Places to see
Ajmer is a major pilgrimage centre for Muslims though people from all religious backgrounds come to pray at this dargah. The Dargah Shareef of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is situated at the foot of the Taragarh hill. Taragarh Fort, the fort of Ajmer, seat of the Chauhan rulers, is claimed to be the first hill fort of Asia. Magazine, the city's Museum has collection of the Mughal and Rajput armour and sculpture. The British developed Ajmer as an educational centre and Mayo college, once as exclusive school for boys from royal families, is now among the country's best private schools.
Once known as Mewat, the Rajput kingdom came under the Muslim domination during the 13th-18th century with intermittent attempts to win it back which Kachchawaha prince succeeded in doing in 1771. Alwar has beautiful lakeside palaces. Places to see here are City Palace, Museum, Puran vihar, Bala Fort, Vijay Mandir Palace, Moti Doongri.
Bikaner is situated in the middle of the Thar desert, founded by one of the scions of the house of Jodhpur, Bikaner's 15th century history combines adventure with enterprise. In later centuries as an ally of the mughals and the british, it was able to develop as a modern state though its architectural attractions remain splendidly Rajput. One of the principal outposts of the desert, it is alos a major centre for camel breeding. Bikaner is famous for its "Bikaneri Bhujia" and its sweets.
Nestled in a fold of the Aravalli hills, Bundi bristles with medieval enchantment. Its fortifications houses palaces and apartments, artificial lakes and water side pavilions. Ruled by Hada Rajputs, Bundi is renowned for its Rasleela frescos. Bundii has the The Taragarh Fort, or 'Star Fort' as most impressive of the city's structures.
A 13th century fortified town, barmer is the heart of the desert and is known for its quality of its wood and stone carvings. Earlier fortifications reveal the far limits where the Rajputs raised defense outposts. Barmer district is part of the Great Indian Desert or Thar Desert. Barmer is also known for its folk music and dance.
Banswara
Ribbed with streams and covered with dense forests, banswars lies off the conventional tourist circuit. Artificial lakes, dams and the ruins of the ancient temples make this an exicting place to discover. It is also known as 'City of Hundred Islands', due to presence of numerous islands in the Mahi River, which flows through Banswara
The only Jat knigdom in the state , the rock hard mud fortifications of its fort proved invincible even under repeated seige. The fort houses early remants of artifacts and sculpture, while the modern palace outside the a sprawling structure. However Bharatpur is known better as a Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National park). KEOLADEO GHANA NATIONAL PARK is a bird paradise here you can see cormorants, darters, purple and grey herons, various species of egret, white-necked as well as black-necked storks.
The former capital of the Sisodia rulers of Udaipur, Chittaur perches atop the scraggy spine of the Aravallis. Sacked by Allaudin Khilji in the 14th century, by the Sultans of Gujarat in the 16th century and finally by the Mugal emperor Akbar's forces it was abandoned by its rulers who vowed not to return unless they could avenge the defeat. A few palaces and towers are still remaining which speak the glorious history.
Deeg
The summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur, it is known for its Jat architecture and for the coloured fountains and pleasure pavilions that are contained within the fortified city.
A Bhil stronghold in the foothill of the Aravallis, this is a fertile region and is known for the decorative archtecture. Dugarpur has 2 beautiful palaces whose architecture is worth exploring.
The capital of Rajasthan. Jaipur is a modersn city built by ancient architectural texts. Known as the pink city on account of the colour of the sandstone palaces it is a major centre for handicrafts. Jaipur is well known for the breezy Hawa Mahal, gardens and pavilions and its calender of festivals.
The western most citadel of the desert, Jaisaler has an ancient history linked with the development as a trading centre. Jaisaler has exquisite stone carved havelis or mansions for the merchants who held the reins of the destiny.
The landscape of Jhalwar is unusual for a desert state. Its fort functions as a government office but a fort called Gagron fort close by is one of the important citadels of Rajput history.
The 16th century capital of the rathore rajputs, Jodhpur's history is evident by the Mehrangarh fort. Narrow paths lead to the fort. Within the fort are some magnificently ornamented palaces while close to the enterance is the marble memorial aswant Thara.
One of the few rivers in Rajasthan the river Chambal is flanked by fertile plains. Located on its banks Kota is a modern industrial city. There are manay palaces, large forts and beautiful paintings here.
Kumbalgarh
Built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha of Chittaurgarh, Kumbalgarh has Rajasthan's highest fort.
A summer retreat in the Aravalli hills with a large lake and several temples it is also a pilgrimage centre and has the 11th-13th century Dilwara jain temples which are famous for its sculptures.
Nagaur
Nagaur is located between Bikaner and Jodhpur it is a famous place in the history and has forts with frescoes of the mugal and rajput styles.
Puskar is a pilgrimage centre with the only temple of Lord Brahma in India. Brahma is the creator god. Pushkar is also the venue of the annual camel fair.
Ranakpur
Ranakpur has a group of temples raised by the jains and it is also famous for its quality carvings. The valley has Ranakpur has a 4 faced idol, the Chaumukha as its main diety, also is the polygonal sun temple dedicated to Neminath and Parsvanath.
One of the country's finest tiger reserves the fort of Ranthambore has been abandoned to nature for the tigers.
Sariska is also a tiger reserve and is very dense. The surrounding countryside also offered sanctuary to the Pandava brothers in their final year of exile from their kingdom.
Shekhawati is known for havelis or mansions which are ornamented with frescoes.
Udaipur is the lake city which has fairytale palaces along the lake. Its magnificent city palace is offset by the shimmering beauty of its lake palaces that appear to float on the lakes around which this city has been built. There is a very pretty garden and close by are the temples to their gods including Nathdwara the seat of Krishna.
