Bundi

Bundi is a beautiful small town, situated 142 kms to south-east of Ajmer and only 39 km west of Kota. The town of Bundi is picturesquely seated in a narrow valley, brooded over by the imposing Taragarh Fort. The road that leads to Bundi town comes in along the other side of the valley so you have a good view over the town and across the fort as you arrive.

Bundi is a historic town known for its ornate forts, places and baoris (stepwells) or water reservoirs. Taragarh Fort is the main attraction of the town. Built in 1372 AD, the fort can be reached by a steep road up the hillside to its massive gateway topped by rampant elephants. Inside the fort there are palaces and the Chitrashala or picture gallery with the walls covered in murals of hunting and religious scenes painted in the Bundi style. From the fort ramparts you will get the fine view of the Bundi town and the surrounding areas. Directly below the fort are the Ratan Daulat or horse stables.

Naval Sagar is an artificial lake visible from the fort as well. In the centre of the lake, there is a temple dedicated to Varuna, the Aryan God of Water. Just one km out of the town, the modern palace lies at Phool Sagar with its beautiful artificial tank and gardens. Shikar Burj is a small hunting loge and picnic spot near Bundi. You can see the cenotaphs of Bundi’s rulers near here at Khshar Bagh. Another small palace, Sukh Niwas is situated at the Jait Sagar tank.

For more info visit :

http://incrediblebundi.blogspot.com/

http://taragarhfort.blogspot.com

Mount Abu

Mount Abu, the only hill resort of Rajasthan spreads out along a 1,200 mtr high plateau in the southern part of the state, adjacent to the Gujarat border. A popular hill station of India, Mount Abu provides a pleasant retreat to the people living in the plains of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Apart from India visitors, Mount Abu is visited by large number of foreign tourists every year.

Mount Abu stretches along a hilly plateau about 22 km long and six km wide and it is lovely place to wander around at leisure. The main town extends along the road from Abu Road to the Nakki Lake and the nearest railway station is located 27 kms away at Abu Road. Mount Abu also has a number of noted temples including the Dilwara group of Jain temples. Dilwara Jain Temples is a very important pilgrimage centre for Jains and the marble carvings of the temples are considered among the best in Rajasthan.

Nakki Lake is another major attraction of Mount Abu which is surrounded by hills, parks and unique rock formations namely Toad Rock, Nandi Rock and Nun Rock. Virtually situated in the centre of the town, the Nakki Lake derives its name from the legend that it was scooped out by a god using only his nails (nakh). Nakki Lake is the centre of all activity in Mount Abu and here you will find juice stalls, ice cream parlours, balloon vendors, shops and small food stalls. Beside the lake, the Raghunath temple stands which was built in the 14th century.

Just 3 kms north of town is the Adhar Devi Temple. Dedicated to goddess Durga the temple is built in a natural cleft in the rock. Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University and Museum is another highlight of Mount Abu. Apart from these, Mount Abu has a number of viewpoints where visitors stroll out every evening to catch the setting sun, the food stall and the entertaining activities. Some noted viewpoints are Sunset Point and Honeymoon Point.

For more info visit :

http://daysatmountabu.blogspot.com/

http://dilwarajaintemples.blogspot.com

Bharatpur

Situated at a distance of 55 from Agra, Bharatpur is a historic town of Rajasthan. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Bharatpur was a major centre of Jat stronghold. During those days the Jats maintained a high degree of autonomy and they successfully opposed the Mughals.

Once surrounded by an 11 km long wall, the town is now known for its Bird Sanctuary. Also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary lies just 5 kms south of the city centre and it easily reachable by cycle-rickshaw. Many travellers rate this park as one of the best parks which they have visited earlier.

If you are a bird-watching enthusiast, then you would surely like to spend a few day at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The park is open from 6 am to 6 pm daily, walking or cycling along the road provides unique opportunities to closely observe the rich avian life. Just at the entrance to the park, you will see a range of stuffed birds, map of the park, nests of the various bird species, examples of the aquatic species found in the park and a photographic display. Entry to park is free. Don’t forget to carry binoculars for better bird-viewing, try to get some with a strap so you can conveniently hand them around your neck.

