archaeologist in you as you drive along the Chambal and
stumble upon relics from the past. Hadoti has a wealth of beautifully sculpted temples
that seem frozen in time.
SIGHTSEEING: Bundi, the first major destination in Hadoti to be reached from Jaipur,
has a strong association with Rudyard Kipling, who drew inspiration from the beautiful
town and its surroundings. Set in a narrow encircling gorge, the palaces and fortress of
Bundi seem to come to life straight out of a fairy tale. The Bundi palace presents a fine
example of Rajput architecture with its carved brackets, pillars and balconies. Don’t miss
the famous Chitra Shala to feast on the exquisite paintings of Bundi that adorn its walls.
You can also visit the Phool Sagar Palace, Shikar Burj and Sar Bagh. The step wells of
Bundi are works of art and a very beautiful example can be found in the center of the
town – the Raniji Ki Baodi. This step well is profusely decorated with carved pillars and
ornate archways leaving the onlooker amazed how even the mundane task of drawing
water from the well, was embellished for beauty.
This region has retained the beauty of the past. Yet, there is the bustling pace of city life,
close by in Kota. This is a thoroughly modern, industrial city with its smoke emitting
factories and an incredible number of vehicles on its crowded roads. But it also has its
majestic fort and palaces. A lot of other reminders of its past are scattered all over the
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city, like the fort with its museum and the Jag Mandir, the Brijraj Bhawan Palace and
the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Kota is famous for its saris called Kotadoria.
Brij – Mewat Circuit
Alwar –Sariska – Deeg – Bharatpur - Karauli – Ranthambhor
Alwar -- is a relic city of Rajasthan. Surrounded by prehistoric as well as historic sites
that are an archaeologist’s delight. Once, a part of the Matsya kingdom, a trip to Alwar is
like being lost in a bygone era. The area is protected from the desert sands by the
Aravalli range. Providing another advantage, it crown Alwar with a lot of picturesque
locations. The entire region is a delight to behold: medieval forts and palaces, gardens
and wildlife, wooded hills providing shelter to a large variety of flora and fauna.
Today, Alwar has evolved as an important industrial center and is one of Delhi’s satellite
towns. Striking a balance between old world charm and modern conveniences, making it
a worthwhile tourist destination.
SARISKA TIGER RESERVE: This game sanctuary, 20 miles southwest of Al war, was
once the personal hunting ground of the Maharajas of Al war. It became a sanctuary in
1955 and was taken up under project tiger in 1979. It covers an area of 320 square
miles (with a core area of 192 square miles). The forested hills of Sariska are among
the best places to view tigers in India. There is a tiger population of approximately thirty
here. Unlike other sanctuaries, the tigers here can sometimes be sighted by day. These
daytime sightings are on the increase, with the tigers gradually becoming more confident
with human beings around. The best time of the year to see the tigers is during the
summer months, when they come out to the water holes to drink and when there is less
jungle foliage to provide them with cover. Other animals here are panthers (which tend
not to overlap in the same areas with tigers), jungle cats, and caracals. In addition, there
are the Nilgai, Chital, Sambar, Wild Boar, and Porcupine. The reserve is also rich in
Birds, including gray partridge, quail, sand grouse, and white – breasted kingfisher. The
best way to see the animals is to drive through the reserve either in the early morning or
in the late evening. While there are paved roads within the reserve, and you can drive
through it by car, it might be preferable to hire a jeep so that you can go off the regular
track into the interiors of the forest. In the core areas, especially, you can see from the
lovely forests what much of the Indian countryside must have looked like, right up to the
first half of this century. Also, it is a unique experience to visit the remote little village in
the outer areas of the reserve to see how the way of life, totally untouched by outside
influences, remains virtually the same as it has been for centuries. The villagers still live,
for instance, with the daily threat of their cattle being carried away by leopards!
SILISERH: En route to Sariska, 08 miles southwest of Al war, is the water palace of
Siliserh and a pretty lake ringed by low, wooded hills. There is a romantic legend about
this palace. Once, a young raja of Al war was out riding when he heard a beautiful
village maiden singing. He immediately fell in love with her. She seemed to reciprocate
his feeling, but her brothers suddenly arrived on the scene and, infuriated at what they
saw to be an insult to their sister’s honor, were about to kill the raja. The raja then
revealed his identity and promised to marry the girl. He built this palace for her so that
she could look out at her old village across the lake’s water. The palace is now a rather
shabby hotel, but it’s worth stopping here briefly, sitting on the lovely terrace, and
watching the cormorants diving for fish in the waters of the lake.
