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Tourist Attraction In Rajasthan
Himanshu Koolwal
Travel Guide
Impregnable forts and palaces, picturesque lakes, shimmering deserts and exotic wild lives, Rajasthan offers you a heady mix. Tourist attractions in Rajasthan lie in its intriguing heritage, colorful villages and vibrant songs and dances.
Visit any city in Rajasthan; it will charm you with its wealth of attractions. Old palaces, which were once resided by the Kings and princes, have now been open to the tourist for accommodation. Simply the taste of royal hospitality would bowl you over.
Amber Fort In Jaipur
Amber is located at a distance of 11 kilometers from Jaipur and was the old fort of the Kachhwaha clan of Amber, which used to be the capital, till it was moved to Jaipur. The construction of the Amber Fort began in the year 1592 and was started by Man Singh I, but it was finished by his descendant Jai Singh I. The exterior of the Fort is not in the least like its interiors. The outside is very imposing and rugged looking whereas the inside is a comforting and warm interior which is influenced by both Hindu and Muslim style of ornamentation. On the walls, are paintings depicting various hunting scenes, and there is also a lot of work on walls, which are covered with intricate carving, mosaic and minute mirror work that make the halls look very majestic and imperial. The fort is built with white marble and red sandstone and look even more attractive because of the Maota Lake in the foreground. The fort in itself is a beautiful sight to behold but as one looks on the fort with its clear reflection on the lake in the front, one cannot help but wonder if it is a dream or a beautiful illusion. The tourists to this fort can either approach the fort by road or take an elephant ride, which though is quite slow yet is a lot of fun.
City Palace In Jaipur
Raja Sawai Jai Singh built the City Palace Complex in the heart of his newly founded capital and it is clearly one of the most imposing and magnificent examples of art and architecture. The succeeding rulers made additions to the building later. Presenting a pleasing a blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture, a part of this palace is still occupied by the royal family. Sawai Madho Singh built Mubarak Mahal or Palace of Reception in the 19th century to welcome his guests, just as the name suggests. It is now occupied by the costume gallery of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum displaying regal costumes such as exquisite and precious Pashmina Shawls, Benarasi silk saris, Sanganeri prints, embroidery and the voluminous clothes worn by the giant Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I (ruled 1750-68).
Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur
Alber Hall Museum also knwon as Central Museum, positioned amidst the gardens of Ram Niwas Bagh in Jaipur. Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob designed it in 1876 to greet King Edward VII as Prince of Wales on his visit to India. It was opened to public ten years later. this museum has an assortment of rare articles on its display including textiles, carpets, paintings, metal and wood crafts, pottery, arms and weapons, flora and fauna of the state, toys, dolls and even an Egyptian mummy that belongs to the Ptolemaic Epoch. It is also known for housing the famous carpet, which portrays the scene of a Persian garden carpet with running water streams that was bought at a dear price from Shah Abbas of Persia, by Mirza Raja Jai Singh I. It also puts on show the miniature paintings of a number of sub-schools of Rajasthan.
Hawa Mahal In Jaipur
Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds was built by the poet King Sawai Pratap Singh. Built in 1799, the chief architect of this exquisite example of architecture was Mr. Lal Chand Usta. The beautiful interplay of red and pink sand stone outlined with white borders and motifs, it naturally attracts the tourists by sheer splendor of its beauty. Though, it is a part of the City Palace, it is situated on the other side of the road. It is the delicate faade that can be seen from outside of this palace, which is the most notable. The five-storeyed building flaunts Rajput architecture and artistry to its best including its 953 pink sandstone windows known as 'jharokhas' that are built in such as manner that it resembles a giant honeycomb. Meant for the ladies of the royal household, the building was built to allow them to watch the colorful bazaars and processions going across the city while maintaining their tradition of being veiled and not to be seen from outside. The fantastic views from the latticed windows are a pleasure to behold. One can also see a small archaeological museum here.
