Places to visit in Rajasthan during winters

Rajasthan, “The Land of the Kings” was formerly known as Rajputana. It is a beautiful example of India’s age-old opulence and grandeur and is one of the most colourful and vibrant states in the country. Rajasthan has more history than the entire country put together – it is the realm of erstwhile Maharajas and their lavish palaces and majestic forts.

Rajasthan comprises of many cities and is one of the most visited tourist spots. Be it any city in this vast state, its cultural background and rich history has a lot of attractions and knowledge to offer. The jaw-dropping forts and havelis, noteworthy folk music, shedload tales of chivalry and the delicious food welcome you to the culturally wealthy state of Rajasthan.

In fact, it is said that winters are the best time to visit Rajasthan. The state has a lot to offer during winter despite the dropping temperature. It lets you go out for shopping, without sweating profusely in the heat. You can even take safari drive in an open jeep without worrying about the heat. In addition to that, it is said that capturing the magical sunrise and sunset is better in winters than in the summers. What more does a tourist need? A comfortable climate and some of the world’s most amazing tourist destinations, and you are good to go.

There is a variety of stuff you can do and see in the state. This winter you can probably hit the roads to even travel to different cities in this colourful land. Winters are the best time to visit Rajasthan and explore the music, art, culture and attraction points.

Below is a list of the cities you must visit during winters, to experience the best of Rajasthan.

1JAISALMER

The ‘Queen of Thar,’ Jaisalmer is no doubt the best travel destination in Rajasthan, especially during the winters. The city offers tourists one of the most amazing holiday experiences and the city is known to be a gateway to the rich culture and history of Rajasthan. Here you will witness the perfect amalgamation of architecture, hospitality and adventure.

The reason you must visit Jaisalmer during the winters is because of the Desert Festival that is held in the city. This is one of the places to visit in Rajasthan in February. The festival gives you a chance to be a spectator of rare competitions like camel polo. You can cheer for camel races, gymnastic stunts on camel back and camel formation dancing, which are the highlights of the festival. These competitions are followed by Tug-of-war, turban tying and the Maru-Shri (Mr. Desert competition) and yes also the longest moustache competition.

Well, apart from this there are a number of places that you can visit in the city. Here is a complied list of the must-visit places in Jaisalmer.

• Jaisalmer Fort – This place has many magnificent forts and palaces. A camel ride in the desert can leave you speechless wondering how beautiful the city really is.
• Gadisar Lake – Gadisar Lake offers scenic and picturesque views of the lake and the adjacent fort, especially during the sunrise and sunset.
• Bada Bagh – Bada Bagh is primarily a cenotaph adjoining a garden. This is a popular site because it is a garden that has the cenotaphs of all the Maharajas and other prestigious family members of Jaisalmer.
• Jaisalmer Government Museum – Established by the Department of Archaeology in the year 1984, the Government Museum is a prime tourist attraction of Jaisalmer.
• Salim Singh Ki Haveli – Salim Singh Ki Haveli is a beautiful edifice in the heart of the city Jaisalmer.

2JODHPUR

Jodhpur is a very popular tourist destination and its landscape is scenic as a beautiful painting that has come to life. Jodhpur city has many beautiful palaces and forts and the other charms of Jodhpur include museums, gardens and lakes. Jodhpur is a colourful city and its traditional folk dance and music are well-known throughout the world.

The reason you must visit Jodhpur during the winters is because the city is one of the hottest places of the state during the summer period. It is difficult to lay foot outside your hotel room during the summer season, forget visiting any attraction points. But it is a different story during the winters. The climate is cool and breezy and it keeps you relaxed all throughout your journey.

There are a number of places that you can visit in Jodhpur, but here is a list of the top 5 places that you cannot miss out on.

• Mehrangarh Fort – One of the largest forts in the country, it is situated at the top of an elevated hill and guarded by massive walls.
• Umaid Bhavan Palace – A visit to this palace can make you feel like a sense of royalty.
• Mandore Garden – It is a must visit place for all those who admire nature, architectural beauty and cultural heritage.
• Balsamand Lake – For the ones who want a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, this is the place to be at.
• MahaMandir – It is a huge temple with fantastically carved 84 pillars.
• Sardar Government Museum – Visit here to get the best insight into the rich culture and history of Jodhpur.

3MANDAWA

Standing out with its forts and havelis, Mandawa is often known as Open Art Gallery. Marvellous mansions dot the town and make it an important tourist attraction of Rajasthan. The architecture of this place talk of the cultural and social hotspot this place used to be in the bygone era. Mandawa provides the visitors with a sense of discovery at every turn and offers lots of places to be visited in the town.

But like most of the other places in the state, Mandawa too has an extreme climate. The summers can be very hot with the mercury touching 40°C, whereas winters can be chilly and appropriate time to be in Mandawa. Mandawa is the best place to visit in Rajasthan in October.

Here is a list of the must-visit places in the city.

