Udaipur

Udaipur is a beautiful city, set amidst the Aravalli Ranges of Rajasthan, India. Known for its picturesque lakes, Udaipur also called 'the city of lakes'. The elevated hills and the beautiful lakes make a picture-perfect backdrop to the Udaipur city. Udaipur is regarded as one of the most romantic cities of the World and subsequently, also known as the 'Venice of East'. In context of Rajasthan, Udaipur is the second most-sought after tourist destination of the state, the first being Jaipur. Udaipur had been the capital of Mewar for centuries.

Though termed as the city of lakes, Udaipur has many more attractions that catch the attention of the tourists with their charm. The city boasts of various museums, palaces, gardens, monuments and colourful festivals that allure tourists to visit the city for once. The mighty palaces with their exquisite locations transport you directly into the royal Rajputana era; Lake Palace, for one, has been accredited for being one of the most romantic places all across the globe. The massive forts of Udaipur grab the interest of people with their sheer structure and architecture. The beautiful temples create a sense of aestheticism with their spiritual ecstasy.

The lakes acting as oasis under the scorching sun propels a sense of calm along with reminding you at once of the city of Venice. The festivals, altogether colourful and lively, with their frenzies and huge scope cast a spell worthy enough to keep you too in spirit for days to come whereas the serene gardens, which lend the city its second adoptive name- The Garden City of Rajasthan, are an epitome of how the natural order manages to make its way to flourish even in the desert, uninhibited. Last but not the least, anyone even a little interested in digging in the past too is fed by through artefacts and what not that still survives in the heart of the city through museums.

Undoubtedly, Udaipur is undoubtedly a dream destination for a romantic holiday. Every year, thousands of tourists come from all over the globe to visit this romantic city. Udaipur is easily accessible from all the major cities of India including Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur. So, if you are tired of your hectic schedules and daily routine, then plan a trip to the city of lakes to lighten up your worries and tensions. A tour to the romantic city of Udaipur would certainly become an unforgettable part of your memories and you will cherish these memories throughout your life.

Kota

City Fort Palace

The history of the city dates back to the 12th century A.D. when the Hada Chieftain, Rao Deva, conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Later, in the early 17th century AD during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi -Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. Since then Kota became a hallmark of the Rajput gallantry and culture.

The south eastern region of Rajasthan known as Hadoti comprises of Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar and Kota is a treasure of history dating back to several centuries. Prehistoriccaves,paintings,formidable forts and the mighty chambal river hurtling from the Vindhyas are dotted in the region. When Jait Singh of Bundi defeated the Bhil Chieftain Koteya in a battle, he raised the first battlement or the 'Garh'(fort) over his severead head. The Independant state of kota became a reality in 1631 when Rao Madho Singh, the second son of Rao Ratan of Bundi was made the ruler, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Soon Kota outgrew its parent state to become bigger in area, richer in revenue and more powerful. Maharao Bhim Singh played a pivotal role in Kota's history, having held a 'Mansab' of five thousand and being the first in his dynasty to have the title of Maharao. Kota is situated on the banks of chambal river and is fastly emerging as an important industrial centre. It boasts of Asia's largest fertilizer plant, precision instrument unit and atomic power station nearby. Surprisingly unexplored, the Kota region of Rajasthan has some splendid treasures for the tourist to take home memories of. Its impregnable fortresses, sprawling palaces, exquisitely wrought palaces and lovely waterways act as a magnificient foil to its exotic wildlife and delicate fresco Paintings. .

Situtated on the banks of the Chambal River,at an important juncture of the trade route between Delhi and Gujrat, Kota is Rjasthan's Fifth Largest City. This Bustling,sprawling city is also called the industrial capital of the state. The tentacles of the modern world have the city in its grip with the Chambal Valley Project giving it a major position on the state's industrial map. Chemicals,fertilizers, synthetic fibres, tyrecord and sophisticated instruments, industry's mainstay, have helped in pushing this ancient city into the forefront of modernisation. Yet memories of its ancient links linger strongly. Present Day Kota owes its foundations to a Kotya Bhil warrior who 800 years ago built a small fortification at akelgarh and put up a protective mud-wall around it all the way to Retwali. In 1580, Rao Madho Singh strenghtened both the fortification and the wall. In time to come, Kota acquired the Hallmark of rajput power as well as culture.

Tourist places to visit in Kota:

City Fort Palace: Located on the eastern banks of the Chambal River, the 17th century City Fort and Palace is the prime tourist attraction of Kota. One of the largest fort complexes in Rajasthan, it houses the rugged bastion, ramparts, with delicate domes and balustrades. The Hathi Pol (Elephant Gate) built in the 17th century AD is the beautiful entrance to the fort.