Dargah Sharif, Ajmer
'Dargah Sharif' or 'Holy Dargah' is one of the most sacred Muslim shrines in the country. The final resting place for 'Gharib-Nawaz', Moinuddin Chishti is located in Ajmer. People of all religions visit the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The Khwaja left for heavenly abode in 1256 AD after a six day prayer in seclusion. These six days are celebrated every year as the annual Urs, which is attended by innumerable pilgrims irrespective of their faith. The shrine is considered to be a place of wish fulfillment for those who pray with devout and pure hearts. It is said that Emperor Akbar sought blessings for his son at the Dargah. The entry to the Dargah is through the Dargah Bazar that leads to the inner courtyard. The high gateway has beautifully carved silver doors. In the courtyard are kept two huge cauldrons with capacity of 2240 kg and 4480 kg. On special occasions, 'Kheer' cooked in these cauldrons is distributed among the pilgrims. The grave of the Sufi Saint is surrounded by a silver railing and is partially covered with a marble screen. The daughter of Shah Jahan had built a prayer room in the Dargah for the women devotees. The premises of the Dargah also has the tomb of Bhishti, tomb of Saint's daughter-Bibi Hafiz Jama, tomb of Shah Jahan's daughter Chimni Begum.
Jantar Mantar In Jaipur
The Jantar mantar in Jaipur is the most famous one among the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh and is located close to the gate of the famous City Palace of Jaipur. 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. Each instrument that forms a part of this observatory is assigned and used for a particular function and is known to give an accurate reading. The Dhruva Yantra is used to locate the position of 12 Zodiac signs and also the Pole Star at night. The Samrat Yantra is a large sundial that looks like a triangular structure and is marked with hours and minutes. The various other instruments include Jai Singh's seat (the seat of the Observer), Kranti Yantra used for direct measurement of the longitude and latitude of the extraterrestrial bodies, Raj Yantra or the King of Instruments used only once a year to calculate the Hindu calendar, Unnsyhsmsa yantra used for finding the altitudes of the heavenly bodies, the Chakra yantra that gives the angle of an object from the equator and Disha yantra or the compass that always points to the north. Dakshina yantra used for observing the position and movement of heavenly bodies when passing over the meridian and the Large Samrat Yantra, is ten times larger than the Samrat Yanta and ten times more accurate too. It is accurate down to 2 seconds and is also used to predict the length and heaviness of the monsoon for the local area. The Rashivalayas Yantra has 12 sundials for the signs of the zodiac while Jai Prakash Yantra act as a double check on all the other instruments.
Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh
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). The walls and the atmosphere is still haunted with the gloom of despair, valiant pride of the Rajput queens and ladies and sheer zeal and bravery of their men who refused to cow down before the enemy. The Rajput style of architecture is clearly visible in the fort, which is said to be the Gahlot and Sisodia ruler of Mewar from the 8th to the 16th century. Named after Chittrangad Mauraya, the magnificent fort rises 150 m above the surrounding region and runs to an approximate length of 3 km covering an area of 60 acres and peripheral length of 13 km. The legend says that when the talks of Rani Padmini's beauty reched the years of Sultan Alauddin Khilji, the powerful ruler of Delhi, he requested her husband, Rana Rattan Singh, for a glimpse of the queen. Though, it went against the honor code of Rajputs, yet he was allowed to get a glimpse of the queen through the reflection of the queen in a water tank that overlooked the palace. Alauddin, then, had the audacity to attack Chittor to gain her possession. He won the war but lost Rani Padmini who committed 'jauhar' to save her honor.
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Designed by Henry Vaughan Lanchester, it was completed in 1943. The upheaval in the political systems pushed royalty to take the back seat and the reign came into the hands of Government of India. By 1971, the privileges, titles and privy purses from the former rulers of the states were withdrawn and it became difficult for the princely families to maintain their residential palaces. 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.