Apart from the bird sanctuary, Bharatpur is home to a number of other tourist attractions namely – Lohagarh Fort, Government Museum, Nehru Park and Ganga Temple. Maharaja Suraj Mal built the Lohagarh Fort also known as Iron Fort in the 18th century and which withstood an attack by the British in 1805 and a long siege in 1825. The fort took its name from its supposedly impregnable defences. The fort is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily and admission is free. The Government Museum housed in Durbar Hall of the fort, has a good collection of sculptures, inscriptions and works of art from the region.

For more info visit :

http://bhartpurbirdsanctuary.blogspot.com/

Ajmer - Pushkar

Ajmer a major religious centre for Muslim pilgrims is 131 kms south-west of Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur. A sacred city, Ajmer houses some fantastic examples of early Mughal architecture in the form of magnificent monuments. Actually Ajmer doesn’t have the same rustic charm as other Rajasthani towns and is more of a pilgrimage centre than a tourist destination. The main streets of Ajmer remain crammed with heavy traffic, pedestrians and busy bazaars. Despite, such negative points, Ajmer has its distinct charm and once you visit the town you feel yourself enriched with the spirituality.

Ajmer is famous for the tomb of Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, who founded the Chishtiya order. Situated at the foot of a barren hill in the old part of town, the tomb is one of the most important places in India for Muslims. Not only Muslims, but people of other religions also visit this tomb for fulfillment of their wishes. Construction of the shrine was finished by Humayun and the main gate was completed added by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Before entering inside the main entrance of the tomb you have to remove your shoes. You have to cover your head inside the shrine complex so remember to carry a top or scarf, that are available at the bazaar outside. Inside the shrine complex there are two mosques, two big pots namely – Badi Degh and Small Degh and a well as well.

Besides, the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti there are other famous places in Ajmer which deserve a visit. Ana Sagar Lake, Adhai Di Ka Jhonpra, Taragarh Fort, Akbar’s Palace, Nasiyan (Red) Temple etc. are other popular attractions of Ajmer.

Just 11 kms from Ajmer, Pushkar is another pilgrimage destination related to Hindus. Pushkar is home to the only temple of India dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator of the Universe. Pushkar Lake is the major attraction of the town, on the banks of the lake a number of temples stand. Pilgrims take holy dip in the lake in the early morning, while in the evening the ritual of AARTI is performed on the ghats of lake. Every year during November the Pushkar Fair is held here, which is known for cattles and a number of fun-filled activities. Lakhs of people visit Pushkar from far and wide to participate in the cattle fair.

For more info visit :

http://ajmer-asacredcity.blogspot.com/

http://holypushkar.blogspot.com/

Udaipur

An important city of Rajasthan, Udaipur is popularly known as the ‘lake city.’ Probably the most romantic city in Rajasthan, Udaipur is like a cool oasis in the dry heart of Rajasthan. Udaipur replete with magnificent palaces, superb hilltop forests and gripping tales of chivalry and heroism. Also known as the ‘City of Sunrise’ Udaipur was founded in 1567 by Maharana Udai Singh, following the third sack of Chittor.

Udaipur is proud of its rich heritage as a major centre for arts and crafts, and its school of miniature painting is noteworthy. The old city, bounded by the remains of a city wall, sprawl away on the east side of Lake Pichola. Udaipur has several picturesque palaces, two of which deserve a visit. First, the Lake Palace, now converted into a luxury hotel, is really delightful. If you can’t afford to stay there, don’t worry, because you can enjoy an outside view of the palace by taking a cruise on the Lake Pichola.

Next, the City Palace set on the lake side has been converted into a museum and is well worth a visit. Apart from these, Udaipur also has a well-maintained gardens, fountains, museums, temples and a number of interesting excursion around the city.

For more info visit :

http://somepleasantmomentsofudaipur.blogspot.com

http://citypalaceofudaipur.blogspot.com

http://boatinglakepichola.blogspot.com

http://ranakpurjaintemples.blogspot.com

Jodhpur

Rajasthan, second largest city after Jaipur, Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Great Indian Thar Desert. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 A.D by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rajput clan known as the Rathores. Once the Rathore kingdom was also known as Marwar, the ‘Land of Death.’ The old city of Jodhpur is encircled by a massive 10 km long wall that was built about a century after the city was founded.

