Rajasthan India – Your Quick Travel Guide
In a nutshell
Rajasthan is an Indian state endowed with a royal heritage, wildlife safaris, desert safaris and an interesting history.
Why go to Rajasthan
There are so many fascinating places to visit when you are in Rajasthan. Among them are Rasjsamad, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Pushkar, Kota, Bundi, Banswara, Alwar, Ajmar, Baran, Pali etc. All these locations have unique features and exciting tourist sites.
Jaipur, for instance, is called the pink city. Tourists are attracted there by coloured gems, city palace, Janta Mantar which is now a UNESCO heritage site, Hawa Mahal, and so many other attractions.
Another alluring destination is Pushkar. This beautiful place is among the oldest cities in India. A visit to Pushkar is an ultimate pilgrimage for most Hindus. It is home to one of the oldest temples in Rajasthan. Brahmar Temple is built with fine marble and it is the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahmar. There are so many ancient temples in Pushkar – they include Savitri Temple, Rangji Temple, pap Mochini Temple, etc. Other places to visit are Pushkar Lake, Man Mahal, Gurudwara Singh Sabha. Pushkar has one of the world’s finest roses. So when you visit with a loved one, surprise them with a rose. A visit to Pushkar will inspire you to get interested in nature. The people are friendly and the hospitality is overwhelming.
Jaisalmer is another city that tourist always want to visit. Jaisalmer is known as the golden city. If you are interested in geology, then you need to plan a trip to Jaisalmer. You can trace back geologic processes that took place as far back as 170 million years ago. This prehistoric city shares a border with Pakistan. Some of the local tourist attractions include Jaisalmer Fort, Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli, Mandir Palace, Gadisar Lake, Bada Bagh, Desert National park, Tanot Mata Temple, Jaisalmer War Museum, Akal Wood Fossil Park, Amar Saga Lake etc. It will take you more than a week to truly grasp the entire beauty of Jaisalmer. All these tourist attractions have their individual histories and cultures.
One city that will make a difference to your trip in Rajasthan is Jodhpur. Jodhpur is known as the blue city. This city is one of the biggest cities in Rajasthan. Most of the structures such as temples, forts, houses, palaces have a touch of blue colour. So if your favourite colour is blue, we think you should pay Jodhpur a visit. Interesting places to visit include Khejarla Fort, Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Ranisar Padamsar. Please go on a village safari to have a view of the wildlife.
When to go to Rajasthan
The weather in Rajasthan can be divided into four seasons and they are summer, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter. The weather temperature varies depending on when you want to visit. During summer, the temperature can rise up to 48 C. The best time to visit is during the monsoon season. The temperature drops during this season and although there are rains, too, they do not actually spoil the fun of exploring. After monsoon, winters starts from October and it last till March.
Where to stay in Rajasthan
If you’re looking for an accommodation, you are only limited by your budget as accommodation options do not lack. You can find cheap hotels with basic amenities in Rajasthan. Even the cheap hotels have such amenities like access to the internet, cable TV and so on. Budget accommodation abounds in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer.
Discerning guests are well catered for in Rajasthan too with a great choice of 5-star properties ready to accept you. They have all the features like car hire services, access to the internet, swimming pool, well-furnished rooms, and décor etc.
Where and what to eat in Rajasthan
Just like every city in the world, Rajasthan has special delicacies. Some of the local delicacies are prepared with beans, milk, dried lentils, and buttermilk. Local delicacies include onion kachori, locally prepared seafood, gate ki subzi etc. Every city in Rajasthan has a particular meal that they are known for. They also use oil and red chilies to preserve their food. There is no harm in trying out something new.
How to get around cities in Rajasthan
Besides usual means of transportation like buses, trains, taxis and tricycles some cities of Rajastan make a good use of boats.
Rajasthan has 16 lakes what makes it a great destination for the boating experience. Five of these lakes are located in Udaipur. They provide tourists with the opportunity to experience water travel in Rajasthan. You can travel from one city to another in Rajasthan through these lakes.
The road traffic in many cities of Rajasthan can be very busy in the early hours of the day and evening. So it is better to get around with a boat or a train during this period.
You can also use a tricycle to move from one destination to another. They are the cheapest means of transportation. You will need an average of INR. 1,200 to move around in Rajasthan daily.
How to get to and from and around Rajasthan
Travelling around the state or from another state is not so difficult. Most locals who intend to travel around the state use trains because they are both rather cheap and convenient. For instance, if you want to travel to Jaipur, you can take an overnight train to Udaipur, then travel by car to Jodhpur and take a train to Jaipur. Travelling by train can be fun because you get to meet locals and also exchange pleasantries.
There are also a lot of car hire services around cities in Rajasthan. They charge between USD 20 and 25 per day.
By air
Rajasthan has three major airports and they are located in Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur. They operate both local and international flights.
The largest entry point to the state is the capital Jaipur. If you’re an international tourist coming from Delhi or Mumbai, the best entry point is Jaipur.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport is about 250km away from Rajasthan.
By train
For local travellers, they have the opportunity to board super fast trains and express rail lines. Their prices are affordable and you need to book a train ticket in advance before you can board one to Rajasthan. You can’t just walk into a train station and hop on a train.
By bus
You can also travel by road. Rajasthan is connected with so many national and state high ways that link other states in India. For instance, if you’re in Delhi, it will only take you 5 hours to get to Rajasthan by road. They are so many bus services to and from the state. They are also quite affordable and convenient. If you’re coming from Mumbai, it is better you enter Rajasthan through Udaipur.
Is Rajasthan a safe place to visit?
Rajasthan is relatively safe and welcomes solo tourists. You can travel at night or during the daytime without any hitch. The police are aware that the city is a tourist destination so they are always alert and respectful even when they stop you. They are few reported cases of crime but nothing for a tourist to worry about.