Lake Pichola, Udaipur
The boat ride in the pristine blue waters of the Lake Pichola, especially, in the backdrop of setting sun is enough to seduce anybody to come to it. Maharaja Udai Singh certainly did not miscalculate the panoramic beauty of the lake, which is surrounded by beautiful hills, when he chose to expand it. Later two beautiful island palaces in the middle of the lake were added by Maharaja Jagjit Singh, now, known as Jag Niwas (popularly known as the Lake Palace) and Jag Mandir that adds to the gleaming beauty of the lake. One of the most amorous holiday spots of the world, the one-time summer residence of the royalty of Udaipur, Lake Palace is made up of white marble. It has now been converted into a magnificent heritage hotel with beautiful pavilions, planned out gardens and legends that always move hand-in-hand with any Rajasthani marvel.
Sahelion Ki Bari, Udaipur
Maharana Sangram singh builds this in the mid 18th century. The 'garden of the maidens' brings to mind the lifestyle of the ladies of the court. The delightful gardens appear discreet and in impeccable taste. There are four pools with dainty kiosks, and all around are flowerbeds, lawns, pools and fountains protected by a series of walls and shady trees. The foundation of the Sahelion ki bari functions solely by water pressure and no pumps are used.The garden has a lotus pool, a sitting room decorated with paintings and glass mosaics. The whole ambiences is flavored by the nostalgia of those beautiful bells enjoying themselves in a lavish aura.
Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur
This delightful lake, bordered by hills and woodland was constructed by Maharana jai Singh to the north of Lake Pichola. It is an artificial lake dug up in 1678, reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh A canal links the two, via Swaroop Sagar and Rang Sagar Lakes. The beautiful Nehru Island as well as an islet bearing a solar observatory rises from the lake. Lake Fateh Sagar is a medium-sized perennial storage reservoir constructed in the year 1678 A. D. by the rulers of former Mewar State. Although primarily constructed for irrigational purpose, this water body has lately formed a second major source of drinking water for the city of Udaipur.
Havelis of Jaisalmer
The gorgeous mansions of Jaisalmer's wealthy merchants are known as 'havelis'. Their elaborate homes are etched out in sandstone with infinite details and pains, carved and pieced together in different patterns. There is a perfect harmony that characterizes them and they are a treat for the eyes of the beholder.
* Patwon-Ji-Ki-Haveli
* Salem Singh ki Haveli
* Nathmal ki Haveli
Pushkar Rajasthan
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. Pushkar alone has more than 400 temples and is said to be the only place with a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, one of the most important member of the Holy Trinity of Hindus who is known as 'The Creator').
Shrinathji Temple Nathdwara
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. As the legend goes, Goswami Dev fled from Mathura to escape from Aurangzeb and carried this particular idol in a chariot with an intention to take it to Udaipur. However, his chariot got stuck in Sinhad and finally, he took it as a token of the divine will and decided to consecrated it on the spot. This place is now known as Nathdwara. Glimpses of the idol situated in the inner sanctum of the temple are permitted only for short intervals eight times a day in different moods. Besides those intervals, the temple precincts is relatively free from crowds and people who are here to capture the beauty of art and architecture of the place, may move around at their leisure and enjoy the still-preserved royal splendor of the bygone era.
Ranthambore Wildlife Reserve
Ranthambore Wildlife This famous wildlife reserve is situated near the town of Sawai Madhopur, midway between Bharatpur and Kota townships. It is surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and is very near to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert. The entire area has sprawling tracts of desert and semi-desert vegetation. Originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore was declared a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1980, it became a national park and was listed among the reserves protected under Project Tiger (1973). Presently the Kaila Devi Sanctuary, also famous for its tigers, and Mansingh Sanctuary also form part of Ranthambore Reserve. Visitors, who have come to this reserve to see tigers in the wild, include U.S. President Bill Clinton.
http://www.jaipurtourismguide.com/
http://www.rajasthantravelsguide.com/
http://www.rajasthantravelguide.co.in/
http://www.travelpackagerajasthan.com/
http://rajasthantravelguide.wordpress.com/
http://rajasthantravelsguide.blogspot.com/
Article submitted Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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