'Kesariya balam aaoni padharo mhare des...' the heartwarming invitation of a maiden longing to meet her lover, she sings for him these beautiful lines in hopes that one day he will return to her. Anyone who has ever heard this beautiful song must have also experienced a similar longstanding, strong longing to visit the ever-welcoming state of Rajasthan. Full of beautiful palaces, forts, royal heritage as well as a vibrant culture that makes your heart flutter, Rajasthan is the embodiment of heritage and beauty.
The Land Of Kings, as Rajasthan is often called, the beautiful palaces and the intimidating forts prove each word of that phrase to be right.
If you're wondering what you can do in the desert state of India and are not able to decide what to experience while exploring Rajasthan, here are our picks for the top 9 things to do in Rajasthan.
The Land Of Kings welcomes you with the captivating beauty of its royal heritage.Rajasthan has been invaded and ruled many times yet stood up and tall. To this day, this state manages to spellbound us with its immemorial beauty.
One of the most beautiful and richest cities in Rajasthan is Jaipur. Each fort and palace in Jaipur has an intriguing, interesting, and beautiful story to tell. This city is draped in beautiful medieval architecture, unique buildings, havelis, forts, palaces built and ruled by many Jat and Rajput rulers throughout history.
A beautiful structure made of red sandstone and marble, Amer or Amber fort was built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I. The blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture makes for an impressive sight.
Also called The Victory Fort, Jaigarh Fort was built in 1726 by Jai Singh II to protect the Amber Fort which is located near the foot of Cheel Ka Teela and has a clear view of the Amber Fort. It’s the highest fort in Jaipur and also houses the largest cannon in the world.
Anyone who has ever seen an ad for Rajasthan tourism has definitely seen the popular image of the Hawa Mahal. The 953 windows of the Hawa Mahal let the royal ladies observe the day-to-day happenings of life in the city without having to break the purdah system that forbade them from making public appearances without covering their faces.
Curious to learn more about the forts and palaces of Jaipur? Find out more about them here!
If you take time out and organize a separate tour just to explore all the beautiful lakes in Rajasthan, we assure you that it would simply be worth it! The lakes in this state are alone considered to be very mesmerizing tourist attractions. When you pair these lakes up with the beautiful backdrops of greenery and the majestic views of forts and palaces in the background, it becomes even more irresistible to visit!
Located in the heart of Udaipur, famously known as 'The City Of Lakes' is Lake Pichola. Dating back to 1362 CE, this lake is an ancient, immemorial beauty. With the beautiful backdrop of the stunning architectural gems of Udaipur, this lake is practically a painting come to life.
Calmly surrounding the beautiful Jal Mahal with the backdrop of Nahargarh Hills, this lake is the pride of Jaipur. It is named after Raja Man Singh I, who constructed it in the 16th century.
The largest saltwater lake in India. It is well known for being home to many migrating birds, wild animals, and offers picturesque views. Visit this lake when in Rajasthan to enjoy the calmness and peace that surrounds it.
Also Read: Exploring All The Pretty Lakes In Udaipur
Being the 8th state in India with the most number of wildlife sanctuaries, Rajasthan has a beautiful variety of wildlife as well as flora and fauna to offer. Many tourists love to visit Rajasthan just to explore the wildlife and find out more about the forests in the state.
Whenever someone talks about Ranthambore, all one thinks of is the various images of beautiful tigers. Ranthambore is one of the most-visited wildlife reserves in Rajasthan. Established in 1955, and then known as 'Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary' has since then become a part of the Project Tiger. Spanning nearly 392 sq km, this beautiful park was declared as a national park on the 1st of November, 1980.
Home to various animals like chinkara, Indian hare, chausingha, striped hyena, Indian leopard, sambhar deer, and Indian wolves, this wildlife sanctuary was named after the Kumbhalgarh Fort. Kumbhalgarh is specifically known as a great place for birdwatching; being home to various breeds of birds such as the white-striped kingfisher, grey pigeon, golden oriole, parakeet, red spurfowl, and grey junglefowl.
Located near the Sumerpur town of Pali District, Jawai offers a variety of animals and birds including a heavy population of leopards and crocodiles. The hilly terrain and the wide-open grounds make for the perfect spot for leopards to live in.
Have you ever wanted to experience something that seems to be a scene out of a movie, then experiencing and exploring the beautiful desert from a camel's back is something exquisitely special.
There are numerous ways to explore the desert in Rajasthan. Camping is one of the best things to do here. Just think about it, spending a night with your partner inside the romantic tents, lit with lamps as the starlit sky and the moonshine adds even more charm to it! This must feel like a dream come true. This is a heart captivating and mesmerizing experience that you shouldn't miss out on!
Also read: A Night Under The Stars In The Jaisalmer Desert
Camps around Jaisalmer, particularly in the Sam Sand Dunes and the Khuri Sand Dunes, are known to provide tasty, irresistible local Rajasthani food and an unfair amount of 'time well spent'!
Speaking of the Khuri and Sam Sand Dunes, dune bashing is a popular sport in these parts of the Thar Desert. You may have played games or watched videos of riding vehicles through the sands and imagined what it would be like. Not anymore! Visit the Thar Desert and fulfill your wish to drive through a desert and enjoy the adrenaline rush!
Dera Amer Wilderness Camp is known for making your dreams of having an elephant as a pet come true. Think about this, how cool would it be if you could spend a whole day with elephants and spend your time petting them, feeding them, bathing them, taking care of them, and loving them?
