Popular cities in Rajasthan State are: Jaipur | Jodhpur | Udaipur | Jaisalmer
POPULAR TOURIST CITIES OF RAJASTHAN
JAIPUR:
Jaipur is one of the most well planned cities of the world of its time. This
capital city of Rajasthan, popularly known as the Pink City, was founded by
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, in 1727 A.D. The old Jaipur painted in Pink can
grip any visitor with admiration. Jaipur was not always pink, the original city
was light grey, edged with white borders and motifs. It was painted in pink in
1876 to honor the visit of the Prince of whales, which has been retained in the
walled, old city.
Jaipur is worth halting for a couple of days. There are many tourist attractions
in Jaipur, which will enchant you with their distinct architectural style and
artistic designs. With its towering forts and impressive city palace, Jaipur is
a good indicator of what to expect as you progress to interior Rajasthan.
JODHPUR:
Known as the Blue City, Jodhpur is situated at the edge of the Thar Desert
and is the second largest city of Rajasthan. Jodhpur is known as the Blue City
because of the color of the Brahmin houses and it is guarded by one of the most
imposing fortress of the Rajputana. Because of its color , Jodhpur looks like a
sea on the fringe of the Thar Desert. Jodhpur is encircled by a wall 9 Km
around, which keeps out the desert sand. It is famous for its magnificent Forts
and Palaces.
Jodhpur, once the capital of the Marwar kingdom for five centuries, was founded
in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha, chief of Rathore clan of Marwar who claimed to be the
descendants of Lord Rama, hero of the ancient Hindu epic, The Ramayana.
JAISALMER:
Jaisalmer is also known as the Golden City because of the honey color
imparted to its stone ramparts by the setting sun. Founded in 1156 by Rawal
Jaisal, Jaisalmer lies near the extreme western edge of Rajasthan. Its array of
sandstone buildings are surrounded by the stark Thai Desert and illuminated in a
gold hue by the penetrating sun. Jaisalmer is different from all the other
cities of Rajasthan and is worth a visit if you want to see a different side of
India and take a camel safari. Jaisalmer is defined by its carved spires and
palaces, and the massive sand-castle-like fort that towers over the imposing
wall that encircles the town.
UDAIPUR:
Udaipur, located around the shimmering clear blue water lakes is also known
as - the city of lakes. It was founded in 1567 A.D. by Maharana Udai Singh who
on the advice of a sage shifted his capital to the banks Lake Pichola, and named
it after his name - Udaipur. Some have dubbed it as the Venice of the East. In
his Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Colonel James Tod described the valley
of Udaipur as "the most diversified and most romantic spot on the sub-continent
of India." The exquisitely carved marble palaces, impressively laid out gardens
and the beautiful blue lakes make Udaipur look like a mirage in the desert.
