Magnificent hill forts, palaces, colorful dresses and markets, mouth-watering cuisines and amazing landscapes are what define the state of Rajasthan. This amazing state of India has been an abode of royalty and elegance. That too right from the beginning.
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Making it an even better place to tourists are the national parks and temples that offer a chance and a reason for people to visit here.
If you are planning on visiting Rajasthan then here are 13 best places you can put on your list:
1. Amber Palace
Rajasthan is well-known for its amazing hill forts and one of the best in the state is the popular Amber Palace or Amber fort. This small hill fort is situated in the city of Amber which is approximately 11 km from Jaipur. To visit here there is a diversion while heading to Nahargarh Fort.
The entire fort is sectioned into 4 zones that have a lot of attractions of their own. The major attractions of this fort remain the sheesh mahal and diwan-e-aam.
2. Udaipur
Udaipur is one of the finest destinations of Rajasthan and probably of the country as well. Known as the “city of lakes”- Udaipur receives a lot of tourists who enjoy visiting magnificent lake forts and palaces throughout the year.
Udaipur also offers a perfect melange of magnificent architecture and royalty of the bygone era. Other things that keep the travelers engaged are the lush-green gardens, age-old temples, and the entire city perfectly situated with a romantic backdrop.
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3. Pushkar
Situated on the shore of Pushkar lake, this city is popular for more than one reason. Apart from its mesmerizing location and amazing weather, Pushkar is popular for the Pushkar Temple. It is also home to Gurudwaras that have a lot of significance for Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh.
Apart from all these things, there is an annual fair named Pushkar Camel Fair that is held every year in November.
4. Ranthambore National Park
Rajasthan is a rich Indian state with a lot of tourist attractions and something for everyone. If you are looking for a place to visit, having an ecosystem with a diversity of flora and fauna, then Ranthambore National Park is going to be an amazing destination for you.
Ranthambore national park is popular for the density of tigers.
5. Hawa Mahal
When it comes to listing down the popular and magnificent heritage monuments in Rajasthan, Hawa Mahal comes somewhere at the top of the list. Located in the heart of Jaipur, this heritage monument is a pink-colored building that was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799.
The literal meaning of this is “Palace of Winds” and true to its name the entire structure is beautifully ventilated. Hawa Mahal is a combined architecture type of Islamic and Rajput styles.
6. Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola is an artificial freshwater lake built in Udaipur. It is one of the finest lake palaces in all of Rajasthan. The palace is built in Pichola Lake which is situated near the Pichola Village and that’s how it got its name. This beautiful palace is a gem of Udaipur and it was built in 1362 AD.
What makes it so amazing to visit here is that Lake Pichola has a perfect location to leave people mesmerized and it is the largest manmade freshwater lake in the country.
7. Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh Fort is the gem of Jodhpur and is one of the most stunning hill palaces or forts in India. The palace was built in 1459 by Rao Jodha and has been a wonderful architecture since then. Mehrangarh Fort is a perfect example of glory and royalty and what makes it even better is its on-the-edge location.
The fort is built in such a way that it overlooks the entire Jodhpur city. There is no denying that Mehrangarh is one of the largest and most beautiful forts of Rajasthan.
8. City Palace, Jaipur
The Pink City of India- Jaipur is home to several amazing forts and palaces. One amongst them is the beautiful looking City Palace which was built in 1727 by then king Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. City Palace is a huge and amazing architecture having several areas throughout the complex.
The major attractions of the City palace include Chandra Mahal, Diwan-I-Aam, Maharani Palace, and Baggi Khana.
9. Nahargarh Fort
Known as the abode of the tiger, Nahargarh Fort is one of the most important in the history of Jaipur. Located on the outskirts of current Jaipur city, it was created to improve the defense of the inner ring of the city.
Now, it serves as an active heritage spot and a mesmerizing hill fort with a beautiful look around it. From the edge of Nahargarh, you get to see the entire city. It is an amazing piece of architecture that amuses travelers and families on a trip.
10. Kumbhalgarh Fort
It is an undeniable fact that Rajasthan tourism is one of the most profound ones in India. Cities in this state are famous for their hill forts and one amongst them is the majestic Kumbhalgarh Fort. Situated in Kumbhalgarh which is approximately 85 km from Udaipur in Rajsamand district it is one of a kind fort.
This is a fort built in the Aravalli Range at an altitude of 1000m and the walls extend to 36 km. This makes it one of the longest walls in the world and the fort also has 7 fortified gateways.
11. Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort is located in the city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. It is one of the most magnificent forts and palaces in all of Rajasthan. It is also one of the most important of them all.
The reason is, that Jaisalmer Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site. Like many other forts in the state, this is also a hill fort. But this one has a golden shade which is why it is also referred to as Sonar Quila or the Golden Fort.
12. Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal is a lake fort built in Jaipur in 1750 in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. It is a 4-storey building that’s dipped underwater except for the topmost floor which is visible to the travelers.
This mahal served as a picnic spot for the king and his fellow mates.
13. Jantar Mantar – Jaipur
The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is one of the UNESCO heritage sites of the world. It has a huge collection of 19 astronomical instruments that were built by Sawai Jai Singh II.
According to the records, this monument was finished by the end of 1734. One of the major attractions of Jantar Mantar is the stone sundial that’s present in the center. It is the world’s largest sundial.
See Also: Things to do in Rajasthan | Places to visit in Udaipur | Places to visit in Jodhpur