Tourism in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, for both domestic and international tourists. Rajasthan attracts tourists for its historical forts, palaces, art and culture with its slogan 'Padharo mahare desh'. Every third foreign tourist visiting India travels to Rajasthan as it is part of the Golden Triangle for tourists visiting India.[1][2]

Schematic map of Rajasthan Travel map

The palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and desert forts of Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer are among the most preferred destinations of many tourists, Indian and foreign. Tourism accounts for eight percent of the state's domestic product. Many old and neglected palaces and forts have been converted into heritage hotels.It is the most beautiful place in India with heritage of old buildings build up years ago by Maharaja's of different castes.

Palaces
Main article: List of palaces in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is known for its historical hill forts & palaces, it is claimed as the best place for tourism-related to palaces.

  • Umaid Bhawan Palace: It is the largest Royal Palace in Rajasthan. It is also one of the largest private residences in the world.
  • Lake Palace: It is now a luxury hotel located in Pichola Lake, Udaipur.
  • Hawa Mahal: It is known as "Palace of Wind" or "Palace of Breeze" because there are more than 950 Windows in the Palace.
  • Rambagh Palace: Formerly a Royal Palace now converted into a Heritage Hotel.
  • Devi Garh Palace: Formerly a palace now converted into a Heritage Hotel, In 2006, The New York Times named it as one if leading luxurious hotel in Indian subcontinent.

Forts

Rajasthan is known for its forts. Hill Forts of Palaces in Rajasthan are also a part of world heritage.[3]

Hill forts which are in world heritage list
Main article: Hill Forts of Rajasthan

The six Hill Forts of Rajasthan, spread across Rajasthan state in northern India, clustered together as a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forts are mainly based in the Aravalli Range,[4] and were built and enhanced between the 5th and 18th centuries CE by several Rajput kings of different kingdoms. They comprise:

  1. Chittor Fort at Chittorgarh
  2. Kumbhalgarh Fort at Kumbhalgarh
  3. Ranthambore Fort at Sawai Madhopur
  4. Gagron Fort at Jhalawar
  5. Amer Fort at Jaipur
  6. Jaisalmer Fort at Jaisalmer

Some of these forts have defensive fortification wall up to 20 km long, still surviving urban centers and still in use water harvesting mechanism.[5]

Other forts
Main article: List of forts in India § Rajasthan

Fairs and Festivals

Department of Tourism of Rajasthan Government organizes multiple fairs & festivals during the year. These festivals & fairs are great tourist attractions. Fairs organized in Rajasthan include:

  • Camel Festival, Bikaner (January)
  • Nagaur Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb.)
  • Kite Festival (held on 14th Jan of every year)
  • Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.)
  • Baneshwar Fair, Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.)
  • Gangaur Festival, Jaipur (March–April)
  • Mewar Festival, Udaipur (March–April)
  • Elephant Festival, Jaipur (March–April)
  • Urs Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer (According to Lunar Calendar)
  • Summer Festival, Mt. Abu (June)
  • Teej Festival, Jaipur (July–August)
  • Kajli Teej, Bundi (July–August)
  • Dussehra Festival, Kota (October)
  • Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October)
  • Pushkar Fair, Ajmer (November)

Outline of tourism in India

See also

References
  1. Rajasthan, by Monique Choy, Sarina Singh. Lonely Planet, 2002. ISBN 1740593634.
  2. In Rajasthan, by Royina Grewal. Lonely Planet Publications, 1997. ISBN 0-86442-457-4.
  3. Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Hill Forts of Rajastan and Wooden Churches of the Carpathian region inscribed on World Heritage List". whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
  4. Kohli, M.S. (2004), Mountains of India: Tourism, Adventure, Pilgrimage, Indus Publishing, pp. 29–, ISBN 978-81-7387-135-1
  5. UNESCO Hill Forts of Rajasthan, UNESCO website
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