• Lakshmi Narayan Ladia Haveli – From the excellent paintings to the amazing frescoes, the place has plenty to keep you occupied for hours.
• Mohan Lal Saraf Haveli – The haveli is well known for its beautiful collection of portraits and paintings.
• Binsidhar Newatia Haveli – Best known for its attractive and colourful paintings, the haveli is among the major tourist attractions in Mandawa.
• Murmuria Haveli – The elegant architecture of the haveli familiarizes you with rich art and culture of Rajasthan.
• Mandawa Fort – The Mandawa fort is a great attraction for tourists. It helps in revealing a lot about the rich history of the place.

4BIKANER

Vibrant Deserts – Fabulous Forts – Thrilling Desert Safaris = Bikaner.

The city is a blooming beauty in the Thar Desert. These forts in the city are so strong that even after so many years of their construction; they stand tall, unspoiled through the passage of time. Apart from the historical vestiges, the city is the centre of attraction for food lovers due to its yummy snacks.

The reason you must visit the city in winter is because of the golden dunes of the Thar that surround it from all sides. The city is a boiling pot during the summer season and on the other hand, during the winter season, the temperature in Bikaner hovers around 4°C and 23°C. The weather remains cool and pleasant and Bikaner becomes the best place to visit in Rajasthan in December. It is an ideal time to visit and go out for sightseeing.

We have complied for you a list of the must visit tourist attractions in the city.

• Junagarh Fort – This fort is famous for its stupendous architecture and intricate carvings.
• Lalgarh Palace – The architecture of this palace reflects Rajput, Mughal and European styles.
• Laxmi Nath Temple – The temple boasts of the rich archaeological skills of artists and artisans.
• Rampuriya Haveli – The haveli is known to be more than 400 years old architectural splendour.
• Gajner Palace – It is a lakeside heritage property in the middle of Thar Desert that features a lush green garden.

5PUSHKAR

Pushkar is surrounded by hillocks on three sides. The city is also known as ‘The Rose Garden of Rajasthan’ because the essence of the famous Pushkar rose is exported all over the world. The city has an interesting mythological history, a legacy of timeless architectural heritage and some of the most outstanding scenic views that make Pushkar a fascinating city.

The Pushkar Fair/Pushkar Camel Fair/Pushkar Mela, as it is locally known as, is held in the city between the months of October and November. This makes Pushkar the place to visit in Rajasthan in November. It is one of the world’s largest camel fairs. Competitions such as the matka phod, longest moustache and bridal competitions are the main draws of this fair. It attracts thousands of tourists and makes Pushkar the best place to be at in the winter season.

Below is a list of attractions that you cannot miss out on.

• Brahma Temple – Pushkar’s most famous temple is the Brahma Temple. Inside, the floor and walls are engraved with dedications to the dead.
• Old Rangji Temple – The temple is always alive with chanting worshippers.
• Gandhi Ghat – Gandhiji’s ashes were sprinkled here on Gau Ghat and since then it has also been known as Gandhi Ghat.
• Brahma Ghat – It is a bathing Ghat dedicated to Lord Brahma.
• Varah Ghat – It is said that Lord Vishnu appeared at Varah Ghat in the form of a boar.

6NAGAUR

A fun fact about the place is that the history of Nagaur finds mention even in the Mahabharata. The large old Fort that the city houses, has many glorious tales of bravery of the erstwhile rulers of the states.

In addition to that, The Jodhpur Nagaur Fair is the second biggest fair in India. The fair goes on for eight days. Nagaur Fair is held every year during the month of Jan-Feb. This makes Nagaur the best place to visit in Rajasthan in January.

The fair is popularly known as the Cattle fair of Nagaur. This is because the Nagaur Fair is mainly all about the trading of animals. Some other attractions include the Mirchi Bazaar, Wooden items, Iron-crafts and Camel leather accessories. Nagaur fair is also famous for its jugglers, puppeteers, storytellers, etc. For further entertainment, there is folk music that will keep you entertained.

Here is a list of the other famous attractions of the city apart from the Cattle Fair.

• Deepak Mahal – Some unique floral designs can be seen in the Mahal, in the form of paintings and scriptures.
• Nagaur Fort – The Nagaur Fort is a mud fort that belongs to the 4th century.
• Tarkeen Dargah – This Dargah is a very important place of religious importance for the Muslims and holds utmost importance, right after the Dargah of Ajmer-e-Sharif.
• Jain Glass Temple – The temple is uniquely made of glass and enamel work on the ceilings, floors, panels, pillars and doors.
• Hadi Rani Mahal – The Mahal consists of ancient carved designs and scriptures on the walls as well as on the ceilings.

7AJMER

Ajmer is a bustling city that gets its name from “Ajay Meru”, which can be roughly translated as “invincible hill”.

Home to a number of tourist places, Ajmer is a perfect representation of the diversity of Indian culture and ethics. It displays a perfect amalgamation of religion, community, culture, etc. The places to see in Ajmer is a variety you won’t find so often; from the Dargah to the Jain Temple. This mingling of cultures has influenced the city’s eating scene as well. One can enjoy traditional Rajasthani cuisine along with dishes influenced by the Mughal and British cultures.

