Rajasthan: The Land of the Kings
Whenever one hears or talks of Rajasthan, what comes to the mind? A vast desert, numerous forts, the pink city of Jaipur and Ranthambore National Park are the commonest answers. Welcome to this famous Rajputana land which is home to some of the most famous palaces and forts that you will find in India. Rajasthan stands to be the largest state in the country, covering almost 10.4% of its total land area. However, most of this state is covered by the Great Indian Desert that goes by the name of Thar. The state of Rajasthan stands witness to the Indian civilization, with it being situated right next to the Sutlej-Indus valley. Needless to say, this has given the state a major heritage value. The ‘Land of the Kings’ has seen numerous kingdoms through the years, and it stands today, as a great relic to that history.
Rajasthan is a historically rich country. It has a diverse culture and art, which is unique to all the kingdoms that have ever flourished within the state. The most interesting part of this heritage is the unique architecture that has a distinctive style that is not found anywhere else in the country. The entire state stands testimony to the royal heritage and history that has passed through it.
A trip to Rajasthan is one that you should undertake at least once. If time is not a constraint, then plan your trip so that you can cover the most important heritage sites of the state, making for a well-rounded memorable experience. Alternately, you could also choose to take short trips, covering two to three places on each trip. All in all, you should definitely pay Rajasthan a visit to thoroughly enjoy and relish the beautiful culture and history that it pays testament to.
Here is the list of places that you should visit, when planning your Rajasthan trip. Ideally, the time required to visit all of these heritage sites is 13-14 days. So pack your bags, and get ready to have a wonderful time in the Land of the Kings!
Jaipur
The ideal location to start your Rajasthan tour is from this city. Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan and is also the largest city that exists in the state. Founded by the Kachwaha Rajput ruler Sawai Jaisingh II, the uniqueness of the city lies in the fact that it was built according to the rules of Vastu Shastra. Being extremely well-planned, this city is an architectural delight. The saffron or pink colored buildings in the city have given it the moniker, ‘Pink City’.
Jodhpur
Jodhpur is the sun city of Rajasthan. It has a sunny weather all-round the year and it is the second stop on your Rajasthan trip. The city was founded as the capital of Marwar in 1459 by none other than the Rathore Rajout ruler, Rao Jodha Singh of Marwar. Do pay a visit to Umaid Bhawan palace, Jaswant Thada, Ghanta ghar, Balsamand Lake and Mehrangarh. Exploring the city requires an overnight stay.
Mount Abu
Rajasthan boasts of the mountains as well as desert. The Aravalli range of mountains offers a cool respite within the state. Mount Abu is the only proper hill station that Rajasthan has and it is totally worth paying a visit. Apart from being a cool retreat from the heat in the state, the place has a great historical significance. It finds mention in the Mahabharata as the place where Rishi Vashishta retired. There are many ancient sites along with temples dotting the place.
Mount Abu has a lot of sightseeing spots that one must visit. The Nakki Lake, Trevor’s Crocodile prak, Dilwara Temple, Achalgarh Fort ruins are the spots you should cover throughout the day. The ideal end to the day would be by visiting Sun Set Point.
Udaipur
From the cool and peaceful hill station of Mount Abu, we move on to Udaipur, one of the prime locations for tourist visits and destination weddings! Udaipur is the city of lakes or more commonly referred to as ‘the Venice of the East’. The city is famous for its Rajputana architectural style and was the capital city of the Sisodiya Rajputs from the land of Mewar. The city is located at the foothill of the Aravalli Range and has quite a few palaces and forts, along with some really beautiful temples. Most of the palaces of Udaipur have been converted into hotels for tourists and events. Do not miss out on visiting Lake Palace and Gulab Bagh.
Chittorgarh
History has it that the Sisodiyas of Mewar shifted their capital from Chittorgarh to Udaipur, in search of a more secure location to establish their kingdom. If you read your history in school well, then you would know that Chittorgarh, or chitter as it is commonly called, is known for being the birthplace of the likes of Maharana Pratap and Meera Bai. With such a rich historical background, this city is a must visit. The Kirti Stambh, Rana Kumbha Palace and the Meera Temple are the spots you should keep on your itinerary while in the city.
Sawai Madhopur- Ranthambore National Park
Sawai Madhopur is famous for only two main attractions that make for an adventurous break from the historical background of Rajasthan- the Ranthambore fort and the Ranthambore National Park. You need to spend 2-3 days here to completely explore this tiger reserve. It will make for quite an adventure. The Ranthambore is a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site that one should definitely not miss visiting.
Rajasthan is a treasure trove for anyone who wishes to indulge in some good old history and culture. It is the perfect blend of architectural bliss and amazing beauty. Every nook and corner of the state has some piece of history, some ancient tale to tell. When in Rajasthan, do not forget to explore the amazing local markets. You will be surprised to find some great things. Rajasthan is known for its silver jewelry and Bandhani printing technique. Delve into the world of amazing art and culture with a trip to Rajasthan.
