Popular Historical Places

Delhi

State

Delhi is one of the most important cities of India, as it is the National Capital Territory, which is also the location of the major administrative and legal offices of the country.

The city is situated on the banks of river Yamuna, and is the geographical location for many important and popular historical monuments like Humayun's Tomb, Jama Masjid, Lotus Temple.

Some of the popular places are:

Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk is considered as one of the oldest and busiest markets in North Delhi. It is situated in the Shahjahanabad area between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid. On both sides of the wide Chandni Chowk streets are historical residential areas flanked by narrow lanes (galis).

History

Hindu mythology suggests Delhi, earlier known as "Hastinapur", to have been the site of Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas in the Indian epic Mahabharata.

It has a long historical past dating back to settlements grew from the time of the Mauryan Empire including a history as the capital of several empires. It encompasses various kings and emperors who fixed their royal citadels here - Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Quila Rai Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Delhi Sher Shahi or then Shahjahanabad.

Since 12th century, Delhi has seen the rise and fall of seven major powers. The Chauhans took control in the 12th century and made Delhi the most important Hindu centre in northern India followed by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, who brought in over 6 centuries of Muslim rule. The Delhi Sultanate lasted from 1206 to 1526, and was followed by the mighty Mughals from 1526 to 1857 and it was from here that the Mughals spread their roots. It is believed that the Mughal Empire had immense influence on the all-round socio-economic development of the city. In 1857, the British captured Delhi and installed a British administrator and it was an important commercial centre. George V announced in 1911 that the capital of British controlled parts of India would move back to Delhi. A new capital city, New Delhi, was built to the south of the old city during the 1920s. After independence from British rule in 1947, New Delhi was declared its capital and seat of government.

Thus, the city is divided into 2 parts: Old Delhi and New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India in the 12th to 19th century. New Delhi on the other hand was created as an imperial city by the British.

Accessibility

By Air: Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is connected to all the important cities of the world with almost all the major international airlines operating out of here. Palam Domestic Airport connects Delhi to the major cities in India. S

By Rail: There are three important Railway Stations in Delhi namely New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station and Hazarat Nizamuddin Railway Station. Luxury trains like the Palace-on-Wheels, Fairy Queen, and Royal Orient Express can be taken from New Delhi Cantonment railway station.

By Road: Delhi is well connected by road to all major destinations in North India. The Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) are located at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale-Khan and Anand Vihar.

Getaways
District
Delhi
STD Code
011
Termperature
Summer 25-47°C, Winter 1-25°C
Best time to visit
October to March
Famous For
Capital of India

Jodhpur

State

Jodhpur , the second largest city in the state, is a popular tourist destination, featuring many palaces, forts and temples, set in the stark landscape of the Thar desert. The city is known as the Sun City for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred to as the Blue City due to the blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort.

Image Credit:

History

Founded by a Rathore chief, the city of Jodhpur took its name from its founder ruler- Rao Jodha in 1459 AD. The natural fortifications of the place were greatly enhanced by the construction of the highly barricaded Meherangarh Fort that was virtually impregnable.

Jodhpur had friendly relations with Mughals, having entered into a matrimonial alliance with them but the friendly relations got soured when Jodhpur didn't support Aurangzeb in the Mughal war of succession and he captured the city on becoming the king of the Mughal Empire.

Ajit Singh restored Jodhpur to its former glory after the fall of Mughal Empire. The looming threat of Marathas was taken care by signing a treaty. After the fall of the Marathas, the ruling family of Jodhpur signed a treaty with the British. This arrangement continued till Jodhpur became a part of independent India.

Accessibility

Air: Jodhpur airport is connected to Jaipur, Delhi, Udaipur and Mumbai by daily regular flights. The Airport is nearly 5 km away from the city center. Taxi charges about Rs 150 and three wheeled rickshaw cost about Rs 50 from airport to city. Delhi is the nearest international airport, which is well connected to all major cities in India and abroad. Delhi is nearly 600 km away from Jodhpur.

Rail: Jodhpur railhead is an important junction in the North Western railway zone in India. Jodhpur is well connected to all major cities in India including Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jaipur, Jailsalmer and Mumbai.

Road: Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation provides bus services to all cities in Rajasthan from Jodhpur. Private deluxe buses are available from Jaipur (345 km), Delhi (600 km), Jaisalmer (290 km), Bikaner (240 km) and Agra (580 km). The deluxe bus charges varies between Rs 3 to Rs 4 per kilometer.

Shopping

Jodhpur has a flourishing trade in exports and imports. Many foreign traders come directly to Jodhpur bypassing other Indian cities. Expectedly, therefore, a wide variety of items are available in Jodhpur. The handicrafts and antique pieces of the place are most popular. Other popular items include silver jewellery, leather goods, carpets and durries, textiles and furnitures. The central shopping place of Jodhpur is known as Ghasmandi Bazaar.

The city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan is famous for its ethnic clothes, exquisite handicrafts and intricately carved furniture.

