Pushkar Pushkar travel & tourism is mainly famous as one of the most famous and revered pilgrimages of India. Pushkar city is regarded to be the abode of Lord Brahma. Brahma is one of the three Hindu gods forming the great Hindu trilogy. Lord Brahma symbolizes birth and is regarded as the creator of the world. He is also supposed to be a storehouse of knowledge and is depicted with four hands, a book of Vedas (knowledge) in each hand. Lord Brahma's wife is known as Savitri and a swan serves as his vehicle. |
| Ajmer Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan built the city of Ajmer in the seventh Century. Till the 12th Century, this city remained the main center of the Chauhan dynasty. Thereafter, the city was taken over by Mohammed Ghauri. Afterwards, Ajmer served as the abode of the Mughal emperors also. Later, the Scindias ruled over the city in the 19th Century, before handing it over to the British. |
| Alwar Alwar is 150 Km from Jaipur and 170 Km. From Delhi. It is nested between a cluster of small hills of the Aravalli range. Perched on the most prominent of these hills is a massive ancient fort that whispers tales of the rich Delhi. The people of the state did not accept any external interference’s and daringly resisted against foreign invasions.In the 12th and 13th centuries they formed a group and raided Delhi. But finally Sultan Bulban (1267 A.D - 1287 A.D) suppressed them, bringing the area under the Muslims rule. In 1771 A.D. Maharaja Pratap Singh, a Kuchhwaha Rajput belonging to the clan of Jaipur’s rulers, won back Alwar and founded a principality of his own. Apart from its long history, the city has a rich natural heritage with some beautiful lakes and picturesque valleys thickly wooded in parts. |
| Banswara Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh surround the district of Banswara, situated in the basins of the Aravallis. Forming the eastern part of the region known as Vagad or Vagwar, the district has a rich flora and fauna. A major part of the population of Banswara consists of the Bhil tribals. Bansia, a Bhil ruler, once ruled the city of Banswara. It is believed that the city is named after him only. However, Jagmal Singh defeated Bansia and became the first Maharaval of Banswara. |
| Bharatpur Dating back to the epic age, the city of Bharatpur has a rich history. In the fifth century BC, Matsya kingdom flourished at this place. In the war of Mahabharata the Matsyas acted as the partners of the Pandavas. Legend also has it that Bharatpur was named so after Bharat, the brother of Lord Rama. Lord Rama's other brother Laxman was regarded as the family deity by the ruling family of Bharatpur. The state seals and coat-of-arms also have the name of Laxman on them. |
| Bikaner Rao Bikaji, a Rathore prince, founded the city of Bikaner in 1488. Bikaji was one of the sons of Rao Jodhaji, the founder of Jodhpur. The legend has it that Bikaji was provoked to set up his own kingdom when his father commented him about whispering in the royal durbar. Thereafter, he started building up his own territory to the north of Jodhpur. His first attention went to sterile wilderness called Jangladesh and he converted it to a remarkable city. By the time Bikaji died in 1504, he had extended his kingdom over 3000 villages. The modern Bikaner, as we see today got prospered under the reign of Maharaja Ganga Singh. |
| Bundi Surrounded by Aravalli hills on three sides and circumscribed by a massive wall with four gateways is the city of Bundi that is known for having a glorious past and a promising future. Historical monuments, natural beauty, scenic dams & ponds, wild forests fairs and festivity are what symbolize life at this colorful city of Rajasthan. The city of Bundi has interesting monuments including impressive medieval forts, palaces, havelis, temples with beautiful stone idols and 'chattris' with carved pillars, along with a quaint lake in the heart of the town, adding to its charm. Bundi is also famous for its intricate carvings and frescoes. |
Chittaurgarh The city of Chittorgarh lies 115 km to the east of Udaipur. It is spread over an area of 700 acres. Crowning a 7-mile long hill, Chittorgarh is home to numerous palaces, towers, temples, etc. The history of Chittorgarh is very rich, full seizures and acquisitions. Bappa Rawal, the founder of the Sisodia dynasty, married princess Solanki. The kingdom of Chittorgarh was first given as a dowry gift to him in the mid 8th century. |
Dungarpur Rawal Veer Singh founded Dungarpur in the year 1282 AD after taking over from Bhil tribal Chief, Dungaria. Dungarpur is situated in the foothills of Aravallis and has a varied terrain ranging from wild and rugged to fertile plains of alluvial soil. Dungarpur is widely known for wildlife varieties like Jackal, Jungle Cat, Indian Fox, Hyena, Black Faced Monkey, Porcupine and Common Mongoose. The birds that are commonly visible in this region are Partridges, Peafowls, quails, Cuckoos, Eagles and Vultures. A few varieties of migratory birds also come to this place during winter season. Teak, Mahua, Mango and Khajur are commonly found here. Two magnificent rivers namely Mahi and Som flow through this region separating it from the cities of Banswara and Udaipur. |
