Popular

Heritage

Termperature

Summer 24-45°C, Winter 5-20°C

Best time to visit

September to March

Read more about Jodhpur

Jaisalmer

State

Jaisalmer, nicknamed "The Golden City", is lies in the heart of the Thar Desert. The city of Jaisalmer is named after Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler. He founded the city in 1156. It stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples.

Image Credit:

History

Established in 1156 AD by a Bhatti Rajput ruler Jaisala, the history of Jaisalmer is replete with many legends. According to one, Lord Krishna had predicted that a descendant of the Yadav clan would establish a formidable kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill in Jaisalmer. True to his words, Rawal Jaisal established his kingdom on this very hill.

Jaislamer also had its share of battles and intrigue. It is said that after Alu - ud -din Khilji laid siege to the Jaisalmer Fort for nine consecutive wars, the royal ladies committed Jauhar, while the men donned saffron robes and rode out to meet certain death. Later various marriages cemented the alliance between the rulers of Jaisalmer and the Mughals.

Jaisalmer rulers allowed fine arts to flourish under their rule, as a result of which, we can see splendid havelis and beautifully carved temples, in honor of both Hindu as well as Jain.deities. It also became an important centre of trade and commerce until the Mumbai port came into existence. The city came under the Indian government in 1947.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest airport is Jodhpur, which is at a distance of 285 km from Jaisalmer. Jodhpur is connected to Delhi and Jaipur by air. Pre-paid taxi service is available from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, which costs about Rs 4000. Delhi is the nearest major international airport, which is connected well with all major cities in India and many important cities in abroad.

Rail: Jaisalmer railway station is an important railway station in Western railway zone. It is connected to Jodhpur and other cities in India. This train takes about 6 hours for journey and cost about Rs 120

Road: There are many semi deluxe and deluxe buses to Jodhpur at regular intervals. Deluxe A/C buses are also available from Jaisalmer to Jaipur, Ajmer and Bikaner. Rajasthan state buses connect Jaisalmer with neighboring cities.

Shopping

Shopping in Jaisalmer will be a fascinating experience. Jaisalmer affords you the pleasure of strolling through the narrow lanes of its markets, which still retain a medieval charm.

Jaisalmer is famous for embroidery, rajasthani mirror work, rugs, blankets, antiques and old stonework. The colorful handcrafted items and curios with a touch of Jaisalmer make good souvenirs to carry home. Puppets and joothies (handmade leather shoes) are popular items. While shopping in Jaisalmer you will also find beautiful fabrics, woven jackets, camel leather items and wooden boxes. The intricately designed ornaments of Jaisalmer are irresistible. You can also find a colorful range of the popular bandhini (tie and dye) fabrics. Perhaps nowhere else in the world would you find colorfully embroidered covers for the camel back, which can be a unique collector's item. Jaisalmer has various showrooms and emporia, which are worth visiting. Some of the places that you can visit for handicrafts and fabrics are Jaisalmer Embroidery House and the Kahdi Gramudyog Bhavan.

Accommodation

Hotels in Jaisalmer offer a royal stay, transporting you to the bygone days of a glorious past. The heritage hotels in Jaisalmer provide a royal ambience making your stay in Jaisalmer a memorable one. Jaisalmer hotels have a range of accommodation to suit the budget of all kinds of travelers.

The hotels in Jaisalmer provide the best of facilities with traditional hospitality. The sports and recreational facilities add to the fun of your stay. But nothing is more fascinating than the almost surrealistic sight of vast stretches of golden sand all around.

Some of the prominent hotels in Jaisalmer are:

Four Star Hotels in Jaisalmer
Fort Rajwada
Hotel Rawal Kot

Three Star Hotels in Jaisalmer
Gorbandh Palace
Hotel Dhola Maru

Heritage Hotels in Jaisalmer

Narayan Niwas Palace
Jawahar Niwas Palace

Attractions

Desert Festival
The Desert Festival is organized in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, usually in the month of January or February. The duration of the festival is three days and it comes to an end on Poornima, the full moon day. The main purpose of the Rajasthan Desert Festival is to display the rich and colorful culture of the state. Dressed in vibrant and colorful attire, the people of Rajasthan dance to the tunes lingering ballads of heroism, romance and tragedy of the local heroes.

The major attractions of the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan include snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats, folk performers, etc. Especially, the Gair and Fire dancers, in their vibrant and colorful costumes, capture your heart. However, amongst all these, the ship of the desert, camel does not loses its special place. Apart from the camel rides that are quite popular, camels take part in a number of events. Of them, the most famous and unique ones are camel polo and camel dance.

Other events include the turban tying competition and a display of the most glorious moustaches. Turbans and mustaches are deemed to be the symbols of honor in the state of Rajasthan. Then, there is a Mr. Desert contest that further adds to the enjoyment. With the fascinating Jaisalmer Fort and the sand dunes serving as the backdrop, the celebrations gain an added advantage. There are also brilliant performances by the folk artists, dancing elegantly to the tunes of the folk music. Traditional handicrafts of Rajasthan are also traded at the fair.

