The Top 15 Places To Visit In Rajasthan

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Royals, Forts, Desert, Traditions, Colourful Costumes, and of course the mouth-watering cuisine. All these words can only be associated with Rajasthan, the largest state of India by area. Occupying an area of 342,239 square kilometers, which is 10.4% of India’s total area, Rajasthan is mostly considered as the Jewel in India’s crown. The word Rajasthan literally means The Land of Kings.

Located on the north-western side of India, Rajasthan is one of the top holiday destinations of India. We can see a lot of geographical diversity in this state, where one part has the Thar Desert(the only desert in India) while the other part has Mount Abu (the only hill station in Rajasthan). Rajasthan is also the home of three national tiger reserves namely the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur, Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar and Mukundra Hill Tiger Reserve in Kota.

So here is our  article, which discusses the top 15 places of visit in Rajasthan:

1. Amer Fort, Jaipur:

Amer Fort | Photo by Abhishek Shirali (CC BY- SA 2.0)

Located at about 11 kilometers away from Jaipur, Amer Fort is regarded as “The Royal architecture of Jaipur”. Amer Fort which is also called the Amber Fort is inspired by the Hindu Culture and it represents the various elements of the Hindu tradition in an artistic way.

The fort was constructed by Raja Man Singh in the year 1592. Constructed in  Red sandstone and marble makes it one of the most visited Forts in Rajasthan. The complex comprises of the Diwan-e-Aam, the Diwan-e-Khaas, the Sheesh Mahal and the Sukh Niwas. In the year 2013, the Amber Fort has earned the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan.

2. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur:

Mehrangarh Fort | Photo by Icekrish (CC BY- SA 2.0)

Situated at an elevation of 410 feet on a hilltop, a little far from the Jodhpur city, Mehrangarh Fort is a beautiful replica of Rajasthani Art and Culture that has developed over the generations. The foundation stone of the fort was laid by Rao Jodha, ruler of Mandore in 1460.

Read more: The Great Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Later on, every ruler had altered or developed the fort as per their choice during their rule. The  Mehrangarh literally means, “The Sun- Fort” is built over a period of 500 years. There are 7 gates to enter the Fort and all of them representing the major victories of the rulers of Jodhpur during their era. The Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Zenana Dude, Takht Vilas, and the Jhanki Mahal are the most visited palaces in Mehrangarh.

3. Junagarh Fort, Bikaner:

The Junagarh Fort | Photo by Pablo Nicolás Taibi Cicaré (CC BY- SA 2.0)

Originally called the Chintamani Fort, this beautiful 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.  Located in the heart of Bikaner, the Junagarh Fort is among those few forts in the state which are not built on a hilltop.

The fort was built from 1589 to 1594 by Karan Chand under the supervision of Raja Rai Singh. The fort was beautifully constructed in Red sandstone and Marble and hence attracted many intruders in the Past but was never conquered by any enemy due to its unique style of construction.

4. Chittorgarh Fort, Chittorgarh:

Part of Chittorgarh Fort | Photo by Justin Morgan (CC BY- SA 2.0)

Sprawling over an area of 691.9 acres, the magnificent Chittorgarh fort or Chittor Fort is situated on a hill over a height of 590.6 ft in the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. The fort was initially built by the Mauryans till the early 7th century. However, the fort was later expanded and all its beautification work was done by the rulers of Mewar and it was considered the capital of Mewar kingdom.

Read more: 12 BEST Places to Visit in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

The fort is also known for the Jauhar or mass self-immolation that was performed by thousands of women. The fort and the city of Chittorgarh host the biggest Rajput festival called the “Jauhar Mela“. The Meera Temple, Gaumukh reservoir, Padmini Palace, Kirti Stambh are the major attractions of the Fort.

5. Lake Pichola, Udaipur:

Lake Pichola | Photo by Uri Sittan Tripo (CC BY- SA 3.0)

Pichola Lake is an artificial freshwater lake and is the largest lake in the state situated in Udaipur city. This lake was built by Pichhu Banjara in 1362 during Maharana Lakha’s ruling period. Later on, Maharana Udai Singh enlarged this lake. The name of the lake is named after its presence near the  Picholi village. Over the years the lake was developed in order to meet the basic necessities of the people of Udaipur like drinking water, irrigation etc.

The total catchment area of the lake is 55 square kilometers and it consists of four islands namely Jag Niwas, Jag Mandir, Mohan Mandir, and Arshi Vilas. Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir are the two islands that are located within the Lake and give mesmerizing views of the lake to the tourists. There are many small and large lake and water bodies which are well connected with Pichola Lake.

6. Bagore Ki Haveli, Udaipur:

Crafting at Bagore Ki Haveli |Photo by Jon Connell (CC BY- SA 2.0)

Located on the banks of Pichola lake on the Gangori Ghat, the Bagore Ki Haveli is another excellent architectural work showcasing the Hindu and Rajputana style. This Haveli was built by Amir Chand Badwa in the 18^th century, who was the Chief Minister at the Mewar Royal Court in earlier times. When Amar Badwa died, the building came under the possession of Mewar State.

Read more: 16 Best Places to Visit in Udaipur

Bagore Ki Haveli is known for its intricate carvings and colorful glasswork. There are more than 100 rooms within the premise which have well-arranged balconies, terraces, courtyards, and corridors. It is one of the popular places for your evening entertainment where one can enjoy the traditional dance performance and music of Rajasthan.

7. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur:

Jantar Mantar, Jaipur | Photo by Arian Zwegers (CC BY- SA 2.0)

The Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observation monument which was built in an earlier 18^th century in Jaipur. This monument is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II. The entire construction completed in 1734. It is the world’s largest stone sundial, spread over an area of 4.609 hectares.

