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Rajasthan
Jaipur
The state capital is known as the "Pink City" because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this city is 260 years old. Be sure to visit
• The City Palace
• The Observatory
• Ram Niwas Gardens
• Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the State, with the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Victory,
glittering with mirrors). Ascend to the fort on elephant back.
• Nargarh (Tiger fort), 15 kms to the north-west of Jaipur, once a royal retreat for
maharanis (queens), provides a breathtaking view of the city.
• Jaigarh (the fort of victory) has the world's largest cannon on wheels. Its impressive
water supply, storage system, and museum are worth seeing.
Don't leave without a visit to the bazaars. Pick up the typical embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, and tie and dye scarves for gifts back home.
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Mount Abu
The exquisitely sculptured ancient Dilwara Temples have intricate ornamental carvings. The five Jain temples were built starting at the beginning of the 11th century.
Also visit the Achalgarh Fort, famous for its Shiva Temple.
Enjoy a boat-ride on the placid water of Nakki Lake studded with little islets.
Jaisalmer
Right in the heart of the Thar desert, is an intricately molded city made of burnished sandstone. In ancient times, the surrounding sand-dunes rendered the sand-coloured fort impregnable. Today, Jaisalmer is an inhabited city whose chief attractions are the exquisite carvings and filigreed work on the facades of havelis (private homes) dating from the 12th to 15th century, and a series of ornately carved Jain temples. Close by is The Desert National Park - a vast stretch of protected Bio-sphere Reserve covering an area of over 3000 square kms. This is the Great Indian Bustard's breeding site. Inside the park are the awe inspiring Sam Sand Dunes.
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Jodhpur
Jodhpur's exquisite Meharangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill, is now a museum. Visit
• The Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal
• Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble memorium built in 1899
• The museum located in the Umaid Public Gardens
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Udaipur
Visit the city palace, Jagdish Temple, Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki bari (Queen's Resort for Her Friends) and Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk Art Museum). Cruise on the Pichola Lake and drop in at the island palace, Jag Niwas.
Ajmer
Approachable by road from Jaipur, is Ajmer, with the Tomb of the Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, the Dargah Sharif. The city, which was founded by the Chauhan ruler, Aiaipal, during the 11th century, is dominated by the Taragarh Fort built by Prithiviraj Chauhan. Some 800 years ago, a splendid embankment was built by the lovely lake, Ana Sagar. Shahjahan, the Mughal emperor, has erected 5 beautiful marble pavilions here.
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Bikaner
The city, founded by Raja Rai Singh, is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. The fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. An enormous arched doorway leads to the Joramal Temple. The royal chapel, Har Mandir, is where royal weddings and births were once celebrated.
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Sanganer
Sanganer is best known for its Jain temples and carvings, as well as its hand made paper and block-printed fabrics.
Bundi
Seldom visited Bundi is remarkable for its palace fort and gallery of fine frescoes, executed in the style for which the state is famous.
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