Rajasthan is rich in architecture and is a delight for all kinds of tourists
with its sandy dunes, mighty forts, lush blossoming gardens, shimmering lakes and
outstanding monuments. The medieval zeal of honor among the Rajputs rings true in
Chittorgarh Fort, men and women alike, while the romantic reverie hovers over the
island palaces of Lake Pichola. One can almost see the shy royal ladies chuckling
to see the royal procession on the roads of Jaipur, unseen and safe behind the screens
of Hawa Mahal. The religious fervor of the staunch devotees at Dargah Sharief at
Ajmer and Shrinath ji at Nathdwara is no less than the grandeur of City Palace of
Jaipur and astronomical wonders of Jantar Mantar. We present here a list of the
top favourite tourist palaces of Rajasthan that are not worth a miss in this land
of wonders:
Amber Fort - Jaipur
Albert Hall Museum Positioned amidst the gardens of Ram Niwas Bagh in Jaipur, this
museum has an assortment of rare articles on its display including textiles, carpets,
paintings, metal and wood crafts, pottery, arms and weapons,
Amer Fort
Raja Man Singh built Amer Palace in 16th century. It is a mesmerizing blend of Hindu
and Mughal architecture. Rajputs made use of the Amber Fort from the 16th century
up to the foundation of Jaipur in 1727 both for defense purpose as well as the residential
purposes.
City Palace, Jaipur
The focal point of the walled city is the palace complex that lies in the heart
of the city and occupies the space of the central grid. The rest of the grids were
cut across neatly by wide lanes which divided the area into tidy, well laid-out
rectangles of commercial and residential use.The city palace is an architectural
marvel, with ornate gates, arches, balconies and courtyard surrounded by a series
of gardens and buildings over a vast expanse..
City Palace, Udaipur
City Palace complex is actually a conglomeration of buildings added by various Maharanis,
the palace manages to retain a surprising uniformity of design. Building was started
by Maharana Udai Singh II. The palace is surmounted by balconies, towers & cupolas
and there are wonderful views over the lake and the city from the upper terrace.
Main entrance is from northern end through the Baripol of 1600 and the Tripolia
Gate of 1725, with its eight carved marble arches.
Chittorgarh Fort
The Chittorgarh Fort has witnessed three bloody sieges and 'jauhars' (a Rajput tradition
in which royal maidens and ladies immolate themselves in the fire to save their
honor from the cruel hands of the enemy, when there is no chance of defeating the
enemy).
Daragh Sharif
'Dargah Sharif' or 'Holy Dargah' is one of the most sacred Muslim shrines in the
country. Venerated by both Hindus and Muslims, it is the tomb of Khwaja Moin-ud-din
Chisti, a Sufi saint who came from Persia and devoted his life to the service and
upliftment of the poor and downtrodden.
Fateh Sagar Lake
The pretty Fateh Sagar Lake of Udaipur is located to the north of Lake Pichola was
originally built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh as a medium-sized perennial storage
reservoir. Surrounded by holls on three sides and Pratap Memorial on the fourth,
it presents captivating scenery.
Havelies of Jaisalmer
The beautiful sandstone mansions of Jaisalmer's wealthy merchants are known as 'havelis'.
Their elaborate homes are a poem etched out in sandstone with infinite details and
pains, carved and pieced together in different patterns, and though they are lavish
and loud in nature,
Hawa Mahal
Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh erected Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Wind in 1799,
which eventually became one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. An integral part of
the City Palace, it is actually an extension of its women's chambers, and is secluded
from the main complex.
Jantar Mantar
In Sanskrit, 'Jantar Mantar' is used for 'Magical Devices' and it is undoubtedly
so with the huge masonry instruments, which were placed here to measure 'the harmony
of the heavens'. Conceived by Sawai Raja Jai Singh II, it was completed in seven
years from 1728 to 1734.
Jaswant Thada
Jaswant Thada lies to the left of the Mehrangarh fort complex. It is a royal cenotaph
made up of white marble. It was built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Some
rare portraits of the former rulers of Jodhpur are also displayed here.
Lake Pichola
Maharaja Udai Singh did not underestimate the panoramic beauty of Lake Pichola surrounded
by beautiful hills when he chose to widen it. Later Maharaja Jagjit Singh conceptualized
the two beautiful island palaces in the middle of the lake, now, known as Jag Niwas
(the much-renowned Lake Palace) and Jag Mandir that adds to the shimmering beauty
of the lake.
Mehrangarh Fort
The most magnificent fort in Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort. It is situated on a
150m high hill. Rao Jodha, the then chief of Rathore clan, constructed it in 1459.
There are a number of attractions within the fort like several palaces, galleries,
a museum, temples and so on.
Pushkar
Pushkar is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimage sites and it is said that a dip
in the sacred lake of Pushkar is akin to the visits to the four main Hindu shrines
known as 'Chaar Dhaam'. The charming lake of Pushkar is surrounded by hills on three
sides and sand dunes on the fourth and presents an ideal site for the religious
and cattle fair, which is held every year in the month of October or November.
Sahelion Ki Bari
Saheliyon-ki-Bari or the 'Garden of the Maids of Honor' of Udaipur was once reserved
for the royal ladies who came here for a stroll. A well planned garden, with extensive
lawns and shady walks situated on the banks of the dainty Fateh Sagar Lake was constructed
in 18th century by Maharana Sangram Singh for forty-eight young ladies-in-waiting
sent to the royal house, as part of the dowry as a cool summer retreat for them.
Samode Palace, Jaipur The fort is an old fortified residence of the Nathawat clan
from Chomu that served as the Prime Ministers of the Jaipur Royal Court is located
some 40km North West of Jaipur and 264 km from Delhi in the range of Aravali.
Shrintaji Temple
48 km from Udaipur, Shrinathji of Nathdwara is actually a temple of Lord Krishna
with his image carved out of a single block of black marble. Set amidst idyllic
hills, it is said to be the second richest temple in the world. The royalty of Udaipur
pray at the temple and as the head of his clan, the Maharana is also called as Shriji
among his people.
Umaid
The famine had struck the arid and barren land of Jodhpur and farmers were dying
of hunger as their lands yielded nothing and they had no money to buy food. It was
then, when like a judicious king, Maharaja Umaid Singh of Jodhpur undertook the
construction of this magnificent building as a famine relief project to provide
employment and a regular source of income to his subjects.
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