Designed for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye, they embody several architectural and instrumental innovations. On 31 July 2010, it gained the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site under the criteria of a cultural site. Jantar Mantar is protected under the Rajasthan Monuments Archaeological Site as it was damaged in the 19^th century to a greater extent.

8. Patwon-Ki-Haveli, Jaisalmer:

A sitting arrangement in Patwon Ki Haveli | Photo by Ashwin Kumar (CC BY- SA 2.0)

Among the most important Havelis in Jaisalmer, the Patwon ki Haveli is the masterpiece of Rajput Culture and Architecture. This haveli or the fort is considered to be the first fort in Jaisalmer. This beautiful haveli is not a single haveli but a collection of 5 small Havelis. The first among these Havelis was commissioned in the year 1805 and was constructed by Guman Chand Patwa.

Being a rich man Patwa Ji ordered the construction of separate stories for each of his 5 sons. All the construction and development took around 60 years and completed in the early 19^th century. Unlike most of the forts in Rajasthan, Patwan ki Haveli is built in yellow sandstone. This Haveli is also known as The Mansion of Brocade Merchants. The paintings and mirror-works on the walls of the mansions distinguish one from the another.

9. Birla Mandir, Jaipur:

Birla mandir, Jaipur | Photo by Arjuncm3 (CC BY- SA 3.0)

The Birla Temple which is situated below the Moti Dungri Fort in Jaipur is a part of one of the several Birla temples located all around the country. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Unlike the traditional Hindu temples, the Birla Mandir is built with pure white marble with a modern touch in its architecture.

Read more: Top 15 Places to visit In Jaipur – Jaipur Tourism

Though the construction of the temple started in 1977 however it was opened for the public since 1985. Delicate carvings of Hindu symbols and ancient quotes from the Geeta and the Upanishads ornament the walls of this fascinating temple. The marbles are carved in a beautiful manner representing the important mythological events.

10. Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer:

The Jaisalmer Fort | Photo by Koshy Koshy (CC BY- SA 2.0)

Built-in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rao Jaisal, the Jaisalmer Fort is the only “living fort” in the world, as nearly one-fourth of the old city’s population still resides within the fort’s territory like the early age of Rajasthan rulers. The unique feature of the fort is that it was built in yellow sandstone walls which looks tawny lion color during the day, fading to honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. Hence, it is also known as the Sonar Quila or Golden Fort.

Jaisalmer Fort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan. The fort is 1,500 ft long and 750 ft wide. It has 99 bastions around its circumference.

11. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur:

The Hawa Mahal | Photo by Marcin Białek (CC BY- SA 4.0)

Well-constructed in red and pink sandstone, Hawa Mahal is located on the edge of the City Palace, Jaipur, and it extends to the Zenana. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh was so much fascinated by the unique architecture of Khetri Mahal, that he built Hawa Mahal in 1799. It was constructed for the royal women to enjoy the events and festivals of the street. The construction shows the blend of Hindu Rajput architecture and the Islamic Mughal architecture.

This five-story building in the shape of a crown of Lord Krishna with 953 jharokhas or windows and a beautifully decorated façade resembling a honeycomb of a beehive that gives one a feel of the rich heritage of the Rajputs.

12. Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur:

The Courtyard View, Nahargarh Fort | Photo by Vijay Singh (CC BY- SA 4.0)

Situated in the Aravali Mountain ranges, the Nahargarh Fort is another majestic forts within Jaipur. This fort was originally named Sudarshangarh Fort. Later on, the name was changed to Nahargarh Fort, meaning the ‘abode of tigers”. The fort was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur in the year 1734.

The fort was a mix of Indo-European architecture styles. During the decade of the 1880s, Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh turned this fort into a monsoon resort. The amusement place which is known as the  Madhavendra Bhawan is the most attractive part of the fort.

13. Dilwara Jain Temples, Mount Abu:

Dilwara Temple | Photo by Akshat Patni (CC BY- SA 4.0)

The  Dilwara Jain Temples is one of the finest Jain temple in the world known for its extraordinary architecture and marvelous marble stone carvings. It was built by Vimal Shah and designed by Vastupal-Tejpal, Jain laymen, between the 11th and 13th centuries AD.  The intricately carved ceilings, entryways, pillars, and panels highlight the aesthetic appeal of this temple.

The huge temple complex comprises five shrines that are dedicated to Lord Adinath, Lord Rishabhdeo, Lord Neminath, Lord Mahavir Swami and Lord Parshvanath respectively who were the five Jain saints or Tirthamkars. The celling of the temples is beautifully carved narrating the stories associated with Jain Mythology.

14. Ranthambore National Park:

Tigers at Ranthambore National Park | Photo by Kesav995 (CC BY- SA 4.0)

Located at 140 km southeast of Jaipur and covering an area of about 392 sq. kilometers, the Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest and renowned National Park in Northern India. Earlier known as Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary it was established in 1955. Later it was declared one of the Project TigerReserves in 1973. In 1980 Ranthambhore became a national park.

It is one of the best places in India to sight the tigers in their natural habitat. It is an ideal place in Rajasthan for, safari, bird watching, and research because of its wide range of animals, flowering and medical trees/ plants, reptiles, and birds.

15. Govind Dev Ji Mandir, Jaipur:

Raja Sawai Jai Singh II brought the holy ideal of Lord Sri Krishna from Vrindavan during his rule in Jaipur and established this beautiful temple to set the deity. However, it originally belonged to Srila Rupa Goswami, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s follower, who found the original Govindevji deity about 450 years ago.

The legendary tale associated with this beautiful temple states that the image of Lord Krishna placed in the temple looks just like the form of Krishna during his manifestation on the earth.

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