Jodhpur’s prime attraction is the massive Mehrangarh Fort, which rises right in the middle of the town and totally dominates the town. Sprawled across the 125 mtr high hill, Mehrangarh Fort is considered the most impressive and formidable fort in the state of Rajasthan. From the fort you can clearly see the spots where the old city ends and the new city begins. Jodhpur’s old city is an amazing jumble of winding lanes of great interest to wander around. Just off the fort road, is Jaswant Thada, the white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Built in the 1899 A.D, the cenotaph has a collection of portraits of the various famous Jodhpur rulers.

For shopping lovers, Jodhpur offers usual Rajasthani handicrafts and also rare antiques. You will find a number of shops in the convoluted streets of the old town but Abani Handicrafts, next door to the Tourist Bungalow has a large and varied collection.

For more information visit :

http://legendaryjodhpur.blogspot.com

http://mehrangarhfortofjodhpur.blogspot.com

Bikaner

Situated in the north of the state of Rajasthan, the desert town of Bikaner is a famous destination for tourists. Bikaner was founded in the year 1488 A.D by Rao Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Just like other cities of Rajasthan, Bikaner is surrounded by a high, battlemented wall and it was once an important staging post on the great caravan trading routes. Bikaner is encircled by a seven km long city wall with five entrance gates, built in the 18th century.

Although Bikaner is known for its superb imposing fort but it is also noted for the government run camel breeding farm where fine camels bred. Built between 1588 and 1593 A.D by Raja Rai Singh, Junagarh Fort has 986 mt long wall with 37 bastions and two entrances. Suraj Pole or the Sun Gate is the main entrance to the fort and inside the fort there are a number of picturesque palaces namely Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) etc.

Just 10 kms away from Bikaner, the Camel Breeding Farm is probably unique in Asia. Here hundreds of camels are available and you can also enjoy a ride on camel’s back. Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum is another attraction of Bikaner and it is said to be one of the best museums in Rajasthan. Here you can see pre-Harrapan, Gupta and Kushan pieces and a wide collection of terracottas, pottery, paintings, particularly miniatures of the Bikaner school.

For more info visit :

http://bikanermoments.blogspot.com

http://junagarhfort.blogspot.com

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer, one of Rajasthan’s famous towns is also most exotic and unusual towns of India. Situated at the desert breast of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer is also known as the ‘Golden City’ and the ‘living museum’. In fact, travellers who make the effort to visit the town never get disappointed in this medieval looking place, as they see something right out of the tales of the Arabian Nights. Centuries ago Jaisalmer’s strategic position on the camel train routes between India and Central Asia brought great wealth to the town. During that period the merchants and townspeople built magnificent houses and mansions – all exquisitely carved from the golden yellow sandstone. From the big shops to the magnificent palaces and temples in the fort, the whole town glows in the same golden colour. Even today new buildings are designed to match in with the old buildings.

The Old City is completely surrounded by a lofty fort wall and within this a hill rises with more fortified walls. Jaisalmer’s Jain Temples and the old palace are one this hilltop. Built in 1156 AD by Rawal Jaisal, the Jaisalmer Fort crowns the 80 mts high Trikuta hill. You can have the very fine view of the old city from the fort walls. Jaisalmer’s seven storey palace stands just within the first entrance of the fort. Within the fort walls there are carved balconies and cupolas and the Satiyon ki Sidhiyan where women became satis. Just below the hill is the central market where you will find a variety of items. Jaisalmer is famous for embroidery, Rajasthani mirror work, rugs, blankets, old stone work and antiques. At Kadi Bundar, situated to the north of the city, tie dye and other fabrics are made.

Jaisalmer is known for its havelis (mansions) which are built couple of centuries back. Built by Jaisalmer’s wealthy merchants these fine sandstone buildings are still in good condition. Patwon ki Haveli is the most elaborate and magnificent of all the havelis in Jaisalmer. Salim Singh ki Haveli was constructed about 300 years ago and is partially lived in. Built in late 19th century, Nathmal ki Haveli was a also a prime minister’s house. Besides havelis, another attraction of Jaisalmer include Gadi Sagar Tank.

