Top Three Places to Visit in Rajasthan

It is not without reason that Rajasthan is Indiaand#39:s most travelled region. Its rich display of colours and fabulous history of kingdoms are visible in a legacy of palaces, forts and temples. The highlights mentioned below give a first-time traveller to India an excellent insight into Rajasthanand#39:s rich history, its fascinating forms of worship and marvellous architecture.

1. Shekhawati Havelis – a Testimony to the Rajasthanand#39:s Rich History

Rajasthanand#39:s semi-desert called Shekhawati is known for the camel caravans that once connected India with Central Asia. The merchants of the region constructed beautiful mansions, called havelis. Typical of these mansions are the shady courtyards and the murals displaying themes of, among other things, Hindu mythology, daily life and history.

The rise of the shipping trade and of the port of Mumbai resulted in the decline of these caravans. Whereas many of the havelis have fallen into disrepair, others have been saved by turning them into schools or beautiful museums.

Havelis can be visited in Shekhawatiand#39:s towns such as Fatehpur, Ramgarh and Nawalgarh. The well-appointed Poder Haveli in Nawalgarh is especially recommended for its frescos and display of old costumes and local instruments.

2. Bikaner – Hindu Worship at the Karni Mata Temple of Rats

To get an idea of Indiaand#39:s extreme forms of worship, visit Bikanerand#39:s rat temple in the nearby town of Deshnok. In this rat utopia thousands of these animals eat, sleep and multiply without fearing for their lives. The history of the temple is related to a story about revenge – a god not wanting to hand over dead souls to the God of Death and therefore turning them into rats.

The trick is to find the white one, which will bring luck. However, one may be a bit distracted by the fact that one has to walk barefoot here – after all, despite its inhabitants the Karni Mata Temple remains a sacred place.

3. Jaisalmer – The Golden City With Architecture and Souvenirs

In the farthest corner of the tourist itinerary through Rajasthan lies Jaisalmer. Despite the distance the town merits a visit – many travellers consider this town the absolute highlight of Rajasthanand#39:s. From afar the city can be seen, soaring above the flat plains of the Thar Desert, its soft sandstone radiating a strong orange glow during sunrise and sunset – hence the nickname Golden City. Jaisalmer is one of the few forts in the world still inhabited, making it a living museum.

Ambling along the cobbled streets inside the fort is a pleasure in itself. Narrow streets are lined with a marvellous display of architecture, the buildings constructed of exquisitely carved sandstone. Markets are full of touristy knick-knacks where especially the brightly coloured fabrics are a much-wanted souvenir.

For a deeper insight into the cityand#39:s history, a guided tour to the fort and/or to one of the extraordinary mansions is recommended. Guides can bring these places to life with lovely anecdotes that bring back the past, for example on how citizens survived with so little water around. There are many travel agencies in Jaisalmer that offer such tours, as well as other city tours or camel trips to the desert.

Indiaand#39:s Highlights in Rajasthan

These three highlights are only a small part of Rajasthanand#39:s cultural legacy and travellers can easily spend two weeks visiting these sights. More history can be found in cities such as Jodhpur and Amber: travellers interested in animals may want to visit Pushkarand#39:s Camel Fair and to visitors interested in places or worship, Jain temples such as Ranakpur are highly recommended.