Rao Madho Singh Museum: One of the finest museums in Rajasthan, it exhibits a good collection of artifacts including miniature paintings, magnificent sculptures, and ancient murals and arms.

Jagmandir Palace: Built by one of the queens of Kota in 1740, the Jagmandir Palace was once the pleasure palace of kings in the middle of the beautiful Kishor Sagar Lake. Its reflection in crystal waters of the lake offers a breathtaking view to visitors.

Haveli of Deaji: One of the beautiful mansions in Rajasthan, the Haveli of Deaji in Kota is famous for its amazing frescoes and paintings.

Chambal Gardens: It's an enchanting picnic spot with a crocodile's pond.

Other not to be missed tourist attractions in Kota include the Brij Vilas Palace Museum, Kota Barrage and Rana Pratap Sagar Dam.

How To Reach

Air : There is a small aerodrome, which is not operational. Nearest main airport is Jaipur (240 km). 

Rail: Kota is well connected by Train with all major cities in the state & outside the state.

Road : Kota is located on the N.H. No. 12 (Jaipur - Jabalpur) & well connected with all major ciites.

LOCAL TRANSPORT : Un-metered taxis, auto rickshaws, tongas, cycle rickshaws are available for moving around. 

Jaipur

Jaipur, the largest city of Rajasthan is an epitome of magnificence and vibrancy. This city was established in 1727 by Jai Singh II, and is India's first planned city. Jaipur was the capital of former Kachwaha rulers and it so presents itself as a versatile tourist destination. This royal place is rich in heritage, culture and architecture. With splendid fortresses, majestic palaces, tranquil temples and beautiful havelis; Jaipur turns out to be an ideal tourist destination. It is not just the royal buildings and palaces that this city offers. Other than these captivating attractions, Jaipur displays exquisite handicrafts and spectacular jewellery. These intricate works of art add life and colour to this Pink City's uniqueness. Also, the serenity of lush gardens and floral array acts as the cherry on the cake of fabulous landscapes. All this make a picturesque view that tends to enthral any visitor.

The best time to visit this place is between October and March. Since the weather is pleasant during these months, that allows one to explore more of this place without getting scorched in the seething heat. This city of Rajputs is well known for its fairs and fests that are held on a grand level. The festivals include kite festival, camel festival, teej, gangaur, elephant festival, to name a few. The city witnesses maximum tourists during these days. To add on to its liveliness, this place has brilliant bazaars filled with bright turbans and ethnic attire, hand-dyed and embroidered textiles, pretty jewellery and delicious food. All these things can draw anyone towards them. Dressed in pink, this royal city of Rajasthan, Jaipur is the apt blend of heritage, palaces, culture and art and the flamboyance of this place can be experienced only by visiting it.

History of jaipur:

Forts, palaces, architectural marvels and tales of valour, all in their own way, bear testimony to the glory that Jaipur is and was just after it was conceived by Sawai Jai Singh in 1727. Located 262 kilometers from Delhi, jaipur was the first planned city in northern India. Jaipur's history dates back to the 12th century when the Kachchwaha clan o Rajputs arrived at the old fort palace of Amber in the Aravalli Hills. The Kachchwaha belonged to the Kshatriya, or the warrior caste of Hindus, but they traced their origins back to the sun, via Kusa who the twin son of the god Rama.

The people the Kachchwahas ousted were the Susawat Minas, who became the hereditary loyal guards of what became one of the largest and most valuable treasuries in India. From this base, the Kachchwaha Rajputs, with their brilliant soldiering, and a knack for lucrative alliances (even if that meant swallowingg Rajput pride), amassed a fortune. It was the special relationship the Amber rulers developed with the Mughals that brought them real power, influence and wealth.

 Arriving from Jaipur through the narrow pass in the hills, you are presented with a view of the honey coloured Amber fort-palace that conforms to every expectation of how a romantic Rajupt forts should appear. It rambles over a rugged hill, reflected in Maota Lake below. The odd elephant plods up the ramparts road. In Amber village, which clusters around the hill, gem-cutters smoothen and cut stones, the faithful go to mosques and temples, and children run around the royal chhatris (mausoleums) and decaying houses. A circle of protective hills surrounds all this, and snaking up these hills are crenulated walls punctuated by look-our posts. On the highest ridge and overlooking the valley is Jaigarh Fort, a spectacular display of defence. Inside Amber Fort, the contrast is sharp, the grand painted gateway, the hall o public audience that made even the Mughal emperor jealous, pools and cascades to cool the air in summer heat, and the hall o mirrors inlaid with tiny pieces of glass so that a single flame creates a room o a thousand bejeweled stars.

