The ethnicity and rich cultural heritage are known to lure a number of tourists to Rajasthan who cannot get enough of the beautiful state. The ruined forts telling the tales of a bygone era, the lavish havelis that were once an abode to the royals and glamorous palaces that describe the rich lifestyle of the Kings is what makes up Rajasthan.
But there is more to this state where you can coordinate with the colours that each city boasts of, enjoy savouries made with pure desi ghee, don colourful clothes to pose contrastingly with the desert and discover the narrow lanes on a camel.
This vibrant state draws the attention of tourists from national and international borders. So let us have a look at
20 best places to visit in Rajasthan.
#1 City Palace
The City Palace in Jaipur that was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh 2 is a huge complex that houses Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal. This palace was once the seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur and was constructed between 1729 to 1732. Visit this palace that is made out of red sandstone.
You can take a tour of this palace between 9 am to 5 pm for a fee of Rs.190 per person while foreigners are charged at Rs.500 per person. The best time to visit this place is between October to March when the temperatures are pleasant.
#2 Amer Fort
Amer or Amber Fort is about 11kms from Jaipur and one of the best places to visit. Overlooking the Lake Maota, this fort is built with red sandstone and marble. It consists of the Diwan-e-Aam or the Hall of Public Audience, the Diwan-e-Khaas or the Hall of Private Audience, the Sheesh Mahal and Sukh Niwas.
The Sukh Niwas has a very unique form of air-conditioning wherein artificial winds are blown over a water cascade to cool the surroundings.
#3 Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal serves as a famous landmark in Jaipur. The striking feature about this palace is that it looks like a honeycomb when looked from a distance. Crafted out of pinkish-red sandstone, this Mahal consists of numerous windows that were made to keep the air circulating through the palace to keep it cool.
Another purpose of those little windows was to enable the women of the palace peep through them and have a look at the daily life happening on the outside. Just at Rs.50 per person, you can visit this beautiful palace. Between 10 am to 5 pm, you can visit this mahal for entry of Rs.50 per person while foreigners are charged at Rs.550.
Elephant rides are available too, which you can enjoy at Rs.1100. Apart from this, there is a light show that takes place every evening, which focuses on the history of Jaipur and this mahal. You need to pay Rs.100 per person to enjoy this light show in the Hindi language.
#4 Nahargarh Fort
Long before Jaipur was formed as Rajasthan’s capital, the city of Amer was considered the capital of the state. It proudly stands on the edge of the Aravallis. This impressive fort is also where parts of the famous movie ‘Rang de Basanti’ was shot.
For entry of Rs.50, between 10 am to 5.30 pm, you can visit this fort that is 6 km away from Jaipur. Foreigners are charged Rs.200 per person as an entrance fee. The best time to visit is during the winter months.
#5 Jal Mahal
If you want to visit a calm and serene place, Jal Mahal is the place to be. Situated amidst the Man Sagar Lake, about 5 km away from Jaipur.
The asymmetric low rise built of this five-storey mahal makes four of its floor submerge underwater during the monsoons. For entry of Rs.10, you can visit this beautiful Mahal, the reflection of which forms a wonderful impression on the azure waters.
#6 Birla Temple
Also known as Laxmi Narayan temple, this temple in Jaipur, built-in 1988, is said to have its architecture-inspired from contemporary styles. The design carved on this white marble temple is said to be influenced by a Scottish castle artwork.
The major three cupolas in the complex depict the three crucial religions that are followed in our country. At Rs.150 as an entry fee, you can visit this temple that is located right adjacent to the Moti Dungri Fort between 6 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 9 pm. October to March are the best months to pay a visit here.
#7 Jantar Mantar
Considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jantar Mantar Observatory in Jaipur is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It consists of a giant sundial called the Samrat Yantra and other astronomical instruments such as the Natalya Yantra, the Jai Prakash Yantra and the Laghu Samrat Yantra. This site draws the attention of a number of astronomers, students of Vedic astronomy and tourists from all over the world.