ALWAR: Alwar, paradoxically, was both the oldest and newest of all the Rajput
Kingdoms. On the one hand, it traced its traditions back to the kingdom of Viratnagra
that flourished here around 1500 BC. On the other, it was officially created – carved out
of the Martha territories – by the British as late as the 1770’s. The rulers of Altar were
distantly related to the Kachhawaha dynasty of Jaipur and, until the mid – 18th century,
 19

were merely the chieftains of two villages in Jaipur state. But, by skillfully aligning
themselves with the right party at the right time – the Jats of Bharatpur, the
Kachhawahas, the Mughals and, finally, the East India Company – they rapidly jockeyed
themselves into a position of political consequence.
THE MAHARAJAS OF ALWAR: As a result of their relatively junior status, perhaps, the
maharajas of Alwar conducted themselves with great ostentation: their palaces were the
most ornate, their pageantry the most spectacular, and their tiger shikars the most
elaborately organized. They even affected the title of Saiwai, “ the one – and –a –
quarter,” following their grander cousins from Jaipur. It was this innate desire on their
part to outshine their fellow princes that made Altar the picturesque place it is today, with
its splendid palaces. But since Altar was a poorer state than many others were, the
maharajas also made themselves fairly unpopular with their subjects in the process.
Altar and its surrounding areas are one of the most interesting and undiscovered parts of
Rajasthan. And one of the things that contributes towards making it so are the tales of
Maharaja Jai Singh (reigned 1892 – 1937), its brilliant but weird ruler in the early part of
this century.
CITY PALACE: The city palace (“Vinay Vilas”, as it is officially called) (left) was built in
1793 by Raja Bakhtawar Singh at the foot of a rugged, towering hill and added to over
the centuries by his successors. The palace is a marriage of Rajput and Mughal styles –
an almost baroque profusion of arches, balconies, pavilions and porticos, with an accent
on bangaldar caves; with seem characteristic of northeastern Rajasthan. Once, this
palace was part of the Maharajas’ ornate lifestyle and housed, among other things, a
drinking cup cut out of a single emerald in its treasury and a mammoth, double storied,
four elephant carriage in its stables. Today, however, the palace has been converted
into the district’s collectorate, and its halls and chambers have been turned into
government offices.
CENTRAL COURTYARD: The central courtyard of the palace (below) is impressive,
with its graceful marble pavilions set on lotus – flower bases, its inner walls lined with
canopied balconies and its dramatic marble checkerboard floor. Once dancing girls
performed here by moonlight, but today it is often the venue for rowdy teenagers’ cricket
matches.
DURBAR HALL: Beyond the marble pavilions lies the splendid, old durbar hall, its walls
and ceilings richly covered with gilded arabesques still remarkably fresh. In an
antechamber beyond is an exquisite frieze of miniature paintings, sealed under glass
and set in gilt, running along the wall. Permission Maharaja, who now lives in Delhi.
RANI MOOSI CHHATRI: Behind the Palace lie the old temple tank and the cenotaph of
Raja Bakhtawar Singh and Rani Moosi, who performed sati. It is a superb example of
early 19th century Rajput architecture, with its graceful brown Karauli sandstone structure
and its nine white marble canopies. Its style is completely different from those of other
cenotaphs in the rest of Rajasthan. Beneath the dome you can see interesting frescos
of scenes from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
THE MUSEUM: The palace museum has a wonderful collection of exhibits, reflecting the
eclectic tastes – and the personal wealth – of the maharaja of Al war. There are some
excellent manuscripts here, including an illustrated Mahabharata, on a 200 foot long
scroll, made from a single length of paper, with writing so tiny it must be read with a
magnifying glass. Other prize pieces here are illustrated manuscript of Gulistan, Shah
Nama, and on Emperor Babur’s life. There are also some fine Ragamala paintings and
miniatures from the Al war, Bundi, and Mughal schools. (Don’t miss the miniature of the
incarnations of Vishnu). In the armory section you will find several historic swords,
including those belonging to Sultan Mohammad Ghori, as well as the Mughal emperors
Akbar and Aurangzeb. You will also find a fascinating collection of armor (including a
 20

suit of crocodile leather armor) and the usual strange Rajput weapons, such as a
nagphas, a carpet –beater shaped weapon ingeniously designed for strangling the
enemy. There are various other heirlooms from the maharajas’ collection, from
perfumed sandalwood flywhisks to a solid silver dinning table (with trompe-l’ oeil waves
shimmering across it for good measure). One thing that is not here, however, is
Maharaja Jai Singh favorite car: a gold Lanchester, shaped in the form of the King of
England’s coronation carriage, but without the horses!