District

Jaisalmer

STD Code

0141

Topic

Heritage

Termperature

Summer 25-42°C, Winter 7-24°C

Best time to visit

October to March

Read more about Jaisalmer

Kota

State

Kota, formerly known as Kotah, is situated on the banks of Chambal River in the south-eastern region of Rajasthan. Massive forts, magnificent palaces, charming waterways, along with the exotic wildlife and delicate fresco paintings surely capture the heart of the tourists.

History

Kota has a versatile history, but what is constant are the battles fought for its possession. The history of Kota is intertwined with the Rajput and Mughal rule in India. The history of the city dates back to the 12th century A.D. when the Hada Chieftain, Rao Deva, conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Later, in the early 17th century AD during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi -Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. Since then Kota became a hallmark of the Rajput gallantry and culture.

The history of Kota is linked with the history of Bundi. Both Bundi and Kota came under the rule of the Chauhans in the 12th century. The descendents of the Chauhans set up their capital at Bundi and ruled from here. While Bundi was the capital, Kota formed the land granted to the eldest son of the ruler. This arrangement continued until 1624. In 1624, Emperor Jahangir, the great Mughal ruler, partitioned Bundi and made Kota an independent state. Rao Madho Singh, son of the ruler of Bundi, ascended the throne of Kota. It became a part of the British Empire in 1818 and later became a part of the Indian state of Rajasthan, when it gained independence in 1947.

Accessibility

Air: Sanganer Airport located at Jaipur is nearly 245 km from the heart of the city Kota, and taxi charges about Rs 5000 from Airport to the city. Jaipur airport is connected to metro cities Mumbai and Delhi. Foreign travelers can take connection flights from Delhi international airport, which is nearly 500 km away from Kota. Taxi charges about Rs 9000 from Delhi to Kota. A/C bus services costs about Rs 1600, from Delhi to Kota.

Rail: Kota railhead lying in the main line of Delhi- Mumbai route is well connected to all major cities in India. Passenger, express and super fast train services are available from Kota to other cities.

Road: State buses of Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation connect Kota (Bundi road bus station) to all other cities in Rajasthan. Kota is connected by bus to Udaipur (240 km), Ajmer (230 km), Bikaner (450 km) and Jaipur (250 km).

Shopping

Although Kota is a small place, shopping in Kota can be a pleasant experience for the discerning shopper. The area has a quite rich tradition of art and craft.

Pick up a few Kota Doria saris while shopping in Kota. These are made out of cotton and silk threads. Hand-woven chequered and printed Kota saris are quite a rage with the women in various region of India. The weave is very fine and the weaving method used is primitive with the same method being used even in today's power-loom era.

The ace craftsmen of the region also make exquisite potteries and stone crafts. Beautiful artifacts and utilities made of stone serve as excellent souvenirs and gift items. The colored potteries also make for great shopping in Kota.

Miniature paintings are popular handicraft in Kota. You may choose to pick up a few pieces to decorate your home interior.

Accommodation

Although the hotels in Kota are not many in number, they are sufficient to accommodate the tourists even in peak seasons. Apart from some budget class ones, most of the hotels in Kota are heritage hotels. A few hotels have also been built upon architectural style of the old forts and palaces.

Here are some selected hotels in Kota:

Brijraj Bhawan Palace Hotel
Umed Bhawan Palace
Hotel Maharaja Palace

District

Kota

STD Code

0744

Topic

Termperature

Summer 32-45°C, Winter 28-35°C

Best time to visit

September to March

Famous For

famous for its palatial palaces, forts and monuments

Read more about Kota

Sariska

State

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9508280@N07/2234192588/

Sariska, nestled among the Aravalis, is the closest place from Delhi where one can hope to see a Tiger in it's natural surroundings. It was once the hunting grounds of the Maharajas Sariska was made into a forest reserve in 1955 and declared a National park in 1982. It is the heritage of the former rulers of Alwar.

History

The history of Sariska goes back as early as the 5th century BC as Hindu sacred texts mention Sariska as the region where the Pandavas took shelter during their years of seclusion. In the middle ages, it was under the Mughal rule and Aurangzeb used the Knakwari Fort to imprison his elder brother.

Originally said to be a part of the Mewat region, the brave Mewat warriors were always at war to preserve its sovereignty because its strategic location made it a prized conquest for many rulers. Later During the 8th - 12th century many of Sariska's rulers and wealthy residents constructed a huge number of Jain and Hindu temples, some of which retain their old splendor even today. Early 20th century saw attempts to convert the region into a protected area and the campaign was led by none other than Maharaja Jai Singh. The campaign bore fruit and in 1958, a government notification declared Sariska a wildlife sanctuary and by 1979 it became a part of the Tiger Project that was recognized as a national park.

Accessibility

Air: Sanganer Airport located at Jaipur is nearly 101 km from Sariska city. Taxi charges about Rs 2000 from Airport to the city. Jaipur airport is connected to metro cities Mumbai and Delhi. Foreign travelers can take connection flights from Delhi international airport, which is nearly 240 km away from Sariska. Taxi charges about Rs 5000 from Delhi to Sariska.

