10 Best Places to Explore in Rajasthan That Showcase the Rich Cultural Heritage of India
“From the startling architecture to amazing legends of heroism and romance, the royal forts, palaces and other ancient buildings of Rajasthan are even today standing still to narrate the stories of the past”– The Incredible Rajasthan.
Rajasthan’s history is the history of kings and dynasties. As you explore its top tourist attractions including its grand forts and palaces dot its skyline, you are reminded of its illustrious heritage. Tales of their valour, romance and wild spirit is still celebrated around bonfires in villages that seem as ancient as their people. A bygone age seems to look out from one of the jharokas, while your mind plays out scenes of action from the parapets during a sightseeing tour. Everything everywhere, especially the best places to explore in Rajasthan, seems to be touched by the hand of grandeur: from the mighty colourful turbans to the sand dunes, where a desert safari camp, starry skies & folk performances set the mood for a romantic evening.
Tales of ghosts make for lively fireside conversations, while the mention of “Bhangarh Fort” extracts hard stares. The richness of the state is present in its traditions, rituals, festivals, and also in its flora & fauna, seen in famous national parks like Ranthambore and Sariska. A motorcycle revered as a deity & a temple where rats take the place of gods, you never cease to be fascinated! A delightful experience is enjoying a meal of daal baati churma & taking a hot air balloon ride as you glide across desert cities & sleepy old towns. In this blog, we bring you the 25 best places to visit in Rajasthan that promise a wholesome, adventurous, exciting, dreamy & romantic vacation for family, friends & couples. Travelling to Rajasthan will be incomplete without exploring these magnificent places.
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Built by Rao Jodha in 1459, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India and counted among the best for a sightseeing tour. Even today, this captivating ancient fort is inhabited by the ancestors of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Located on a 122 m high hill, 400 feet above the city and surrounded by magnificent thick walls, the fort has seven entry gates.
Out of seven gates, the travelers mostly look for Lohapool (Iron Gate) that has several small tragic hand prints, the sati marks of the widows of Maharaja Man Singh, who in 1843 threw themselves on his pyre. This famous tourist place in Rajasthan still grabs the attention of the visitors and raises their curiosity to get deep into the history and learn more about the learn about the place.
Amber Fort and Palace, Jaipur
Located at a distance of 11 km from Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, the Amber Fort and Palace, famously known as the Amer Fort, is one of the popular forts of Rajasthan that attract tourists from all around the world. It is acknowledged for representing various elements of the Hindu tradition in an artistic manner.
Built with marble and red sandstone, the Amer palace complex comprises of the Diwan-e-Aam (the Hall for Public Audience), Diwan-e-Khaas (the Hall for Private Audience), Sheesh Mahal (also known as Jai Mandir) and Sukh Niwas (Hall designed for artificial cooling). This top place to visit in Rajasthan has served as an imperial residence for the Rajput Maharajas and their families.
Check out:Jaipur Tourism: Top Places to Visit & Things to Do
Recommended Tour Packages
Jain Temple – Ranakpur, Udaipur
Situated in Udaipur at Ranakpur, the Jain temple is listed among the most stunning Jain temples in India and makes it to any list of most visited places in Rajasthan. Devoted to the first Tirthankara of Jainism- Adinatha, this temple is made from light colored marble.
It has distinct shikharas, turrets, domes and cupolas. The temple is well-supported by more than one thousand marble pillars that display marvelous carvings, which are also the most attention grabbing features of this temple. It has four faces that represent the four directions of Tirthankara’s invasion.
Check out: Other Popular Tourist Attractions in Ranakpur
Recommended Tour Packages
Kumbhalgarh Fort, Udaipur
The royal Kumbhalgarh fort is located approximately 82 kms away to the north of Udaipur- the ‘City of Lakes’. It is the second important fort of Rajasthan after Chittorgarh in the Mewar region. Constructed by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century, it is the birthplace of Mewar’s great king Maharana Partap. The fort is now open for the tourists and is amazingly lit each evening for a few minutes.
Check out: Other Popular Places to See in Udaipur
Recommended Tour Packages
Dilwara Jain Temples, Mount Abu
The Dilwara Jain temples are located around 2½ kilometers from Mount Abu – the only hill station of Rajasthan. Built between the 11th and 13th centuries by Chalukya, these temples are famous around the world for their fascinating marble work. There are five legendary temples of Dilwara, namely, Shri Mahaveer Swami Temple, Shri AdiNath Temple or Vimal Vasahi Temple, Shri ParshavNath Temple or Khartar Vasahi Temple, Shri Rishabdaoji Temple or Peethalhar Temple and Shri NemiNathJi Temple or Luna Vasahi Temple. The temples are dedicated to five Jain Tirthankaras and are regarded as a pilgrimage place for the Jains.
Check out: Other Popular Places to See in Mount Abu
Recommended Tour Packages
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur
Situated in Bharatpur, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, once known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is a renowned avifauna sanctuary in India and tourist spot in Rajasthan. What makes it a top place to visit is its being habitat to over 230 species of birds and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.
Keoladeo National Park is a best place for the ardent bird lovers and wildlife photographers. The travelers can spot various birds like darter, stork, spoonbill, cormorant, egret and black ibis in large numbers.
Check out: Popular National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in Rajasthan
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner
The Junagarh Fort in Bikaner city of Rajasthan is an impressive ancient fort famous for its monumental majesty and historic charm. Formerly known as Chintamani, the fort was renamed in the early 20th century as Junagarh or “Old Fort”, after the ruling family shifted to Lalgarh Palace outside the limits of the fort.
Even though this fort has been attacked many times in the past, it has never been conquered by the enemies. With huge towers and ramparts for defence, it is one of the most striking monuments of Incredible Rajasthan.
Check out: Bikaner Tourism Holiday Packages
Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh Fort is the personification of the high spirit, romance and pride of the Rajputs. It resounds with the history of sacrifice and heroism, evidence of which can still be witnessed within the frightening fort of Chittorgarh. This ancient fort is considered as one of the most stupendous forts of the country and considered to be among the most popular tourist places in Rajasthan.
Located on the edge of approximately 180 meters high mound and covering over 700 acres of massive area, the fort was initially built by the Mauryans in the 7th century. However, more structures were added to it later on by the successive rulers of Mewar.
Check out: Chittorgarh Holiday Packages
Govind Devji Temple, Jaipur
Located in the Pink City of India- Jaipur, the Govind Dev Ji temple is devoted to Govind Dev Ji (Lord Krishna), The idol of the Lord placed in the temple was brought from Vrindavan by the founder of Jaipur – Raja Sawai Jai Singh II. However, it originally belonged to Srila Rupa Goswami, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s follower, who found the original Govind Devji deity about 450 years ago.
The legendary tale associated with this beautiful temple states that the image of the Lord Krishna placed in the temple looks just like the form of Krishna during his manifestation on the earth.
Check out: Popular Hindu Temples in Rajasthan
Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), Jaipur
Any list consisting of tourist places to visit in Rajasthan cannot miss out the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Mirrors is situated at Amber Fort in Jaipur. Built by Raja Man Singh in 1592 with red sandstone and white marble, the beauty of this fort is blown up by the Maotha Lake.
Sheesh Mahal is one of the world famous forts because of its unique construction. The ceilings and walls of the hall are superbly covered with the mirrors that would reflect any splash of ray and light up the hall deliberately.
