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