You can experience this unique day out at Dera Amer, where you get to be with elephants for a whole day and even paint their trunks using organic colors! Organic because you wouldn't want to hurt your giant sweet friend, right?
Dera Amer is one of the most-visited places in Rajasthan, being a major tourist attraction, this place stands up to its reputation!
Nothing can be more romantic than getting to see this beautiful state through a hot-air balloon! From lush green forests to beautiful white deserts and the beautiful red sandstone and marble architecture! Everything looks so rich and beautiful when seen from above. This might just be the most unique way of exploring Rajasthan, a way of experiencing the beautiful region in one go. So whenever you visit Rajasthan, don't miss out on this special hot-air balloon ride from cities including Jaipur, Udaipur, Pushkar, Neemrana, and Ranthambore.
What can we say? India is a country made of temples, religion, culture, tradition, and art. Wherever you go, each state has its own beautiful collection of temples, dargahs, churches to offer and Rajasthan is no different than the rest of those. With unique architectural designs and history that take you back in time, these temples have stood the test of time and still remained captivating tourist attractions.
Jain temples are known for their unique architecture, majesty, and beautiful marble carvings that make you marvel at them! The Ranakpur Jain Temple, being no exception to the mix, covers an area of 48,000 sq ft. standing on 1,444 carved pillars and 24 pillared halls, on top of which 80 domes are supported by 400 columns. Inside this beautiful structure, under the largest spire of the main complex, sits the beautiful statue of Lord Adinath. Wouldn't you want to visit this beauty?
Beauty flows through the air of Bikaner. There are many beautiful temples in this city but the stunning Mughal architecture and intricate carvings of this temple make it one of the most visited tourist spots in the state. A fun fact about this temple is that rats are considered given the highest respect and even worshipped in this temple which gives it its other name: 'The Rat Temple'.
Just like Lord Shiva is known to test his devotees from time to time, this temple will test you too! Being hard to reach with steep and rough roads, this temple will test your patience! But just as Lord Shiva is known to be kind and loving towards its devotees, this temple will welcome you with a loving smile and open arms once you reach!
You can also call this a village of temples as there are many small temples surrounding the main temple which belongs to Lord Shiva. Exploring this place will be a truly memorable experience on your journey!
Known as one of the most famous haunted sites in India, a visit to this hauntingly beautiful fort will surely be a day to remember.
There are many stories told about this mysterious fort. One of the most famous legends tells the story of how the fort was haunted because a local magician fell in love with Princess Ratnavati of Bhangarh and bewitched her cosmetics to make her fall in love with him. But the princess got suspicious and powered the bewitched cosmetic over a massive stone boulder, which supposedly crushed the 'tantrik' (magician) to death. Before he died, the magician placed a curse upon the entire landscape that no soul would ever be able to live in peace there. This is why Bhangarh Fort is still believed to be haunted.
But the stories don't scare away the curious tourists who still want to visit this fort surrounded by stunningly beautiful lush green hills and experience the mysterious occurrences themselves!
Are ghost towns on your bucket list? Then learn everything you need to know about the town of Kuldhara here!
As always, we have kept the best for the last! Rajasthan is the land of arts. Be it the local music or the various local dance forms, everything is beautiful in Rajasthan. The jewelry, the clothes, the songs, and the lyrics, everything is a beautiful experience on its own.
Kalbelia Tribe is well known among tourists for its unique music and dance form. These beautiful performances will make you feel like a long-lost royalty who has finally returned home.
Every city in Rajasthan has its own beautiful, authentic collection of accessories, jewelry, clothing, and art pieces to offer. So don't miss out on any of those!
Rajasthan is known for the heavy amount of fairs and festivals that take place here. From religious festivals to funfairs, you can always find one or the other happening somewhere nearby. This ongoing celebration of local food, art, and culture is a beautiful thing to experience whenever you visit.
These were our picks for the top 9 things to do in Rajasthan. Hope you enjoyed reading and have fun exploring and enjoy your stay!
How Far Is Rajasthan From Delhi?
The Rajasthan border is about 139 km away from Delhi and would take you over 3 hours to reach there by road. On the other hand, a trip from Delhi to Jaipur is about 270 km long and the trip takes about 5 hours.
When Is Pushkar Mela Held?
Pushkar Mela, the annual cattle fair of the city of Pushkar, is held in the months of October and November.
What is Rajasthan Famous for?
Rajasthan is known for its grand, majestic palaces, forts, beautiful lakes, intricate architecture, local arts, dance forms, music, food, temples, and culture.
How Many Days Are Required To Complete A Rajasthan Tour?
2-3 days to cover a city like Jaipur or Udaipur would be sufficient. But if you’re planning on visiting the major tourist attractions of different cities, try to keep aside at least 7-8 days.
Is Rajasthan Safe For Solo Female Travellers?
Rajasthan is safe for solo female travelers. Make sure you follow normal solo precautions, research your destinations well and choose the more frequented paths while you travel, and avoid traveling alone long distances at nights.
How Many Wildlife Sanctuaries Are There In Rajasthan?
There is a total of 25 wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan; they cover a total area of about 5400 sq km.
Which Part Of India Is Rajasthan Situated?
Rajasthan lies in the northwestern part of India.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Rajasthan?
What makes Rajasthan appealing is that it can be visited at any time. But ideally, visit this majestic state in the winter months i.e between November to February. That's when the heat is not too high, making the climate favorable for sightseeing.
