CITY GUIDE Just over 130 kms south-west of Jaipur is Ajmer, a burgeoning town on the shore of the Ana Sagar, flanked by barren hills. Historically, Ajmer had considerable strategic importance and was sacked by Mohammed of Ghori on one of his periodic forays from Afghanistan. Later it became a favourite residence of the mighty …
CITY GUIDE This city lies on the northern point of the triangle of desert cities. Bikaner is another royal walled city dating back to 1486 AD. It was, however, a major trade centre as it stood on the ancient caravan route which linked central Asia and North India with the Gujarat seaports. While other cities …
CITY GUIDE About 150 miles southwest of Jaipur, the great fort of Chittaurgarh stands atop a 500-foot high hill rising sharply from the surrounding plain. Today largely a deserted ruin, this fort perhaps more than any other symbolizes the honour and valor of the people of Rajasthan. Attacked repeatedly by invaders, three times it suffered …
Nothing else in India is remotely similar to Jaisalmer. Its desert fort, which resembles a gigantic sandcastle, is straight out of ‘The Thousand and One Nights’. There are many havelis which can be found elsewhere in Rajasthan, but nowhere are they quite as exquisite as in Jaisalmer. Even the humblest shops and houses display something …
Jodhpur is at the edge of the Thar desert and is the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. The city is dominated by a massive fort, topping a sheer rocky ridge right in the middle of the town. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rajput clan known as the …
Today, Kota serves as an army headquarters. It is also Rajasthan’s industrial centre (mainly chemicals), powered by the hydroelectric plants on the Chambal river – the only permanent river in the state – and the nearby nuclear plant. Kota is strung out along the east bank of the Chambal river. The train station is well …
Ranthambhor National Park is situated in south-west Rajasthan, where the Vindhayas and the Aravalli Hills meet, the Ranthambhor National Park is bound by the rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the north. Characterised by rocky plains, flat hill tops, gentle slopes and precipitous cliffs, covered by dry deciduous forest. Ranthambhor is virtually an …
There are many reasons for visiting Rajasthan. One of them is Shekhawati. Nowhere else in the world is there such a profusion of wall paintings, so intricate and finely executed, in hundreds of havelis, temples, cenotaphs, well and forts, as in this region. Shekhawati is today known as the open air art gallery of Rajasthan. …
CITY GUIDE Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the ‘Pink City’ because of the pink sandstone used in the buildings of the old walled city. Jaipur owes its name and foundation to the great warrior-astronomer Maharaja Jaisingh II. The Hawa Mahal or palace of the winds is the city’s central landmark. …
One of the most romantic cities in all of Rajasthan, Udaipur is better known as the city of lakes. The marble palaces, the beautiful gardens and the placid blue lakes enhance the beauty of this city. It was founded in 1568 by Maharana Udai Singh II. The Lake Palace is certainly the best late example …
