Top 6 Family Friendly Architectural Destinations in Rajasthan
Journey through Rajasthan, India’s treasure chest of historical wonders, cultural richness, and natural beauty, all aligned for a family adventure. Each destination in this mesmerizing state offers a unique blend of experiences that promise to add vibrant hues to the tapestry of family bonds.
Udaipur, the “Venice of the East” feels like a surreal escape from the mundane. The cityscape, with its palaces, and, lakes presents a unique canvas for a family portrait. A boat ride on Lake Pichola offers serenity, whereas a group art class in authentic miniature painting lets your family‘s collective creativity flow like never before.
Pump the adrenaline of your family’s heart as you embark on a zipline tour across Mehrangarh Fort, adding to the adventure in Jodhpur. The city of Blue Hues is perfect for a gastronomic journey, as you introduce new tastes to the palates of all your family members with pungent delights of Rajasthani cuisines.
Jaisalmer
Camel safari in the Thar Desert is bound to be an unforgettable experience. Hence pre-book the Jaisalmer Tour to the “Golden City”. The city was named after Jaisal Singh and is known for its expanse of Thar Desert, rich heritage, exhilarating adventure sports, and camping which are few of the many things that add to the rich experience here. Jaisalmer Fort- Also goes by the name Sonar Qila (Golden Fort) as it rises from the desert itself and seems to become one with the golden hues of the sand. The setting sun adds magic and drapes the fort with mystique. Jaisalmer Fort was constructed by Jaisal, a Bhati Rajput on top of the Trikuta Hill in the year 1156. It houses beautiful havelis or mansions, temples, and residential complexes of soldiers and traders. Bada Bagh located six km from the city is famous for royal cenotaphs or “chattris” built by various Bhatti rulers. Apart from the cenotaphs, the visitors can see the Jait Bandh Dam, Govardhan Stambh, and, Jaitsar tank inside the park. Blocks of solid stones were used in the construction of both the dam and the tank. Desert Cultural Centre and Museum located on Gadisar Road was founded in 1997 and features a huge collection of rare fossils, ethnic instruments, ancient scriptures, traditional artefacts, and medieval coins. Karal the conventional opium mixing box is one of the most popular attractions of the museum.
Pushkar
Pushkar is not a destination but a phenomenon as it offers a melange of experiences. Kids get enamoured by the colourful camels, while the older generation appreciates the sanctity of the Brahma Temple-one of its kind in India. Attend the Pushkar Fair if your visit coincides with this annual event which is an absolute must-see. Pushkar Lake sitting amidst the Aravalli ranges in Pushkar is enveloped by fifty-two bathing ghats and around five hundred temples. The existence of the lake takes one back to the second century. It witnesses millions of devotees as a dip in the famed waters of the lake on Kartik Poornima washes away the sins of their whole life. Varaha Temple is one of the most ancient and largest temples of Pushkar. The temple is in reverence to Varaha the Boar who is the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple houses an image of Lord Vishnu in the form of a wild boar. Brahma Temple or the Jagat pita Brahma Mandir is the famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Brahma who is considered the creator of the universe. It was built in the 14th century and is believed to be two thousand years old. Built with marble and stone slabs, it houses the images of Lord Brahma along with his two wives, Gayatri and Savitri.
Jaipur
Jaipur is like Symphony in Pink and is the capital of the state. Enact the roles of kings and queens as your family takes on a treasure hunt at Amer Fort. Decode the mysteries of celestial bodies at Jantar Mantar or hone your skill of bargaining as you haggle over the price of trinkets in the vibrant, lively bazaars. It is a nostalgic ride for elders and an encyclopaedic exposure. Located in the core of Old City, is the City Palace one of the most notable monuments of Jaipur. It is not just any attraction, where you can witness the grandeur of beauty and power. There are several buildings within the City Palace, including the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal which are worth seeing. Hawa Mahal is unlike any other place in Rajasthan. It is one of the most Insta-worthy places in Jaipur from where you can “peep through the Jharokhas”. These nine hundred and fifty-three windows with their intricate designes were used by Rajput women to observe all events and royal processions. Jal Mahal or water palace is one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Jaipur. It is a delicate piece of art, as it is evident through its picturesque location. The majestic palace is situated in the middle of Man Sagar Lake and it offers an illusion of floating atop the water. There are seating arrangements between the palace’s boundary wall and the road to enjoy the scenery, click selfies with the palace in the background, and buy souvenirs as mementos.
Ranthambore
Ranthambore is where the whole family can don the caps of explorers, as you set out on a thrilling tiger safari. It is not just about the tigers, but it is an entangled web of nature with other carnivores in the park such as leopards, hyenas, jackals, and a plethora of species of birds. The national park is located fourteen km from Sawai Madhopur and is surrounded by the Vindhyas and Aravalli hill ranges. It extends more than an area of 282.03 sq. km of deep forest with waterfalls and canals. There are three lakes in the park: Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab, and the Malik Talab area. Ranthambore is probably the best place to photograph a tiger in its natural dry deciduous habitat. The herbivorous population includes chital, chinkara, and Sambar deer. Sambar deer is the pride of the park and there is no park in Asia where these Asian deer can be spotted frequently during day time. Among the reptiles, crocodiles can be seen basking near the lake. The fort within the precinct of the national park provides a historical angle as you engage in storytelling sessions to know more about its history and legends.
Chittorgarh
An epic saga of resilience and bravery awaits you in Chittorgarh. It was once the capital of the kingdom of Mewar. Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India and also a world heritage site. The fort reverberates with stories of heroism and sacrifice and displays the Rajput culture and values in its very true sense. Considered the largest fort area-wise in Asia, it was built in the seventh century by Maurya rulers. It covers an area of seven hundred acres, extending to three km in length and thirteen km in peripheral length, and stands tall at a towering height of 180 m. This impregnable fort has witnessed three battles and is accessible through seven gates. The fort houses some great examples of Rajput architecture like Rana Kumbha Palace, Padmini Palace, Meerabai Temple, Kumbha Shyam Temple, and Neelkanth Mahadev. Vijay Stambh is a huge tower which was constructed between 1442 and 1449 AD by Rana Kumbha. It was built to commemorate the victory over Mahmud Khilji. This ten-foot-long tower is made by the combination of two rocks-red sandstone and marble. In total, there are nine stories in this fort and each has its balcony facing outwards. Kumbha Shyam Temple served as the private place of worship for Meera Bai. She spent long hours here and dedicated herself to Lord Vishnu. The temple has a “chattri” dedicated to her guru, Swami Ravidas and the markings of the footprints of Guru Ravidas have been preserved in this holy place. The idol of Varaha ( A boar’s head placed on a human body) dwells in the Kumbha Shyam Temple and has an Indo-Aryan pattern of architecture. The temple has a pyramidal structure on its interior roof and the archways are adorned with patterns and intersecting loops.
Keoladeo National Park
This national park is a world-renowned bird sanctuary in Rajasthan. It is located in Bharatpur and is home to around two hundred and thirty species. A large number of tourists and bird lovers visit this place as it is also a world heritage site. It is an important wintering ground for migratory waterfowl birds besides being the most important bird breeding and feeding ground. Earlier it was a royal hunting and game reserve for the Maharajas and the British. The national park is sprawled across an area of 2,873 hectares of woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and swamps. Several aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Siberia visit this park. It is the only region where the endangered Siberian Crane can be spotted during the winter.
Conclusion
Feel the grandeur and explore the royal side of this princely state as you visit these must-see places in Rajasthan. Take a look at the marvellous sanctums of rich history and heritage and make sure you visit as many as you can on your trip to Rajasthan.
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