Home to the Oldest Mountain Range Aravalli in India, Rajasthan is an integral part of the Golden Triangle Tour in India. Rajasthan’s historical forts, palaces, art & culture, attract almost every 3rd foreign tourist visiting India. With over 45 forts, Rajasthan stands 2nd in the list after Maharashtra when it comes to an Indian state with the highest number of forts. It also houses the largest Indian desert, the Great Indian Desert or the Thar Desert. One of the most colour-coordinated states, every city in Rajasthan is devoted to a distinct colour. Its capital city Jaipur is known as the Pink City. Its second largest city, Jodhpur, is called the Blue City. The most visited tourist destination Udaipur is also known as the White City.
So now that you know a Lil bit about our Regal Rajasthan, let us help you understand the reason behind its huge popularity as a Tourist Destination.
Its Gigantic Forts, Palaces & Havelis
No wonder the Architectural Splendour of Rajasthan is the topmost reason behind making it a famous destination among both national & international tourists. Rajasthan is known for its princely status, and almost everyone is amused by its fantastic variety of attractions that boasts the royalty of Rajasthan. Its majestic forts, palaces, and several other historic buildings add to the ancient appeal of this tourist destination, making it one of the best places to explore the history of the Mughals and Rajputs. It lets people observe how this place has witnessed the reign of several kingdoms in the past, fostering a deep impact on Rajasthan’s architectural landscape.
Due to their unique architectural and historical significance, many of these sites have been awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some of these feature the world-famous forts & palaces of Rajasthan, namely Mehrangarh, Kumbhalgarh, Chittorgarh, and Jaisalmer fort, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Patwon ki haveli and City Palace, which is still the residence of royal families. However, few of these, like Rambagh, Ummaid Bhawan, and City Palace, can be booked as stays after getting converted into heritage hotels.
A Rich Melange of Art & Culture
The state’s rich cultural heritage is characterized by each community’s distinctive dancing styles, music, and art forms. All of these exhibit the vibrant culture of Rajasthan, even if they may seem a bit out of the ordinary. Bhavai dances, for example, feature women wearing eight to ten pitchers on their heads while dancing and gyrating. The Kalbelia dance is also a popular folk genre in Rajasthan, where women dance and men play classical instruments. In addition, audiences love the Kathputli dance, inspired by folk tales. Other prominent dance genres include Kacchi Ghodi, Ghoomar dance of Udaipur, Terah Taali, and Khayal dance. Finally, by admiring Rajasthan’s classic artwork, like the tie-dye textile paintings and its blue ceramics, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time, even if you’ve never been to the state before.
The culture lovers must witness the fairs & festivals of Rajasthan. From the flamboyant style cattle fairs in Pushkar and Nagaur to Mount Abu Winter Festival, Elephant Festival, Desert Festival, Bikaner Camel Festival, Mewar Festival, Gangaur and Teej Festival are truly something to behold from the state. Every year, these tourism festivals attract a large number of tourists from all over the world to witness the rich Rajasthani culture, traditions, music and folk dance.
The Shahi Bhoj – To Savour the Rich Cuisine of Rajasthan!
Rajasthan’s cuisine lives up to its name. It is famous for the fiery flavours that entice everyone to try it. It offers a wide variety of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Some of the classic dishes, such as dal bati churma and gatte ki sabzi, are some of the most popular choices for vegetarians. Meanwhile, there are plenty of options for the non-vegetarians as well—like laal maas (meat curry), safed maas (meat dish) and bhuna kukda (chicken dish). Each and every dish in Rajasthan is bound to leave you craving for more.
The exquisiteness of Rajasthani cuisine is a tribute to the royal kingdoms that flourished in this state and influenced the local cuisine. The variety of dishes you get here cannot be found in any other region in India. The unique climatic conditions prevailing in Rajasthan give rise to a distinct variety of vegetables, spices and cereals specifically found in Rajasthan. Some popular Indian dishes worth trying when you are in Rajasthan involve laal maans, safed maans, gatte ki curry, daal bati churma (a spicy lentil dish), kadhi (a yoghurt-based soup), kachoris (fried balls stuffed with potatoes or lentils), and sweet dishes like ghewar & malpuas.
Boasting a Rich Wildlife
Despite being a hot and arid state, Rajasthan is rich in wildlife tourism. There are several opportunities for tiger sighting and birdwatching that this state offers. Ranthambore, Sariska, Keoladeo and Mukundra Hills National Park are some of the world-famous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Ranthambore National Park and Sariska National Park are two of the most popular wildlife destinations to spot the Royal Bengal Tigers in Rajasthan. And if you are someone who loves birdwatching, then you must visit the Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to at least 230 distinct bird species, including indigenous and migratory water birds, specifically the Siberian Crane. The park also boasts many mammals like Sambar, Chital and Nilgai. During the hibernal season, it is the major tourist spot for most ornithologists today. Besides these animals, Rajasthan is home to many leopards and blackbucks.
Experience the Royalty at Rajasthan – A Luxury Staycation
The palaces of Rajasthan are famous for their beauty and grandeur. Some of these palaces have been converted into heritage hotels, which provide tourists with a wonderful experience. These heritage hotels offer guests the comfort of the royal era while remaining true to the original architecture. Some of the most popular heritage hotels are Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, and Rambagh Palace in Jaipur.
Street shopping at its best
Rajasthan’s bustling ethnic street market is another reason that makes it popular among tourists. These shops beautifully exhibit the rich art and craft belonging to different parts of Rajasthan. You can spend your whole day in these bazaars scanning through each and every object that catches your attention. These markets have an amazing range of handmade items like tie and die dupattas, lac bangles, metal jewellery, leather footwear, gemstones and carpets rugs. Hathi Pol Bazaar in Udaipur, Johari Bazaar & Tripolia Bazaar in Jaipur and Sadar Bazaar in Jaisalmer are famous for their traditional crafts & souvenirs and always catch the attention of tourists.
Aren’t you planning to experience the real charm of our Regal Rajasthan?
Stay tuned to our next blog to learn the best time to visit Rajasthan.
