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Rajasthan is India’s royal state. Dubbed the ‘Land of Kings’, its rich history can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilisations of 2000 BCE, with excavations in Bundi showing prehistoric settlements.

Rajasthan is a riot of colours. From the pink hues of Jaipur to the inky blues of Jodhpur, your first view of kaleidoscopic Rajasthan will be a sensory overload. Known as the Land of Kings because of its Maharaja-filled royal history, the state is crammed with huge medieval forts, shimmering palaces and opulent mansions. It’s history heaven.

However, it is the Rajputs for whom Rajasthan is best known. Beginning in the 9th century, this dynasty gave Rajasthan both its initial name of Rajputana and its most profitable period. The Rajputs were a cluster of different communities and clans who came together to share a common ideology and culture, synonymous with being a warrior clan.

The two Rajput kingdoms that stood out were the Sisodias of Mewar whose capital was Chittorgarh (and later Udaipur), and the Rathores of Marwar with Jodhpur as their capital. Many more existed in the region, often fighting against each other. In Indian history, Rajputs are synonymous with tales of chivalry, romance and flamboyance, as told through folk tales.

But the various Rajput clans who set up small kingdoms slowly emerged as a combined force. They were in almost constant conflict with the Mughals, with things coming to a head in the 16th century with Mughal Emperor Akbar. He had married a Rajput princess and formed alliances with some rulers, but the Sisodias and Rathores refused to countenance an allegiance. A 1526 battle saw Akbar take Chittorgarh, with the town’s women famously self-immolating to preserve their honour.

In the 18th century, The British East India Company convinced many of the Rajput states to join them, forming an independent state with the new name of Rajasthan. Most of the rulers became vassals of the British Raj. There were around 19 states which eventually merged into Rajasthan.

Today, Rajasthan is known for its royal history, filled with colour, valour and courage. Remnants of its past remain in its rich traditions, folklore and crafts. Its imposing palaces and forts remain a trademark of Rajasthani architecture, set in the vast desert and mountains that surround it.

But Rajasthan is more than just its past. Tigers roam its national parks, camel herders still live a nomadic life in its deserts (with the occasional smartphone thrown in) and skilled artisans make handicrafts and textiles that inspire designers around the world. So come and immerse yourself in the colour-soaked India of your dreams.

Hidden gems in Rajasthan

Bundi

Chaurasi Khambon Ki Chhatri

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath
Place

Built in the 17th century by Rao Raja Anirudh for his foster brother Deva as a dome-shaped memorial, this cenotaph is famous for its 84 pillars (although legend says you can’t count them all). The cenotaph has several ornate sculptures and a linga (a form of Shiva) built in the centre.

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Bundi

Raniji Ki Baori Stepwell

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath
Place

Stepwells are an architectural feature of Rajasthan and Gujarat. With water being a scarcity, stepwells were designed not only as sources of drinking water, but also places to bathe, pray and relax. Often sculpted as temples with gates, arches and pillars, there are about 50 stepwells in Bundi, but most of them are in ruins. The Raniji Ki Baori is the best known, built in the 17th century by Queen Nathavati, wife of Rao Raja Anirudh Singh. It is 46m (150ft) deep and each level has carvings of deities.

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Bundi

Sukh Mahal and Jait Sagar Lake

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath
Place

Built along the banks of the Jait Sagar Lake in the 18th century during the reign of Ummed Singh, the Sukh Mahal was home to Kipling and inspired him to write Kim. Meaning the palace of bliss, the Sukh Mahal is home to Mughal art and statues, a marble cenotaph and gardens.

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Jodhpur

Mandore

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath
Place

The former capital of the Rathore clan lies in ruins amidst a beautiful garden filled with a fort, cenotaphs, temples, rock terraces and sculptures. Don’t miss the cenotaph of Maharaja Dhiraj Ajit Singh, which combines Jain and Buddhist architecture. This chattri also commemorates the ritual suicide of his 64 queens and concubines, who threw themselves on his funeral pyre in 1724. Located 9km from Jodhpur, visit for the Hall of Heroes (dedicated to folkloric characters), the Temple of Gods and the many monkeys roaming around.

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Udaipur

Bagore Ki Haveli

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath
Place

Located at Gangaur Ghat on the banks of Lake Pichola, this 18th-century palace belonged to the then prime minister of Mewar, Amar Chand Badwa. The Rajput architecture has been preserved and there is a museum dedicated to Mewar culture, including jewellery boxes, royal clothing and mural paintings.

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Udaipur

Saheliyon Ki Bari Park

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath
Place

A beautiful park filled with sculptures and statues, Saheliyon Ki Bari (Garden of Maidens) was created by Maharana Sangram Singh for his queen and her 48 female attendants as a refuge from court life. It’s now a popular meeting spot. Look out for the lotus pond and elephant fountains.

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Udaipur

Monsoon Palace

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath
Place

Another beautiful royal palace, the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh Palace) sits atop the Aravalli Hills overlooking Fateh Sagar Lake. Built in the 19th century as a refuge from the annual monsoon, the palace was also used as a hunting lodge. Visit the palace in the evening for sunset views, or head here during the monsoon and watch the clouds float over Udaipur.

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Rajasthan

Karni Mata Temple

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath
Place

For a change of pace, visit the Karni Mata temple in Bikaner, which holds more than 20,000 black rats. Each time a rat dies, a statue is built inside the temple complex.