Rail: Sawai Madhopur, at a distance of nearly 11 km, is the nearest railway station to Sariska. This railhead is on the Broad Gauge line between Mumbai and Delhi and is connected to all cities in India by trains. Tourist taxi fare from railway station to Sariska is about Rs 200

Road: Sariska is connected by regular bus services to other cities in and around. Many public transport buses connecting Sariska with Jaipur (100 km) and Alwar (36 km). Private bus services are available from Sariska to Delhi (240 km).

Shopping

Sariska is one of the best wild life sanctuaries in India. Shopping is not really on the itinerary of tourists heading for this tiger reserve. However for those who would want to take home souvenirs and curios typical of India, the ideal place to shop would be the city of Jaipur.

Jaipur is famous for its jewelery made of precious and semi-precious stones. Also known are Jaipur textiles especially the bandhej (tie and dye print), brass work, antiques and marble carvings.

The metro city of Delhi would also be a good shopping destination where you can stop enroute to Sariska. Alwar, which is the nearest city to Sariska, is also a good stopover to pick up typical ethnic stuff from Rajasthan.

Accommodation

Hotels in Sariska are comfortable and reasonably priced. Sariska offers a range of accommodation from forest lodges and government tourist bungalows to heritage hotels, which were once the residence of the Maharajah of Alwar.

Some of the prominent hotels in Sariska are:

Deluxe Heritage Hotel

* Hotel Sariska Palace, the former royal residence of the Maharajah of Alwar

Budget Hotels

# Hotel Tiger Den
Resorts

# Hotel Tiger Heaven
Budget accommodations can be found at Alwar, which is about one hour away from Sariska.

Things to do

Jungle Safari: The mornings and evenings are the busiest periods in a day and the same holds true even in the forests. The Jungle Safari organized for groups from the guest house or from the entrance is a thrilling ride full of amusement and trepidation throughout. It's the dawn and dusk period when the wildlife ventures out of compulsion towards one of the many water holes scattered around the Park. The Game is not the correct word to describe these extremely beautiful creatures that roam fearlessly in their own domain thus providing the tourists the best chances of an awe inspiring spectacle. A few of these watering holes also cater for reserving the hides (screened places) located snack in the middle of the best spots of activities or the best traversed routes. It is possible to view various carnivores viz. Leopard, Hyena, Jackal, and of course the Tiger. The mincemeat for these carnivores such as Sambar, Chital, Chausingha and Wild Boar are also visible. A Jungle Safari is bound to return at least a view of the bird kingdom with Pea fowls, Grey Partridges, Tree Pies, and Golden backed Woodpeckers, etc in abundance. October to April is considered the best part of the year to visit here however the park offers the goodies throughout the year.

See the Wildlife
Sariska is best known for its wildlife sanctuary, which is spread over an area of 800 sq km (core area 500 sq km). The rich wildlife of the sanctuary boasts of species like tiger, hyena, jungle cat, jackal, sambar, wild dog, chital, langur, nilgai, leopard, chausingha, civets, wild boar, rhesus monkeys, etc.

Indulge in Bird Watching
Apart from a large variety of wild animals, Sariska also offers you a rich variety of birds, resident as well as migratory. Golden-backed woodpecker, tree pie, peafowl, crested serpent eagle, sand grouse, the great Indian horned owl, grey partridge, and bush quail, are some of the species that you can easily spot inside the national park.

Explore the Heritage
In the past, Sariska served as the home of the rulers of Alwar and has witnessed some royal times. Serving as a testimony to this fact is the Kankwari Fort, where Mughal emperor Aurangzeb imprisoned his elder brother, Dara Shikoh. Apart from that, there is a palace in the sanctuary, along with an ancient Shiva temple, both of which are worth having a look at.

Enjoy the Jeep Safari
One of the best ways to explore the wildlife at Sariska is by taking a jeep safari. It will take you into the depth of the sanctuary, from where you will be able to explore the wildlife from up close. However, do make to maintain silence while undertaking the safari or you will drive the animals away.

District

Alwar

STD Code

0144

Topic

Termperature

Summer 32-45°C, Winter 5-28°C

Best time to visit

Sept to March

Read more about Sariska

Ajmer

State

Ajmer is a historical region in central Rajasthan, a central part of a big Chauhan empire in 11-12th centuries. It is famous as a pilgrim place and houses the Dargah or tomb of the popular 13th-century, Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world throng Ajmer to attend the death anniversary of the great saint every year. The city also boasts of a number of monuments belonging to the Mughal era. The city is also known for its traditional handicrafts.

History

Historically, Ajmer always had great strategic importance and was sacked by Mahumud of Ghazni on one of his periodic forays from Afghanistan. Later it became a favorite residence of the great Moghula. One of the first contacts between the Moghula and the British occurred in Ajmer when Sir Thomas Roe met with Jahangir here in 1616. The city was subsequently taken by the Scindias and, in 1818, it was handed over to the British, becoming one of the few places in Rajasthan controlled directly by British rather than being part of a princely state.

Accessibility

By Air: The nearest airport to Ajmer is the Sanganer Airport located at Jaipur, which is about 132 km from Ajmer.

By Rail: Ajmer junction railway station lies on the Delhi-Mumbai railway line and is well connected to several cities in India.

