Travel to Rajasthan

Rajasthan evokes a magical charm through its shimmering sand-dunes, rich heritage, vibrant culture, amazing flora and fauna as well as remarkable desert safaris. The folklore of romance and heroism of this royal state is well evident from its monuments, forts and other heritage properties. An incredible travel destination for even the most discerning tourists, the state takes you to the royal bygone era through its forts and palaces. Whether you want to go for a tiger trail or feast your eyes on the mesmerizing sand-dunes, Rajasthan has something for all. Know more about state in Rajasthan Travel Guide.

Best Time to Visit Rajasthan: October to March

How to Reach Rajasthan
By Air:The state has airports based in Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaipur. The Jaisalmer airport operated for six months, i.e. from 1st of October to 31st of March. Both government airlines and private airlines operate on a routine basis to/from Rajasthan airports and are connected to the major cities of India including Mumbai and New Delhi making the travel to Rajasthan much easier.

By rail:Rajasthan is well-connected by rail to the other cities of India. The major rail cities of Rajasthan are connected by routine rail services from Mumbai, Delhi, New Delhi and Kolkata.

By Bus:Rajasthan has a wide connecting bus services network run by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation. The state owned buses run all through the principal towns. It has frequent and well-connected bus services from Bikaner house and Delhi. Additionally, you can also board buses from Dhaula Kuan to reach Jaipur.

Rajasthan Tourist Attractions: Places to Go
One of the favored destinations of India, Rajasthan is noted for its unique princely charm. The royal charm, timeless palaces and monuments, colorful fairs and festivals as well as adventurous wildlife tours add to the appeal of Rajasthan and boost Rajasthan tourism. Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur and some of the must see places in Rajasthan.

Heritage Buildings in Rajasthan
Jantar Mantar: Built by Sawai Raja Jai Singh II, Jantar Mantar took as long as 7 years to get completed. Located opposite of the City Palace, this heritage property is a well-known stone observatory consisting of 14 architectural astronomical instruments. It got the status of a national monument in the year 1948 and is listed in the UNESCO world heritage site as well.

Dargah Sharif: This holy dargah is a popular Muslim shrine of India. Visited both by domestic and international tourists, you will find the tomb of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti ( a Persian sufi saint) here.

Chittorgarh Fort: Spread across 700 acres, the Chittorgarh palace lies at a distance of 175 kilometers from the east of Udaipur. The fort was constructed in honor of Chitrangad Maurya Bappa Rawal of the Sisodia dynasty and houses various towers, temples and royal palaces.

Museums in Rajasthan
Albert Hall Museum: Located in the midst of Ram Niwas Bagh of Jaipur, the Albert hall museum showcases various artifacts including paintings, carpets, textiles, arms and weapons, pottery, wood crafts and metal.

Wildlife and Bird Sanctuaries in Rajasthan
Ranthambhor National Park: Formerly a game conserve, the Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve is located on the junction of the Vindhayas and Aravalli ranges and is only 14 kilometers away from Sawai Madhopur. The sanctuary is sprawled over an undulating and varying landscape with a 10th century fort set as the backdrop. The vast forest is also studded with lakes like Raj Bagh, Malik Talab and Padam Talab. Besides the tiger, the national park is also noted for its various bird and animal species including owlets, leopard, hyena, caracal, deer, wild boar, marsh crocodiles, jackal and hyena.

Sariska Tiger Reserve: Located at a distance of 107 kilometers from Jaipur and 200 kilometers from Delhi, this tiger reserve is spread across 800 square kilometers and got the status of a sanctuary in 1955. It was declared a national park in 1979. Located in the Alwar district, you will also find remains of various temples and pavilions within the reserve.

Darrah Sanctuary: Formerly referred as Maharaja of Kota's hunting reserve, this sanctuary is located on the southeastern region of Kota and is about 50 kilometers from the main city. The sanctuary is home to various wildlife including leopard, chinkara, sloth bear and wolf. Fair and Festivals in Rajasthan

Baneshwar fair: The Baneshwar fair was formerly observed as a merge of two fairs, the first which was arranged in honor of Lord Shiva and the second, which was held after Jankunwari constructed a Vishnu temple here. This tribal fair is generally celebrated by Bhils. Additionally, you will also find people from Banswara, Udaipur and Dungarpur districts pouring in.

Camel Festival: Every year, the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture of Bikaner organize the camel festival. The festival starts from the Junagarh Fort with a procession of best breed camels proceeding and participating in acrobatics, camel dance and tug-of-war contest. Both tourists and locals participate in this festival. In evening, the well-known Rajasthani artistes as well as local folk performers add to the thrill of the event. The Elephant Festival: This event is organized every year in Jaipur wherein you will find rows of elephants proceeding towards the audience and Holi. Beginning from Chaugan Stadium, here you will find the elephants putting up different programs for the entertainment of the audience.

Pushkar Fair: One of the biggest cattle fair in India, thousands of people from the rural area visit Pushkar for livestock trading, religious festival, pilgrimage and horse dealing. The traders, devotees, folk dancers, acrobats, musicians and saints add to the appeal of this fair. You can also purchase decorative items for women, camel and cattle at the Fair. Horse races and camel judging competitions form an integral part of the Pushkar Fair.

History of Rajasthan
The history of Rajasthan dates back to as early as 1000 BC. The state has also been witness to Paleolithic settlements and Aryan settlements. You will also find references of the sacred Pushkar city in Ramayana and Mahabharata. Also referred as the "Land of Royals", the state was ruled by the Guptas, Kushanas, Magadha, and Mauryas. Besides, the Jats, Rajputs, Ahirs, Bhils, Gujars, Nath, and Meenas also contribute to the development as well as the formation of the royal state.