Rajasthan is rich in architecture
and is a delight for all kinds of tourists with its sandy dunes, mighty
forts, lush blossoming gardens, shimmering lakes and outstanding
monuments. The medieval zeal of honor among the Rajputs rings true in
Chittorgarh Fort, men and women alike, while the romantic reverie hovers
over the island palaces of Lake Pichola. One can almost see the shy
royal ladies chuckling to see the royal procession on the roads of
Jaipur, unseen and safe behind the screens of Hawa Mahal. The religious
fervor of the staunch devotees at Dargah Sharief at Ajmer and Shrinath
ji at Nathdwara is no less than the grandeur of City Palace of Jaipur
and astronomical wonders of Jantar Mantar. We present here a list of the
top favorite tourists' places that are not worth a miss in this land of
wonders:
Positioned amidst the
gardens of Ram Niwas Bagh in Jaipur, this museum has an assortment
of rare articles on its display including textiles, carpets,
paintings, metal and wood crafts, pottery, arms and weapons, more
»
Raja Man Singh built Amer
Palace in 16th century. It is a mesmerizing blend of Hindu and
Mughal architecture. Rajputs made use of the Amber Fort from the
16th century up to the foundation of Jaipur in 1727 both for defense
purpose as well as the residential purposes. more
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Situated in the capital of
Rajasthan, the City Palace of Jaipur or the chief palace is a
titillating fusion of conventional Rajasthan and Mughal
architecture. The gigantic palace complex engages one seventh of the
walled city of Jaipur. more »
The Chittorgarh Fort has
witnessed three bloody sieges and 'jauhars' (a Rajput tradition in
which royal maidens and ladies immolate themselves in the fire to
save their honor from the cruel hands of the enemy, when there is no
chance of defeating the enemy). more
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'Dargah Sharif' or 'Holy
Dargah' is one of the most sacred Muslim shrines in the country.
Venerated by both Hindus and Muslims, it is the tomb of Khwaja
Moin-ud-din Chisti, a Sufi saint who came from Persia and devoted
his life to the service and upliftment of the poor and downtrodden.
more »
The pretty Fateh Sagar Lake
of Udaipur is located to the north of Lake Pichola was originally
built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh as a medium-sized perennial
storage reservoir. Surrounded by holls on three sides and Pratap
Memorial on the fourth, it presents captivating scenery. more
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The beautiful sandstone
mansions of Jaisalmer's wealthy merchants are known as 'havelis'.
Their elaborate homes are a poem etched out in sandstone with
infinite details and pains, carved and pieced together in different
patterns, and though they are lavish and loud in nature, more
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Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh
erected Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Wind in 1799, which
eventually became one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. An integral
part of the City Palace, it is actually an extension of its women's
chambers, and is secluded from the main complex. more
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In Sanskrit, 'Jantar Mantar'
is used for 'Magical Devices' and it is undoubtedly so with the huge
masonry instruments, which were placed here to measure 'the harmony
of the heavens'. Conceived by Sawai Raja Jai Singh II, it was
completed in seven years from 1728 to 1734. more
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Maharaja Udai Singh did not
underestimate the panoramic beauty of Lake Pichola surrounded by
beautiful hills when he chose to widen it. Later Maharaja Jagjit
Singh conceptualized the two beautiful island palaces in the middle
of the lake, now, known as Jag Niwas (the much-renowned Lake Palace)
and Jag Mandir that adds to the shimmering beauty of the lake.
more »
Pushkar is one of the most
famous Hindu pilgrimage sites and it is said that a dip in the
sacred lake of Pushkar is akin to the visits to the four main Hindu
shrines known as 'Chaar Dhaam'. The charming lake of Pushkar is
surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the fourth and
presents an ideal site for the religious and cattle fair, which is
held every year in the month of October or November. more
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Saheliyon-ki-Bari or the
'Garden of the Maids of Honor' of Udaipur was once reserved for the
royal ladies who came here for a stroll. A well planned garden, with
extensive lawns and shady walks situated on the banks of the dainty
Fateh Sagar Lake was constructed in 18th century by Maharana Sangram
Singh for forty-eight young ladies-in-waiting sent to the royal
house, as part of the dowry as a cool summer retreat for them.
more »
48 km from Udaipur,
Shrinathji of Nathdwara is actually a temple of Lord Krishna with
his image carved out of a single block of black marble. Set amidst
idyllic hills, it is said to be the second richest temple in the
world. The royalty of Udaipur pray at the temple and as the head of
his clan, the Maharana is also called as Shriji among his people.
more »
The famine had struck the
arid and barren land of Jodhpur and farmers were dying of hunger as
their lands yielded nothing and they had no money to buy food. It
was then, when like a judicious king, Maharaja Umaid Singh of
Jodhpur undertook the construction of this magnificent building as a
famine relief project to provide employment and a regular source of
income to his subjects. more
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