By Road: Ajmer has a good network of roads connecting all the main cities of Rajasthan, including Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bharatpur. Ajmer is connected to Delhi also by road.

Shopping

Shopping in Ajmer is an enjoyable experience. Ajmer is known for antiques, curios, fascinating gold and silver jewelry in contemporary designs, bandhini (colorful tie-and-dye sarees) and embroidered jodhpuri 'Jutis' (shoes). Ittar, a special form of local perfume is sold in small and large packs all over Ajmer and is a specialty that one can carry home form Ajmer.

The annual Urs Fair is the time one can buy the colorful creations of traditional folk artisans of Ajmer.Colorful clothes and products from Tilonia village and miniature paintings from Kishangarh and a range of wood crafted products are available during the festival The annual Ajaymeru Udyog Crafts Mela in Ajmer is another time when you can buy typical and popular items of Rajasthan like brass utensils, bangles, woodcrafts, silver souvenirs, leather belts, hand embroidered cloth bags and unlimited home décor items.

Accommodation

Hotels in Ajmer offer various packages with modern facilities. Ajmer is a prominent pilgrimage spiritual tourist attraction in the state of Rajasthan . Ajmer serves as the base for most of the long-distance journeys to Pushkar, which holds an annual Hindu religious festival. Ajmer is also a pilgrimage destination of Muslims, thus bringing in an amalgamation of cultures to this small town in Western India. Apart from this Ajmer also hosts a popular camel festival every year.

Ajmer offers various hotel packages with modern facilities. In Ajmer you will find both luxury and budget hotels.

Some of the prominent hotels in Ajmer are:
Bijay Niwas, Palace Resort
Mansigh Palace Hotel
Roopangarh Fort

Attractions

Urs Fair
The Urs Fair is dedicated to Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti, the Sufi saint. It is organized on the death anniversary of the great Sufi Saint, during the first six days of Rajab (seventh month of the Islamic calendar). The venue of the Rajasthan Urs Fair is the memorial of the holy saint, situated in the lakeside city of Ajmer. The mortal remains of the saint lie buried in the Dargah Sharif (memorial of the saint) known as Chishti ki Dargah. Devotees of the Saint hold so much respect him, that the city of Ajmer is at times called Ajmer Sharif (Holy Ajmer).

The saint came from Persia and founded the Chishtia order of fakirs in India. Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti is also known by the name of Gharib Nawaz, the protector of the poor. This is so because the entire life he remained committed to the service of mankind. He lived a simple and austere life and graced this world by his presence for almost a hundred years. In the last days of his life, he retired to his cell and died in complete peace and solitude.

Lakhs of devotees from different communities assemble at the shrine of the saint at the time of the Urs Fair of Ajmer, Rajasthan. The devotees come not only from the various cities of Rajasthan, rather from all parts of the country. They visit the dargah to pay tribute to the Khwaja on his Urs (death anniversary). People coming to pray to the Khwaja and seek his blessings make offerings (nazrana) at the place where the remains of the Saint now rest. The offerings include rose and jasmine flowers, sandalwood paste, perfumes, incense, etc. Those who get their wishes fulfilled, along with those who come to pray, offer chadar, ghilaph and neema at the Dargah. Outside the sanctum sanctorum of the dargah, professional singers called qawwals can be seen singing the praises of the saint.

Things to do

Camel and Horse Safari
One of the best amusements in Rajasthan is a camel ride. At Pushkar a number of locals provide this unique opportunity, to explore the sand stretches on ship of the deserts. Apart from that one can also get to ride a horse, as horse safari are also frequently conducted from here.

District

Ajmer

STD Code

0145

Topic

Pilgrim

Popular Religious Sites

Termperature

Summer 26-41°C, Winter 8-20°C

Best time to visit

October-March

Famous For

Ajmer Sharief Dargah

Read more about Ajmer

Alwar

State

Alwar, known as The Tiger Gate of Rajasthan, is enclosed by the Aravallis, giving the appearance of being carved marvelously out of rocks. It has its own heritage, which goes back to the mythological legends of the Mahabharata. In this city, the Pandavas (heroes of Mahabharata) spent the last year of their exile of 13 years.

Image Credit:

History

The origin of Alwar city goes back to the time of the Mahabharata. It was a part of the ancient kingdom of Matsya and it is said that legendary Pandava brothers had spent some time of their exile there. The ancient state of Alwar was probably the oldest kingdom in the state of Rajasthan. It is said that the city was founded by a member of the Kachh family hailing from the town of Amber. The local Rajput rulers of Alwar had a sweet-bitter relation with the rulers of Delhi in the early medieval period and there was a constant struggle to take control of Alwar. As Alwar was located at a strategic place, the Mughals annexed it and used it to mount military campaigns against the erstwhile Rajput principalities and states. The decline of the Mughal rule saw a brief struggle between Jat and Rajput rulers. Later Pratap Singh, a noble, restored parity in 1775. The descendents of Pratap Singh were great patrons of art and under their rule Alwar became an important cultural center. The later rulers forged an alliance with the British that soon broke off, with the latter taking over Alwar.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport to Alwar is the Sanganer Airport located at Jaipur, which is about 162 km from Alwar. Airport to Alwar city in taxi costs about Rs 1500/-. Jaipur airport is connected to metro cities Mumbai and Delhi. Foreign travelers can take connection flights from Delhi and Mumbai.

