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Hawa Mahal |
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 The Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds, is arguably Jaipur's best-known monument. For one, it is unlike any other Rajput monument - fort, palace or temple. Secondly, it's a bit too whimsical and delicate, almost like a magical structure from the Arabian Nights. Despite its towering height and length, the Hawa Mahal looks like a light, airy structure which might blow away with the slightest wind. This five storey building of unusual architecture designed by Lal Chand Usta, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry made of red and pink sand stone, beautifully outlined with white borders and motif's painted with quick lime. The monument with a spectacular view of Jaipur city with road avenues, intersections and colourful crowds in the market, was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions in the city without being seen by others. |
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Jantar Mantar |
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 The Jantar mantar, the observatory in Jaipur is located near the gate of the illustrious City Palace of Jaipur in Rajasthan. The Jantar Mantar is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built by Maharaja Jai Singh II at his then new capital of Jaipur between 1727 and 1733. It is modelled after the one that he had built for him at the then Mughal capital of Delhi. He had constructed a total of five such labs at different locations, including the ones at Delhi and Jaipur. The Jaipur observatory is the largest of these.The observatory consists of fourteen major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits, ascertaining the declinations of planets, and determining the celestial altitudes and related ephemerides. Each is a fixed and 'focused' tool. The Samrat Jantar, the largest instrument, is 90 feet high, its shadow carefully plotted to tell the time of day. Its face is angled at 27 degrees, the latitude of Jaipur. The Hindu chhatri (small domed cupola) on top is used as a platform for announcing eclipses and the arrival of monsoons. Built of local stone and marble, each instrument carries an astronomical scale, generally marked on the marble inner lining; bronze tablets, all extraordinarily accurate, were also employed. Thoroughly restored in 1901, the Jantar Mantar was declared a national monument in 1948. |
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City Palace |
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 City Palace covers one seventh of the city area and the plan of the palace is exactly similar to the plan of the city. The palace has a high wall or the sarahad that surrounds it on all sides. It is a bit confusing to find the main entrance to the palace and can only be arrived at after going through various bazaars (Sireh Deori), past the Town Hall (Vidhan Sabha), passing through the arches of Sireh Deori (boundary gate) also known as the Udai Pol, Naqqar Darwaza (drum gate), the Vijai Pol, Jai Pol, Ganpati Pol and via the Jaleb Chowk.City Palace, Located in Jaipur, the foundation of the palace was laid down, when the city itself came into existence. A perfect blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The vast jaipur palace occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur. Originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, additions have been made to the palace complex by many of his successors. The city palace jaipur is divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens and buildings. It is home to several palatial structures like the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. |
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Lake Palace |
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 Lake Palace is one of the most romantic places on this earth. The Palace situated amidst the scenic Pichola Lake offers a heavenly view to the onlooker. The imposing Aravalli Hills on one side and soaring palaces on the other, make the perfect background to this beautiful Lake Palace. Raised in white marble, Lake Palace was constructed by Maharana Jai Singh II in 1746. The magnificent Palace stretches across a four-acre island creating a dream-like impression.Originally, the Palace was named as Jag Niwas after the name of the Maharana. In the present times, it is popular by the name of Lake Palace. Jag Niwas was conceived in the mind to offer a summer resort to the royalty of Udaipur. In the later years, the Palace was used as the summer resort by the descendants of Jagat Singh. The amazing exteriors would make you crave to peep once inside the beautiful Lake Palace. On entering this astonishing Palace, you would feel that you are in the seventh heaven to find everything just perfect. |
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City Palace, Udaipur |
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 City Palace of Rajasthan towers over the Pichola Lake. There are a number of balconies, towers, etc in the palace providing with an amazing view of the lake. One of the balconies of the palace is the Suraj Gokhada, the balcony of the sun. Here, the Maharana used to hold public audiences at the time of some crisis. A well-known attraction of the fort is the Mor Chowk, the peacock square, having blue mosaic of a peacock in glass. It adorns the wall of the square.The palace also has a Surya Chopar, the sun square, which displays a huge ornamental sun. Udaipur City Palace also houses a museum displaying a rich collection of armory ranging from protective gear to a number of weapons, including the two-pronged sword. The entry to the museum is through Ganesh Deori, the door of Lord Ganesh. Further ahead is Rajya Angan, the royal courtyard. |
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Lake Pichola |
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 Lake Pichola has a masonry dam popularly known as the Badipol, which is 4 km long and 3 km wide. However, it is not very deep and it is not unusual that one can walk up to the island palaces from the shore during severe droughts. The Pichola Lake deriving its name from the erstwhile village Picholi which stood on the banks of the Lake is one of the most beautiful Lakes of not just Rajasthan but India. The Pichola Lake is not merely popular for its enchanting beauty but is also of immense significance historically. The founder of the city of Udaipur Maharana Udai Singh II could think of building this new city just because of the presence of this small water body which was later expanded by him. He built a masonry dam called Badipol over the Lake and that is how the Lake is today 4 km long and 3 km wide. |
