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 Mhare Desh (Welcome to my land.)" Jaipur, is also known as Pink City, is a very popular tourist destination, being the capital of Rajasthan and a part of the Golden Triangle. The Walled City of Jaipur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is only the second Indian city to be recognized, after Ahmedabad.
The palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and desert forts of Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer are among the most preferred destinations of many tourists, Indian and foreign. Tourism accounts for almost 15% of the state's domestic product. In 2019, 52 million domestic tourists visited Rajasthan.
Palaces
Rajasthan is known for its historical hill forts & palaces, it is claimed as the best place for tourism-related to palaces.
Umaid Bhawan Palace: It is the largest Royal Palace in Rajasthan. It is also one of the largest private residences 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 953 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.
Hill forts in the World Heritage list
The six Hill Forts of Rajasthan, spread across Rajasthan state in northern India, clustered together as a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forts are mainly based in the Aravalli Range, and were built and enhanced between the 5th and 18th centuries CE by several Rajput kings of different kingdoms. They comprise: Chittor Fort at Chittorgarh Kumbhalgarh Fort at Kumbhalgarh Ranthambore Fort at Sawai Madhopur Gagron Fort at Jhalawar Amer Fort at Jaipur Jaisalmer Fort at Jaisalmer
Some of these forts have defensive fortification wall up to 20 km long, still surviving urban centers and still in use water harvesting mechanism.
Other forts
These are some of the prominent forts of rajasthan: Mehrangarh Fort Nahargarh Fort Bhatner fort Junagarh Fort Lohagarh Fort Gagron Fort Sirohi Fort Bhainsrorgarh Fort Taragarh Fort Jalore Fort Alwar Fort Achalgarh Fort Nagaur Fort Shergrah 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 14 January 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 Kajli Teej, Bundi (July–August) Dussehra Festival, Kota (October) Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October) Pushkar Fair, Ajmer (November)
Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks
Rajasthan has many wildlife and bird sanctuaries. Prominent among them are Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Ranthambore National Park, Mukundara Hills National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve and Desert National Park.
Religious Sites
Rajasthan has many famous temples from medieval times. Some prominent temples include Ghushmeshwar Temple, Eklingji Temple, Shrinathji Temple, Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Ranthambore, Mehandipur Balaji, Govind Dev Ji, Salasar Balaji, Ranakpur Jain temple, Osian temple, Brahma Temple, Pushkar and Dilwara Temples. Along with temples, there are a few important Sufi shrine too, most famous among them is Dargah (Tomb) of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.