 The power to create such a strong fort enclosing such beauty was built up over several generations. Raja Bihar Mal made the first move. Recognizing Mughal power, he paid homage to the emperor Humayun and led a 5,000-strong army for him. Then he made sure he was the first Rajput presented at Akbar's court. His big chance came when Akbar made his first annual pilgrimage to Ajemr, the burial place of a Muslim saint, which lay in Kachchwaha territory. On a visit to Akbar's tent, Bihar Mal gave his daughter to be the emperor's wife and his adopted grandson, Man Sing, into royal service. The daughter finally gave Akbar his first son, who became emperor Jahangir. The next ruler, Bhawan Das, cemented the alliance and gave a daughter to be Jahangir's wife. Then came the two rulers who built Amber. Man Singh, a leading general under both Akbar and Jahanir, and Jai Sing I, a military and diplomatic genius who brought the house of Amber to its apogee at the Muhal court, On the throne aged 11, Jai Singh I was soon commanding a Mughal force for Jahangir, then fought all over the Mughal empire for Shah Jahan and finally backed the right side in the war for succession and became emperor Aurangezeb's most prized Rajput commander. All this time, the Kachchwaha coffers were filling with prizes, rewards and booty. Three rulers later, Jai Singh II, another child prodigy, came to the throne. The young lad quickly impressed the 71-year-old Aurangzeb who awarded him the title 'Sawai', meaning one-and-a-quarter. Even today, the flag flying above the City Palace in Jaipur has an extra, quarter sized one  next to it. Jai Singh II, having proved his soldiering ability further enriched his coffers and fulfilled his other passions - the arts and sciences. The impressive giant stone instruments which he devised for the open-air observatories at Jaipur, Delhi, Ujjain and Varanasi stand testimony to his scientific prowess. After ascending the throne, he shifted the capital from Amer. He studied the architecture of several European cities and drew up plans for constructing a larger and well-planned city. He consulted his best mathematicians, astronomers and the Silpa Sastra Sastra, a traditional Hindu architectural treatise before making the the blueprint for the new city.

After building close bonds with the Mughas and sure that there could be no danger to his throne, Sawai Jai Singh, envisioned his dream project, the building of Jaipur. the foundation stone was laid by him in 1727 and an eminent architect, Vidyadhar Bhattacharaya, was asked to desing the 'Pink City. ' It was a two-in-one compliment as 'Jai' means victory and was also the ruler's first name. That it was later chosen as the capital of Rajasthan formed from the amalgamation of various kingdoms, was a tribute to both Jai Singh and Bhattaccharya.

 The city was planned in a grid system of seven blocks of buildings with wide straight avenues lined with trees, with the place set on the north side.Surrounding it are high walls pieced with ten gates. The site of the shops were chosen after careful planning and they are arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (chokris). Jaipur was the first sizable city in north India to be built from scratch, though the famous pink colour symbolizing welcome', came later when Ram Singh II received the Prince of Wales in 1876. The colour was chosen after several experiments to cut down the intense glare from the reflection of the blazing rays of the sun. To this day, the buildings are uniformly rose pink. After Jai Singh died in 1773, a battle for succession followed and the Marathas and jats who were making advances in various parts of the country also decided to try their luck and Jaipur lost large chunks of territory with the ruler playing second fiddle the the fast growing East India Company. In 1818, several maharajas of the north-west princely states and Maharaja Jagat Singh of Jaipur, signed a treaty with the British under which they could continue to have control of their states, but would be collectively supervised by the British under a new name, Rajputana. After Independence, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and other Rajpur states merged to form the state of Rajasthan with Jaipur as the capital. And even after 273 years after it was founded, jaipur has retained its unique flavour and old world charm. It is a bustling trading centre with colorfully set bazars, people sporting blood-red turbans, puppet sellers, and festivals and fairs.

Tourist Attraction of Jaipur :

1. City Palace:

Upon visiting the magnificant City Palace, it's easy to see that the royal family of Jaipur was one of the richest in India. The huge complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings blend both Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The Peacock Gate is exquisite, and contains an alluring display of detailed workmanship featuring bright peacocks. Today, the royal family lives in the graceful Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace) bordering the courtyard. Also inside the City Palace complex is a museum, art gallery, and interesting displays of royal costumes and old Indian weapons.

Location: Chokri Shahad, Old City, Jaipur.

