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Rajasthan
Amazing legends of heroism and romance still resound
from its equally amazing architecture, that still stands to narrate
its tale of a bygone era. The magic of Rajasthan is unequalled in
the world for its heritage, culture, safaris, sand dunes and lush
green forests with its wildlife. Rajasthan is often expressed as
huge open-air museum with relic so well preserved for the travellers
and the curious of the day. It is action-packed with outdoors too;
take a safari on horses, camels, elephants or even jeeps with the
Aravalis - India's oldest mountain range in the backdrop, or caress
your eyes on the sloppy sand dunes, or trail a tiger or just watch
birds on wetland. Or you can choose to pamper yourself in the lavish
heritage properties. Rajasthan has something for everyone, just
choose your activity.
Before Independence in 1947, Rajputana, as it was
called, comprised of 18 princely states, two chiefships, the small
British-administered province of Ajmer-Merwara, and a few pockets
of territory outside the main boundaries. After 1947 the princely
states and chiefships were integrated into India in several stages , and the state took the
name of Rajasthan, assuming its present form on Nov.1, 1956.
Rajasthan in northwestern India, with an area of
342,239 square kilometers, is bounded on the west and northwest
by Pakistan, on the north and northeast by the states of Punjab,
Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, on the east and southeast by the states
of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and on the southwest by the
state of Gujarat.
The Tropic of Cancer passes through Banswara district
in the extreme south of Rajasthan. The state is diagonally divided
into the hilly and rugged south eastern region and the barren north
western Thar desert which extends across the border into Pakistan.
The capital city, Jaipur, familiarly known as the
Pink City, is the stronghold of a clan of rulers in the past. Three
hill forts and a series of palaces are the major attractions here.
Western Rajasthan itself forms a convenient tourism circuit in the
heart of the Thar desert. The three cities of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer
and Bikaner create a perfect portrait of this beautiful desert land.
Jodhpur,
on the edge of the desert was once the capital of the state of Marwar.
Dominating the city is the hilltop fort of Mehrangarh with a magnificent
view of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, built of golden sandstone in the
early part of this century.
Jaisalmer
is a fanta sy that lies deep in the heart
of the desert and bewitches visitors. The Jaisalmer fort rises out
of a sea of sand, itsrounded battlements of golden stone echoing
the colours of the desert sand. Other attractions of this city include
a filigree of pierced stonework facades of private houses and a
series of ornately carved Jain temples.
Bikaner
is also an impressive testimony to the past, with its amazing sandstone
palace, temples and cenotaphs. In the north of Rajasthan is the
Shekhavati region easily approachable from Jaipur by road. The greatest
attractions here are the deserted mansions of local merchants, decorated
with wall paintings of various subjects and styles. Nearby are Dundlod
and Mandawa, rugged forts which are now converted into hotels, surrounded
by an aura of rare medieval charm.
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Rajasthan - Information on Fairs & Festivals,
Wildlife, Excursion, Adventure, Weather, Travel, Tourism, tours
and Major Cities of Rajasthan india
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