Rajasthan Cities/Destinations

Ajmer is situated south west of Jaipur, Ajmer is an oasis wrapped in the green hills. The Ajmer city was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century A.D. and continued to be a major centre of the Chauhan power till 1193 A.D. When Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri. Since then, Ajmer became home to many dynasties.

Bharatpur is well-known for its world heritage listed bird sanctuary Keoladeo Ghanna National Park. This is one of the few places in the world where you can hope to sight hundred of different species of birds in just a few days. Over 400 species different birds have been identified in the park and you see them all over the place. Many tourists travelling to this destination have rate it as the highlight of their visit.

Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel research and breeading farm in the world. A camel besides doing transportation duties, also works on wells. These are built on high plinths with slender minarets on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance.

Bundi is the undiscovered splendour, 36 Kms from Kota ruled by the Hada Chauhans. The palaces and forts have fairy tale quality about them. Isolated and independent, this picturesque location has much to offer. Rajput architecture shines and in the intricately carved brackets, pillars etc. Interesting places are Diwan-e- aam, Hati Pol, and Naubat Khana.

Alauddin Khilji was the first to sack Chittaur in 1303 A.D. In 1533 A.D., during the rule of Bikramjeet, came the second attack from Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat. Once again Jauhar was led by Rani Karanavati, a Bundi princess. Her infant son, Udai Singh was smuggled out of Chittaur to Bundi who survived to inherit the throne of the citadel. He learnt from his traumatic childhood that discretion is preferred to valour. So in, 1567 A.D. when the Mughal Emperor invaded Chittaur, Udai Singh fled to establish a new Capital, Udaipur-a beautiful lake city, leaving behind Chittaur to be defended by two 16 year old heroes, Jaimal of Bednore and Patta of Kelwa. These young men displayed true Rajput chivalry and died after ‘Jauhar’ was performed. Immediately thereafter Akbar razed the fort to a rubble. Chittaur was never inhabited again but it always asserted the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors.

Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra and forms the most chosen tourism golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trapping of modern metropolis but yet flavoured strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller. The old Jaipur painted in Pink can grip any visitor with admiration. Stunning backdrop of ancient forts Nahargarh, Amer, Jagarh and Moti Dungri are dramatic testimonials of the bygone era and a reminder of their lingering romance.

Jaisalmer induces a dramatic picture of utter magic and brilliance of the desert. The hostile terrain not withstanding the warmth and colour of people is simply over whelming. One of the main draws is the daunting 12th century Jaisalmer Fort. The beautiful havelis which were built by wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer are yet another interesting aspect of the desert city. The desert citadel is truly a golden fantasy in Thar Desert. Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, after whom the city finds its name, founded Jaisalmer in 1156.

Jodhpur is one of the most important cities, lying on the edge of the Thar desert in western Rajasthan. This region, earlier known as marwar also has Bikaner and Jaisalmer as a part of the Desert Triangle. Interestingly, it originally belonged to the Rathore of Kanauj ( now in modern Utter Pradesh) who shifted after the city was sacked by Mohammed Ghori in 1193 AD. The Rathors kept shifting capitals until Rao Jodha, claiming to be a descendant of Lord Rama-the God King-founded Jodhpur in 1459AD. He built the gigantic Mehrangarh Fort which crowns a hilltop and main focus as it can be seen from most parts of the city. One of Rao Jodha's sons ,Rao Bika, leter still,Rao Ganga Singh of Jodhpur (1516-32 AD). A distinguished warrior, joined hands with Rana Sanga of Mewar to fight Babar-the founder of the mughal dynasty.

An amazing, juxtaposition of majestic medieval age and modern industrialization, mainly the Hydro Electric Plant on the Chambal River and the Nuclear Power Plant has a few traces of its past still left. The fort overlooking the river Chambal is the foremost tourist attraction. It also houses the museum with a rich collection of art and artefacts and some elaborately painted chambers.

The Raj period approached Mount Abu as a relaxation place to rewind along with the royalties and semi royalties. The flora and fauna enjoys the adulation of the tourist to the fullest. The tribes still conducting there authentic life styles in the wake of 21st century is rather interesting and so is the collection of various monuments of different religious sects like the famous shrines of Jainism.

Bharatpur is well-known for its world heritage listed bird sanctuary Keoladeo Ghanna National Park. This is one of the few places in the world where you can hope to sight hundred of different species of birds in just a few days. Over 400 species different birds have been identified in the park and you see them all over the place. Many tourists travelling to this destination have rate it as the highlight of their visit. 

To check the increasing incursions of the Marathas, Madho Singh the ruler of Jaipur requested the imperial emperor for the grant of the fort of Ranthambhore, but did not succeed. He therefore fortified sherour and named it sawai Madhopur, in 1765 AD . in the same year the emperor assigned the fort of Ranthambhore to the Jaipur Raja. Therefore, the history of the region is a part of the history of the eastwhile Jaipur State.

Jhunjhunu is the cultural capital of shekhawati and has a rich history , cultural and archaeological remains. This town has played a significant role in political history of shekhawati . in the absence of archaeological excavations and exploration , it is difficult to trace the early history of the area. However , if local legends are to be relied upon, the antiquity of the area may be traced to the epic age when the Pandavas , while wandering ,spent some time here.

Udapur, the last of the capitals of Mewar, takes its name from Rana Udai Singh who founded it in 1559 AD. Driven from his citaded by the besieging armies of emperor Akbar, he abandoned struggle and chose the fertile valley between Chittaurgarh and kumbhalgarh to build his new city Udaipur-the city of lakes. Today, Udaipur nestles in a scenic valley ringed by the Aravalis and is one of the most enchanting cities of India.