Rail: Alwar railway station is in the heart of the city. It is well-connected to Jaipur and Delhi. Taxi facilities are available at the station at a rate of about Rs 9 per km (one way).

Road: Alwar is well-connected to all cities in Rajasthan by state owned bus services. Special private buses are available to Alwar from Jaipur. Bus facilities are viable from 5 am to 10 pm in most of the days. Nearest city Bhiwadi to Alwar it cost about Rs 10/-. Delhi is nearly 365 km away and super deluxe buses are available from Delhi to Alwar, costing about Rs 700/-.

Shopping

Alwar is very famous for its exquisite silver jewelry and Rajasthani handicrafts. Among the many rich handicrafts of the city, the main ones are:

Terracotta statues
Carpets
Embroidered leather Mojris or Jutis
Bangles
Pottery
Apart from the shopping items, another specialty of Alwar is its delicious, especially the Palang Torh (the milk cake). A visit to Alwar must include a purchase of this mouth-watering delicacy of Alwar. Read on this Alwar shopping guide to explore more about the shopping attractions of this city.

Alwar shopping destinations have something for each and every person. Among many shopping places in Alwar, Rajasthan, the most famous ones are:

Hope Circus
Bazaza Bazaar
Saraf Bazaar
Malakhers Bazaar
Kedalgang Bazaar

Kalakand Market: What makes the Kalakand market so special is a sweet dish, which tempts everybody with its rich aroma. This sweet is so renowned for its excellent taste that even a street is named after this particular dish. One of the interesting facts about this dish is that it uses meat as one of its ingredients.

Flanked with a large number of small and large sized shops, Kalakand Market provides finest handicrafts and Jewellery items. It is interesting to note that on Tuesdays all the shops in the market would be closed. A large expansion is covered under the area as market, which is popularly called by different names like Sarafa Bazar, Bazaza Bazar, Hope Circus, Kedalgunj Bazar and Malakhera Bazar.

District

Alwar

STD Code

0144

Topic

WGW_Delhi

Termperature

Summer 32-45°C, Winter 5-28°C

Best time to visit

September-February

Read more about Alwar

Pushkar

State

Pushkar is an esteemed religious destination for Hindus with around 400 temples and 52 bathing ghats. The holy lake here is believed to have appeared miraculously when a lotus flower fell off from the hands of Brahma.

Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/etrenard/568029174/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/azwegers/6272198380/in/photostream

History

Pushkar is a fantastic interplay of history and mythology that makes it worthwhile to travel to this holy destination of Rajasthan.

According to lore, the city of Pushkar came into being After a battle between Lord Brahma and a demon named Vajra Nabh. After the demon was killed by Brahma with the help of a lotus flower, three petals floated down to Earth and landed in Pushkar leading to the creation of the three lakes of Pushkar.

Recorded history shoes that Pushkar was a favorite retreat of the Mughal rulers, which was later taken over by the Scindias after the eventual decline of the Mughal rule. The Scindias handed over the city to the British thus making Pushkar one of the few places in Rajasthan to be under direct British control, until Independence.

Accessibility

Air: Sanganer Airport located at Jaipur is nearly 130 km from the heart of the city Pushkar, and taxi charges about Rs 2500 from Airport to the city. Jaipur airport is connected to metro cities Mumbai and Delhi. Foreign travelers can take connection flights from Delhi international airport, which is nearly 400 km away from Pushkar. Taxi charges about Rs 7000 from Delhi to Pushkar.

Rail: Ajmer is the nearest railway station to Pushkar. This railhead is on the Broad Gauge line and is connected to all cities in India by trains. Ajmer is about 11 km away from Pushkar and taxi fare from Ajmer to Pushkar is about Rs 200.

Road: Ajmer main bus stand is nearly 11 km away. Many public transport buses pass through Pushkar. Ajmer is well connected with all major cities nearby. Deluxe Super Deluxe and Volvo buses provide services from Delhi, Jaipur and Jaisalmer to Ajmer. The bus fare ranges between Rs 3 to Rs 4 per km.

Shopping

Shopping in Pushkar can be truly exciting especially during the annual Urs Festival or Pushkar Festival .At these festivals, folk artisans and craftsmen display an array of traditional items which include silver and beaded jewellery, embroidered fabrics ,brass utensils ,miniature paintings and Rajasthani puppets.

Pushkar is also a place where you can buy souvenirs of Rajasthan. The shopping centers in Pushkar are Sarafa Bazaar, Baza Bazaar and Kedalganj Bazaar.

Accommodation

Hotels in Pushkar offer a luxurious stay in the serene atmosphere of this pilgrim city where devout Hindus come to take a holy dip in the Pushkar Lake on the full moon of Karthik (November) or visit the Dargah of Khwaja Saheb, the great Sufi saint during the time of Urs in Ajmer.

The annual Pushkar festival one of the most colorful festivals of India brings tourists from around the globe to this tiny town in the state of Rajasthan. It is mainly a cattle fair with exciting camel races and display of folk culture.

