Places to visit in Rajasthan

The thought of Rajasthan as a Desert State although a romantic one, is partially misleading. The state is divided into the land of Marwar, the Thar Desert, the lakes of Udaipur and the forests of Ranthambhore. The forts, palaces, sand dunes, camels and the multicolored turbans all add up to make Rajasthan an irresistible travel destination.

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN RAJASTHAN

Udaipur

Often dubbed India’s most romantic city, Udaipur is home to lake palaces, havelis and gardens. Parts of the James Bond movie, Octopussy, was shot at the gorgeous Lake Palace.
Things to see and do : City Palace Complex, boat rides on Lake Pichola, Lake Palace, Jagdish Temple, Bagore ki Haveli, Monsoon Palace and walking aimlessly through the narrow streets of the old town.
When to go : October to February are popular times to visit.
Our 2 cents :

• Udaipur is a shopper’s paradise – Anokhi, Rajasthali, Aashka and Anmol are recommended stores to shop at.
• Spend at least 2 nights in this magical city.

Jaisalmer

Located on an ancient trade route, Jaisalmer is within a few miles of neighboring Pakistan. Inspite of its remote location, Jaisalmer attracts a fair amount of domestic and foreign tourists. This is one of the best places to go off on a multi-day camel safari into the Thar Desert.
Things to see and do : Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon ki Haveli, Nathmal ki Haveli, Camel Safaris, Ludarva, Bada Bagh and catching up with the locals inside the fort.
When to go : October through March.
Our 2 cents :

• Jaisalmer Fort is a live in fort with plenty of stay options. Please be aware that it does take a toll on the preservation of the fort.
• The locals are very friendly. Take time to interact and get a glimpse into their lives.

Bundi

The 14th century Taragarh Fort looks over the magical town of Bundi with its palaces, havelis, temples and bazaars. This oasis has attracted Rudyard Kipling (The Jungle Book), Rabindra Nath Tagore, Virginia Fass, Satyajit Ray and many more.
Things to see and do : Bundi Palace, Chitrahsala, Taragarh Fort, Stepwells, 84-pillared Cenotaphs, Sar Bagh and Shikar Burj.
When to go : October to March is a good time to be there. If you like wet weather, then monsoons (July and August) can be quite charming.
Our 2 cents :

• Bundi is famous for its lassis. Sathi Lassi is a good place to try this drink.
• Monkeys are a menace in the fort and palace area. Take a local along when possible.

Jodhpur

Jodhpur, the blue city of Rajasthan, is dominated by the glorious Mehrangarh Fort built by Rao Jodha. The city has beautiful palaces and is home to the largest residence in the world, Umaid Bhawan.
Things to see and do : Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jaswant Thada and shopping in the by-lanes around the clock tower.
When to go : October through February
Our 2 cents :

• Shop at the Mehrangarh Fort store near the exit. The quality of the merchandise is far superior to anything you will find in the bazaar.
• Visit the fort early in the morning to escape the heat.

Shekhawati

The painted villages of Shekhawati region are spread across the districts of Churu, Jhunjhunu and Sikar in the North Eastern part of Rajasthan. Mandawa is a convenient base to explore this region, often dubbed as Rajasthan’s open air art gallery.
Things to see and do : Mandawa, Bissau, Mahansar, Ramgarh, Fatehpur, Nawalgarh, Parasrampura, Churi Ajithgarh, Mukundgarh,Dundlod, Juhunjhunu, Bagar and Churu.
Our 2 cents :

• Nadine Le Prince Haveli, a fully restored Haveli in Fatehpur is a must-see.
• Not all havelis are open to public, but most locals are happy to let visitors in for a quick look. So don’t hesitate to ask.

PUSHKAR

The mythical town of Pushkar, known for its famous Pushkar fair, is an amazing blend of the sacred lake created by Lord Brahma, the surrounding 52 ghats and the chants by the devout. A parikrama around the lake can be done in half hour.
When to go : October through March. The busiest period is during the Pushkar Fair, which falls around Karthik Purnima (November).
Things to see and do : Pushkar Lake, Brahma’s Temple, Parikrama, and a visit to the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer.
Our 2 cents :

• Evenings are magical at Jaipur Ghat.
• Either stay close to the lake or stay in one of the fancier places just outside the town.

Ranthambore National Park

Once the hunting grounds for the Jaipur royal family and later the British, this 400 sq km forest land was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and a national park in 1980.
When to go : The park is open from October to June. November to February is the best time to visit.
Things to see and do : Tiger Safaris, Ranthambhore Fort, Ganesh Temple, Jogi Mahal and Ranthambhore School of Art.
Our 2 cents :

• Watch the award winning documentary Tiger Queen produced by National Geographic. The film documents the life of Machli, a female tiger and the long reigning queen of the lake in Ranthambhore.
• Go for both morning and evening safaris. Both experiences are unique in their own way.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park

Popularly known as Bhartpur National Park, Keoladeo Ghana is one the smallest national parks in India. It was declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. The best to visit the park is during winter when the park plays host to thousands of migratory birds. About 230 different bird species can be found in Keoladeo Ghana National Park.
Bharatpur is a natural extension to a trip to Agra.
Things to see / do : Birdwatching tours into the park, Bharatpur Fort, and Deeg.
When to go : Although the park is open year round, November through February is a good time to watch the migratory birds.
Our 2 cents :

• Mornings are the best time for birdwatching.
• Don’t forget your binoculars at home.