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Holidays --» Rajasthan Holidays
Rajasthan Holidays
The history of India dates back almost five thousand years, and Rajasthan
plays a crucial and unique role, especially with regard to the development
of Indian culture. Its impressive story reaches through a heroic past. Its
extravagant splashes of bright hues against the desert landscape and the
purity of its dry and sandy reaches, the miniature elegance of its small
villages and impeccably maintained forts brings alive the story of the yore.
The appearance of its grand forts perched on rocky hills still tell the
story of the bravery of its men and the stoic sacrifice of its women, and
the chivalrous old world manners of all.

The Rajputs rose to prominence in the 9th and 10th centuries, and were a
major force to reckon with medieval India. Passionately attached to their
land, family and honour, the Rajputs treated war as a sport, and followed
a strong chivalric code of conduct. Myths and legends of their valour, gallantry,
sacrifice and courage are legion. There are many heroes among the Rajputs,
such as Prithviraj Chauhan, who fought successfully against the invader
Muhammad Ghori in the battle of Tarain (1191), although he died on the same
battlefield in the following year.
Or the great Rana Pratap of Mewar, who defiantly withstood the might of
the Mughal, and continued to raid on them even after his defeat. He died
in 1597, and his son, Ambar Singh, took over the mantle of opposition to
Mughal rule. Rana Pratap was the lone exception, as most of the leading
Rajput clans finally married into Mughal royalty and nobility, and went
into direct State service of the Mughal Empire. This was chiefly at the
behest of the wise and farsighted Mughal emperor, Akbar, who was able to
consolidate and expand his empire because of his close ties with the proud
Rajputs, the men who made formidable enemies and also steadfast and loyal
friends.
Places to See
Ajmer
Ajmer situated in the green oasis wrapped in the barren hills has been a
witness to an interesting past. The city was founded by Raja Ajai Pal Chauhan
in the 7th century A.D. and continued to be a major centre of Chauhan power.
When Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri leaving behind indelible
marks of their culture and traditions on the cities history, converting
it to an amalgam of various cultures and a blend of Hinduism and Islam.
Bikaner
Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with scores of
sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's
lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished
for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of
the largest Camel research and breeading farm in the world. The ship of
the desert is an inseparable part of life here. A camel besides doing transportation
duties, also works on wells.
Bharatpur
Bharatpur is well-known for it world heritage listed bird sanctuary Keoladeo
Ghanna National Park. This is one of the few places in the world where you
can hope to sight hundred of different species of birds in just a few days.
Over 400 species different birds have been identified in the park and you
see them all over the place. Many tourists travelling to this destination
have rate it as the highlight of their visit. It is just 55 kilometres from
Agra and 176 kilometres from Jaipur.
Jodhpur
A valiant sentinel in the desert, on the eastern fringe of the Thar desert
has the distinction of neither being a part of the Thar desert nor out of
it. At best it is a doorway to the wonderland of sand dunes and shrubs,
rocky terrain and thorny trees. The home of the Rathroes - the awesome princely
state of Rajasthan. They conquered Marwar or Maroodesh, land of the sand
after the fall of Delhi and Kannauj.
Jaipur
Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra and forms the most chosen
tourism golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It a bustling capital
city and a business centre with all the trapping of modern metropolis but
yet flavoured strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise
a traveller. The old Jaipur painted in Pink can grip any visitor with admiration.
Stunning backdrop of ancient forts Nahargarh, Amer, Jagarh and Moti Dungri
are dramatic testimonials of the bygone era and a reminder of their lingering
romance.
Jaisalmer
Its like straight out of an Arabian Nights fable. The name Jaisalmer induces
a dramatic picture of utter magic and brilliance of the desert. The hostile
terrain not with standing the warmth and colour of people is simply over
whelming. One of the main draws is the daunting 12th century Jaisalmer Fort.
The beautiful havelis which were built by wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer
are yet another interesting aspect of the desert city.
Mount Abu
Mount Abu, the only hill resort of Rajasthan, situated at the highest peak
of the Aravali at an altitude of 1220 meters. This "Hill of Wisdom"
and a true " Olympus of Rajasthan" stands on an independent hillock,
which is separated from the main Aravali ranges by a deep gorge. When ascending
the mountain, one can hardly fail to be impressed with the grandeur and
the scenic beauty, the gigantic blocks of rocks, towering along the crest
of the hill, are especially striking, in some cases so weather- worn, that
they present most fanciful and weird shapes, while in others appear so slightly
balanced as to be in danger of rolling down.
Pushkar
Pushkar is a much loved tourist destination, many who visit there just fall
in love with the place and overstay. Situated on the edge on the desert
it is separated from Ajmer by the Nag Parbat (the snake hill). The town
has very distinct tourist excitement with narrow lanes lined with shops
selling various accessories and rooftop restaurants. Despite its high tourist
profile the town maintains some mystical charm.
Udaipur
The city of Udaipur is a lovely land around the Azure water lakes hemmed
in by the lush hills of the Aravails. A vision in white drenched in romance
and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights sounds and experience-an
inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writen. Its kaleidoscope
of fairy tale palace lakes temples gardens and narrow lanes strew with stalls,
carry the flavour of a heroic past. Epitomising for 1200 years.