Entry Cost: 300 rupees for foreigners (includes camera fee and entry to Jaigarh Fort). 75 rupees for Indians, plus 75 rupees for a still camera.

Opening Hours: 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

2. "Hawa Mahal" Palace of the Winds:

The intricate and fascinating facade of the Palace of the Winds is probably Jaipur's most recognized building. Constructed in 1799, it has five floors that contain rows of small windows and screens. Wind used to flow through the openings, giving the palace its name. However, the wind has now gone from the Wind Palace. Legend has it that the palace, which overlooks the main street of Jaipur's lively Old City, was built so that the women of the royal household could watch the streets below without being observed. A panoramic view can be had from the top of the building. Take a peek behind the facade of the Hawa Mahal.

Location: Next to the City Palace. Enter from the rear of the building.

Entry Cost: 50 rupees for foreigners. 10 rupees for Indians.

Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily.

3. Galta Monkey Temple

Getting to this rather ruinous but holy Hindi temple, nestled in peaceful surroundings between two granite cliffs, is quite an adventure but it's completely worth the effort. The temple is part of a larger temple complex, which also has three sacred pools of water. One of the pools has been taken over by thousands of monkeys that congregate there to swim and bathe. They're generally friendly and love to be fed.

Location: At the far eastern side of the city, outside Gulta Pol, near Agra Road, Jaipur. To get there, take a rickshaw, walk up the hill to the white Sun Temple, then follow the steps downhill into the gorge.

Entry Cost: Free

Opening Hours: Visit late afternoon, near sunset, when the monkeys flock to the temple.

4. Amber Fort and Palace

Around half an hour's drive from the city center, like something out of a fairy tale, Amber Fort is set on a hill top overlooking the Maota Lake. It was the original home of Rajput royalty until Jaipur city was constructed, and contains a number of breathtaking palaces, halls, gardens, and temples. Inside, the elaborate mirror work adds to the grandeur. The fort entrance is reached by walking up the hill, going in a jeep, or taking a lurching elephant ride.

Location: North of Jaipur. Frequent buses depart from the Palace of the Winds to Amber Fort. Taxis are also available.

Entry Cost: 50 rupees for foreigners. Elephant rides are 550 rupees ($13).

Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily.

Sound & Light Show: Takes place every evening.

5. Nahargarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort, also known as Tiger Fort, is perched high on the rugged Aravali Hills overlooking Jaipur city. The fort was built 1734 to help defend the city. It found fame in 2006, after many scenes from the movie Rang De Basanti were filmed there. Nahargarh Fort offers spectacular views, which are best seen at sunset. It also makes a great place for a picnic as there's a cafe on the premises, which serves beer and snacks until 10 p.m. The fort looks particularly attractive at night when it's lit up.

Location: North west of Jaipur city center. Get there by local bus, taxi, or a steep half hour trek directly up the hill.

Entry Cost: Foreigners 30 rupees.

Opening Hours: Sunrise to sunset, daily. Palace open from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. daily.

6. Jaigarh Fort

Jaigarh Fort

The massive Jaigarh Fort was built in 1726 and holds great appeal for military lovers. Flanked by towering gateways and watchtowers, it contains the world's largest cannon on wheels. The cannon has never been fired though, and neither has the fort been captured. As a result the fort has remained intact over its long life, and is very well preserved. Infact, it's one of the best-preserved military structures of medieval India. Jaigarh doesn't have the delicate interiors of Amber Fort, and therefore appears as a real fortress. Climb the Diwa Burj watchtower to get an excellent view over the plains.

Location: North of Jaipur, within walking distance of Amber Fort.

Entry Cost: 50 rupees ($1).

Opening Hours: 9 am to 4.30 p.m. daily.

7. Markets and Shopping

Jaipur is an excellent place to shop and you'll find an enticing variety of goods available there. Some of the most popular items are precious gemstones, silver jewelry, bangles, clothes, blue pottery, and textiles. Don't miss these top 5 places to go shopping in Jaipur.

Location: The main shopping area is M I Road.

Opening Hours: Many shops are closed on Sundays.

8. Jantar Mantar Observatory

Jantar Mantar Observatory

Jantar Mantar, built by King Jai Singh II between 1727 and 1734, literally means "calculation instrument". More than just a curious collection of sculptures, each structure at the intriguing Jantar Mantar observatory has a specialized astronomical function. There are 14 structures in total, which measure time, predict eclipses, and track stars. The most impressive one is the huge Samrat Yantra sundial. At a height of 90 feet (27 meters), it has a shadow that moves roughly the width of a person's hand every minute. It's a profound display of how quickly time does in fact go!