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Mehrangarh Fort |
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 Mehrangarh fort was laid by Rao Jodha in 1459. The construction was completed during the reign of Jaswant Singh (1638-78). The giant Mehrangarh fort is one of the largest forts in India. It stands on a 150 Mtr high hilltop and occupies over 5 sq km of area. The walls are as high as 36 Mtr and as wide as 21 mtr. The fort was under the ownership of the Rajput rulers till Aurangzeb defeated them and occupied the fort. Ajit Singh, son of Jaswant Singh, later fought to win back the fort. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures. To enter the Mehrangarh fort, seven gates have to be crossed. The fort stands sentinel to the city below, overlooks the rugged and rocky terrain and houses a palace intricately adorned with long carved panels and latticed windows exquisitely wrought from red sandstone. |
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The Jaswant Thada |
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 The Jaswant Thada is a flawlessly executed piece of Rajputana architecture that enchants you with its poignant appeal on your tours to Jodhpur tourist attractions with Indian Horizons.Un paralled in grace, the Jaswant Thada is a royal cenotaph that was constructed by Maharaja Sardar Singh to honor the memory of his courageous father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The main cenotaph that is dedicated to Maharaja Jaswant Singhji is designed like an exquisite piece of jewelry, magnified out of proportion. The white marble Jaswant Thada looks like a lovely temple that entices you with its pavilions, domes and delicate looking pillars. Feast your eyes on the profusion of marble latticework that adorns the entire Jaswant Thada. See true to life portraits of Rathore warriors who ruled Jodhpur, admire colorful dedications to the maharanis and concubines of Maharaja Jaswant Singhji who committed Sati on the pyre of the deceased ruler. |
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Umaid Bhavan Palace |
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 Umaid Bhawan Palace, now converted into a magnificent heritage hotel. Rajasthan's royalty was always fashionable, and maharajah Umaid Singh of Jodhpur, added a fine touch to the cult by constructing a grand Art Deco, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Rajasthan's best known architectural epitome of the 20th century. Designed by eminent Edwardian architect Henry V Lanchester, this grand palace is a magnificent blend of Renaissance framework and Rajput tradition. Each suite is different, with ethereal underlying themes of a royal grandeur or princely passion; elegant interiors with gilt furniture and exquisite artwork, makes one travel on the rails of antiquity. Within safe hands, the Taj Group has recently taken over the management of this awe-inspiring property. Take an exclusive tour of the famous Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur.Completed in 16 years, this grandeur was India's last palace and the biggest private residence in the world. Only palace to have paintings from the Ramayana, painted by a Polish artist, the Umaid Bhawan Palace is also the first to use air-conditioning, electricity and elevators. |
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Jaisalmer Fort |
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 Jaisalmer Fort in India is steeping out of the vast spread of barren sandy tract looks like a tower of survival in the land of in-existence with its golden crenelated walls outlined against a sapphire blue sky. The fort atop the Trikuta (triangular) Hill along with its spartan domain and aureate walls, still calls for the caravan of traders who used to cruise across the mighty desert centuries ago. It is fascinating to wander around this living fort, packed with houses, temples, handicraft shops, beauty parlors and honeycombed with narrow, winding lanes, all of them paved in stone. Trek through these slender lanes where vehicles are not allowed and even building materials have to be carried up by camel cart. The streets of Jaisalmer holds many secrets in their sleeves, try to cognize their silence who orate a lot about the golden era.Armed with pulchritudinous gateways, the fort with its 99 bastions undeniably promulgates the regalia it savored during the reign of Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput king. As you enter through the main gate, tall men with piercing light eyes and luxuriant parted beard, and wearing colorful attire cluster around you . Their facade not only makes one nostalgic about the past glory but also adds to a memorable vacation. Solitary gushes of wind still maneuvers through the corridors of the palace, trailing the relics of the stoles, once carried by imperial maharajas and ambrosial maharanis. Even the sun flirts with the yellow color of the fort, redressing it in honey yellow at dawn, camel yellow in the morning and adding a tint of sand yellow during dusk. |
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Gadsisar Sagar Lake |
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 Gadsisar Lake, Jaisalmer is a factitious reservoir and it was constructed by Rawal Jaisal. Several years bygone after that Maharaja Garisisar Singh remodeled and overhauled the lake just about 1400 A.D. This major among the places of tourist interest in Jaisalmer is a must on your Jaisalmer visit.On account of attractively carved temples, shrines, chattris, and ghats on its the banks, Gadsisar Lake, Jaisalmer is known through out India, located towards the south of the city, the entrance of the lake is a marvelous and factitious fixed yellow sandstone arcade called Tilon-Ki-Pol. Gadsisar Lake , Jaisalmer hosts many drifting and rare birds. This makes the place foremost sightseeing among the leisure travelers for Jaisalmer tour. Gadsisar Lake 's picturesque sandstone banks look gorgeous. The boat ride in the lake is a great experience. While sitting on the banks, watch the yellow sandstone pool changing shades of ochre in sun setting. It is an unparalleled and delightful scene that one can't afford to miss for the world. |
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Salim Singh Ki Haveli |
