| Rajasthan, the name evokes myriad impressions | | | | |
| ? an intricate tapestry of colour, sound and | | | | Jodhpur: The ancient Marwar empire in the |
| smell. Holidaying in Rajasthan brings one | | | | desert, this military town is also famous for |
| face to face with mammoth contradictions ? | | | | the kingly sport of Polo. It is famous for |
| where royal grandeur is easily offset by | | | | its monuments including Umaid Bhawan Palace, |
| rustic charm and lavish opulence belies | | | | Mehrangarh fort and Jaswant Thada. |
| ingenious survival. Geographically too, | | | | |
| Rajasthan is a land of contrasts: dense | | | | Udaipur: Known for its lakes and palaces, |
| forests give way to an arid landscape and | | | | this is the ultimate Rajasthan holiday. |
| lofty hills separate baking dunes from | | | | Udaipur epitomizes artistic endeavor from |
| brimming lakes. And no Rajasthan holiday is | | | | brilliant architecture and miniature painting |
| complete without an experience of the | | | | to vibrant performing arts. Tourists are |
| spirited Rajputs, whose proud and haughty | | | | simply dazzled by the City Palace, Lake |
| exterior conceals an inner friendliness and | | | | Palace, Crystal Gallery, Durbar Hall, |
| warm sense of hospitality. | | | | Bagore-ki-haveli Dharohar, Jag Mandir, and |
| | | | Maharana Pratap Memorial. |
| Rajasthan, meaning the land of the kings, has | | | | |
| a history dating back 5000 years. A Rajasthan | | | | Wild Rajasthan Holidays |
| holiday is the experience of a living | | | | |
| tradition. Dotted with well-preserved | | | | Rajasthan is also a haven for some thrilling |
| architectural wonders echoing age-old | | | | wildlife holidays, housing as it does some of |
| legends, many of these, especially the | | | | the best National Parks and Sanctuaries in |
| ancient havelis are in use even today. | | | | India. |
| Similarly, ancient temples in this mystic | | | | |
| land have effortlessly spanned eons of | | | | Ranthambore National Park: Located at the |
| worship by the devout as they resound even | | | | junction of the Aravalis and the Vindhyas, |
| today with chanting and ringing of bells. | | | | Rajasthan's important hill ranges, this |
| | | | former hunting ground of the Maharajas is one |
| Holiday in Rajasthan! Follow in the footsteps | | | | of the best places in the world to see the |
| of the ancient caravans as you travel through | | | | tiger. Other wild life her includes sambar, |
| this ageless land by a camel safari or step | | | | chital, nilgai, hyena, caracal and panther. |
| into the shoes of kings, as you ride into | | | | |
| palaces sitting atop an elephant. Track the | | | | Sariska National park: Situated among the |
| tiger in wild Rajasthan or have a holiday | | | | rugged Aravali hills that dominate North West |
| adventure driving a jeep over sand dunes in a | | | | Rajasthan, Sariska's dry deciduous forests |
| hip desert adventure. | | | | are home to a wealth of wildlife. Besides the |
| | | | tiger, a holiday here offers sambar, chital, |
| Cultural Rajasthan | | | | chousingha, wildboar, langur, Rhesus macaque |
| | | | and a wealth of birds. |
| Rajasthan is dotted with the reminders of its | | | | |
| ancient past, its forts ringing with ballads | | | | Keoladeo Ghana National Park: Originally the |
| of the valour and romance of the Rajputs. But | | | | hunting preserve of the Maharaja of |
| the tourist is not a visitor to dead relics | | | | Bharatpur, this lovely bird sanctuary owes |
| showcased in a museum. A Rajasthan holiday is | | | | its existence to an artificial tank, which is |
| an enthralling ride through the living | | | | home to a variety of birds, resident as well |
| portals of history. | | | | as migratory. The star attraction of a |
| | | | holiday in Bharatpur here is the Siberian |
| Bikaner: Located in North Rajasthan, Bikaner | | | | Crane, a winter migrant that flies to |
| is desert country famous for its medieval | | | | Rajasthan all the way from Russia. |
| spirit, its monuments and camels. Junagarh | | | | |
| fort, Lalgarh palace, Jain Haveli and | | | | Feisty Rajasthan Holidays |
| Bhandeswari are a feast for the holiday | | | | |
| crowd. | | | | Holiday in Rajasthan for its people who don't |
| | | | look for reasons to celebrate. Fond of |
| Jaipur: Rajasthan's pink city offers a | | | | colour, mirth and pageantry, the |
| holiday with a refreshing blend of the | | | | irrepressible spirit of Rajasthan finds |
| traditional and the modern. Its attractions | | | | expression in a number of feasts, fairs and |
| include the Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall, Jantar | | | | festivals that mark the seasons, commemorate |
| Mantar and the forts, Nahargarh, Jaigarh, | | | | occasions or simply let off steam! |
| Amber and Moti Dungri. | | | | |
| | | | Desert Festival: Holidaying here in winter, |
| Jaisalmer: The magic of the desert is very | | | | tourists find the desert around Jaisalmer |
| alive in this legendary town famous for its | | | | bursting in a riot of colour and music. |
| havelis ? traditional mansions that are | | | | Around January, the Desert Festival presents |
| artistic expression with skilled | | | | an extravagant fanfare of Rajasthani men and |
| craftsmanship, carvings and paintings. Other | | | | women displaying the cultural wealth of their |
| attractions include the breathtaking | | | | state. |
| Jaisalmer Fort and the Tazia Towers. | | | | |