India’s largest state, Rajasthan, located throughout the vast Thar Desert- which is also known as the “Great Indian Desert” – is considered to be the most colorful region of the country, and is famous for its palaces.
Jaipur, the capital which is also known as the Pink City, forms the Golden Triangle, alongside with Agra and New Delhi, appointing it as a very important remark in India for every tourist. The City Palace, initially built in the 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh II, ruler of Amber, is a complex that gathers the Chandra Mahal, the Mubarak Mahal as well as the Maharani Palace. Standing majestically on the edge of the complex is the Hawa Mahal, which is constructed in red and pink sandstone and designed in the shape of Krishna’s crown. And, in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, situates the Jal Mahal.
The historic capital of the Mewar Kingdom, Udaipur, is a picturesque city surrounded by palaces and lake. The City Palace, on the east bank of the Lake Pichola, is considered the biggest of its kind in the state. Providing a panoramic view over the city and other monuments such as the Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, it was built under a fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles.
Another most important city of the state is Jodhpur, the former capital of the Marwar Kingdom. Known as the “Sun City”-because of its bright and sunny weather – as well as the “Blue City”- for the blue colored houses- it has the Mehrangarh Fort on the top of the hill and has beautifully decorated palaces, such as Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. One of the world’s largest private residences is the Umaid Bhawar Palace and, at the time, the 20s, it was built to fight the famine that was hitting the city, employing thousands of people.
Jaisalmer, a World Heritage Site, is located in the heart of the Thar Desert, and so, because of its yellow sand and the use of yellow sandstone in its architecture, it is called the “The Golden City”. The Jaisalmer Fort, that crowns the city, is one of the largest fortifications in the world and dates back to the 12th century.
The palaces that compose Rajasthan are innumerous, contributing to the rich cultural heritage left by the kingdoms that were once spread around the state and that make this one of the sort out places to visit in India.
