Tourism in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, for both domestic and international tourists. Rajasthan attracts tourists for its historical forts, palaces, art and culture with its slogan "Padharo Mhare Desh (Welcome to my land.)"^[1] The capital city, Jaipur, also known as Pink City, is a very popular tourist destination and is a part of the Golden Triangle. The Walled City of Jaipur is only the second Indian city to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,^[2] after Ahmedabad.

The palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and desert forts of Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer are among the most preferred destinations of many tourists, Indian and foreign. Tourism accounts for almost 15% of the state's domestic product.^[3] In 2019, 52 million domestic tourists visited Rajasthan.^[4]

Palaces

Rajasthan is known for its historical hill forts & palaces, it is claimed as the best place for tourism-related to palaces.

Umaid Bhawan Palace: It is the largest Royal Palace in Rajasthan. It is also one of the largest private residences in the world.
Lake Palace: It is now a luxury hotel located in Pichola Lake, Udaipur.
Hawa Mahal: It is known as "Palace of Wind" or "Palace of Breeze" because there are more than 953 Windows in the Palace.
Rambagh Palace: Formerly a Royal Palace now converted into a Heritage Hotel.
Devi Garh Palace: Formerly a palace now converted into a Heritage Hotel, In 2006, The New York Times named it as one if leading luxurious hotel in Indian subcontinent.

Forts

Rajasthan is known for its forts. Hill Forts of Palaces in Rajasthan are also a part of world heritage.^[5]

Hill forts in the World Heritage list

The six Hill Forts of Rajasthan, spread across Rajasthan state in northern India, clustered together as a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forts are mainly based in the Aravalli Range,^[6] and were built and enhanced between the 5th and 18th centuries CE by several Rajput kings of different kingdoms. They comprise:

Some of these forts have defensive fortification wall up to 20 km long, still surviving urban centers and still in use water harvesting mechanism.^[7]

Other forts

These are some of the prominent forts of rajasthan:

Mehrangarh Fort
Amber Fort
Ganesh Pol Entrance, Amer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort
Jain Temple inside Jaisalmer Fort
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Carving of Kirti Stambh, Chittor Fort
Junagarh Fort

Fairs and Festivals

Department of Tourism of Rajasthan Government organizes multiple fairs & festivals during the year. These festivals & fairs are great tourist attractions. Fairs organized in Rajasthan include:

Camel Festival, Bikaner (January)
Nagaur Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb.)
Kite Festival (held on 14 January of every year)
Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.)
Baneshwar Fair, Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.)
Gangaur Festival, Jaipur (March–April)
Mewar Festival, Udaipur (March–April)
Elephant Festival, Jaipur (March–April)
Urs Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer (According to Lunar Calendar)
Summer Festival, Mt. Abu (June)
Teej Festival, Jaipur
Kajli Teej, Bundi (July–August)
Dussehra Festival, Kota (October)
Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October)
Pushkar Fair, Ajmer (November)

Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks

Rajasthan has many wildlife and bird sanctuaries. Prominent among them are Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Ranthambore National Park, Mukundara Hills National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve and Desert National Park.Ramgarh

Religious Sites

Rajasthan has many famous temples from medieval times. Some prominent temples include Ghushmeshwar Temple, Eklingji Temple, Shrinathji Temple, Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Ranthambore, Mehandipur Balaji, Govind Dev Ji, Salasar Balaji, Ranakpur Jain temple, Osian temple, Brahma Temple, Pushkar and Dilwara Temples. Along with temples, there are a few important Sufi shrine too, most famous among them is Dargah (Tomb) of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

Popular tourist attractions

Ajmer - Popular for Ajmer Sharif Dargah and Soniji Ki Nasiyan Jain Temple.
Barmer - Barmer and surrounding areas offer a perfect picture of typical Rajasthani villages.
Bhilwara - Popular for its textile industry. Hamirgarh Eco-park and Harni Mahadev temple are important tourist destinations.
Bikaner - Famous for its havelis, palaces and the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke.
Chittorgarh - Popular for its monument and fort.
Bundi - Popular for its forts, palaces and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris.
Dausa - It is popular for Chand Baori and Mehandipur Balaji Temple.
Jaipur - Known as pink city of India and the capital of Rajasthan.
Jaisalmer - Famous for its golden fortress, havelis and some of the oldest Jain temples and libraries.
Jhalawar district - Caves like Binnayaga Buddhist Caves, Hathiagor Buddhist Caves, Kolvi Caves are popular medieval architecture of India.
Jodhpur - Famous for architecture, blue homes giving the name "Blue City" and Mehrangarh fort.
Kota - Known for its gardens, palaces, and Chambal river safari.
Mount Abu - A hill station with 11th century Dilwara Jain Temples. The highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan, Guru Shikhar is just 15 km from the main town.mount abu is also good attraction for adventure lover . There are many kinds of adventure activities like trekking, caving,Rock climbing , Rappelling etc
Nathdwara - This town near Udaipur hosts the temple of Shrinathji.
Neemrana - home to the Neemrana Fort.
Pushkar - It has the first and one of the very few Brahma temples in the world, and also his wife Savitri Devi's temple, built on a hilltop. The pushkar lake is considered sacred for Hindus.
Ranakpur - Large Jain Temple complex with near 1444 pillars and exquisite marble carvings.
Ranthambore - Situated near Sawai Madhopur. This town has historic Ranthambore Fort and one of the largest national park of India (Ranthambore National Park).
Sariska Tiger Reserve - Situated in the Alwar district.
Shekhawati - Located are small towns such as Mandawa and Ramgarh with frescoed havelis between 100 years to 300 years old, and Vedic period Dhosi Hill.
Udaipur - Known as the "Venice of India".