Local astronomers still use it to predict the weather for local farmers. The Jantar Mantar can be called the single most representative work of Vedic astronomy. You can also enjoy the light and sound show here, the tickets of which, are available at the venue itself. Pay a visit at this amazing structure between 9 am to 5 pm.
#8 Lake Pichola
A popular tourist destination in Udaipur, this lake was artificially created to meet the irrigation and drinking requirements of the locals in 1362 AD. There are four islands on the lake that have palaces constructed on them, making the view of the lake very picturesque.
The island of Jag Niwas has the Lake Palace built on it, Jag Mandir island houses the Jag Mandir Palace, Mohan Mandir island also houses a palace that was crafted for the King to witness the celebrations of the Gangaur festival and Arsi Vilas is a small island that has an ammunition depot and a small palace to allow the Kings to view sunsets.
You can avail the boating services between 9 am to 6 pm that will cost Rs.400 for adults and Rs.200 for children during the day time, while sunset boating charges are Rs.700 for adults and Rs.400 for children.
#9 Kumbhalgarh Fort
Situated in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, 84 km away from Udaipur, this fort happens to be the birthplace of Maharana Pratap. Built during the 15th century, this fort is lit up every evening for a couple of minutes that make it worth capturing a glimpse of. You can visit this fort between 9 am to 6 pm.
#10 Fateh Prakash Palace
Located on the banks of Lake Pichola and named after Maharaj Fateh Prakash, this palace was once an abode to the King. It has now been turned into a Heritage Hotel that has won five tourism awards in the ‘Heritage Grand’ category and is one of the two authentic palace hotels in Udaipur City Palace Complex.
You can book your stay in this palace to live life in the Maharaja style amidst the old world charms that this palace yet retains. This Heritage Hotel is about 24 km away from Udaipur airport and 3 km away from the nearest railway station.
#11 Mehrangarh Fort
Situated in Jodhpur, this is one of the largest forts in India that was built in 1460. Enclosed by high walls from all sides, this fort has a museum, several palaces and temples inside its huge complex. The walls of the fort still bear the imprints of cannonballs from attacks during the reign of the Rajput rulers.
On the left of the fort, you can find a chattri dedicated to a soldier called Kirat Singh Soda who fell on the spot while defending the fort and his handprints can still be found on the walls.
This fort also comprises of an adventure such as the Flying Fox that will cost you Rs.60 while foreigners are charged at Rs.400 per person. The best time to visit this fort is between October to March when the temperature is relatively pleasant. The timings to visit are from 9am to 5 pm.
#12 Umaid Bhavan Palace
One of the world’s largest residences, this palace was also originally called as the Chittar Palace. While a part of the palace is still used by the Jodhpur Royal Family, another part has been leased out to the Taj Group of Hotels as a heritage hotel.
The palace has about 347 rooms and is divided into three parts. One part of the palace is the royal residence, the other part is a heritage hotel. The third part is a museum that displays the 20th-century history of the Royal Family of Jodhpur.
#13 Jaisalmer Fort
One of the largest forts in the world, Jaisalmer Fort, which was built in 1156, stands tall in the city of Jaisalmer, hence making it visible from all parts of the city. Also known as the Sonar Qila, this fort is made out of yellow sandstone, which makes it camouflage perfectly to its surroundings.
It is also the only living fort in the world where you will find various houses of the locals within its vast complex.Apart from this, various palaces, Jain temples, Laxminath temple, massive gateways and merchant havelis that are enclosed within its walls.
#14 Desert National Park
One of the best places to visit, this park stretches across an area of 3,000 sq.km. This national park is home to a number of species like blackbuck, desert gerbil, desert fox, chinkara, blue bull and agama eagles. You just need to pay an entry fee of Rs.20 per person to enter the park.