A walk through the markets of Jodhpur selling mirrors, sequins, beads, lehengas and turbans will be a peep into the world of glitz and color and ethnic splendor. While shopping in Jodhpur remember to buy a pair of mojiris or traditional Jodhpuri shoes at the Mochi Bazaar as a beautiful souvenir from the city of Jodhpur. For textiles, you can choose from the bales of brightly colored cloth, bandhini, tie and dye and block prints at Kapra Bazaar. The government emporiums like the National Handloom Corporation, Salawas Durry Udyog are places to check out for quilts, carpets and wooden furniture and handicrafts.

Accommodation

Jodhpur known for its culture and heritage is a popular tourist destination in Rajasthan.Hotels in Jodhpur are paragons of culture and traditional hospitality. It will be a unique experience to stay in a heritage hotel in Jodhpur to get a taste of the royal splendor.

Jodhpur hotels offer a range of packages to suit the budget of the luxury seeker and the budget traveler alike. Most of the hotels are conveniently located in the main town near the airport and the railway station.

Hotels in Jodhpur offer delectable cuisine, be it Indian, Chinese, Continental and Mughlai.You should try typical Jodhpuri flavors like Kachouri, a snack eaten with Chutney, ladoos and buttermilk or lassi.

Some of the prominent hotels in Jodhpur are:

Five Star Deluxe Hotels in Jodhpur

Taj Hari Mahal
Umaid Bhavan Palace

Four Star Hotels in Jodhpur

Hotel Abhay Das
Hotel Ratanada Polo Palace

Three Star Hotels in Jodhpur

Quality Inn Chandra
Two Star Hotels in Jodhpur
Hotel Ratan Vilas

Heritage Hotels in Jodhpur

Ajit Bhawan Resort
Hotel Balsamand Lake Palace
Karni Bhawan

Attractions

Marwar Festival
The Marwar Festival is organized in the Hindu month of Ashwin (Sept-Oct) in the city of Jodhpur. It is dedicated to the folk heroes of Rajasthan. Also known as Rajasthan Maand Festival, this festival lasts for two days during the full moon of Sharad Poornima. The main feature of the Marwar Festival is the Rajasthani folk music that revolves around the romantic and passionate lifestyle of the former rulers of Rajasthan. This classical folk music is known as Maand.

Marwar Festival of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is a kind of display of the heart capturing folk music and dance of the Marwar region. One can see the folk dancers with pots on their heads and folk singers bringing to life the bygone era of the state. They provide a window to the past days of yore, of battles and of brave and noble heroes. Apart from this, the other attractions of the festival include the camel tattoo show and camel polo. Against the backdrop of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh fort, this festival gains an added attraction.

Nagaur Fair
The Nagaur Fair of Rajasthan is mainly known for cattle trading, which takes place extensively at the fair. Lasting for eight days, the Rajasthan Nagaur Cattle Fair is organized in the Hindu month of Magha (Jan-Feb). The venue of the fair is Nagaur, one of the most scenic Rajput towns. It is the second largest cattle fair of Rajasthan. As many as 70,000 (approximately) bullocks, camels and horses are traded every year in the Nagaur fair.

To make them attractive, the animals are adorned with various accessories in an extravagant manner. At the same time, the owners, themselves, are seen showing off their colorful turbans and long moustaches. Apart from the business of cattle trading, there are a number of other attractions at the fair. At the Nagaur fair, the biggest Mirchi (red chili) Bazaar (market) of India is organized. Other items traded at the fair include wooden items, iron-crafts, camel leather accessories, etc.

The Nagaur Fair also offers a lot to those wanting to have some fun. Sports organized at the fair include tug-of-war, camel races, bullock races and cockfights. Other means of entertainment are jugglers, puppeteers, storytellers, and campfire evenings, adding to the excitement of the tourists. Echoing through the peace and serenity of the desert, the folk music of the Jodhpur lends further serenity to the mind.

District
Jodhpur
STD Code
0291
Termperature
Summer 24-45°C, Winter 5-20°C
Best time to visit
September to March

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
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

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.

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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
Termperature
Summer 32-45°C, Winter 5-28°C
Best time to visit
September-February

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
Termperature
Summer 25-45°C, Winter 5-22°C
Best time to visit
October-March
Famous For
Capital City of Rajasthan State

Udaipur

State

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.

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

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
Termperature
Summer 32-45°C, Winter 5-28°C
Best time to visit
October-March

Agra

Agra, situated on the west bank of River Yamuna, is heritage city most famous tourist destination, flourished during the reign of the Mughals - notably under Emperor Akbar and subsequently under Emperor Shah Jahan - from 1526 to 1658. The architectural splendor of the city is reflected in the glorious monuments of medieval India built by great Mughals who ruled India for more than 300 years.

History

Agra was first mentioned in the epic Mahabharata as Agrevan (translates as "The Border of the Forest").
In 1501 Sikander Lodhi of the Delhi Sultanate made it his capital. In 1526 Babur defeated the Lodhi’s and Agra came under the Mughal rule. Babur introduced Mughal gardens to Agra.

