Rajasthan
still retains an elusive fairy-tale character. It is a land where tales
of valour of its medieval Rajput warriors are still sung by its travelling
bards. Rajasthan is the 'Land of the King'. Opulent palaces dot the
desert landscape and battle-scarred fortresses appear on every hill
like sentinels of the past. Here, folk culture still retains all its
colour and vivacity with exuberant celebrations
of fairs and festivals, a music that echoes across the desert emptiness
and a tradition of craftsmanship with a highly developed aesthetic sense.
Begin your desert adventure at Jodhpur, a fortress-city at the edge
of the Thar Desert. Then travel to Jaisalmer to see its unforgettable
golden fortress. The trade route outpost of Bikaner still retains a
medieval flavour and the route to Barmer will take you through typical
Rajasthani villages.
Desert
Rajasthan
Jodhpur
Grandeur by the sand dunes - Founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha,
Jodhpur was the capital of the princely state of Marwar, where the Rathor
clan ruled. Set right at the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is strewn
with forts and palaces that go back to the 15th century. On top of a
hill, at the edge of the town, looms the Mehrangarh Fort, giving it
a touch of medieval majesty.
Mehrangarh Fort - His formidable hilltop fort is one of the most impressive
in Rajasthan. A series of gates lead into it, like Jayapol built by
Maharaja Man Singh in 1806 and Fatehpol or 'Victory Gate' erected by
Maharaja Ajit Singh to celebrate his victory over the Mughals. Inside
the fort, see the palaces: Moti Mahal or 'Pearl Palace', Sukh Mahal
or 'Pleasure Palace' and Phool Mahal or 'Flower Palace'.
Jaswant Thada - Marble cenotaph built in 1899 as a memorial to Maharaja
Jaswant Singh II.
Ummaid Bhawan Palace - Built by Maharaja Ummaid Singh in1943, this
marble and sandstone palace is an imposing sight. The museum here has
a fascinating collection of antique clocks and miniature paintings.
Shopping - At Mochi Galli. Look for embroidered leather shoes, tie
and dye fabrics, lacquer ware, antiques and puppets.
Cuisine - Try makhaniya lassie- a delicious creamy drink. And popular
desserts - mawa laddoo, mawa kachori, dhood firni.
Festivals - Marwar festival, A cattle fair in Nagaur, Shitlamata fair
at Kaga, Gangaur Fair at Pipar.
Jaisalmer
The magic of a golden fortress.
Centuries ago, Jaisalmer was on the camel trading route between India
and Central Asia. It is a city that rises from the desert like a golden
mirage. Dominating the view is the awesome citadel on the hill - a fort
built with the golden yellow stone of the area. Jaisalmer is a visual
delight. Wander through its lanes and discover the 'Havelis' with delicately
carved stone facades
Jaisalmer Fort - Built in golden yellow sandstone, this fairy-tale
fortress stands on Tricuta Hill. Still inhabited, there are palaces
and bazaars within the fortress.
Havelis - Healthy merchants built these exquisite Havelis, with profusely-carved
stone facades. Don't miss Patwon Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli and
Nathmal Ki Haveli.
Rishabdeviji Temple, Ashta Padi Mandir & Sambhavnath Temple - Dating
from the 12th to 15th century, these three exquisite Jain temples contain
a treasure of Jain manuscripts.
Shopping - At Manik Chowk, pick up woven blankets and shawls, mirror-work
textiles, silver jewellery and block-printed textiles.
Festivals - Annual Desert Festival
Bikaner
Bikaner the royal fortified city stands on a slightly raised ground
and is circumscribed by a 7 km long embattled wall with five gates.
The magnificent forts and palaces created with delicacy in reddish-pink
sandstone bears testimony to its rich cultural heritage. Bikaner more
popularly called the camel country is renowned for the best riding camels
in the world.
Junagarh Fort - The Junagarh Fort, built by Rai Singh between 1588
and 1593, has a 986-metre-long wall with 37 bastions, a moat and two
entrances. Situated at a height of above seven hundred feet above sea
level, it towers over the city and can be seen from a distance. The
fort and its palaces are profusely decorated with magnificent stone
carvings. The major buildings within the fort include the Anup Mahal,
Diwan-e-Khas, Hawa Mahal, Badal Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Phool Mahal, Rang
Mahal, Dungar Mahal, and Ganga Mahal. The Chandra Mahal has remarkable
frescoes. Beautiful mirror work adorns the walls of Phool Mahal while
golden pen work decorates the Anup Mahal.
Lalgarh Palace - Built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in memory of his father,
the Lalgarh Palace is situated 3 km north of Bikaner city. Designed
by Sir Swinton Jacob, the palace is quite imposing with overhanging
balconies and delicate latticework. Peacocks and blooming bougainvillea
in the garden welcome the visitor to the palace. To promote tourism,
the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation has converted a portion
of this palace into a hotel.
Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum - One of the best museums in Rajasthan,
the Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum has one of the richest collections of
terracotta ware, weapons, miniature paintings of Bikaner school and
coins dating back to Harappan civilization and Gupta and Kushan era.
Raj Ratan Bihari and Rasik Shiromani Temple - These temples are situated
inside the Ratan Bihari Park on the northern side of KEM road. Built
in early 19th cent by Ratan Singuji and Sardar Singuji. They are of
red sandstone and constructed in a mansion style of architecture.
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