For more info visit :

http://triptojaisalmer.blogspot.com

http://havelisofjaisalmer.blogspot.com

http://jaisalmerfort.blogspot.com

http://jaintemplesofjaisalmer.blogspot.com

http://desertfestivalofjaisalmer.blogspot.com

Jaipur

Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan is popularly known as the ‘pink city’ due to its pink coloured buildings in old walled city. Situated in a desert-like landscape Jaidpur is surrounded by barren hills, the avenues are broad and there is a harmony which is quite remarkable in the city. Jaipur’s old walled ‘pink city’ is situated in the north-east part of the town while the new parts have spread away to the south and west.

Jaipur was named after the founder of the city, Maharaja Jai Singh II (1699-1744), who was also a great warrior and astronomer. Maharaja Jai Singh II is also known for planning the city, he laid out the city with its surrounding walls and six regtangular blocks by principles of town-planning laid down in the Shilpa-Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. In the year he built the solar observatory to predict the movements of celestial bodies, which is still one of Jaipur’s prime attractions. Other notable attractions of the city include City Palace and Museum, Hawa Mahal and the Amber Fort.

Apart from the forts and palaces, Jaipur is also a good place for shopping. Jaipur is well known for precious stones, which are available Johari Bazaar at very cheap rate. Shops around the City Palace and Hawa Mahal offers many interesting items including miniatures and clothes. Other specialties of Jaipur include marble statues, jewellery and textile prints. Don’t forget to check out the Rajasthan Government Emporium in M I Road which offers a wide range of handicrafts and local items.

For more info visit :

http://jaipurpinkcity.blogspot.com

http://jaipurpinkcity.blogspot.com/2007/08/one-afternoon-in-hawa-mahal.html

http://citypalacejaipur.blogspot.com/

http://citypalace-jaipur.blogspot.com/

http://citypalacejaipur.blogspot.com/2007/08/chandra-mahal.html

http://hawamahaljaipur.blogspot.com/

http://amberfort.blogspot.com

http://marketsofjaipur.blogspot.com

http://jantarmantarofjaipur.blogspot.com/

Kerala

Kerala, popularly known as God’s own country, is considered the most beautiful states of India. Situated in southern part of India, Kerala shares its western boundary with the Arabian Sea. Kerala has an extensive history of contact with the outside world. Even today in Kochi you will find a small community, who are the descendants of Jewish settlers who fled from Palestine 2,000 years ago. Long before Vasco da Gama led the Portuguese to India, Kerala had been known to the Phoenician who came in search of spices, sandalwood and ivory. Kerala was not only a spice country, but also a transshipment point from the Moluccas. The Arabs and Chines also made their mark on Kerala and fishermen of the Kochi still use Chinese Fishing nets.

Present day state of Kerala was formed in 1956 from Travancore, Cochin and Malabar, that was earlier part of Madras estate. Trivandrum is the state capital city, while other important cities are Alleppey, Kovalam, Kozhikode and Kochin. Blessed with natural gifts like backwaters, beaches, hill stations, lakes and streams, wildlife, Kerala draws thousands of tourists from various parts of the globe.

For visitors Kerala offers one of the best beaches in India at Kovalam, a rich and varied wildlife collection at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and beautiful hill station of Munnar. Perhaps more that any place in India, Kerala offers plenty of leisure options to the visitors. A backwater trips along the coastal lagoons and a walk along the spice plantation of western ghats provide once in a lifetime experience to tourists..............

For more info visit :

http://keralawonders.blogspot.com

http://keralabackwaters1.blogspot.com

http://blogs.ibibo.com/destinationkeralablog

http://blogs.ibibo.com/keralabeaches

http://blogs.ibibo.com/periyarwildlifesanctuaryblog

http://blogs.ibibo.com/nehrutrophyboatraceblog

http://blogs.ibibo.com/onamfestival

http://harshitaindia.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/munnar-sojourn/

http://festivals-events.blogspot.com/2007/07/nehru-trophy-boat-race.html