Tourism in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, for both domestic and international tourists. Rajasthan attracts tourists for its historical forts, palaces, art and culture with its slogan 'Padharo mahare desh'. Every third foreign tourist visiting India travels to Rajasthan as it is part of the Golden Triangle for tourists visiting India.^[1]^[2]

The palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and desert forts of Jodhpur, Bikaner & Jaisalmer are among the most preferred destinations of many tourists, Indian and foreign. Tourism accounts for eight percent of the state's domestic product. Many old and neglected palaces and forts have been converted into heritage hotels. Tourism has increased employment in the hospitality sector. The main sweet of this place is ghewar.

Palaces

Rajasthan is known for its historical hill forts & palaces, it is claimed as best place for tourism related to palaces.^[3]^[4] Following are some of major palaces in Rajasthan.

Umaid Bhawan Palace: It is the largest Royal Palace in Rajasthan. It is also one of largest private residence in the world.
Lake Palace: It is now a luxury hotel located in Pichola Lake, Udaipur.
Hawa Mahal: It is known as "Palace of Wind" or "Palace of Breeze" because there are more than 950 Windows in the Palace.
Rambagh Palace: Formerly a Royal Palace now converted into a Heritage Hotel.
Devi Garh Palace: Formerly a palace now converted into a Heritage Hotel, In 2006, The New York Times named it as one if leading luxurious hotel in Indian subcontinent.

Forts

Rajasthan is known for its forts. Hill Forts of Palaces in Rajasthan are also a part of world heritage.^[5]

Hill forts which are in world heritage list

Other forts

Amber Fort
Ganesh Pol Entrance, Amer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort
Jain Temple inside Jaisalmer Fort
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Carving of Kirti Stambh, Chittor Fort
Junagarh Fort
Mehrangarh Fort

Fairs and Festivals

Department of Tourism of Rajasthan Government organizes multiple fairs & festivals during the year. These festivals & fairs are great tourist attractions.Fairs organized in Rajasthan include:

Camel Festival, Bikaner (January)
Nagaur Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb.)
Kite Festival (held on 14th Jan of every year)
Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.)
Baneshwar Fair, Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.)
Gangaur Festival, Jaipur (March–April)
Mewar Festival, Udaipur (March–April)
Elephant Festival, Jaipur (March–April)
Urs Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer (According to Lunar Calendar)
Summer Festival, Mt.Abu (June)
Teej Festival, Jaipur (July–August)
Kajli Teej, Bundi (July–August)
Dussehra Festival, Kota (October)
Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October)
Pushkar Fair, Ajmer (November)

Popular tourist attractions

Ajmer - Popular for shrine of Sufi Saikhllnt Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Digambar Jain Temple Soniji Ki Nasiyan.
Barmer - Barmer and surrounding areas offer perfect picture of typical Rajasthani villages.
Bhilwara - Popular for its textile industry. Hamirgarh Eco-park and Harni Mahadev temple are important tourist destinations.
Bikaner - Famous for its havelis, palaces and the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke.
Chittorgarh - Popular for its monument and fort
Bundi - Popular for its forts, palaces and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris.
Dausa -It is popular for "चाँद बावड़ी(Chand_Baori)" and मेहंदीपुर बालाजी मंदिर.
Jaipur- Known as pink city of India and the capital of Rajasthan.
Jaisalmer - Famous for its golden fortress, havelis and some of the oldest Jain Temples and libraries.
Jhalawar district - Caves like Binnayaga Buddhist caves, Hathiagor Buddhist Caves, Kolvi Caves are popular medieval architecture of India.
Jodhpur - Famous for architecture & blue homes giving the name "Blue City"
Kota - Known for its gardens, palaces and Chambal river safari.
Mount Abu - A hill station with 11th century Dilwara Jain Temples. Highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan, Guru Shikhar is just 15 km from the main town.
Nathdwara - This town near Udaipur hosts the temple of Shrinathji.
Neemrana - home to the Neemrana fort
Pushkar - It has the first and one of the very few Brahma temples in the world.
Ranakpur- Large Jain Temple complex with near 1444 pillars and exquisite marble carvings.
Ranthambore - Situated near Sawai Madhopur. This town has historic Ranthambore Fort and one of the largest national park of India (Ranthambore National Park).
Sariska Tiger Reserve - Situated in the Alwar district.
Shekhawati - Located are small towns such as Mandawa and Ramgarh with frescoed havelis between 100 years to 300 years old, and Vedic period Dhosi Hill.
Udaipur - Known as the "Venice of India".