Rajasthan Travel Guide Introduction to Rajasthan Think of the ultimate destination-every third foreign tourist to India visits this not-to-be-missed location. Yes, we are talking of Rajasthan, the desert jewel. Indeed, the State has so much going for it that it's difficult to decide where to start. The very images that Rajasthan conjures up are steeped in romance and beauty. The images of magnificent forts and palaces, golden deserts, colorful and smiling faces, vibrant dances and music, and the royalty of another king - the tiger. More on Rajasthan » Location and climate of Rajasthan The state of Rajasthan is composed of two distinct geographical regions, the dividing line being the Aravallis, the oldest mountain chain in India. Aravallis runs southwest to northeast, the last low ridge ending up in Delhi. These hills block the southeast monsoon so the eastern region receives good rainfall and parts of it are covered with dense green forests of sal, axlewood, dhak, and mesquite. More on location and climate of Rajasthan » Demography of Rajasthan Rajasthan is one of the largest Indian states physically though the major part of it is desert. Population density is low compared to other state in Rajasthan. Hinduism is the major religion and Hindi is spoken by a majority of people (the local dialect is Rajasthani). About the biggest surprise that Rajasthan can spring on you is its environment. Contrary to popular belief, it is not all of desert only. And even the desert part of it is not just a barren, treeless, lifeless waste. More on demography of Rajasthan » History of Rajasthan The kingdoms of erstwhile Rajputana were perpetually locked in armed conflict with their neighbors, a fact that makes the saga of Rajasthan a story of bloodshed as much as heroism and sacrifice. Many of these legends have come to us in the form of ballads sung by folk singers or in the accounts of bards and court poets. Many more find mention in history. More on history of Rajasthan » Travel Destinations of Rajasthan For the uninitiated-if there are any such people left-there is much more to Rajasthan than just Jaipur and Udaipur, though these two uniquely lovely cities have their own substantial, well-documented charm. There is Jodhpur - the citadel city, Pushkar - renowned for its camel fair, Jaisalmer - the desert capital of Rajasthan, and Mount Abu - only hill station of Rajasthan and a famous Jain pilgrimage. More on travel destinations of Rajasthan » Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan Rajasthan is a majestic tapestry of camels plodding over soft sand dunes of the Thar Desert. It is a kaleidoscope of brightly turbaned men with proud moustaches, women with twinkling anklets in colorful swirling ghagras. The landscape is dotted with island palaces shimmering on idyllic blue lakes, temples and fortresses situated on hilltops of the rugged and rocky Aravallis, gardens with pavilions and kiosks and always a few dancing peacocks. The mansions have exquisite a miniature paintings or life size frescoes. Dancing wooden puppets and wandering minstrels have for generations transmitted folklore, legend and local history - many an episode of romance, knightly prowess and chivalry connected with the 'Land of Kings.' Forts and palaces of Rajasthan have still managed to keep alive the magic of the fierce culture and traditions of this state. Ravaged by the wars and impact of time, these great monuments are now again playing hosts to number of visitors. The initiative taken by the government and the former occupants of these structures to recreate them for modern hospitality industry has led to great demand amongst the tourists to visit them. More on forts and palaces of Rajasthan » Culture of Rajasthan In Rajasthan, the spectacular is commonplace. Many civilizations forged by waves of settlers ranging from ancient Indus Valley urbanites to pastoral Aryan herdsmen, Bhil forest dwellers, Jain merchant princes, Jat and Gujjar cultivators, Muslim craftsmen, and the Rajput warrior aristocracy have all shaped this region called the land of kings. Colorful costumes, festivals, and customs relieve the tedium of coping with a harsh, demanding land. People come here to savor its splendors, and imbibe its enviable heritage. Discover it all in the fairs and festivals like Pushkar and Desert Festival, dances like Kalbelia, Rajasthani cuisine, and crafts of Rajasthan. More of culture of Rajasthan » Wildlife of Rajasthan History-with its legacy of precious monuments-is not the only attraction in Rajasthan, awe inspiring though it may be! This unique state also offers some of the most unusual wildlife sanctuaries in the country, where the roar of jungle animals merges with the whisperings of time. Imagine a tiger stretching land-gloriously beneath a perfectly arched Rajasthani cupola-an unforgettable sight you can never see anywhere else in the world. But you can see it in Ranthambore, one of the premier tiger reserves in India. Ready for the rare sight of illusive Siberian Cranes and hundreds of other elusive faunal species in Rajasthan. Travelling to Rajasthan By Air Jaipur is the main airport to enter Rajasthan. Serviced by all the domestic airlines of India, Jaipur has connections to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Jodhpur, and few more cities in India. Other major airports are in Udaipur and Jodhpur. More on travelling to Rajasthan » Palace on Wheels in Rajasthan Want to feel like royalty for a week? Then step into the regal splendor of the Palace on Wheels and cruise along in majestic style like the Maharajas of yesteryear. You are a king or a queen in your own right for seven days while exploring the wonders of colorful Rajasthan - a magical land set amidst miles of golden sand, ornamented with a kaleidoscope of magnificent forts, opulent palaces and marvelous havelis brimming with legends of romance and chivalry. And it is a unique experience indeed. The elegant interiors of the train with its delectable cuisine (traditional Indian, Continental and Chinese) and personalized service, transports you to a totally enchanting world. Each saloon has its own personal attendants to ensure that the journey is comfortable. Fully air-conditioned, the 14 saloons are named after the princely states of Rajasthan and have excellent amenities. Each saloon is a combination of twin-bedded and double-bedded chambers with attached toilets, running hot and cold water and shower facilities. The cultural ethos of Rajasthan finds its reflection in the interiors of these saloons. The lounge, an ideal place to relax, has a well stocked bar and a library. The latest luxury is a health club and a beauty parlor. More on Palace on Wheels in Rajasthan » Itinerary for Palace on Wheels Palace on Wheels, the Luxury train takes you to various travel destinations in Rajasthan like Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bharatpur. More on Itinerary for Palace on Wheels »