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 Salim Singh ki Haveli served as residence to the members of the Mohta family for decades. Most of the ministers in the Jaisalmer royal court were descendants of the Mohta family. The haveli draws its name from Salim Singh, who was an important minister in the Jaisalmer royal court and a shrewd statesman who was later murdered for conspiring against the royal throne.It is believed that there were two more storeys over the existing five storied structure, that were torn down by the orders of the royal court of Jaisalmer as a prime ministers home could not be of the same height as that of the royal palace. So come and explore, Salim Singh Ki Haveli that is an architectural specimen and is now an integral part of India's national heritage. |
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Junagarh Fort |
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 Junagarh Fort is a magnificent fort and one of the finest of Rajput monuments. Encircled by a high wall, the fort is surrounded by deep moats and 37 bastions, owing to which this fort has never been conquered. It has two gates Suraj Pol or the Sun Gate, which is the main entrance to the fort and the Karan Pol, which faces the east. The Junagarh Fort is a huge complex housing a number of fascinating palaces. There are 37 palaces, temples and pavilions made in red sandstone. Apart from that, there are also several public court buildings and intimate zenanas that were meant to hide the women in the court from the vision of the courtiers. The interiors of Junagarh fort have been accentuated with beautiful Rajput paintings, amazing mirror-work and awe-inspiring lacquer-work. |
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Lalgarh Palace |
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 Lalgarh Palace was designed in the early 1900s of red sandstone and it became part hotel, part residence for Maharaja Ganga Singh. Lalgarh features several grand halls, lounges, cupolas and pavilions.The palace has a museum on the first floor, the Sri Sadul Museum that has many attractive photographs, hunting trophies, manuscripts and other items that belonged to the Maharaja. A carriage from the royal train is on display in front of Lalgarh Palace. Hobbies & Activities category: Castle, chateau, palace; Historical museum; Photo collection, exhibit |
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Dilwara Temple |
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 The Dilwara temples were built during the age of Jain supremacy and are one of the finest Jain temples India has to offer. Many experts consider them architecturally superior to the Taj Mahal. The architecture is marked by carvings that are not just ethereally beautiful in form but are often presented in a highly poetic context. For instance, one of the marble nayikas (maidens) is depicted as having just emerged from her bath. Droplets falling from her long hair are shown being drunk by a swan sitting by her feet.The gate providing entrance to the temples is splendid in its design. Dilwara Jain Temples have been enclosed inside high walls and are situated amidst a range of forested hills. The intricately carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels of the temples add to its beauty and splendor. The amenities provided at Dilwara Jain Temples include bathing facilities and provision of guided tours. Each of the five temples situated inside the temple complex have a unique identity. The most famous temples at Dilwara are Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi. |
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Achalgarh Fort |
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 Achalgarh fort, sometimes spelt Achalgadh, is one of the many beautiful medieval monuments that can be found in the picturesque Mount Abu, located in the desert in the state of Rajasthan, India. It was commissioned by Rana Kumbha, the esteemed designer who was responsible for many huge fortresses in Southern Rajasthan. Achalgarh is just 8 Kilometers from the main Mount Abu town and is well connected by road.The fortress AchalGarh is surrounded by massive battlement walls. It is situated at the top of a mountain peak and offers picturesque views all year round. AchalGarh is found at the top of a steep winding path, whereby the 15th century fortresses and the temples are enclosed within the fortified walls. These fortified walls provide scenic lookouts onto the countryside. A 10 minute climb from AchalGarh brings you to the beautiful and historic Jain Temples. These temples are a must visit for more great views and the beautiful sculpture. |
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Ajmer Sharif |
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 Ajmer is famous for the tomb of Hazrat Mu'inuddin Chishti, the founder of the Chishti Sufi order, one of the most important Sufi organizations in India and Pakistan. Sufi teachers were important missionaries of Islam, through their piety, charisma, blessings, and service. Muinuddin lived in Ajmer from 1190 until his death in 1232, and the reverence in which he was held after his death can be seen in the patronage his tomb attracted. The "crown" on the tomb's summit is made of solid gold, and the open space in the foreground is a mosque built by the Moghul emperor Shah Jahan. The pilgrims in the foreground are taking an opportunity for private prayer. |
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Pushkar Fair |
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 Pushkar Fair popular as Pushkar Camel Fair, attract thousands of tourists in the month of November every year. In addition, a hot spot for the local people, the festival lasts usually for seven to ten days in the year. The "Matka Phod is the important highlight of the place that features many other bridal competitions. Recently, there is an extra feather added to the crown of the state.In the month of November, the sleepy little township of Pushkar in Rajasthan, when India suddenly comes alive with a carouse of colors & a frenzied burst of activity, because of Pushkar Fair. Very few, if at all any, fairs in the world can match the liveliness of Pushkar. Most people associate the Pushkar fair with the world's largest Camel fair. But it is counted much more than that. Although, this Camel Fair in Pushkar is an unforgettable undergo that will make for a magical trip to Rajasthan. |
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