MOTI DOONGRI: Visiting Moti Doongri (“Pearl Hill”) is a bizarre experience. All that now
exists is a massive fortified wall, with a flat, empty space at the crest of the hill. Maharaja
Jai Singh dynamited the elegant one hundred roomed palaces that stood here out of
existence. The reason remains a mystery. Was he looking for buried treasure here, as
some people say? Was it in grief at the suicide of his favorite wife? Was it to destroy the
tomb of a fakir nearby? Or was it merely his eccentricity? Nobody knows. The fact is
that the demolition took two years and cost more than the building of the palace itself.
Jai Singh possibly wanted to build another palace here.
BALA QILA: Towering on a craggy hill that dominates the town is Bala Qila (“Young
Fort”). Built on the foundations of an ancient mud fort constructed in AD 928 by Nikumbh
Rajputs, it has had a turbulent history and was successively occupied by the warring
Mughals, Pathans and Jats before finally being captured by Raja Pratap Singh in 1775.
Bala Qila is accessible only by jeep (with special permission from the Superintendent of
Police, for there is a police wireless station located in its citadel today). As you drive up
the steep slope you can see the amazing fortifications that run all the way along the hill,
often at crazy, seemingly impossible, angles. Passing through a series of massive
gates, you finally enter Nikumbh Mahal Palace at the top. Built in the early 19th century,
it has graceful bangaldar caves, carved marble columns and delicate latticed balconies
opening onto a central courtyard. Inside the baradari (pavilion), there are some beautiful
gilded frescos on the walls and ceiling. And outside, beneath the canopies surrounding
the courtyard, are traces of other delicately painted panels. From here there is stunning
view of the surrounding countryside, and you can also see the miles of ramparts that
enclose the fort: a feat of military engineering, sometimes running vertically up the hill,
and provided with literally thousands of steps built for the sentries who patrolled its top.
You can also see, on a nearby ridge, the palace of the Mughal Prince Saleem, later
Emperor Jahangir, who was exiled here for three years for trying to assassinate Abu’l
Fazal, one of the celebrated “Nine Gems” of his father Akbar’s Court.
Bharatpur was an unusual Kingdom of Rajasthan because it was the only one that was
ruled by a dynasty of Jats – peasant sons of the soil – rather than Rajputs. Under its
aggressive rulers, the kingdom of Bharatpur became a major military and political force
in the 18th and 19th centuries, its armies sweeping the plains of northern India, virtually
olds and masters of all they surveyed. However, the history of Bharatpur goes back far,
far earlier, to the great ancient kingdom of Matsyadesh that fluorides here around the 5ht
century BC. There are several fine archeological remains of this civilization that you can
see in the Bharatpur Museum.
Keoladeo Ghana in Bharatpur, where thousands of migratory waterfowl arrive every
winter, is part of the Indo – genetic plains of India where water birds nest in thousands
during the monsoon. Created in the late 19th century by the Maharaja of Bharatpur to
bring the pleasure of wildfowl hunting to his doorstep, the reserve came into being by the
simple act of diverting water from a nearby irrigation canal. The lowlands holding the
monsoon floodwater have been an age less avian paradise, and were where the
Maharaja of Bharatpur hosted duck shoots for British luminaries.
SIGHT SEEING: Some important sights that should not be missed are: Bala Qila where
Emperor Babur spent one night and the majestic City Palace, which houses a museum.
