 Rajastan (राजस्थाण) Travel Guide, India
Fishing on Lake Pichola in Udaipur, Rajastan
Author: TheDoGoodDames (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Rajastan (राजस्थाण) is a state in the northwestern part of India. It covers 342,269 sq km (132,150.8 sq mi) and has a population of 68.6 million people (2011 estimate). The state is the largest in India by size and the 8th most populous. The name Rajastan was first mentioned in 1829, in the works of British officer and Oriental scholar Lieutenant-Colonel James Tod, who mentioned that Rajastan means "Land of the King(dom)s."
Interior of Mehrangarh Palace, Mehrangarh, Rajastan
Author: Jon Connell (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Rajastan is bordered by Punjab to the north, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to the northeast, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Gujarat to the south and Pakistan to the west. It comprises 33 districts. Its capital and biggest city is Jaipur. As with the rest of India, it observes the Indian Standard Time, which is UTC+5:30. The official languages of the state are Rajastani, Marwaris and Hindi.
Toshkhana (27 Offices) of Amber Fort in Jaipur, Rajastan
Author: Poco a poco (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Within Rajastan is the Thar Desert, also called the Great Indian Desert. It covers an area of some 200,000 sq km (77,000 sq mi) along the border between India and Pakistan, much of it within Rajastan but includes some parts of Haryana and Punjab, as well as Punjab Province in Pakistan. Also within the borders of Rajastan is the Aravalli Range. It runs from southwest to northeast through the state, over a distance of 850 km, and has the only hill station in Rajastan, Mount Abu, site of the Dilwara Temples.
Rajastan is home to the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilization are located in various parts of the state.
Houses in the Thar Desert, Rajastan
Author: LRBurdak (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
The economy of Rajastan is still primarily agricultural. Among the crops grown in the state include wheat and barley. Cotton and tobacco are the main cash crops. Rajastan is also the biggest producer of wool in India. Among the industries in the state include the agriculture based and textile.
Rajastan is the fourth largest tourist destination in India, receiving some 14% of all visitors to India. Most visitors head of the cities of Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer, to enjoy the historical sites and cultural heritage of the state.
The balconies of City Palace in Udaipur, Rajastan
Author: Geri (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
How to go to Rajastan
You can take a domestic flight to Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Alternatively, you can also take overnight trains from Delhi and Mumbai to the major cities in Rajastan. Many visitors go by road from Delhi to Jaipur before continuing to other cities in the state. The road journey takes 4 hours.
Street in Jodhpur, Rajastan
Author: Tom Maisey (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
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Main Cities in Rajastan
- Jaipur - capital
- Ajmer
- Bharatpur
- Bikaner
- Chittorgarh
- Jaisalmer
- Jodhpur
- Kota
- Udaipur
Main Sights in Rajastan
- Jaisamand Lake
- Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary
- Mount Abu
- Ranthambhore National Park
- Sariska Reserve and National Park
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