Jaipur Jaipur is the city of princes and princesses, of tales of valour and courage, of romance and chivalry. Majestic forts, luxurious palaces, lively temples, colourful bazaars, vibrant streets and pink face, have given the city a unique and unmatched character that immediately endears itself to every visitor. |
Jodhpur Nestling within the depths of the Thar Desert, is the stronghold of the Rathore clan, Jodhpur, once the capital of the former princely state of Marwar, the second largest city of Rajasthan, after Jaipur. The town was once known as Marwar, which means 'Land of Death', probably, referring to the harsh desert climate. It is an island of marble palaces, cordoned off from the desert by a 10-km-long wall made of stone with eight gates facing different directions built about a century after the city was founded. There are about 100 towers in the city, most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements. |
Jaisalmer The city of Jaisalmer is named after Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler. He founded the city in 1156. A local hermit advised him to set up his new residence on the Tricut Hills, abandoning the old fort at Luderwa. During the medieval times, Jaisalmer served as the main trade route linking India to Egypt, Arabia, Persia, Africa and the West. The 13th century saw the Jaisalmer fort being besieged for 9 years by the emperor of Delhi, Ala-ud-din Khilji. When the defeat of the fort seemed impending, the women folk committed Jauhar (self immolation). |
Jhunjhunu One of the prosperous districts in Rajasthan, Jhunjhunu is the place of the business magnets and modern farmers. Founded by the Kaimkhani Nawabs in the 15th century, Jhunjhunu remained in their control until Rajput ruler Sardul Singh took over in 1730 AD. The British based the local Shekhawati brigade in Jhunjhunu in the 1830s to halt the activities of the bandits. |
Kota Kota is a part of the southeastern region of Rajasthan, known as Hadoti. Rao Deva, Hada chief, founded Bundi and Hadoti in the 12th century. Later Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, in the early 17th century AD, made Madho Singh, the son of Rao Ratan of Bundi, the ruler of Kota. Thus, Kota received the status of an independent state. Since that time, Kota has been a witness of the Rajput valor, culture and traditions. |
Kumbhalgarh Kumbhalgarh is the second most important bastion in the Mewar region, after Chittorgarh. Where it now stands, was once the site of an ancient citadel dating back to the 2nd century AD. That citadel belonged to a Jain descendant of India's Mauryan emperors. Rana Kumbha founded the fort of Kumbhalgarh in the 15th century. Kumbhalgarh in Rajasthan, India is one of the few forts in India that remain unconquered till date. One of the reasons behind this is the inaccessibility and hostile topography of the fort. Maharana Fateh Singh got the fort renovated in the 19th century. |
Mount Abu The lone hill station of Rajasthan, Mount Abu was once a part of the Chauhan kingdom, providing the Rajput kings of the region with a summer resort. In the later years, it was leased by Maharaja of Sirohi to the British. It was used as the headquarters of the resident to Rajputana (Rajasthan). Mount Abu also served as the relaxation place for the British, the royalties and semi royalties. |
Sawai Madhopur Lying on the main Delhi/Mumbai railway line, Sawai Madhopur is the gateway to the world renowned Ranthambhor National Park and is one of the main reasons people visit this charming spot as it is one of the few parks where tigers can be seen readily. |
Ranakpur This famous temple city in Rajasthan is known as a peaceful haven for followers of Jainism. In fact, it is one of the five most important Jain pilgrimage sites in the country. Ranakpur is named after Rana Kumbha, who had leased a huge amount of land to a Jain businessman for building of temples, way back in the 15th century. |
Shekhawati Shekhawati, meaning the garden of Shekha, derives its name from Rao Shekha, its former ruler. Situated in the Delhi-Bikaner-Jaipur triangle, Shekhawati is a semi desert region in north Rajasthan. Known as the "Open art gallery of Rajasthan", this region is mainly famous for its amazing havelis richly painted and decorated. These havelis of Shekhawati in Rajasthan, India were built by the wealthy merchants of the past. They served as a measure of the prosperity and success of the merchants. The grander the haveli, the more prosperous the merchant was believed to be. |
Udaipur Founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1568, Udaipur has many legends attached to it. Udai Singh founded this city after Mughal Emperor Akbar besieged his fortress, Chittorgarh. It is believed that a holy man, meditating on the hill near Pichola Lake, advised Udai Singh to set up his capital here. After his death in 1572, Udai Singh was succeeded by Maharana Pratap, the most admired Rajput hero. As you read on this Udaipur city guide further, you will get to know more about this beautiful city. |