Rajasthan is a very large desert state
in the North West of India. Rajasthan means Land of Kings
and the ruling warrior clans – known as Rajputs – have
controlled this area for thousands of years. The state is
dotted with forts and palaces, many of which have been
converted into sumptuous hotels. Although the people live in
a harsh environment with water shortages a major problem,
they remain fiercely proud and brighten up their lives with
colour. Consequently, Rajasthan is one of the most
photogenic places on the planet.
Jaipur is the state capital of Rajasthan and a busy and
lively place. It is known as the Pink City because many of
the buildings in the old part of the city are painted pink.
The most famous of these is the much photographed Hawa Mahal
(the Palace of Winds). The City Palace with its buildings,
courtyards and gardens is definitely worth a visit. Other
places to visit include the Jantar Mantar Observatory (built
almost three hundred years ago but still accurate), the
Museum and the Amber Fort (11km away). Jaipur is also good
for shopping and the bazaars are lively and colourful.
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WEATHER CHART : JAIPUR |
| MAX °C |
22 |
25 |
31 |
37 |
41 |
39 |
34 |
32 |
33 |
33 |
29 |
24 |
| MIN °C |
8 |
11 |
15 |
21 |
26 |
27 |
26 |
24 |
23 |
18 |
12 |
9 |
| RAIN mm |
14 |
8 |
9 |
4 |
10 |
54 |
193 |
239 |
90 |
19 |
3 |
4 |
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JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUG |
SEPT |
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NOV |
DEC |
Known as the Blue City because traditionally Brahmins
painted their houses that colour. Jodhpur Fort is perched on
the top of a steep ridge offering a superb view of the city
below. There is excellent shopping in Jodhpur, especially
for antiques.
The lake city of Udaipur, with its narrow streets,
temples and palaces, is considered to be the most romantic
city in Rajasthan. Udaipur is also a centre for the
performing and visual arts so allow yourself enough time in
this city to enjoy everything it has to offer.
|
WEATHER CHART : JAIPUR |
| MAX °C |
24 |
28 |
32 |
36 |
38 |
36 |
31 |
29 |
31 |
32 |
29 |
26 |
| MIN °C |
8 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
25 |
24 |
23 |
22 |
19 |
11 |
8 |
| RAIN mm |
9 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
87 |
197 |
207 |
120 |
16 |
6 |
3 |
| |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
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JULY |
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JAISALMER is wonderful walled city in a remote corner of
the Thar Desert. It is a long overland journey from Jodhpur,
but well worth the effort. The sandstone buildings are
gradually crumbling away but it is still an enchanting
place. You can visit the fort, palace, temples and some very
impressive havelis (merchant’s houses) in Jaisalmer. Outside
the city you can visit wonderful desert villages, climb huge
sand dunes and take camel safaris. BIKANER is also a
fortified desert city offering an impressive fort, Jain
temples and camel safaris. It also has the Karni Mata
Temple, famous for its ‘holy rats’, nearby.
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WEATHER CHART : JAISALMER |
| MAX °C |
24 |
28 |
33 |
38 |
42 |
41 |
38 |
36 |
36 |
36 |
31 |
26 |
| MIN °C |
8 |
11 |
17 |
21 |
25 |
27 |
27 |
25 |
25 |
20 |
13 |
9 |
| RAIN mm |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
89 |
86 |
14 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
| |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUG |
SEPT |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
The small town of Pushkar is built on the banks of a holy
lake between Jaipur and Udaipur. The lake shore is littered
with temples and bathing ghats. Pushkar is best known for
its large and colourful camel fair. This fair is held
annually in October/November but the date varies from year
to year. Please contact us for the exact dates.
Observing village life is one of the highlights of
visiting India, particularly in colourful Rajasthan. The
historic forts of Kuchaman (150km from Jaipur) and Khimsar
(90km north of Jodhpur) have both been converted into
hotels. The villages are well worth visiting but are also
useful places to stay if you want to break up the long
journey to Jaisalmer. Ranakpur, between Jodhpur and Udaipur,
has wonderful Jain Temples and Mandawa (168km north of
Jaipur) is a busy market town famous for its finely painted
havelis.
Located on the road between Jaipur and Agra, the town of
Bharatpur is an ideal place to stay if you wish to make more
than a fleeting visit to the Keoladeo Ghana National Park
(bird sanctuary).
Ranthambhore National Park in eastern Rajasthan has been
part of Project Tiger since 1973 and sightings of tigers
here are good but, of course, are not guaranteed. The Park
is also home to a large number of other animals and is
scenically beautiful - a good reason to visit even if you
aren’t lucky enough to see a tiger. The town of Sawai
Madhopur is the gateway to Ranthambhore National Park and is
where the hotels are situated.
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