R A J A S T H A NRajasthan is the Indian state which borders Pakistan on the western
side of the country. The name means "Land of the Kings" and the Rajputs
who lived here for over a thousand years are known for their code of chivalry
and honour. They were never a threat to the Mughal rulers of northern India,
and perhaps that is why so many of their buildings and monuments still
stand today.
ABU (MOUNT ABU)Visit to Dilwara Temples consisting of five Jain Temples built by beginning of the 11th century onwards with intricate ornamental carvings represent the climax in the art of decoration in stone. Visit also the Achalgarh Fort famous for its Shiva Temple. Before returning to your hotel,enjoy a boat-ride on the placid water of Nakki Lake studded with little islets.
AJMERVisit the Tomb of the Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, the Dargah Sharif. The city was founded by the Chauhan ruler, Aiaipal, during the 11th century and is dominated by the Taragarh Fort built by Prithiviraj Chauhan. Some 800 years ago, a splendid embarkment was built by Anjali by the lovely lake, Ana Sagar and some 500 years later Shah jehan erected 5 beautiful marble pavilions.
BHARATPURKeoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur -one of the most spectacular water birds sanctuary features nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and water side birds. It is inhabited by sambar, chital, nilgai and boar. From October to December the indigenous water birds nest in the acacia trees, sarus cranes nest around the lake. From December on, the migratory geese, duck and cranes are the main feature of the sanctuary.
BIKANERThe city is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh, 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 is Har Mandir where royal weddings and births were once celebrated.
Gajner Lake is surrounded by Palaces. Drive through the famous Gajner Wild Life Game Sanctuary where you can see & photograph Black Bucks, Chinkaras, Wild Boars, Blue Bulls and other animals in large herds. It is a unique place for watching and photographing the famous Siberian Imperial Sand Grouse in the mornings, in the winter months, when they come to the lake for drinking water.
This city rises from a narrow gorge in rows of terraced gardens and
arched Rajput houses like a two dimensional miniature painting imposed
on the landscape. Visit the palace with its intricate spy- holes, secret
trap doors and under ground passages. Also see the spectacularly ingenious
water supply system.
113 kms. from Udaipur, the Fort of Chittor was originally built by
mighty Bhim, one of the Pandava heroes of Mahabharata. Also visit the Vijay
Stambh with nine storeys and 37 mts high built by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate
his victory over the muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440. Kirti
Stambh, the Tower of fame 22 meters high is covered with figures from Jain
Pantheon.
32 kms from Bharatpur, Deeg is an 18th century stronghold, whose
massive fortifications are surrounded by luxuriant gardens, woods and pools.
It is renowned for its palaces surrounded by gardens, tanks and fountains
of artificially coloured water. See the richly carved columns, cornices
and eaves of the palaces. Gopal Bhavan, contains a marble swing which was
carried from Oudh to Deeg by a jat warrior.
The capital of Rajasthan was given a colour coat of pink a century
ago in honour of a visiting Prince and ever since, it has retained this
colour. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this city
is 260 years old. Visit Maharaja's City Palace, the Observatory & Ram
Niwas Gardens. Drive past & through the pink rose residential &
business areas.
Amber Fort was the ancient capital of the State. Visit the Sheesh
Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors. Ascend the Fort on
Elephant back.
The Nahargarh or Tiger fort 15 kms to the north-west of the city
provides a breathtaking view of the city. It used to be the royal retreat
for maharanis & was also a treasury. Jaigarh - the fort of victory
has the world's largest cannon on wheels. Its impressive water supply &
storage system as well as the museum are worth seeing.
Sanganer is known for its Jain Temples and carvings, besides being
famous for its hand made paper and block-printed fabrics.
Throbbing in the heart of the Thar, in burnished sandstone, is an
intricately molded wonderland - a city of gilded magic. As the sun sets,
the sky goes up in flames and night descends softly, creating a new monument
every evening. People still live in these ancient buildings dating from
12th to 15th century. Every house has exquisite carvings and filigreed
work. Visit the different Havelis.