 21

In the museum can be found quite a few of Alwar's legendary treasures -- rare
manuscripts, paintings, objects made from jade, ivory and silver as well as a large
collection of weapons.
The beautiful Moosi Maharani Ki Chhatri is a majestic red sand stone and white marble
cenotaph built in the memory of a mistress of Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh, a ruler of
Alwar. Other interesting monuments are Vinay Vilas Palace, Vijay Mandir Palace and
Moti Doongri.
A little further on the road to Jaipur is Alwar's most popular picnic spot - Siliserh. Built as
a summer resort, it is a delightful pocket, overlooking a tranquil lake and surrounded by
hills. You can take off for long treks to the hills (don't forget to take along a comfortable
pair of walking shoes), go boating or just sit on the terrace of the palace hotel letting your
eyes feast on the beauty of nature unfolding before you, watch the different water birds
about the lake. For some peace and serenity, it's the perfect retreat.
To the west are the protected forests of Sariska. Once, the hunting grounds of the rulers
of Alwar, the Sariska Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary today bustles with a wide
variety of wildlife which includes sambhar, chinkara, wild boars, jackals and tigers. Birds
that can be found here are parakeets, grey partridges, crested serpent eagles, bulbuls.
The forest area is replete with relics of the past. To the west lies Viratnagar, a city
revered in history for having given shelter to the mighty Pandava brothers of the
Mahabharata. Explore the forests for temples, and rock formations that have
association with the past. An edict of King Ashoka the Great dating back to the 3rd
century was found here. In another part of the site are ruins of a circular Buddhist
temple, considered to be the oldest freestanding structures in India
The palaces and gardens of Deeg are among the most beautiful in this region. Being
closer to Agra and Delhi, the Mughal influences are felt here. The palaces: Gopal
Bhawan, Nand Bhawan and Karishna Bhawan are ingeniously designed and rich in
history. A visit to these palaces will give an idea of the care and meticulous planning that
must have gone into their construction.
A visit to this region is not complete without a trip to Bharatpur. The history of Bharatpur
traces the rise and fall of the Jat power in eastern Rajasthan. This was the region where
important Jat ruler like Churaman, Badan Singh and Suraj Mal dominated the entire
belt. They fought the invading Marathas, Mughals and the interfering British, a power to
reckon with and strong enough to lay down their own terms and conditions.
The fort of Bharatpur is the focal point of the town. It took sixty years to build and was
known as the Iron Fort. Today, the stark and rugged fort is partly used by the
government to run its offices and a large part houses the Government museum.
Bharatpur is a small city but what makes it special is the hunting preserve of the princes
of Bharatpur, today, it is ranked among the world's best bird sanctuaries. Every year,
this park is visited by over 400 species of water birds, which includes exotic migratory
birds from Afghanistan, Central Asia, Siberia and Tibet. The greylag and bareheaded
geese are among the important visitors but the star of this sanctuary is the rare siberian
crane. If you're a bird lover, then this is your paradise, even if you have just a passing
interest in birds you cannot fail to be impressed by the mind-boggling variety of birds that
flock this park.
The stone from Dholpur is famous throughout the country and has been used for the
construction of many a fort and palace not only in Rajasthan but in Agra, Delhi and other
states as well. You can pick up small mementoes from the markets. Dholpur in itself
does not seem to have too many tourist attractions but the areas surrounding Dholpur
are important for their historicity. Jhor was the site of the oldest Mughal garden built by
Baubur in 1527 and rediscovered in the 1970s, there is the famous Machkund where a
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religious fair every year sees a gathering after a dip in the holy jund. Other important
areas include Bari and Damoh, Van Vihar and Ram Sagar Sanctuary.
The other area of international importance is the tiger land of Ranthambor. Ranthambor
needs little introduction as it is one of India's conversation success stories. This is the
ideal place in Rajasthan to spot the Indian tiger in its natural habitat. Lush green
forested hills, lakes inside the National Park, lodges and water holes; Ranthambor is a
different world altogether. Don't come to Ranthambhor as a tourist, let the wildlife
enthusiast in you take over and just allow yourself to be guided by the jungle
atmosphere. If you can pull yourself out of the formidable forest, don't miss the
formidable fort of Ranthambhor, which has a popular Ganesh temple. A little further is
the unusual Sunheri Kothi of Tonk. It is possible to pick up felt rugs called namdas and
leather articles from Tonk.