Location: Next to the City Palace, Jaipur.

Entry Cost: 10 rupees (20 cents) plus 50 rupees ($1) for a camera.

Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily.

9. Government Central (Albert Hall) Museum

Albert Hall Museum

This old and famous museum was modeled on the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Its collection includes portraits of local kings, costumes, woodcarvings, paintings, and arts and crafts. Unfortunately photography isn't allowed.

Location: Ram Nivas Bagh, south of the Old City, Jaipur.

Entry Cost: 30 rupees (60 cents) for foreigners.

Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily.

10. Dera Amer Elephant Safari

Dera Amer Elephant Safari

Jaipur is well known for its elephant rides, and this elephant safari is a thrilling way to explore the countryside around the city. Situated on a private estate in the green foothills behind Amber Fort, it enables visitors to get right away from the hustle and bustle. The safari ventures though villages, agricultural fields, hills, and ancient monuments. Many people take a safari before or after visiting Amber Fort, but night safaris are popular as well. If you wish, it's even possible to stay at the camp.

Location: 20 minutes from Amber Fort, Jaipur.

Cost: Around $130 per person for a morning safari, buffet lunch, beer and soft drinks. Inquire with the company for exact pricing.

Opening Hours: Safaris run from morning to night.

Jaipur Culture:

Located in the eastern Rajasthan, this city of Jaipur is popular of the amazing forts and stupendous palaces. This royal town has magnificent architecture and is the first planned city of India. The buildings here are made with pink-painted sandstone which brings it the name of Pink City. With fantastic attractions all around the city, it invites tourists from all over the world. Jaipur's rich cultural heritage is displayed in the traditions, customs, lifestyle, art and architecture of this place. In fact the best understanding of Jaipur's culture can be attained through its art, music and architecture. The splendid monuments of Jaipur deserve a visit. Those huge fortresses of Mughal and Rajput reigns, the Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Jal Mahal aptly describe the culture of the city. Jantar Mantar of Jaipur, the largest of all five similar monuments is an observatory basically, which is indeed an architectural spectacle.

The people of this lively town are friendly and warm. Their colourful outfits and unique jewellery are the part of their culture displayed in a flamboyant way. They love to dance to the tunes of Rajasthani folk songs. Famous dances of Jaipur include Ghoomar, Chari where the dancers got to dance on a pot with a lit diya on their head. Traditional instruments like Sarangi, Ektara, and Jhalar are also played while singing folk songs. Food or the local delicacies of Jaipur also reveal the culture of the city. Jaipur's utterly delicious mangodi, papad, khichdi, buttermilk, sohan halwa have no match. Also famous for its handicrafts, Jaipur has markets flooded with handicraft items. Carved silver jewellery, kundan as well as meenakari jewellery, ivory carved sculptures, wood work and leather goods, are all so finely made that they would undoubtedly catch your eye. Known for blue pottery, miniature paintings and traditional clothes with work of bandhni, zari and zardosi, are certainly the best examples that depict rich culture of Jaipur.

Art And Crafts:

The Mughal and Rajput rulers used to invite skilled artists and craftsmen from India and abroad to display and share their abilities with the people of Jaipur. Many of them settled here leading to development of Jaipur as the haven of rich art and culture. Some of the artful talents of artisans include: Bandhani; Block printing; Stone carving and Sculpture; Tarkashi; Zari, Gota, Kinari and Zardozi; Silver Jewellery; Gems, Kundan, Meenakari and Jewellery; Miniature paintings; Blue Pottery; Ivory carving; Shellac work; Leather ware, etc.

Performing Arts:

This land of Jaipur has its own performing arts. The Jaipur Gharana for Kathak is widely popular and apparently an example of rich cultural heritage of Jaipur as far as performing arts is concerned. Tamasha is another such example.

Cuisine:

The pink city Jaipur presents to you scrumptious cuisines that are known throughout India; dishes like Dal Bati Churma, Missi Roti, and sweets like Ghevar, Feeni, Gajak, Chauguni ke laddu, Moong Thal, to name a few. Rajasthani cuisine is full of nutrition since it's made in ghee and butter; and is generally vegetarian.

Fairs And Festivals:

This city witnesses various fairs and festivals at different time of the year. Some of the festivals are Gangaur festival, Jaipur Literature festival, Kite festival, Teej festival, Shitla Mata Fair, Chaksu Fair, Elephant Fair, Chhat ka Mela in Amber during Navratri. The colourful city becomes even more lively and lovely.