Pushkar offers some of the best 3star hotels, Deluxe Hotels and Heritage Hotels of Rajasthan.

Some of the prominent hotels in Rajasthan are:

Heritage Hotels

Hotel Pushkar Palace
Hotel Sarovar
Hotel Jagat Singh Palace

Tent Accommodation

RTDC Tourist Village
Royal Desert Camp

Budget Hotels

Hotel New Park
Prafful Palace

Attractions

Pushkar Cattle Fair: If Pushkar is renowned for as a Pilgrimage center then it is equally famous for its Cattle Fair. The name “Cattle Fair�? is misleading since various activities like Auctions, Sports, Musical encores, Markets constitute a major chunk of the activities.

The Pushkar Lake is the point of attraction for millions of devotees during the full moon day of Kartik Purnima (generally October-November) for a holy dip and provides an opportunity for the traders and organizers to create a festive bonanza for the devotees. The Camel and other domesticated animal trading remains the main draw. A series of cultural events precede the fair which includes attractive puppet shows and camel races.

District

Ajmer

STD Code

0145

Topic

Pilgrim

Termperature

Summer 25-45°C, Winter 8-22°C

Best time to visit

October to March

Read more about Pushkar

Jaipur

State

Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, is the first planned city of India, located in the semi-desert lands of Rajasthan. The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal families. The city was conceived and designed in 1727 AD by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh and was later named after him. At present, Jaipur is a major business center with all requisites of a metropolitan city.

History

The pink city of Jaipur has been named after its founder, the great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Jai Singh II, who ruled the city form 1688 - 1744. Belonging to the powerful Kachhawaha clan, Jai Singh fortified his position by aligning himself with the Mughals and gaining victories over Marathas.

The city of Jaipur came into conception when the city of Amber started facing huge accommodation and water crisis. Hence Jai Singh decided to construct a new city to adjust the burgeoning population. So, the king along with a talented Bengali architect named Vidyasagar drew up the plan for the new city of Jaipur, which is recorded in history as the first planned city in modern India. Based on the principles of the ancient Hindu text on architecture, the Shilpa Shastra, Jaipur came into being in eight years. The magnificent City Palace and the famous Jantar Mantar were designed by the king himself.

Jaipur was not just an aesthetic triumph; the stout city walls also protected the city from would be invaders. Modern day Jaipur's cultural heritage was fostered during Jai Singh's rule as the king himself took a keen interest in arts, sciences and religions.

The death of Sawai Jai Singh II marked the glorious phase of Jaipur due to the bitter infighting between his successors. Gradually, the British entered into an alliance with the rulers who aligned themselves the English cause. Finally, after the Indian independence, the city was merged with other Rajput states to form Rajasthan and became the capital city of Rajasthan in 1956.

Accessibility

Air: Sanganer Airport located at Jaipur is nearly 10 km from the heart of the city, and taxi charges about Rs 200 from Airport to the city. Jaipur airport is connected to metro cities Mumbai and Delhi. Foreign travelers can take connection flights from Delhi and Mumbai.

Rail: Jaipur is well connected by many trains to most of the major cities in India. Apart from these trains, a specialty train called “Palace on Wheels‿ which is covering all tourist destinations in Rajasthan (Alwar, Udaipur, Jaipur, Swami Mdhopur etc) starting from Delhi is also available.

Road: State buses of Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation connect Jaipur to all cities in Rajasthan. Many deluxe bus services are available between Jaipur and other cities. A/C deluxe bus services are available from Delhi to Jaipur (260 km). It charges about Rs 750 for a person.

Shopping

Shopping in Jaipur is always exciting. Shoppers can lay their hands on a rich treasure of sparkling jewellery, beautiful gems and semi precious stones and enamel work on gold. Jaipur is also famous for beautiful cotton fabrics like sanganeri prints, tie-dye and fine kota doria saries. As souvenirs and gift items, blue pottery, enamel ware and brass ware could be purchased. Jaipur is also a good place to buy woollen carpets, cotton rugs, leather footwear and embroidered jutes.

The main shopping areas of the place are Johari Bazaar, MI road, Nehru Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and Chapur stalls.

A shopper’s delight, Jaipur offers a great time of shopping, which is quite entertaininig and amusing. A plethora of good markets with good quality shops and artifacts provides a great shopping experience to all. Exquisite handicrafts ornamented with beads and mirrors, local jewelry, potteries and textile materials are the predominant items that are available in all Bazaars. Vibrantly coloured carpets and kota doria mats also found to be the favourite shopping items of the tourists.

The most eye-catching item that would come first in the shopper’s itinerary would be the Bandhni textiles and the Bagru prints. The renowned markets are, Bapu Bazaar, Jauhari Bazaar M.I. Road, Nehru Bazaar, Chaura Rasta and Tripolia Bazaar. Whilst roaming through the markets, one will come up to the bubbly traditions of Jaipur.

