Majestic Rajasthan with Taj Mahal

Agra served as the capital of the Mughal Empire for a long time, and there is much in it today to remind you of that fact. The foremost of them is the Taj Mahal, an embodiment of love which will never cease to amaze onlookers. The Agra Fort is not far behind, with its colossal proportions merging gracefully with its aesthetics, besides the numerous magnificent structures that it houses within it. You come across one gorgeous spectacle after the other, each reminding you of the glorious days of the Mughals. When you are tired, you can make your way to its markets to observe the handicrafts industry, try some of its famous “petha” or explore the bazaars.

Jaipur is the Pink City, and also a city which has been awarded the UNESCO World Heritage City Tag. When you explore some of it, you realize how easily it qualifies for this honor. It holds the distinction of being the first planned city of India, and is a metropolitan city which treasures its past as much as it celebrates the present. The royal past and the opulence that Jaipur is known for, is visible in its monuments & palaces. Amber Palace, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, these stand as proof of the city’s glorious past. Watching the sunset from Jal Mahal may leave as strong an impression on you as enjoying a cultural performance at Chokhi Dhani. Its markets also bustle with visitors, famous as they are for textiles, carpet and sandals.

From the sky, it would seem that someone had splashed the entire city of Jodhpur with shades of blue. The houses are blue, so are the shops. Fondness for this particular shade of color extends even to temples and havelis, apparently. Its skyline is dominated by the enormous forts, each of which seems to outdo the other in its colossal proportions. The giant of giants though, is the Mehrangarh Fort, which, at almost 100ft, towers above the rest rather easily. The Umaid Bhawan Palace, on the other hand, is India’s answer to Westminster Palace. However, this is just one side of Jodhpur. An altogether different one awaits you at the Bishnoi village, where a tour provides a glimpse into their unique customs and way of life.

The images that you have of Rajasthan, of vast deserts and twinkling stars beneath them, of camels plodding through the golden glittering sands and of forts that look like they came into being through a magical spell, present themselves before you in Jaisalmer. Although the Golden Fort, also known as the Sonar Qila, is its most prominent landmark, there are others that hold their own against it. A trip to Jaisalmer is best spent visiting its historic structures, of which forts play a major part. All your predetermined notions of opulence and grandeur fade into the background when you come across structures like Patwon ki Haveli & Nathmal Ji ki Haveli. Those that prefer some adventure to go along with sightseeing can always go dune bashing at the Sam Sand Dunes.