A Guide to Rajasthan: A Journey to The Land of Legends

Rajasthan is one of India’s largest states by area, on the western side of the country. Rajasthan is all about shiny palaces, peaceful temples, museum-art galleries, massive forts and monuments, and lively Bazaars. The state is divided into the hilly southeastern region- Aravali mountain ranges and the barren northwestern desert- Thar Desert.

Rajasthan is home to two tiger reserves- Ranthambore National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site) in Sawai Madhopur and Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar. In addition, Keoladeo National Park is a World Heritage site in eastern Rajasthan.

Forts and Palaces in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Chittorgarh are cities that spotlight forts and palaces in Rajasthan. The forts and palaces represent the famed architectural Heritage of the state. Moreover, Rajasthan is renowned for its historical and royal past, which captivates a huge tourist population worldwide.

Almost all cities of Rajasthan are lined up with forts and palaces built by prehistoric rulers and architects. Six forts are declared as World Heritage sites, namely Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer, Ranthambore (Sawai Madhopur), Gagaron (Jhalawar), and Amber Fort in Jaipur.

The forts are protected by locals and nature itself, the landscapes, hills, deserts, rivers, and dense forests also feature a water harvesting system still in use. The thick walls optimize various hill terrains, specifically the river Gagron, the dense forest at Ranthambore, and the desert at Jaisalmer.

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Monuments and Havelis of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is famous for its royal historical past and grand Havelis. Decorated by intricate wall paintings, these Havelis and Monuments are a storehouse of historical objects and memories of Rajput and European architecture.

Cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Chittorgarh are the main focus for these monuments and Havelis in Rajasthan, which draw a considerable tourist population from all over the world. The complex designs made on tough ground symbolize the roughness and compassion of Rajput kings.

Some of the famous monuments and Havelis in the state are – Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, and Jal Mahal in Jaipur; Kumbalgarh Fort, Lake Palace, and Chittorgarh Fort in Udaipur; Mandawa Havelis in Shekhawati; Salim Singh ki Haveli and Patwon ki Haveli in Jaisalmer and City palace in Alwar.

Museums, Lakes, and Gardens in Rajasthan

There are a lot of museums and art galleries in Rajasthan which exhibit the royal lifestyle of past rulers and the historical objects of the state. Rajasthan’s most renowned museums are Bhartiya Lok Kala Mahal, Archaeological Museum Chittorgarh, Albert Hall, City Palace Jaipur, Folklore Museum, Raja Madho Singh Museum, and Mehrangarh Fort Museum.

These museums and art galleries are well-maintained and taken care of as they narrate the stories of bravery and loyalty of kings and queens.


The mesmerizing beauty of lakes and gardens in Rajasthan attracts tourists from all over the world. In addition, visitors can indulge in outdoor activities like boating, swimming, and water rafting in the Chambal River in the Kota region.

Some of the well-known lakes and gardens of Rajasthan are Bada Bagh, Saheliyon ki Bari, Vidyadhar Garden, Gardens of Bhangarh, Chittorgarh Fort Gardens, Gad Sagar Lake, Nakki Lake, and Bathing Ghats in Pushkar, Pushkar Lake, and Pichola Lake.

[ Read more about Lakes in Rajasthan. ]

Fairs and Festivals in Rajasthan

The fairs and festivals of Rajasthan symbolize the tradition and culture of the state. The dance, music, puppetry, and locals dressed in traditional clothes make the festivals livelier.


Some of the famous fairs and festivals of the state are the camel festival – a large number of camels participate in the festival and are decorated before declaring the best one; Pushkar festival- the festival is famous for its Rajasthani handicraft and a number of artists perform on Rajasthani Folk songs and International Kite festival- on this auspicious day one can watch the kite-play in the sky.

[ Check-out the list of Fairs & Festivals of Rajasthan. ]

Best time to Visit Rajasthan

Tourists can plan their trip to Rajasthan between November and February when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold, and the temperature varies from 10 degrees Celsius to 27 degrees Celsius. City of Lakes – Udaipur appears as the paradise in Monsoons.

Therefore, one can plan a trip to Rajasthan in Monsoons too. However, as Rajasthan is not one of the Summer Holiday destinations in India, one should avoid a summer trip.

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How to Reach Rajasthan

Reach By Flight: Rajasthan is well-connected to all major parts of the world. One can easily get Domestic/International flights from Jaipur city which is 260 km away from Delhi. Also, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer have domestic connectivity to all major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.

Reach By Train: Rajasthan has a wide Railway network that is well-linked to all major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. There is also the availability of luxurious trains namely; Palace on Wheels, and Maharajas Express.

Reach By Bus: Frequent bus services are available from all major cities of India.  Also, Rajasthan itself owns bus services with the name of Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) which are available from all important cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.

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Places Where to Stay in Rajasthan

Experience the royal housing spaces in Rajasthan. Well known for its glorious history of grand havelis and monuments, Rajasthan offers its visitors the feel of a king and queen’s life. The tour to Rajasthan will be incomplete if you don’t book a stay at any heritage hotel.

Heritage hotels like the Udai Vilas, Palace, Laxmi Niwas Palace, and Lake Palace in past times were owned by some rich merchants, kings, and ministers.

Some other accommodation options include apartments and guest houses and B&B, which are- Oro Residency Stay, the Saneer, Umaid Mahal, Vinayak guest house, Tara Niwas, Haveli Heritage Inn, and Juna Mahal.

If you are willing to truly experience the land of legends or the heritage & culture of Rajasthan, Browse through Rajasthan tour packages.

Related Posts:

Revel in the Culture and Cuisines of Rajasthan
Things to Do in Rajasthan to get the Glimpses of Royal Rajasthan
What to See in Rajasthan Apart from Forts & Palaces
Major Festivals in Rajasthan – Cultural Extravaganza
Why Plan a Rajasthan Tour in January?
How to Plan Luxury Holidays in Rajasthan
Most Famous Historical Forts in Rajasthan
Top Places to Visit in Rajasthan
Top 5 Destinations in Rajasthan- For a Sneak Peek into Royal India
Top 10 Heritage Hotels in Rajasthan to Experience Royalty

Indian Holiday

Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd. (IHPL) is a 2 time National Tourism Award winning destination management company based in Delhi. This travel blog is an initiative to inform the visitors about all aspects of India that include her history, heritage, culture and tourist attractions and destinations.

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  • Prachi

    Rajasthan is my favourite destination. I liked all the cities and I fell in love with Udaipur when I visited to attend a wedding.