PLACES TO SEE/VISIT - RAJASTHAN

•Ajmer/ Pushkar
•Bikaner
•Jodhpur
•Mount Abu
•Sawai Madhopur
•Bharatpur
•Chittorgarh
•Jaisalmer
•Udaipur
 

Ajmer/ Pushkar: Ajmer is one of the most significant pilgrimate destination equally important for Hindus as well as Muslims. Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.
Ajmer is very close to Pushkar (11 kms) which is significant for the famous fair held normally in the month of October/November.Pushkar, the abode of Lord Brahma,lying to its west with a temple and a picturesque lake.The Pushkar lake is a sacred spot for Hindus. During the month of Kartik(Oct./Nov.),devotes throng in large numbers here to take a dip in the sacred lake.

Place to see in and around Ajmer:-
• The Dargah
• Shahjhan’s Mosque
• Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra
• Taragarh Fort
• The Museum
• Mayo College
• Pushkar Lake (11km.)
• Man Mahal
• Foy Sagar(5km)

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Bikaner : The royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval splendor that pervades the city’s lifestyle. More popularly called the camel country , the city is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. Be it pulling heavy carts , transporting grains or working on wells, camels are the prime helpers.The wells of Bikaner: an important source of water are other attractions of the city. These are built on high plinths with slender minareted towers on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance.

Place to see in and around Bikaner:-
• Junagarh
• Lal Garh Palace
• The Suraj Pol or Sun Gate
• Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
• Gardens and Parks
• Bhandasar Jain Temple (5 km)
• Camel Research Farm (8 km)
• Devi Kund (8 km)
• Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary (32 km)
• Shiv Bari Temple(6 km)

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Jodhpur : Amidst the sand dunes and thorny vegetation of Thar desert towers a fort, 120 metres above the plain. The fort overlooks the imperial city of Jodhpur, which is a part of the Desert Tourist Triangle. The old Jodhpur city is surrounded by a 10 km long wall with eight gates serving as entrances. The new city is settled around this walled area. The Maruthal or 'land of death' , came into life when the Rathores of Kanauj moved in. But the city of Jodhpur was founded by Rao Jodhaji in 1459 AD. This city was on the silk route of the 16th century and hence was host to a number of travellers.
In Jodhpur, the genius of its sculptors comes to life in its exquisite palaces, forts, temples and havelis, which stand testimony to the imperial grandeur. The most alluring part of Jodhpur is the traditional lifestyle, festivity and the smiling people who treasure this former princely state.

Place to see in and around Jodhpur:-
• Mehrangarh Fort
• Jaswant Thada
• Umaid Bhawan Palace
• Government Museum
• Girdikot and Sardar Market
• Maha Mandir Temple
• Balsamand Lake and Gardens (5 km)
• Mandore(8 km)
• Mahamandir Temple (9 km)
• Kailana Lake (11 km)
• Osian (58 km)

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Mount Abu : The only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is more than just a summer retreat. Its stunning array of exquisite Dilwara Jain Temples, dating back 11th- 13th centuries, make it a popular pilgrimage centre. ‘Abu’ according to a legend.stands for the son of Himalayan, deriving its name from Arbuada,the powerful serpent who rescued Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, from a chasm.
Situated at the southern tip of the Aravali range the hill retreat owes its cool climate to its rich flora covering the entire hillside that includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs. The road leading to Mount Abu is a curved one characterized by arid region dotted with huge rocks in weird shapes and high velocity winds.

Place to see in and around Mount Abu:-
• Gaumukh Temple
• Delwara Jain Temple
• Adhar Devi Temple
• Sunset Point
• Honeymoon Point (Andra Point)
• Shri Raghunathji Temple
• Gardens and Parks
• Museum and Art Gallery
• Trevor’s Tank (5 km)
• Achalgarh (8 km)
• Guru Shikhar (15 km)

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Sawai Madhopur : Lying on the main Delhi - Mumbai railway line, Sawai Madhopur is the gateway to the world renowned Ranthambhore National Park - the famous Tiger Reserve, just 12 kms away from here. Ranthambhore has been a witness to the rise and fall of many rulers and a series of battle scenes.
In the 13th century A.D., Govinda, the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan took over the reign of the land. Later his successor Vagbhatta beautified the city and built a noteworthy temple at Jhain.
In the middle of 15th century A.D., Rana Kumbha captured the fort and gifted it to his son to be occupied later by the Hada Rajputs of Bundi and Mughal Emperors Akbar and Aurangazeb. Mughal emperor Shah Alam gifted it to Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh 1 of Jaipur in 1754 and since then it was mainted as the hunting preserve of the Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were part of the royal hunting parties who stayed here.