A jeep safari, anytime between 10 am to 5 pm is the best justice that you can do to yourself as it will allow you to spot the various wild animals who roam around freely in their natural habitat. The best time to visit this park is between October to March as the climate remains pleasant. You will need to pay Rs.100 per person for a jeep safari while Rs.200 will get you a guide as well.
#15 Gadsisar Sagar Lake
This lake was once the main source of water for the people of this region. It is surrounded by shrines and small temples that have elongated archways, making them look beautiful. Legend says that a beautiful courtesan offered to fund the construction of the arched gateway. However, the King refused to take the money from the courtesan as he considered it to be beneath his dignity.
The courtesan, however, got the archway built when the King was out of town and had a Krishna temple installed there so that the King could not demolish it. Just 2 km away from Jaisalmer railway station, you can visit this lake between 8 am to 7 pm. Boating facilities are available that ranges from Rs.100 for a 2 seater pedal boat, Rs.200 for a 4 seater pedal boat and Rs.300 for a 6 seater rowboat.
#16 Pushkar Lake
Located in the town of Pushkar, this lake is a holy site where the Brahma Temple is situated, dating back to the 14th century. It is believed that taking a dip in this holy lake will cleanse away all your sins.
There are about 500 Hindu temples situated on the banks of the Pushkar Lake along with 52 bathing ghats. As per religious beliefs, taking a dip in the Pushkar Lake during full moon days helps one wash away all their sins. The best time to visit here is between October to March.
#17 Dilwara Jain Temples
Built between the 11th and 13th centuries by Chalukya, these temples are just 2.5kms away from Mount Abu. Their beautiful and intricate carvings have been known to attract tourists from all over the world.
For Jain devotees, this temple remains open between 6 am to 12 pm while for other tourists it remains open between 12 pm to 5 pm. You also need to confirm the entry timings from the temple staff before paying a visit to avoid any confusion.
#18 Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Aravalli range, this sanctuary has declared a sanctuary only in 1980. This wildlife sanctuary houses about 112 plant families, 250 species of birds and a large number of wild animals such as hedgehogs, porcupines, Indian hares, mongoose, pangolin, bears, wild boars, langurs, and many others.
You can avail a jeep safari to spot all the versatile wildlife in this sanctuary that will cost you around Rs.300-600 per person. This park is open between 9 am to 5 pm and is 18 km away from Morthala railway station while 108 km away from Udaipur railway station.
#19 Nakki Lake
This lake in Mount Abu, that is 11,000 m deep, derived its name as per the legend that states this lake was dug up by nails. A sacred tourism spot, this lake also has boating facilities to enjoy. The Toad Rock is another attraction near the lake where a huge rock resembles like a frog. According to legend, the lake was dug by gods to stay protected from the Bashkali demon.
Another legend suggests that it was dug out by a sculptor called Rasiya Balam to win the king’s daughter’s hand in marriage. However, the king refused to give his daughter in marriage to Rasiya Balam. A temple dedicated to Rasiya Balam and the Kunwari Kanya, the king’s daughter, is situated just behind the Dilwara temple. Open between 9.30 am to 6 pm, this lake offers boating facilities that you can avail for Rs.50-100 per person.
#20 Mandore Gardens
Located in Jodhpur, the Mandore Gardens is very renowned and home to several monuments ruined forts and temples. All in all, the Mandore Gardens are a collection of temples and memorials, rock terraces, Cenotaph and the Chhatris.
This garden is accessible between 8 am to 8 pm and is situated at a distance of 9 km away from Jodhpur.
Planning a Trip to Rajasthan- Check the below itineraries
The Land of Kings – Rajasthan 8 Nights and 9 Days
The Golden City of Rajasthan – Jaisalmer 3 Nights and 4 Days
Golden Triangle Tour – Delhi Agra and Jaipur for 3 Nights and 4 Days
These are the best tourist attractions in the state of Rajasthan and many more. To book your trip, get in touch with us at support@adventourist.in.