The Desert National Park is a vast stretch of protected Bio-sphere
Reserve with an area of over 3000 square kms. See the awe inspiring Sam
Sand Dunes, within the park. There is also the Great Indian Bustard's breeding
site and exotic wildlife, where you can see the Indian Gazel, Chinkara,
Eagles and many such birds and animals.
Visit Sam Sand Dunes near Jaisalmer in jeeps. On the way, visit the
ruins of some villages. Take a camel ride in the desert.
Mandore, the ancient capital of Marwar (8 kms from Jodhpur) was abandoned
for strategic reasons. At the foot of the hills amidst gardens, commemorative
cenotaphs line the silent city. A shrine reputedly of 300 million Gods,
contains the life size statues of local deities and heroes.
This former temple city has 8th century Surya or Sun temple with
carved pillars which support a conical roof. The temple also has an image
of Durga. The 12th century Sachiya Mata temple has a large assembly hall
with an elaborately carved ceiling & exquisitely sculptured figures
of several Gods. The Mahavir Jain temple stands on a wide terrace with
a three-tiered roof and a `torana' gateway.
Mandawa Town was founded in 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and is still
the home of his descendants. Mandawa houses a collection of armories, costumes
of ancestors, canons from 1820, ancient coins, numismatic, collection and
many other interesting items preserved in a museum. Mandawa castle, one
of the finest castles of Rajasthan is now a beautiful hotel. Mandawa has
beautiful frescoes, havelis & mansions.
32 kms is north-east of Jaipur is a favorite spot of the locals when
the huge artificial lake is filled in the rainy season. The ruins of the
old fort and the temple of Jambwa Mata bear testimony to the first settlement
of Kachhawahas before they moved to Amer.
98 kms from Udaipur, the Jain Temples built in the 15th century are
situated in the lovely valley of the Aravali. Its surrounding is quiet
and picturesque. Ranakpur has grand structures and beautiful sculpture.
There are 1444 pillars in the temple and none of them are similar. The
magic of light and shade is really awe inspiring. Surya Temple and other
Jain Temples are side attractions.
This is Rajasthan's first Project Tiger reserve & named after
a 1000 year old fort which stands in the park.It has an congenial habitat
for the stately sambar, the largest of all Asiatic deer. Tigers, cital,
wild boar and other animals are also found here. Woodland, ground and water-birds
abound the park including the uncommon red jungle fowl & varieties
of eagles. Water tank harbours marsh crocodile and python.
Drive in a jeep through the country-side visiting various villages
including Bishnoi Dhanis & watching local craftsmen.
40 Kms north-west of Jaipur, now converted to a hotel, the old Palace
of Samode surrounded by hills present a fairy tale picture. It has a most
exotic hall embellished with paintings and mirror work.
The second tiger reserve of Rajasthan with 27,300 hectares holds
dry deciduous forest. Its dense forests makes its terrain an ideal one
for the tiger, leopard, porcupine, chowsingha, rhesus and langur.
Visit the city palace, Jagdish Temple, drive around Fatehsagar Lake,
Sahelion ki bari ( Queen's resort for her friends ) and Bhartiya Lok Kala
Mandir ( Folk art museum ).
UDAIPUR
- BOAT RIDE ON LAKE PICHOLA
Boat cruise on Pichola Lake 4 km long and 3 km broad, surrounded by splendid hills, palaces, temples,bathing ghats and embankments. Also visit the island palace Jag Niwas in the lake.
Visit the famous temple of Eklingji built of sand stone and marble
during 734 A.D. Its complex of 108 temples are enclosed by high wall. Later
visit the Ranakpur temple of the Jains, built in the 15th century in the
lovely valley of the Aravalis. It has grand structure and beautiful sculpture.
The 1444 pillars in the temple are different from each other. The magic
of light and shade is awe-inspiring.
Visit the celebrated temple of Eklingji which was built for the tutelary
deity of the Maharanas of Mewar, of sand stone and marble in 734 A.D. Its
108 temples are enclosed by high walls and has a pyramidical roof composed
of hundreds of knobs. Later, visit Nagda, one of the ancient palaces of
Mewar dating back to the 6th century AD The Sas Bahu Temples are among
the most exquisitely carved temples.