Accommodation

Jaipur has a number of hotels that provide all the modern facilities to tourists in Jaipur. Hotels in Jaipur are well equipped with modern amenities and serve the perfect base for tourist touring Jaipur. The Pink City has an excellent infrastructure that makes it comfortable to stay and tour Jaipur. Accommodation for tourists in Jaipur ranges from five star deluxe hotels to budget hotels. Heritage hotels also offer immaculate hospitality to guests. Jaipur has a number of heritage hotels, which have been converted into hotels from the erstwhile palaces and havelis of Jaipur royalty. Jaipur Hub provides tourists all the information and online booking facility for hotels in Jaipur. If you are looking forward to tour to other cities in Rajasthan, Jaipur Hub has a number of tour packages on offer. Come and discover the vibrant colors of Jaipur with Jaipur Hub.

Five Star Deluxe Hotels in Jaipur
Rajvilas - An Oberoi Hotel
The Rambagh Palace Hotel
Jai Mahal Palace
Rajputana Palace Sheraton

Five Star Hotels in Jaipur
Man Singh Towers
Hotel Clarks Amer
Hotel Jaipur Palace
Chokhi Dhani - The Ethnic Village Resort

Heritage Hotels in Jaipur
Ramgarh Lodge
Royal Castle Kanota
Narain Niwas Palace
Raj Mahal Palace
Samode Haveli
Hotel Alsisar Haveli
Hotel Samode Palace
Hotel Bissau Palace

Four Star Hotels in Jaipur
The Trident
Hotel Jaipur Ashok
Hotel Maya Inter Continental

Three Star Hotels in Jaipur
Hotel Maurya Palace
Holiday Inn
Maharani Palace

Exclusive Royal Meal Venue
The City Palace

Other Hotels in Jaipur

Hotel K.K. Royal Days
Samode Bagh
Shahpura House
The Gold Palace & Resorts
Bissau The Retreat
Hotel Park Plaza

Attractions

Elephant Festival

Another effort on the part of the Rajasthan government to boost tourism in the capital city of Jaipur. The festival also revives the royalty of the erstwhile Maharajas who loved to display their affluence and authority sitting on the back of a well caprisoned elephant. The festival is celebrated a day after the colourful festival of Holi and therfore quiet obviously carries forward its fervour and joy for yet another day.

Things to do

Indulge In Hot Air Ballooning
Jaipur and hot air ballooning? Sounds a bit surprising, doesn’t it? In case you were of the opinion is that Jaipur is a place where you can only delve into the history, now is the time to change your opinion. The city is as much known for its hot air balloon rides as for its forts and palaces. As you sail over the Pink City, the beauty of the historical monuments, placid lake and the never-ending stretch of golden sand surely mesmerizes you. Almost all the hot air balloon flights in Jaipur take off from the grandiose Amber Fort area.

Explore the Rich Heritage
Jaipur and its rich heritage are renowned all over the world. The numerous forts, palaces and other monuments in the city simply take you breath away, with their magnificence. There are three majestic forts in the city, namely Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Nalagarh Fort, with many impressive structures within their confines. Then, there is the beautiful City Palace, also known as Chandra Mahal, which serves as the residence of the royal family and also houses Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. The mesmerizing Lake Palace and the unique Hawa Mahal are some other monuments in Jaipur worth visiting.

District

Jaipur

STD Code

0141

Topic

WGW_Delhi

Termperature

Summer 25-45°C, Winter 5-22°C

Best time to visit

October-March

Famous For

Capital City of Rajasthan State

Read more about Jaipur

Udaipur

State

http://www.flickr.com/photos/felixdance/5272625137/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/selmer/5371273222/in/photostream

Udiapur is a picturesque city and is a must for travellers who want to experience the unique and vibrant history of Rajasthan. It is the jewel of Mewar kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.

History

The legend of Udaipur has it that the city was built by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1568, after being advised by a sage to do so. Years later, when he was defeated by the Mughal Emperor Akbar at Chittor, he set up his new kingdom in Udaipur.

After his death, Pratap Singh took over the reins of the kingdom while Udaipur continued to be besieged by Mughal invaders and later, the Marathas. With the advent of the British, a treaty to protect Udaipur was signed between the ruler and the British. The history of Udaipur took another important turn when it was merged with the Indian Territory after independence.

Accessibility

By Air: Maharana Pratap Airport Udaipur is located at Dabok, 22 km away from the heart of Udaipur city. Many domestic airlines connect the city to most of the major cities in India including Kolkata, Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai.

By Rail: Udaipur is located in the main broad gauge railway line and the railway station is connected to all other railway stations in India. Passenger and express train services are available from Udaipur to nearby cities like Jaipur and Jaisalmer.

By Road: Rajasthan Roadways operates public bus services between Udaipur and other major cities in Rajasthan. Volvo super deluxe buses are available from Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad to Udaipur.

Shopping

Udaipur is one of the best places in Rajasthan to pick up exquisite crafts and looms made by the gifted artisans of the place. The best buys of Udaipur include folk toys, colourful tie-dye sarees and clothes, hand painted fabrics, silver jewellery, wall hangings and miniature paintings.

The main markets of Udaipur are located on the Lake Palace road and around Jagdish temple. Two of the best places for shopping in Udaipur are Rajasthali-the govt. fixed price emporium and Sadhana-a fixed price shop run by an NGO for charitable purposes.
Shopping in Udaipur is a great delight. The region has a rich tradition of handicrafts, which are acclaimed all over the world. The ace craftsmen of Udaipur and around create incredible of artifacts. The tradition had flourished under the patronage of the royalties and continues to flow till date.

