RAJASTHAN

Rajasthan : , the largest state in the country, came into being by the Union of 22 princely states and the integration of the former state of Ajmer. The Aravalli Hills divide the state into two portions. The North-western portion is almost entirely a vast expand of desert. On the other side, South-eastern Region, has a varied terrain of extensive hill ranges, fertile table-land and dense forests.

Rajasthan, formerly known as Rajputana, presents a different image from the rest of India. The vibrant land, with the heroism, chivalry and valour of its residuals - Rajputs - fill many thrilling and colorful pages of Indian History. The strong and lively people here have a tradition of art and craft so rich and colourful that the land is today a tourist paradise. The colorful heritage is reflected in fairs and festivals which are the manifestation of the people's participation with nature's changing moods, and the traditions of the mythical past.

State Government : http://www.rajasthan.gov.in

Capital :	Jaipur
Area :	342,239 square Kilometers
Population :	56,507,188 (2001 census)
Literacy :	60.41% (2001)
Language :	Hindi, Rajasthani
Roads :	134,632 Kms
Railways :	6,228 Kms
Airport :	Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner
Seaport :	Nil
Climate :	Summer (45° - 17° C), Winter (32° - 7° C), Monsoon : July to September
Best Season :	October to March
Places of Interest :	State Tourism : http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in
	Ajmer : Dargah of Saint Moinuddin Chisti, Mayo (Princes) College, Museum, Fort, Lake. [Foy Sagar (8 Kms) : Lake-side picnic spot. Pushkar Lake (11 Kms) : Pilgrim centre, Camel fair (in October / November).] Alwar : Fort, Palace, Museum. [Siliserh (13 Kms) : Palace, Lake, Fishing, Waterbirds.] Bar : Halfway house between Jaipur and Jodhpur. Bayana : Fort. Behror : Halfway house between Delhi and Jaipur. Bharatpur : Fort, Palace, Museum. [Deeg (35 Kms) : Palaces, Forts, Gardens. Keoladeo National Park (2 Kms) : Largest waterbird sanctuary in India.] Bikaner : Fort, Palace, Museum, Desert Town, Handicrafts, Temples, Camel Farm (17 Kms). [Deshnok (32 Kms) : Karni Devi Temple. Gajner (32 Kms) : Wildlife sanctuary.] Bundi : Fortress - Palace overlooking lakhs. [Bijolia (43 Kms) : Temple, Fort, Sculpture.] Chittaurgarh : 'City of Valour', Temples, Palaces, Fort, Marble Memorial, Tower of Victory. Churu : Desert resort, Sand dunes. Haldi Ghat : Famous historical battlefield.. Jaipur : 'The Pink City', a fine example of Medieval Town Planning, Forts, Palaces, ancient Observatory, Handicrafts, Museum. [Amer (11 Kms) : Palace, Temples. Gaitor (8 Kms) : Cenotaphs and Palace. Galta (10 Kms) : Mineral springs. Jamwa Ramgarh (30 Kms) : Lake-side picnic spot, Bird-watching, Wildlife sanctuary. Sanganer (16 Kms) : Famous Textile block-printing centre, Temples, Ruins of Palaces.] Jaisalmer : Desert Town, Palace, Fort, Jain Temples, Library, Mansions, Citidel, Cenotaphs, Camel and Sheep's hair handicrafts. [Akal (wool) Fossil Park (17 Kms) : 180 million year old fossils. Sam (40 Kms) : Sand dunes, Camel Safari.] Jaisamand : Largest artificial lake in Asia, Boating, Fishing, Marble Palace, Tribal area, Wildlife sanctuary. Jodhpur : Forts, Museum, Handicrafts, Cenotaphs, Temple. [Mandoor (8 Kms) : Ruins of Palaces and Temples.] Kankroli : Rajsamand Lake, Temples. Kota : Industrial centre, City Walls, Museums. [Baroli (48 Kms) : Old Temple complex. Darah (60 Kms) : Wildlife sanctuary. Jhalrapatan (60 Kms) : Old Cave Temples.] Kumbhalgarh : Ancient citadel, Fort, Temples. Mahwa : Halfway house between Jaipur and Agra. Mount Abu : Hill resort, Pilgrim centre, Lake, Temples, Parks, Gardens, Boating. [Achalgarh (8 Kms) : Fort, Temples, Lake. Dilwara (3 Kms) : Jain Temples and Pilgrim centre.] Nagaur : Fort, Murals in Temple, Largest Camel fair. Osiyan : Ancient Temple complex, Sand dunes. Pilani : Educational centre. Pokaran : Fort. Ranakpur : Jain Temple complex, Sculptures. Ranthambhor : Fort, National Park, Tiger Reserve. Ratanpur : Halfway house between Udaipur and Ahmedabad. Sambhar : Largest salt lake in India. Sariska : Wildlife sanctuary. Sawai Madhopur : Kaila Devi Wildlife Sanctuary. Surat Garh : Model Farm. Udaipur : Lakes and Palaces, Handicrafts, Museum, Fountains. [Ahar ( 3 Kms) : Archaeological excavations. Eklingji (22 Kms) : Temple. Nathdwara (48 Kms) : Temples.]
Festivals :	Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (February), Holi (March), Gangaur Fair, Jaipur (April), Teej (July / August), Raksha Bandhan (August / September), Dussehra (October), Diwali and Pushkar Fair (October / November).