Dhundhar Circuit
Jaipur – Samode – Ramgarh –Dausa – Abhaneri
Jaipur, called the Pink City and Rajasthan's colorful capital, brims with sites to treat the
eyes along with fun things to do. There are impressive monuments, an excellent range
of handicrafts, a wide variety of cuisine, and entertainment that can keep you enthralled
for days. In fact, you will find yourself wanting to extend your holiday. It’s a city that will
cast its spell on you from day one.
We suggest a ticket on the Rajasthan Tourism Guided Bus Tour to take you on a joyride
to all the significant tourist destinations. The half-day and full-day tours will enable you to
see all significant monuments of the city.
You may request the Tourist Reception Center for further details. Besides these guided
tours, you also have the option of exploring the city in buses, scooter rickshaws and the
humble, but practical, bicycle. These are available outside most hotels and the staff
would be more than happy to help organize a mode of conveyance for you.
The city of Jaipur is the logical starting point for anyone traveling in Rajasthan because
to its central location and good air road and rail connections. To the west lies the desert
region of Mercer (Biker, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur), to the north and south run the craggy
Aravalli hills. From jaipur it is an easy drive to Al war and the Sariska Tiger Reserve. In
the Northeast, or to Ajmer, Pushkar, and Kishangarh in the southwest. Also within reach
is the shekhavati region in the northwest and Ranthambhor National Park in the east.
The kingdom of jaipur was originally known as amber, which was also the name of its
ancient capital situated 7 miles away. Its history can be traced back to the 12 th century,
when Amber was the stronghold of the fierce Mina tribesmen. According to legend, the
Minas once gave shelter to a Rajput Prince called Duleh Rai. But the prince later
betrayed them by getting them drunk one night, slaying them, and taking over Amber. In
the 16th century, Amber suddenly came to the fore when the Mughal emperor, Akbar
(reigned 1556 – 1605) married one of its princesses, the first of several shrewd
matrimonial alliance between a Mughal ruler and a Rajput Princess.
Amber lies about 7 miles north east of Jaipur. The name is derived from the goddess,
Amba Mate, the Mother Earth, whom the Miner tribe used to worship at this site before
the Kachawaha Rajputs took it over and made it their capital. Amber remained the
capital of the kachawahas till 1727, but even after that it was never completely
abandoned. When the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb once asked Raja Saiwai Jai Singh II
what his capital looked like, it is said that latter cut open a pomegranate – to
demonstrate how it lay in a protected valley. All around amber, the hills are ringed with
battlements and watchtower, and within the valley lie the including the 13 th century
palace (only Bala Bai Ki Sal is somewhat intact). There remains on ornate 17th century
water tank nearby, Panna Mina kA Kund, built by a eunuch, and Jagat Shiromani
 23

Temple, a fine marriage of north and south Indian architectural styles, with a superbly
carved to rana archway Chamwar Walon Ki Haveli (‘mansion of the fly whisk
attendants’), which has now been painstakingly restored to its original condition. It is a
private home, but worth seeing from the outside at least.
By the water of Maota Lake lie the beautifully laid out old garden of Dilaram Bagh and
Mohan Bari. A formal garden was an idea largely unknown in traditional Indian palace
architecture (although many palaces lay in beautiful natural surroundings) until the
Muslim invaders brought in this Persian concept. The garden concept was one of many
Mughal ideas that Raja Man Singh I imbibed from his close friend, Emperor Akbar, along
with such details as cussed arches, domes and marble filigree – work grilles, all of which
he incorporated splendidly at Amber, overlooking Maota Lake is the old Raja Mahal
Palace, built from 1600 onward.
A steep cobbled path from Dilemma Bagh takes you to Suraj Pol and Jaleb Chowk.
Often mistakenly referred to as “Jalebi Chowk”, or “The Candy Square”, it actually
means, “The Square where horses and elephants are fortified double gate, incorporating
a blind turn and guard rooms on three sides. This was once richly painted with frescos,
the fading remains of which you can still see.