People and Languages:

The people of Jaipur are friendly and warm. The colourful outfits and ethnic jewellery they sport are the part of our culture exhibited in a beautiful way. They love to perform folk dances to the tunes of Rajasthani folk songs. The main language of Jaipur is Rajasthani. However, Marwari, Hindi and English are also spoken in the city.

How To Reach :

People from all parts of the world come to observe the beauty and to know about cultural legacy of Jaipur. Being the major city of the country, Jaipur is well connected to almost every corner of India via different means of public transport including air, rail and road. Every day the public transport is used by over millions of travellers travelling to and around Jaipur with various purposes and destinations. Jaipur International Airport is located about 7-10 km from the main city and can easily be reached with ease by taxi or bus. The Indian Railways on the other hand provides the best service to the passengers and as for the bus service, the roads and the highways are very well constructed and smooth with less chances of getting any dump in between the way. Read to know more about how to reach Jaipur.

By Air:

The Jaipur Airport is situated at Sanganer, 7 km (domestic terminal) and 10 km (international terminal) from the main city. It connects the city to all the major parts of India as well as some of the major overseas countries. It has the facility of daily domestic flights to Delhi, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Hyderabad, Goa, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Indore and Pune. Also, it has the facility of international flights through which it connects directly to Sharjah, Muscat and Dubai. Flights to Singapore and Bangkok are also available via Delhi. Furthermore, it offers the chartered service to London and Dublin. Once you get down at the airport, hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the main city.

By Train:

Jaipur is well connected to almost every part of India through the means of Indian Railways. There are several trains which connect this city to Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Agra, Kota, Alwar, Jodhpur, Alwar, Ajmer, Kota, Chittorgarh, Bikaner, Udaipur, Barmer, Jammu, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Haridwar, Indore, Gwalior, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Roorkee, and Kanpur. In addition to this, long-distance trains arrives from several other cities including Patna, Ranchi, Lucknow, Allahabad, Vadodara, Banaras, Surat, Bilaspur, Nagpur, Raipur, Puri, Bhubaneswar, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mysore, Mangalore, Goa, Kochi, and Kozhikode. There are three main railway junctions including Jaipur, the main station; Gandhinagar and Durgapara. Every train stops at Jaipur junction and a few of the trains stop at Gandhinagar and Durgapara. After getting down at the railway station, take an auto-rickshaw, bus or hire a taxi to reach the destination within the city. There is a special, luxurious and renowned train called as Palace on Wheels which departs from Delhi and connects all the well known destinations of Rajasthan including Jaipur, Jhalawar, Jodhpur, Alwar, Udaipur, etc.

By Road:

Jaipur, the pink city is linked with the all the major cities of India through the network of National Highways 8, 11 and 12 to name a few. There's also a very good bus service between Jaipur and Delhi provided by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) with the buses at about every half an hour to and from both sides. There are non-AC and AC Volvo buses in which the fare of the AC bus is more. From Jaipur you can board the bus from Narayan Singh Circle or the main Sindhi Camp bus stand whereas in Delhi you can take the bus from Bikaner House on Pandara Road which is next to India Gate. Also, there are some private buses which are available from Dhaula Kuan in Delhi. There are some express buses which connect various cities and towns of Rajasthan such as Bundi, Kota, etc. to Jaipur. This city is also connected to Mumbai via Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Udaipur and Vadodara and is also well linked to Agra via bus. 


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Jodhpur

Jodhpur is the second biggest city in Rajasthan. It is about 335 km west of Jaipur, the capital city. Since it lies on the geographic centre of the state, it has emerged as an important tourist transit base.

This city is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to Thar’ because it is located right on the border of the Thar Desert.  It is also popularly called the ‘Sun City’ because it experiences bright and sunny days throughout the year. Another name for this city is ‘Blue City’ because the houses around the Mehrangarh Fort are all painted blue.

History of Jodhpur :
The history of this place dates back to the time when the Rathores were forced by the Afghans to leave Kaunaj, which was their original homeland. They settled in Pali, which is located close to present day Jodhpur.

Rathore Siahaji tied the knot with the sister of a local prince, which added to the power and strength of the Rathore Clan.  After some time, they succeeded in driving the Pratiharas out of Mandore, which is located at a distance of about 9 km from present day Jodhpur, and made it their capital city.

However, after some time, they felt that they required a secure capital. As a result, Jodhpur was formed by Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore clan, in 1459, to serve as a capital city and the city was also named in his honour. Earlier this place was known as Marwar.

