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Encyclopedia of Tours and Travel to Rajasthan, featuring information on Fairs & Festivals, Wildlife, Excursion, Adventure and Weather of Rajasthan. |
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Rajasthan
Amazing legends of heroism and romance still resound from its equally amazing architecture, that still stands to narrate its tale of a bygone era. The magic of Rajasthan is unequalled in the world for its heritage, culture, safaris, sand dunes and lush green forests with its wildlife. Rajasthan is often expressed as huge open-air museum with relic so well preserved for the travellers and the curious of the day. It is action-packed with outdoors too; take a safari on horses, camels, elephants or even jeeps with the Aravalis - India's oldest mountain range in the backdrop, or caress your eyes on the sloppy sand dunes, or trail a tiger or just watch birds on wetland. Or you can choose to pamper yourself in the lavish heritage properties. Rajasthan has something for everyone, just choose your activity. Before Independence in 1947, Rajputana, as it was called, comprised
of 18 princely states, two chiefships, the small British-administered
province of Ajmer-Merwara, and a few pockets of territory outside
the main boundaries. After 1947 the princely states and chiefships
were integrated into India in several stages Rajasthan in northwestern India, with an area of 342,239 square kilometers, is bounded on the west and northwest by Pakistan, on the north and northeast by the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, on the east and southeast by the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and on the southwest by the state of Gujarat. The Tropic of Cancer passes through Banswara district in the extreme south of Rajasthan. The state is diagonally divided into the hilly and rugged south eastern region and the barren north western Thar desert which extends across the border into Pakistan.
The capital city, Jaipur, familiarly known as the Pink City, is the stronghold of a clan of rulers in the past. Three hill forts and a series of palaces are the major attractions here. Western Rajasthan itself forms a convenient tourism circuit in the heart of the Thar desert. The three cities of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner create a perfect portrait of this beautiful desert land. Jodhpur, on the edge of the desert was once the capital of the state of Marwar. Dominating the city is the hilltop fort of Mehrangarh with a magnificent view of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, built of golden sandstone in the early part of this century. Jaisalmer is a fanta Bikaner is also an impressive testimony to the past, with its amazing sandstone palace, temples and cenotaphs. In the north of Rajasthan is the Shekhavati region easily approachable from Jaipur by road. The greatest attractions here are the deserted mansions of local merchants, decorated with wall paintings of various subjects and styles. Nearby are Dundlod and Mandawa, rugged forts which are now converted into hotels, surrounded by an aura of rare medieval charm.
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and the state took the name of Rajasthan, assuming its present form
on Nov.1, 1956. 
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that lies deep in the heart of the desert and bewitches visitors.
The Jaisalmer fort rises out of a sea of sand, itsrounded battlements
of golden stone echoing the colours of the desert sand. Other attractions
of this city include a filigree of pierced stonework facades of
private houses and a series of ornately carved Jain temples.