Nearby is the beautiful temple to Kali, its pillars carved in the form of banana trees in
delicate Green marble? Raja Man Singh I in 1580 brought the image of the goddess
back for Bengal. The temple’s priests had traditionally been Bengalis but now they are
from Bihar.
Jai Mandir, used as a hall of private audience, is created in white marble; its floral ceiling
is inlaid with intricate mirror – work. The walls are decorated with fine murals of leaf
scrolls and flowers. He magnificent entirely covered with intricate inlay – work of mirror
and coloured glass. The stain – glass windows here, by the way, were a later 18th
century addition, imported from Europe. Just above Jai Mandir is Jas Mandir, with a roof
ablaze with spangled mirrors and lovely mosaics. Its entire eastern face is a filigreed
marble screen, with a stunning view over Maota Lake and the rugged hills below,
specially designed to catch the summer breeze and draw them in to cool the hall.
Opposite this complex, across the gardened courtyard, is Sukh Mandir (“temple of
contentment”), an empty named pleasure chamber, cooled by a marble water cascade.
Do not miss the doors here, which are made of fragrant sandalwood, inlaid with ivory.
Beyond this lies the Zenana (palace of the Rains), here, clustered around a large central
courtyard, were what used to be the self – contain suites of twelve rains, with chambers
for concubines on the upper floor. There is a device for grinding millet in the floor of the
favourite Rani’s suite: it apparently served as an exercising device to help keep her
figure trim! In the courtyard is a fine boarder (pavilion supported by stately carved pillar
sandalwood, inlaid with ivory.
SIGHT SEEING: Highlights of the tour will include famous sights such as the magnificent
‘Amer Palace’, the old capital of Jaipur. A fascinating blend of Rajput and Mughal
architecture, this red sandstone and white marble palace has some very interesting
apartments, the likes of which are not to be found anywhere in the country. Diwan-I-
Aam, Ganesh Pol, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Jai Mandir, Man Singh Palace and Shila
Devi temple are some of the places that you should not miss.
On your way back from the palace, take a slight detour and visit the old township of
Amer that lies at the foothills of the palace. Of interest are the old temples like Jagat
Shiromani temple, the Narsingh temple and the Panna Meena Ki Baodi, or step well.
The rulers and their wives were laid to rest in the beautiful located Gaitor and Maji ki
Chhatri, or the Maharani’s cenotaphs, respectively.
In the same vicinity are the hill forts of Jaigarh and Nahargarh that look down on the city.
Jaigarh is a rugged fort and has the most amazing water storage system and the largest
 24

canon on wheels in the world-the Jai Van. Nahargarh is named after a local deity Nahar
Singh and provides some spectacular views of the city below. Nahargarh has nine
palaces within its compound with some beautiful woodwork and frescoes. Be prepared
to spend a little extra time here, as the fort is the best explored on foot. Do visit at the
newly restored Kanak Vrindavan temple complex and the Jal Mahal palace.
The old walled city has a history going back to 272 yrs. Explore the wide streets and the
uniform shops that line them, the huge havelis where the rich and the important lived.
See the artisans at work as they give shape to some of the most exquisite handcrafted
items from jewelry to tie and dye fabric. You can make purchases from the Rajasthan
Government Emporium. Visit Johari Bazaar, M.I.Road, Tripolia and the various gullies
that branch out the main streets for a wide range of handicrafts.
When you enter the city, the first major monument that greets you is the spectacular
Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds that provides some excellent views of streets from
its fifth story. Located just behind it are Jantar Mantar, the unique observatory built by the
founder of Jaipur-Sawai Jai Singh and the City Palace with its fabulous museum that
displays some of the most amazing treasures held by the Jaipur royal family. A little
further away the important temples of Galta, the gardens of Sisodia Rani and Vidyadhar.
Jaipur is surrounded by a lot of interesting tourist destinations. Forty kilometers to the
north is the popular Samode with its fairytale palace that has some of the most exquisite
mirror work and frescoes. To the east is the resort of Ramgarh with its huge artificial lake
and cozy cottages where you can spend a quiet weekend. A temple and the ruins of its
old fort are areas of interest. Further east is the historical town of Abhaniri. Today in
ruins, this deserted township has a seven-century temple of Harshad Mata and a step
well known as Chanda Baodi.