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Pushkar

Take a holy dip in Pushkar Lake

Experience

Other notable temples include the Brahma Temple in Pushkar, which is one of the few in India dedicated to Brahma. This Hindu god was said to be cursed with having no places of worship on earth. Take a holy dip in Pushkar Lake before offering your prayers in the temple.

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Rajasthan

Delwara Temple Complex

Place

Rajasthan’s temples date back to the 4th century, although more ornate and architecturally interesting temples began to develop from the 9th century. These typically had sculptures and marble carvings, such as the stunning Delwara complex at Mount Abu.

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Jaisalmer

Explore ornate havelis

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath
Experience

Havelis (mansions) were the homes of rich merchants and traders in Rajasthan’s cities. Decorated with stone carvings and interiors of murals and frescoes, each merchant tried to outdo the next to show their importance and wealth. Every major city in Rajasthan will have havelis worth visiting, but Jaisalmer is a particular hotspot. Look out for the Patwon Ki haveli and the elephants of Nathmal Ki haveli.

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Jaisalmer

Rajasthan's chattris and baoris

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath
Experience

The history of Rajasthan is shown through its many forts, palaces and historical buildings. Almost every major city — and many minor ones — will have some form of architectural wonder to explore Built to commemorate the region’s maharajas and nobles, chattris (cenotaphs) are a frequent feature of Rajasthan’s architecture. Chattri literally translates as umbrella, which references the dome-like structure that covers the cenotaph. Originally built as a garden complex, the yellow sandstone domes of Jaisalmer's Bada Bagh cenotaphs are an excellent example. Rajasthan’s desert location means that conserving water has always been a major issue. Baoris are stepwells that were traditionally built to provide drinking water. Over time, they became meeting places and temples, decorated with sculptures and carvings. The 46m deep Ranji Ki Baori in Bundi is a fine example, showcasing carvings of Lord Vishnu.

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Rajasthan travel guides

Saving Pushkar's historic camels
Article

Saving Pushkar's historic camels

Mariellen Ward
Mariellen Ward

Pushkar is a small and peaceful town, one of the most sacred in India. It’s the site of one of the only temples devoted to Brahma.

Loved to death
Article

Loved to death

Karam Filfilan
Karam Filfilan

The Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the world. The mausoleum, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century to house the tomb of his wife Mumtaz Mahal is seen as a symbol of love, while its 42-acre complex is admired as an exemplar of Mughal architecture and Indian history.

The arts and crafts of Rajasthan
Article

The arts and crafts of Rajasthan

Rachel Bracken-Singh
Rachel Bracken-Singh

Rajasthan is among the richest states in India when it comes to the quality of its textiles, artwork and clothing. But how do you ensure you’re buying authentic craftworks from responsible sources — and where can you visit local artisans?

Off the beaten path in Rajasthan
Guide

Off the beaten path in Rajasthan

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath

The history of Rajasthan is shown through its many forts, palaces and historical buildings. Almost every major city — and many minor ones — will have some form of architectural wonder to explore.

How To See India's Golden Triangle
Guide

How To See India's Golden Triangle

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath

First, a fairly major caveat: only Jaipur is actually located within Rajasthan. Delhi and Agra (home to the iconic Taj Mahal), the other two corners of India's famous Golden Triangle, are outside the state's eastern border.

Guide

What to eat in Rajasthan

Rajasthani cuisine is well-known across India for its richness and abundance of spice. Its desert location plays a huge part in its food scene, with cured, pickled and dried foods all popular.

Guide

Rajasthan travel FAQs

All you need to know to begin planning your trip to Rajasthan. What currency does India have? How easy is it to exchange money?The currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR).

The Best Time To Visit Rajasthan
Guide

The Best Time To Visit Rajasthan

Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi Sharath

The best time to visit Rajasthan is the cooler, drier period between October/November and February/March. This period avoids the peak summer months of April-June when temperatures soar and things become uncomfortably hot, and also the monsoon season of July-September, which can bring significant disruption.

Rajasthan itineraries

India's Golden Triangle & tigers
India

India's Golden Triangle & tigers

Taj Mahal and Rajasthan tiger safari
13 days From $4,125 pp
Classic northern India
India

Classic northern India

The Golden Triangle and Rajasthan by train, plane and automobile
21 days From $5,250 pp
Golden Triangle and Rajasthan extended
India

Golden Triangle and Rajasthan extended

A journey into the heart of Rajasthan
15 days From $4,750 pp
Golden Triangle & Andaman Islands Itinerary
India

Golden Triangle & Andaman Islands Itinerary

Desert island beaches and Royal Bengal tigers
11 days From $3,625 pp
Golden Triangle And Kerala Houseboats Itinerary
India

Golden Triangle And Kerala Houseboats Itinerary

The 14-day classic route to the two gems of India
14 days

Rajasthan travel companies

South Asia, Southeast Asia

Yonder Travel

Tailor-made journeys to Asia
India

Active India

Tailor-made luxury, cultural and active tours of India
South Asia

Bespoke India Travel

Making India incredible!
South Asia, Southeast Asia

Red Lantern Journeys

Culture, culinary, and adventure tours in Asia
India

Seven Wonder Tour & Travels

Tailor-made tours to India
India

Reality Tours and Travel

See the real India
South Asia

Indus Bound

Bespoke & authentic travel to the sub-continent
India

India for Beginners

Places to go in Rajasthan

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