Miniature painting is a notable art form in Udaipur, which has matured over the ages. It's a very different form of painting featuring long necks, large almond-shaped eyes, long fingers and the use of subdued colours. Check out such items while shopping in Udaipur.

Silver jewelry and potteries are also noted handicrafts in Udaipur. Intricately designed silverware and exquisite pottery are big hits with those who go for shopping in Udaipur

Go for stone carved items and puppets while shopping in Udaipur. Puppet making is a traditional art form in this region, which has gone places. Alongside stone carved artifacts also serve as good souvenirs.

There are many shopping joints for shopping in Udaipur. In most of the premium hotel you would find plush showrooms with a large display of objets d'art. The Government run Handicrafts Emporium has a number of centers in the city where you can look for a variety of authentic items.

Accommodation

Some hotels are located in the city center whereas a few are on the outskirt offering a tranquil environment for a fulfilling Udaipur experience. Food is also interesting in Udaipur. Several hotels in Udaipur have good restaurants where you can taste a variety of local cuisine to continental fare.

PREMIUM HERITAGE HOTELS

Fateh Prakash Palace
Shiv Niwas Palace
Devi Garh Palace

LUXURY HOTELS

Taj Lake Palace
Udai Vilas
Trident Hilton

BUDGET HOTELS

Shikarbadi Hotel
Lake Pichola Hotel
Jagat Niwas Palace

Attractions

Mewar Festival
The Mewar Festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April). It is organized to mark the beginning of the spring season. Rajasthan Mewar Festival overlaps with the Gangaur festival. A procession carrying the images of Isar and Gangaur, ornamented and dressed in colorful attire, is taken at the time of the festival. The procession goes through the various areas of Udaipur and comes to an end at the Gangaur Ghat of Lake Pichola. Thereafter, the images are moved on to special boats. After this whole process is over, cultural events take over the celebration of the festival. Rajasthan folk songs, dances and other programs take the center stage. The festival concludes with a remarkable display of fireworks.

District

Udaipur

STD Code

0294

Topic

Heritage

WGW_Ahmedabad

Termperature

Summer 32-45°C, Winter 5-28°C

Best time to visit

October-March

Read more about Udaipur

Anandpur Sahib

State

Punjab

Anandpur Sahib, known as "the holy City of Bliss", is a holy and sacred city for the Sikhs. It is the birthplace of the Khalsa and is one of the 4 seats of authority of the Sikh religion and has about 40 Gurudwaras within the city. It is located on the lower spurs of the Himalayas surrounded by picturesque natural scenery, with the river Sutlej forming a shimmering and shiny blue border on the south west barely four miles away.

Image Credit:

History

Anandpur Sahib was founded in the year 1665 by the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, near the ruins of an ancient place, Makhowal. On May 13, 1665, Guru Tegh Bahadur went to Bilaspur to attend the mourning for Raja Dip Chand of Bilaspur State. The Dowager Rani Champa of Bilaspur offered to give the Guru a piece of land in her state. The Guru bought the site on payment of five hundred rupees. The land consisted of the villages of Lodhipur, Mianpur and Sahota. Here on the mound of Makhowal, Guru Tegh Bahadur raised a new habitation. The ground was broken on 19 June 1665, by Baba Gurditta Randhawa. The new village was named Chakk Nanaki after the Guru's mother, Nanaki. The place later came to be known as Anandpur Sahib.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest Airport at Chandigarh (75km away)

Rail: Nearest railhead at Nangal. The Delhi-Una Himachal Express is a direct and very convenient train from Delhi to Anandpur Sahib. Another convenient option is to come from Delhi to Chandigarh by Hawrah-Kalka Mail, Shatabdi Express/Himalayan Queen and then to travel from there to Anandpur Sahib by road a distance of 85 kms.

Road: There are ample buses plying at regular intervals from Delhi and Chandigarh to Anandpur Sahib. All buses going to Una in Himachal Pradesh pass through Anandpur Sahib.

Accommodation

There are very good Sarais (Inns) available to house visiting pilgrims. Hotel accommodation at Anandpur Sahib is not ready so far. However, Kissan Haveli is a good place for overnight stay.

For further information you may contact the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation at :
Tel.Nos- 0172-781138, 781147, 781179, 781091, 548828 (Fax)

Attractions

Hola Mohalla: Anandpur Sahib comes to life every year on the occasion of Hola Mohalla. This tradition dates back to the times of the 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Guru decided that the occasion of the festival of Holi, fun and frolic and colour splashing, be the occasion for the display of the martial spirit of his people and he gave this festival of Holi a more masculine name of Hola Mohalla. Each year Hola Mohalla marks the congregation of lacs of devotees from all over the country for a festival of colour and gaiety.

Baisakhi 1999 at Anandpur Sahib had been significant as it marked the completion of 300 years of the Birth of the Khalsa. It was on Baisakhi day in 1699 that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji baptised the 'Panj Pyaras' at Anaandpur Sahib at the place where Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib stands.

District

Rupnagar

STD Code

01887

Topic

Pilgrim