Journey into the land of the royals and experience trademark Rajasthani splendor and hospitality. Rajasthan, known formerly by the name Rajputana or The Abode of the Kings, is the largest state in the republic of India. Rajasthan houses an amazing display of arts and architecture, courtesy of it being a princely state. Each individual kingdom of Rajasthan has a distinctive style of architecture and arts making it one of the most culturally diverse places in the world. It shows India at its most colorful and exotic best. All the things that come to mind when you think of India can be found in Rajasthan — palaces, forts, desert, camels, elephants, and snake charmers. Endowed with natural beauty and a great history, Rajasthan is truly a great place to visit. Here are our top 10 sights to visit while in Rajasthan that will certainly take you into a journey through time:
Albert Hall Museum
Albert Hall Museum or the Central Museum, sited amid the gardens of Ram Niwas Bagh in Jaipur, is one of the oldest museums in the state of Rajasthan. The Albert Hall Museum is modeled on the Albert Museum of London and represents the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.
Amber Fort
Located at a distance of about 11 km from Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan , the Amber Fort stands perched atop a cliff beside the Jaipur Delhi Highway. The architecture is a fine blend of the Mughal and Rajput schools of architecture, beautifully combining white marble and redstone. The beautiful Maota Lake lends the majestic structure a splendid view. The sturdy ramparts and the lovely palaces make Amber Fort Jaipur one of the prime attractions of the state. The fort is also popularly known as Amber Fort.
City Palace
The City Palace is a stunning sample of architecture in the royal city of Jaipur. The foundations of the palace were laid by Maharaja Jai Singh II Kacchawaha Rajput king of Amber in the 18th century. The beautifully caved marble interiors, magnificent pillars, jali or lattice work and inlaid ornamentations make the palace a cherished tourist attraction.
Galta Temple
Jaipur, the pink hued land of the majestic Jantar Mantar and the resplendent Hawa Mahal, also houses several shrines, which registers huge footfalls throughout the year. The Galta Temple of Jaipur is a case in point.
Hawa Mahal
The regal Hawa Mahal is perhaps one of the oft visited tourist destinations of the lovely Pink City of Jaipur. instituted by the famed maharaja sawai pratap singh, circa 1799, the ‘palace of the winds’, is the repository of history and tradition of the colorful state of Rajasthan.
Jantar Mantar
Various observatories have been created for discovering the mysteries of the cosmos and the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is one them. In fact the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the largest and one of the best preserved of five observatories constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh all over northern India. The Jantar Mantar in the Pink City consists of multiple structures of stone masonry build in varied and large geometric forms that have caught the attention of artists, architects and art historiographers throughout the world.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
The majestic fort of Kumbhalgarh, situated at a distance of eighty four kilometers to the north of the ‘City of Lakes’, is perhaps one of the most spectacular sites that adorns the history laden landscape of Udaipur. A testimony to the ingenuity of the legendary Maha rana Kumbha, it draws as much accolades as the formidable fortress of Chittorgarh.
Mehrangarh Fort
The Mehrangarh Fort, one of the colossal and majestic forts of India is located atop a 150 m elevated hill lying at a distance of 5km from Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The magnificent craftsmanship of the Jodhpuri craftsmen is exhibited in the fascinating sandstone palaces within the Mehrangarh Fort.
Ranthambore National Park
The Ranthambore National Park located between the Aravali Mountains and the Vindhya plateau is one of the renowned sanctuaries of India. This sanctuary with an area of 1,334 sq km is famous for its Royal Bengal Tigers that can be seen near the marshes and the lakes even during the daytime.
Bandeshwar Temple, Bikaner
Located in the royal state of Rajasthan, Bikaner is popular for its rich culture and exquisite architectural marvels, including palaces and temples. The BandeshwarTemple is counted among one of the most popular attractions of Bikaner and is famous for its beautiful interiors, wall paintings and art.