Agra flourished during Akbar’s rule and became a centre for art, culture and learning. He laid the foundation for a city here and named it Akbarabad. Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri were built during Akbar’s reign. When Shah Jahan, who had a passion for architecture, came into power he built the Taj Mahal, most of the palce buildings inside the Agra Fort and the Jama Masjid.

Shah Jahan's son, Aurangazeb, moved moved his capital from Agra to Delhi and that began the slow decline of Agra as well as the Mughal Empire. The Jats then came into power beginning the years of destruction to the city and its monuments, followed by the Maratas and then the British.

Accessibility

By Air: Agra’s Kheria Airport is located 8 km away from the heart of the city. Agra is connected to Varanasi, Delhi and Khajuraho by air.

By Rail: Agra is a major railway junction on routes to the south, east and west. Agra's railway station is Agra Cantonment.

By Road: Agra is on the cross roads of national highways 2, 3 and 11 and is well connected to all parts of the country. Express and air-conditioned bus services are available from Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Gualior and Jhansi.

Shopping

The markets of Agra are full of tiny marble replicas of the Taj Mahal sold as decorative pieces. Though all of them are not of the same quality, tourists can definitely find some of the best replicas if they take a little pain in searching through the markets.

Agra is also famous for leather products. Many different items like bags, caps, jackets, wallets, sandals, shoes and decorative items are made of leather. The Zari and embroidery works of the local artisans are also among the best buys of Agra.

Shopping in Agra can be an interesting and beautiful experience. The Agra bazaars (markets) still bear the remnants of the past glory when their ethnic arts and crafts were patronised and popularized by the Mughal emperors.

Some of the items for which Agra is famous include handicrafts items like marble tabletops; soft stone lay work, semi precious stones, jewellery items and hand made leather items. The small replica of the Taj Mahal makes popular souvenir, decorated with inlay work with semi-precious and precious stones imitating the style of the pietra dura work on the grand Taj. The 'Chikan embroidery' and thread and zari work on clothing illustrate the plush art traditions that have been carried down over the generations in the family of artisans.

Sandalwood items, durries, carpets and textiles are other popular items to shop for in Agra. Some of the popular bazaars in Agra that you can visit on your shopping tour include the Kinari Bazaar, Pratap Pura, Sadar Bazaar, Munro Road, Taj Ganj and Gwalior Road. There are the modern shopping sites and complexes too especially the state emporiums where you can purchase antique souvenirs to luxury items.

Accommodation

Hotels in Agra are known for their hospitality. The hotels in Agra offer everything from room luxuries to sightseeing and leisure facilities.

Some of the well known hotels are located near the Taj Mahal.But for the budget traveler who can not afford this luxury, do not get disheartened because almost all the hotels in Agra are located near the Taj Mahal or arrange special trips to visit the bewitching Taj Mahal.

Attractions

Taj Mahotsav
Come February and it's springtime! The time of the year when nature dawns all it's colorful splendour and Agra bursts into colorful celebrations. For 10 days there is a sheer celebration of Uttar Pradesh's rich heritage of arts, crafts, culture, cuisine, dance and music. Yes, it is Taj Mahotsav time again. There are festivities all around and Agra truly puts on the colors of joy and gets transformed into one non stop carnival. Organised by Uttar Pradesh Tourism, and held as an annual event at Shilpgram, literally next door to the Taj Mahal, the Taj Mahotsav is indeed a fitting tribute to the legendary skills of matercraftsmen and exponents of art, music and cuisine. Not only this, it is also a gentle peep into the rich heritage and extraordinary legacies of this wonderful land.

Bateswar Fair
Situated at a distance of 70 km. from Agra on the banks of river Yamuna, Bateshwar is an important spiritual and cultural centre. The place is named after the presiding deity of the region, Bateshwar Mahadeo and has 108 temples, dedicated to the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon.

During the months of October & November, a large fair is organised from Shashthi of Kartik month to Panchami of Agrahayan month. The fair holds a lot of importance for the Hindus. Devotees congregate here in large numbers to worship Lord Shiva and take holy dips in river Yamuna. A Livestock Fair is also organised and owners and buyers conduct serious business combined with the gaiety of a market place.

Rambarat
The marriage procession of Sri Ram called as 'Rambarat' is held every year, during Ramlila celebrations at Agra. Every year, a new locale of the town is chosen as Janakpuri, which is elaborately decorated to perform the royal wedding. The Rambarat (marriage procession) starts from Lala Channomalji Ki Baradari for Janakpuri, passing through different parts of the town. The barat is a large procession of tableaux or the 'jhankis', followed by Ram and Lakshman, mounted on elephants.

Kailash Fair
The kailash fair is held at Kailash, 12 kms from Agra during the months of August-September. It is a major fair celebrated in honour of lord shiva, who is believed to have appeared here in the form of a stone lingam.

District
Agra
STD Code
0562
Termperature
Summer 25 to 46°C, Winter 1 to 23°C
Best time to visit
October to March
Famous For
Taj Mahal, one of the 7 Wonders of the World