cultural treasures waiting to be unlocked

Tourists experience riding on camel back across the Thar desert.

“Land of Kings”

Rajasthan, which means “Land of Kings,” was once home to dozens of independent princely states, each with its own distinct traditions and architecture. Even in modern times, the royal spirit still lingers in every city, every fort, every cup of Masala milk tea.

The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, is an ideal starting point for a journey of discovery . Built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur impresses with its distinctive pink colour - a symbol of hospitality. Strolling through the old streets, visitors will come across the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal) with 953 small windows, where ancient court ladies once watched the city without being revealed. The Amber Fort on the outskirts is a majestic symbol of Rajput architecture, which witnessed heroic battles and lavish festivals.

But Jaipur is more than just history. It is also a city of artisans, hand-printed fabrics, handmade jewellery, and captivating nightly folk dance performances at restored mansions turned heritage hotels.

About 330km from Jaipur, Jodhpur is like a hidden gem in the Thar desert. This city stands out with the blue color of thousands of houses in the old town - the color of peace and sacredness according to ancient concepts. From the top of Mehrangarh Fort - one of the greatest military structures in India, visitors can admire the panoramic view of the "sea of ​​blue houses" shining under the golden sunlight. Mehrangarh is not only a fortress, but also a living museum of Rajput history: from thrones, pottery, royal costumes to stories told through murals and epic poems. Just one afternoon here, you will feel like time has gone back a few centuries.

If Jaipur is a brilliant sunset, Jodhpur is a fairyland, then Udaipur is a gentle love song of moonlight and lakes. This city is known as the “Venice of the East” with a series of artificial lakes skillfully built since the 16th century. Lake Pichola is a precious gem, standing out with the floating Lake Palace in the middle of the lake, which has been the setting for Bollywood movies and the blockbuster “James Bond”.

A boat ride on Pichola at sunset is an experience not to be missed. The late afternoon sun reflects on the water, painting the palaces a golden hue, creating a scene that resembles a watercolor painting. Udaipur cuisine is also regal, with curries, toasts and spicy ginger tea served amid candlelight and traditional musical instruments.

Wild nature and unique experiences

Besides its cultural heritage, Rajasthan also attracts tourists with its wild nature and unique experiences. Among them are the national parks - which preserve the ecosystem typical of the dry land.

Ranthambore National Park, located at the foot of the Aravalli Range, is an ideal place to see Bengal tigers in their natural habitat. Originally a hunting ground for the maharajas of Jaipur, it is now open to visitors on safari tours – tours in specially designed vehicles.

The unique highlight of Ranthambore is the ancient fortress of the same name located right in the forest. The scene of morning mist lingering on the ruins of the citadel, the silhouettes of deer and elk by the lake, and the majestic roar of the king of the jungle will surely be an unforgettable memory for anyone.

Not far from Ranthambore, Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a sanctuary for birds. Recognized by UNESCO since 1985, Keoladeo is a nearly 3,000-hectare artificial wetland, home to about 370 species of native and migratory birds. In winter, tens of thousands of birds from the North (Siberia, Central Asia...) fly here to avoid the cold, turning the swamps into a vivid picture with all kinds of storks, cranes, ducks, kingfishers... Visitors can rent bicycles or sit in a rickshaw to ride around the forest trails, listening to the symphony of nature - the chirping of birds echoing in the acacia tree canopy.

Coming to Rajasthan, visitors not only enjoy the scenery but also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in unique cultural experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. One of them is a journey on camel back wandering in the vast Thar Desert. From Jaisalmer, camel tours take visitors along the traces of ancient caravans, crossing the golden sand dunes that stretch to the horizon. When the sun sets over the desert, the sky and the golden sand glow with magical shades of red and orange.

Visitors can spend the night in tents among the sand dunes, enjoy dinner around the fire and watch the graceful Kalbelia folk dance performance to the melodious sound of the sarangi. The Rajasthan night sky is full of stars, quiet and vast, giving the feeling of touching the wild soul of the earth and sky. If you come in October - November every year, visitors definitely cannot miss the Pushkar Camel Fair - the most unique cultural festival of Rajasthan. Taking place for 7 - 10 days around the full moon day of Kartik (November according to the Hindu calendar), the Pushkar Fair attracts hundreds of thousands of people from all over to the small town of Pushkar by the sacred lake.

At the end of a trip through Rajasthan, every visitor will surely have a deep impression. Rajasthan is not just a tourist destination, it is an emotional journey, a living history and a cultural treasure waiting to be discovered. This place is not for hurried trips. To truly “see” Rajasthan, you need to let yourself go with the rhythm of the sand, of folk instruments, of the gentle eyes behind the veils. And perhaps, like many people who have been there, you will carry a part of Rajasthan in your memory forever.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/rajasthan-kho-bau-van-hoa-cho-khai-mo-699744.html