Rajasthan, the Land of the Kings, is India at
its exotic and colourful best with its battle-scarred forts, its places of breathtaking grandeur and whimsical charm, its
riotous colours
and even its romantic sense of
pride and honour.
The state is diagonally divided into the hilly and rugged south-eastern region and the
barren north-western Thar Desert, which extends across the border into Pakistan. There are
plenty of historic cities, incredible fortresses
awash with legends, and rare gems of
impressionistic beauty, such as Udaipur.
Rajasthan is one of India’s prime tourist destinations. Nobody leaves here without
priceless memories, a bundle of souvenirs, and an address book full of friends.
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Climate
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Summer : 45oC – 17oC
Winter : 32oC
– 7oC
Monsoon : June – September.
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| Places to visit
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Jaipur: The vibrant capital of Rajasthan is popularly
known as the ‘Pink City’ because of the pink-coloured buildings in its old city.
It sits on a dry lake-bed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills
surmounted by forts and crenellated walls.
Jaipur has long outstripped the confines of its city wall and is today among the most
tumultuous and polluted places in Rajasthan. Despite this it seldom disappoints the first
time visitor.
Hawa Mahal: Constructed in 1799, the Hawal
Mahal, or
Palace of the Winds, is one of Jaipur’s major landmarks.
Jantar Mantar: Begun by Jai Singh in 1728, it appears
to be just a curious collection of sculptures.
Bharatpur: Bharatpur is renowned for its
World
Heritage listed bird sanctuary, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Many travellers rate it
as a highlight of their visit to India.
Sanska National Park: Located 107 km from Jaipur and
200 km from Delhi, the sanctuary is in a wooded valley surrounded by barren mountains. It
includes sambar, spotted deer, tigers.
Ajmer: A burgeoning town on the shore of the Ana
Sagar, flanked by barren hills.
Bundi: Bundi has a good deal of panache and rustic charm.
Udaipur: Possibly no city in Rajasthan is quite as
romantic as Udaipur.
Jag Niwas Palace; the Lake Palace Island is about 1.5 hectares in size.
Jagdish Temple:- An impressively carved temple
dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Mount Abu: Mt. Abu,
1200 m, is in the south of the
state, close to the Gujarat border, and Rajasthan’s only hill station.
Jodhpur: Jodhpur is at the edge
of the Thar Desert. The city is dominated by a massive fort, topping a sheer rocky ridge
right in the middle of the town.
Jaisalmer: There are some fascinating places to see in
the area around Jaisalmer. The most interesting means of exploring the desert around
Jaisalmer is by camel safari and virtually everyone who comes here goes on one.
Chittorgarh: The sprawling hilltop fort of Chittorgarh
epitomizes the whole romantic, doomed ideal of Rajput
chivalry.
Information services
Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation,
Reception Centre, ML Rd, Jaipur.
Ph. 0141: 365256.
The Government of India Tourist Office,
Hotel Khasa Kothi, Jaipur.
Ph. 041 372200
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| Places to stay |
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Hotel Bissau Palace, Jaipur |
Ph, 0141 304391 |
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Hotel Trident, Amber Fort Road, Jaipur |
Ph, 0141 630101 |
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Samode Haveli Ganga Pol |
Ph. 0141 632370 |
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Mansingh Hotel, Sansar Marg |
Ph. 0141 378771 |
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Palace Bassi, 16th Century Fort, Chittaurgarh |
Ph. 01472 792488 |
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Hotel Bhairon Vilas, Junagarh Fort, Bikaner |
Ph. 0151 544751 |
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Hotel Joshi, Station Road, Bikaner |
Ph. 0151 527700 |
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Hotel Ajit Bhavan, Opp. Circuit Hourse,
Jodhpur |
Ph. 0291 612410 |
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Hotel Jhalamandgarh, Jodhpur |
Ph. 0291 740481 |
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Royal Tents, Mandore Road |
Ph. 0291 545991 |
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Connaught House, Rajendra
Marg, Mt. Abu |
Ph. 02974 38560 |
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Palace Hotel, Mt. Abu |
Ph. 02974 38673 |
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Lake Palace, Pichola Lake, Udaipur |
Ph. 0294 527961. |
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More
hotels.... |
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| Getting there and away |
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By Air
Indian Airlines operates daily flights between Delhi and Jaipur. There are several
weekly flights between Jaipur and Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Calcutta and Jaisalmer.
Ph. 041 514500
Flight schedule Click
here
By Bus
There are deluxe buses to many destinations including Delhi (Rs. 190) Jodhpur
(Rs
160) Kota
(Rs.120) Ajmer (Rs. 63) Udaipur (Rs (200) Bikaner (Rs 168) Bharatpur
(Rs. 87), Bundi (Rs 111), Mt Abu (Rs. 246) Jaisalmer (Rs. 286) Chittargarh (Rs. 152)
from Jaipur.
By Train
Some important trains:
Jodhpur - Express No. 2307, 2308
Howrah - Jodhpur 1007 Km.
Bikaner Express No. 2313, 2314
Howrah - Jodhpur 1007 km
Jaipur Express No. 2413, 2414
Delhi - Jaipur
Mandore Express No. 2461,2462
Delhi - Jodhpur
Jaipur Express No. 2955, 2956
Jaipur Mumbai C 1027 kms
Jodhpur Express No. 4805, 4806
Jammu Tawi – Jodhpur 530 kms
Ahmedabad Express No. 4845, 4846
Jodhpur – Ahmedabad
Marudhur Express No. 4853, 4854
Varanasi – Jodhpur
Chennai Express No. 9767, 9768
Chennai – Jaipur 1958 kms
Amritsar Express No. 9771, 9772
Jaipur – Amritsar
Bangalore Express No. 9775, 9776
Bangalore – Jaipur
Intercity Express No. 9303, 9304
Indore – Bhopal 264 kms |
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