Rajasthan
About 50km east of Kota are the Sorsan Grasslands, a 35-sq-km bird sanctuary where the scrubby vegetation and numerous small water bodies harbour an…
Must-see attractions in Rajasthan
Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary
Rajasthan
This small grassland sanctuary lies about 215km northwest of Jaipur and 85km southwest of Churu. It covers 70 sq km of ponds, sand, scrub and salt flats,…
Jaisalmer
This stately tank, southeast of the city walls, was Jaisalmer’s vital water supply until 1965, and because of its importance it is surrounded by many…
Rajasthan
The thickly forested, wildly beautiful, 250-sq-km Darrah National Park is about 50km south of Kota, accessed from the Jhalawar road. Once a royal hunting…
Jaisalmer
This abandoned village is 19km west of Jaisalmer, 6km south of the Sam road. It was abandoned by its Paliwal Brahmin inhabitants – just like the area’s 83…
Rajasthan
Menal, 19km beyond Bijolia, which itself lies 50km southwest of Bundi on the road to Chittorgarh, is a temple complex built in the Gupta period (4th to…
Bikaner
This museum houses well-displayed, interesting exhibits including terracotta ware from the Gupta period, Rajasthani traditional musical instruments, rich…
Rajasthan
The fort of Bala Qila was founded in 1737, but today its modern additions largely obscure the original building, and it houses a fruit-and-vegetable…
Rajasthan
The still-inhabited Khedwal Bhavan features beautiful mirrorwork above the entrance to the inner courtyard, and fine blue tilework. A locomotive is…
Mt Abu
Down off the road to Abu Road, 8km south of Mt Abu town, a small stream flows from the mouth of a marble cow, giving this shrine its name (gaumukh means…
Rajasthan
The enormous, multistorey Rani Sati Temple is notorious for commemorating an act of sati (self-immolation) by a merchant’s wife (after whom the temple is…
Rajasthan
This haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence) is empty and locked, but the key is kept at the Koolwal Kothi hotel opposite and you may be…
Udaipur
The small Sunset Point Park has dazzling views over Lake Pichola, Jagmandir Island and off toward the Sajjan Garh (Monsoon Palace). It’s about 1.5km south…
Jaisalmer
This late-19th-century haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence), once used as the prime minister’s house, is still partly inhabited. It has an…
Seth Dayaram Dedraj Goenka Haveli
Mandawa
Several Mandawa havelis (traditional, ornately decorated residences) belong to the wealthy Goenka family. Among them is Seth Dayaram Dedraj Goenka Haveli,…
Rajasthan
A short distance southwest of Sone ki Dukan Haveli is this mid-19th-century Hindu temple that resembles a haveli (traditional, ornately decorated…
Udaipur
One kilometre north of Lake Pichola, this lake is ringed by hills and is a popular local hang-out. It was dammed in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh, but…
Rajasthan
If you take the road east from the Radhi Murlimanohar Temple, on the corner of the second laneway on the right is the Chetram Sanganeeria Haveli. The…
Rajasthan
The Mertani Baori, to the north of Badalgarh fort, is Shekhawati’s most impressive step-well, named after the woman who commissioned it, Mertani, the…
Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Mt Abu
The white-clad people around town are studying at Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University. This organisation teaches that all religions lead to God and that…
Ajmer
This large lake, created in the 12th century by damming the River Luni, reflects the surrounding Aravalli Hills on its languid, oily surface. On its bank…
Rajasthan
In a small square to the right just before the entrance to Dundlod Fort is this Hindu temple, built in 1911. On the temple’s western wall is a long frieze…
Rajasthan
About 50m north of the bus stand through the busy bazaar, a wide cobblestone path wends its way up to the eastern side of the fort. A sign warns that the…
Rajasthan
A couple of hundred metres west of Jorawargarh fort is the Bihariji Temple, which dates from approximately 1776 and is dedicated to Krishna. It has some…
Jaisalmer
This 14th-century gateway, which straddles the road down to Gadi Sagar, is said to have been built by a famous prostitute. When she offered to pay to have…
Udaipur
This private folk-art museum, with an uncannily Dalek-like entrance tower, exhibits dresses, tribal jewellery, turbans, dolls, masks, musical instruments,…
Rajasthan
A short distance north of the town wall, on the east side of the road, is the Ganga Temple. It was built by one of the Poddar clan in 1845, and is an…
Udaipur
In the north of the city, about 3km from Lal Ghat, the Saheliyon-ki-Bari was built by Sangram Singh II in 1710. This small, quaint ornamental garden was…
Rajasthan
To the southwest of Bala Qila Fort, this haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence) is famous for its different representations of cars. Other…
Bundi
This ramshackle, partly overgrown 14th-century fort, on the hilltop above Bundi Palace, is a wonderful place to ramble around – but take a stick to battle…
Udaipur
This hill park overlooking Fateh Sagar is topped by a statue of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap and his beloved horse Chetak, who together defied the…
Udaipur
This small hill southeast of the City Palace boasts a Karni Mata Temple and the sparse remains of the Eklingarh Fort. It can be reached by a ropeway, or…
Kaniram Narsinghdas Tibrewala Haveli
Rajasthan
This haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence), fronted by a vegetable market, is closed to the public. On the western wall of the first…
Jaipur
This ramshackle, dusty treasure trove is an extraordinary private collection. It contains folk-art objects and other pieces – there’s everything from a…
Rajasthan
On the northwestern side of town, about 1km from Nehru Bazaar, is Birdi Chand Well, surmounted by four imposing minarets which are covered in fading…
Rajasthan
This picturesque artificial lake was constructed in 1346. In the middle, on a small island amid palm trees, is the enchanting little tangerine palace of…
Jaisalmer
This 18th-century haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence) has an amazing, distinctive shape. It’s narrow for the first floors, and then the top…
Mt Abu
The highlight of this small, seldom-visited museum is the sculpture gallery, with works from the ancient town of Chandravati, 7km from Mt Abu, dating from…
Jaipur
The old Ganesh temple below Moti Dungri is a special and very popular place of worship. Throngs of devotees attend the temple on Wednesdays (the…
Eastern Rajasthan
Salim’s Paper is the largest handmade paper factory in India. The paper is made from fabric scraps, and often decorated with petals or leaves. The 200 or…