The Rathores shared healthy relations with all the Mughal kings, except Aurangzeb. After Aurangzeb's death, the Mughals were driven out from Ajmer by Maharaja Ajit Singh and it was made a part of Marwar (present day Jodhpur). Jodhpur started developing into a modern city under the rule of Maharaja Umed Singh. It further prospered under the British rule.

People & Culture of Jodhpur
The city of Jodhpur has lent its name to a type of trousers. Jodhpurs, as they are called, are loose around the thigh and tight at the calf and are mainly designed for horseback riding and playing polo. Invented in 1887 for use by Sir Pratap Singh, it caught the fancy of the British aristocracy and soon became popular.
The forts, palaces and havelis of the city are complemented by the various vibrant fairs and festivals that draw a large number of people. Some of the popular events of Jodhpur are Marwar Festival, Jodhpur International Desert Kite Festival, Nagaur Fair etc.

  

Tourist Place in Jodhpur:

MEHRANGARH FORT :
Crowning a perpendicular cliff, the fort was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 A.D., when he shifted his capital from Mandore. Standing sentinel to the city below, it overlook the rugged and rocky terrain and houses a palace intricately adorned with long carved panels and latticed windows exquisitely wrought from red sandstone. Carved panels and porches, elaborately adorned windows and walls of Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Phool Mahal, Sheesh mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana, seem to make the medieval splendour come alive. A collection of palanquins, hawdas, royal cradles, miniature paintings of various schools, folk music, instruments, costumes, furniture and an impressive armoury.


JASWANT THADA
Build in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh ll in 1899, the imposing white marble memorial marks the site of royal crematorium. It houses portraits of successive rulers. The four cenotaphs around here commemorate notable acts of bravery and generosity of the four successive rulers.

UMAID BHAWAN PALACE
The only palace builds in the 20th century, as a famine relief project which gave employment to the people for 16 years. Build by Maharaja Umaid singh and named after him, this exquisite palace is also known as Chittar Palace, because of the local chittar sandstone used. It is a splendid example of Indo-colonial art and deco style of the 30s.A unique feature of this palace is that the hand-chiselled sandstone blocks have been put together in a special system of interlocking; there is no mortar binding.



OSIAN TEMPLE
A great centre of Brahmancial and Jain religions. The temples here belong to two periods ? an early period represented by nearly 12 temples and later period of 6 temples. The Jain Mahavir Temple is unique among the Osian temples, with the vaulted design of its hall-celling. The main Sachiya Mata Temple appears to be made in 1178 AD and has a shikhar clustered by two rows of turrets, an ambulatory and large assembly hall with an elaborate ceiling.

PALETTE ART GALLERY
A contempralely art gallery of its only kind in Jodhpur. The gallery have collection of different kind of art from all over the country, right through miniatures painting, wood craft, ceramic, iron and many more. In one sentence ?See to believe?.

Things to do in Jodhpur:
The ‘Blue City’, as Jodhpur is known, is famous for its palaces, havelis, forts and museums. Some of the places to visit in Jodhpur include Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Rai ka Baag Palace, Balsammand Lake and Kaylana Lake. Umed Garden and Nehru Park also attract a large number of people.

Food & Shopping in Jodhpur:
Jodhpur is not only popular because of its palaces, forts and temples, but also because of its handicrafts, folk dances and folk music. The tie and  dye textiles, lacquer ware, embroidered leather shoes, antiques, puppets, carpets, Rajasthani textiles, miniature camels and elephants, clay figurines, marble inlay work and classic silver jewellery found in Jodhpur are popular worldwide. Popular bazaars in Jodhpur include Mochi Bazaar, Sardar Market, Tripolia Bazaar, the market near the Clock Tower as well as the Station Road.

Also, no trip to Jodhpur is complete without tasting its local delicacies. Snacks like kachoris and the world renowned dal baati is a must-try. Other local specialities include mirchi bada, makhania lassi, Jodhpuri maas, gatte ka saag etc.

  

How To Reach :

By Air: The Jodhpur Airport is 5 km from the city center. Regular flight services connect the city with other major cities in and around Rajasthan. There are daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur and Jaipur.

By Train: Jodhpur is well connected by railway lines. Trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata are easily available. The 'Palace on Wheels' also visits this city of royal splendor.

By Road: Another convenient mode of transportation to Jodhpur is by road. The main highway between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer is via Agoli and Pokaran. The highway is well connected with Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur by bus.