The best time to visit Ajmer is during the winter season. The weather remains very pleasant during this time. The daytime temperature during this time encourages visits to various tourist places to see in Ajmer. The summer months, from March to May, are best to be avoided if you are planning a trip to Ajmer.

Here is a list that will help you in your research for the best places to visit in Ajmer.

• The Ajmer Sharif Dargah – This is a Sufi shrine built in the 13th century. The shrine is popular among people of all faiths who flock here to have their prayers answered.
• Adhai Din Ka Jhonpda – It was originally built to function as a Sanskrit college but was later converted into a mosque.
• Soniji Ki Nasiyan – Also known as the Ajmer Jain Temple, the place is a wonderful example of ornate architecture.
• Anasagar Lake – Anasagar Lake is a scenic artificial lake, which now also houses the Daulat Bagh Gardens near its shore.
• Ajmer Government Museum – It serves as one of the prime tourist destinations in the city. The museum is housed within the magnificent fortified palace of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

8JAIPUR

Rajasthan’s beautiful ‘Pink City’ is known so because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city. Jaipur’s bazaars sell embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares.

Jaipur has been laid according to the conventional nine-grid pattern that astrologers believe to be lucky, and most of it has come to be true. Jaipur is the capital of the state and its tourism is one of its kinds. The forts and palaces are renowned all over the world and tourists from over the globe come to visit the city.

The reason why you must visit Jaipur during the winter season is because of the Magnetic Fields Festival that it organizes during the month of December. This 3-day musical extravaganza showcases the funky side of Jaipur and features popular artists from all over the world. Besides music, it has other attractions such as treasure hunting, rooftop dancing, yoga classes, desert safari, secret parties and a lot more.

Apart from the music festival, you must also check-out these amazing tourist attractions in the city.

• City Palace – The architecture of the City Palace will strike a sense of awe in you from the very beginning.
• Hawa Mahal – The striking feature of the Hawa Mahal is its 953 windows that allow the air inside to be cooler than the atmosphere outside.
• Albert Hall Museum – One of the oldest museums of Rajasthan. It has a rich collection of various kinds of items such as paintings, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, colourful crystal works etc.
• Nahargarh Fort – It is an epitome of great architecture and planning.
• Jantar Mantar – Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the largest stone astronomical observatory in the World.

9MOUNT ABU

The city is the only hill station in entire Rajasthan. It’s cool atmosphere and lush green surroundings are its highlights. The natural beauty of the place grips its domestic visitors and the spiritual charm attracts the foreigners. These two are important characteristics of Mount Abu tourism. Apart from an escape from the heat of Rajasthan, sightseeing here introduces tourists to the architectural grandeur of temples and nature.

Located in the hilly region, Mount Abu is the best when visited during winters. The experience of a chilly climate is must have experience. Apart from that, you can also be a part of the Mount Abu Winter Festival that takes place during the month of December. The festival acts as an ode to the rich culture and tradition of Rajasthan and the city. It offers a lot of room for fun in the midst of a picturesque location.

You must also check-out these top 5 tourists’ attractions in the city of Mount Abu.

• Dilwara Temples – Dilwara Jain Temples are one of the finest Jain temples known world over for its phenomenal design and attractive marble stone carvings.
• Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary – The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary houses around 112 plant families with 449 genera and 820 species.
• Nakki Lake – This largest manmade lake at the height of 11, 00 meters in India is romantically called the love lake of Mount Abu.
• Guru Shikhar View Point – It has a commanding view of Mount Abu and its surroundings.
• Sunset Point – The point gives you a beautiful perspective of the setting sun.

10MEWAR / KUMBHALGARH

Mewar is widely renowned as the only Indian princely state that never fully capitulated to the Mughal, the East India Company or the British Empire. Mewaris from all castes and communities participated equally in this history of resistance and Mewar still symbolizes a spirit of shared defiance to all rapacious interlopers.

The reason for visiting Kumbhalgarh in the winters is because of the Kumbhalgarh Festival that it hosts. During this festival, tourists can take part in the festivities and enjoy cultural fusion. The venue of this festival is the Kumbhalgarh Fort. The Kumbhalgarh Fort turns into a magnificent sight with all the decorations and lights. This 3-day festival brings together art and culture. In fact, some of the country’s famous artists also perform at the festival to entertain the visitors.

Apart from the festival, there are also many attraction points to visit in and around the city.

• Mammadev Temple – The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and interiors.
• Badal Mahal – This is a 2-storied palace located at the top of the Kumbhalgarh fort and is known for its colourful murals and breath-taking view.
• Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple – The temple has an open mandapa, a sanctum, pillars with inscriptions, six feet high Shiva Linga made of stone and entrances on all four sides.
• Vedi Temple – This 3-storied temple is considered as the only surviving relic of all the sacrificial sites of India.
• Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary – The Sanctuary is a haven for thrill and adventure and is home to varied flora and fauna.

With this enthralling list of cities to visit in Rajasthan during the winter break, we are sure you will have the time of your life on this vacation. So, what are you waiting for? Fix a date and start packing.