Place to see in and around Sawai Madhopur:-
• Ranthambore National Park
• Ranthambore Fort
• Jogi Mahal

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Bharatpur : Bharatpur is considered as the Eastern Gateway to Rajasthan. Bharatpur is popular for its bird sanctuary-the Keoladeo Ghana National Park - finest in Asia rich avian variety. Every year the rare Siberian cranes come to spend the winter in the warmer climate of Bharatpur.
Of the remnants of the royal past remains the marvellous Bharatpur Palace housing a rich repository of a large number of ancient exhibit that date back to the early 15th century.

Place to see in and around Bharatpur:-
• Keoladeo National Park
• Lohagarh Fort
• Government Museum
• Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj
• The Palace
• Deeg(32 km)

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Chittorgarh : Chittaurgarh exhibits the pride and glory of Rajasthan in the form of its various forts and monuments. It is a ruined citadel where the royal past lives in the imposing forts, graceful palaces and spectacular chhatris. The entire city echoes with the tales of romance and valor unique to the Rajput tradition.
The antiquity of Chittaurgarh is difficult to trace, but it is believed that Bhim the legendary figure of the Mahabharta, visited this place to learn the secrets of immortality and became the disciple of a sage, but his impatience to perform all the rites deprived him of his goal, and out of sheer anger he stamped on ground creating water reservoir, this reservoir is called as Bhim Lat. Later on, it came under the Mauryas or Muri Rajputs, there are different opinions as to when ilt came under the Mewar ruler, but it remained the capital of Mewar till 1568, when it was shifted to Udaipur.

Place to see in and around Chittaurgarh :-
• The Fort
• Vijay Stambh or 'Victory Tower'
• Kirti Stambh or 'Tower of Fame'
• Rana Kumbha's Palace
• Padmini Palace
• Meera Bai Temple
• Kumbha Shyam Temple
• Kalika Mata Temple
• Jaimal and Patta's Palace
• Government Museum
• Gaumukh (Cow's mouth Reservoir)
• Mohar Magri (Hill of Gold Coins)
• Fateh Prakash Museum
• Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary

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Jaisalmer : The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna- the head of Yadav clan foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill, His prophecy was fulfilled in 1156AD. When Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill. Bhatti Rajputs of Jaisalmer were fedual chief who lived off the forced levy on the caravans laden with precious silks and spices that crossed the territory enroute Delhi-or Sind.

Place to see in and around Jaisalmer:-
• The Fort
• Manak Chowk and Havelis
• Gadsisar Lake
• Tazia Tower
• Havelis
• Nathmalji-ki-Haveli
• Patwon -ki-Haveli
• Salim Singh-ki-Haveli
• Jain Temple
• Gyan Bhandar or Library
• Lodurva (16 km)
• Wood Fossil Park, Aakal(17 kms)
• Sam Sand Dunes(42 km)
• Desert National Park (45 km)

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Udaipur : The city was founded in 1567 AD by Maharana Udai Singh on the advice of a sage. Udaipur was last of the numerous Mewar capitals. It was in Udaipur that legendary Maharana Pratap was born. He was obsessed with Chittaur and the past glories of the Sisodia clan possessed his mind. Maharana Pratap left Udaipur to win back Chittaur from the Mughals. But he failed in his attempts and Udaipur remained the capital of Mewar till India got her independence.The memory of the failure of noble Pratap gives Udaipur its pervading mood of nostalgic wistfulness.

Place to see in and around Udaipur:-
• City Palace
• Jagdish Temple
• Saheliyon-ki-Bari
• Pratap Memorial/Moti Magri
• Pichhola Lake
• Sajjan Garh
• Fateh Sagar
• The Suraj Gokhada
• Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir
• Ahar
• Gulab Bagh
• Eklingji (22 km)
• Ranakpur (90 km)
• Nagda (23 km)
• Haldighati (40 km)
• Nathdwara (48 km)
• Kankroli (65 km)
• Rajsamand Lake (66 km)
• Kumbhalgarh Fort ( 84 km)
• Jagat (58 km)
• Jaisamand Lake (48 km)

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