Local Transport: Means of transport in Jodhpur include Taxis, Auto-rickshaws and Tongas. Taxi stand is near the

Alwar

Alwar is known as "Tiger Gate" of San Luis Potosi. Surrounded by lush green Aravali hills and presents a breath taking natural environment. Forests and lakes form the backdrop to this beautiful place. The site is dotted with architectural splendor, surrounded by harsh mountains. The deep valleys and thick forest cover is a haven for many species of birds and animals. It is one of the oldest cities in the state and its prehistoric and historic sites are an archaeologist's delight. Paradoxically, Alwar is both the oldest and the most recent of the Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan. Trace their tradition back to the realms of Viratnagar that flourished here around 1500 BC It is also known as Matasya Desh, where the Pandavas, the mighty heroes of the Mahabharata, spent the last years of his 13 years of exile. 

The grandeur, beauty and delicacy of the design of innumerable palaces and forts in the region, tranquil lakes, majestic hunting lodges, sites of archaeological importance, thick forests, many birds and animals mixed with an equally diverse socio - cultural configuration have made this region a traveler's delight.

Major Tourist Place :

Alwar Fort:

The Alwar fort, built on a hill, about 1960 feet above the sea level, stands majestically 1000 feet above the city of Alwar. The fort was built by Hasan Khan Mewati in 1550 A.D. It passed from the Mughals, to the Marathas, to the Jats, till it was finally captured by the Kachhwaha Rajputs. The fort, from nort to south is about 5 kms. long and is about 1.5 kms. wide. There are six entrances to the fort which are, Chand Pol, Suraj Pal (named after Raja Suraj Mal of Bharatpur), Jai Pol, Kishan Pol, Andheri Gate and Laxman Pol. It is said that PratapSingh, the founder of Alwar state used Laxman Pol for entering the fort forth first time. Ametalled road in th past connected the city with Laxman Pol.

Ruins of Bhangarh:

The ruins of Bhangarh paint a picture of the ancient kingdom that once flourished here. Founded in 1631 by Madho Singh, Younger brother of th famous Man Singh of Amer, this town of about 10,000 dwellings was suddenly abandoned due to reasons clothed in mystery. Particularly noteworthy is the town plannng, castle hierarchy, market system and the charming beauty of several temples.

Jain Temple:

Ancient Jain temple dedicate to the eighth Tirthankar (great teacher) Shri Chandra Prabhu Bhagwan can be seen here. It has elaborate carvings and paintings, exquisite pillars and arches. Situated 60 kms. on the Alwar - Delhi road route, it is an important Jain pilgrimage. Loading fooding facility is available.

Sariska:

The Sariska Tiger Reserve is just 40 kms. from Alwar and about 110 kms. from Jaipur. The landscape of Sariska is dominated b thickly forested hill slopes with vertical cliffs. The terrain is basicall undulating with some wide plateau lands separating the valleys. This game sanctuary southwest of Alwar was once the personal hunting ground of the Maharajas of Alwar. I become a sanctuary in 1955 and aws later taken up under Project Tiger in 1979. It covers an area of 320 sq.miles. The forested hills of Sariska are among the best places to view tigers in India. Leopared, Hyena, Somebar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chansingha, Sp.of Monkey, Birds are other attractions.

Sariska Palace:

Sariska Place built in 1892 - 1900 as a hunting camp by the erstwhile ruler of the Alwar is now a luxury hotel. Sariska is open to visitors throughout the year but the best season to observe wildlife is during winter months. i.e. from November to March. The Rajasthan Tourism Dev. Corpn. runs a hotel and also provides transport on hire to visit the sanctuary.

Shiva Temple ( Nogaza):

An arduous, bumpy drive of 8 Kms. taking off from Tehla Village is very well compensatd by an overwhelming view of ruins of several ten centuries old, fabulously carved temple which stand studded on a small hillock surrounded on all sides by forest covered hills. Particularly remarkable is the highly venerated Shiva temple where worship is done even today and the single stone giant structure of 23rd Jain Tirthankar locally known as "Nogaza".

Shopping :

Important shopping centers in the city are: Hope Circus, Bazaza Bazaar, Saraf Bazaar, Malakhera Bazaar and Kedalgang Bazaar. Alwar has a rich heritage of handicrafts like terracotta statues, weaved carpets, leather Mojaris, embroidered juties, bangles, pottery etc.

How To Reach

By Air:

The nearest airport to Alwar is Delhi Airport which is 163 kms away.

By Road:

Alwar can be easily reached by road as well. There are well-maintained roads linking it to tourism destinations like Delhi, Sariska, Bharatpur, Deeg and Jaipur.

By Rail:

The railway network connects Alwar with Delhi, Jodhpur, Mumbai and other important tourist cities of India.