Travel> Travelling to Rajasthan? Here's what you need to know

It may be of help that before planning a short trip to Rajasthan, that the state can be visited in three parts - Eastern, Southern and Western. This in turn can help you book your flight/ train/ bus tickets and do justice to the sight-seeing in Rajasthan. Also please note, there are loads of other places to visit here, but if it’s a short one week trip you are planning, then this is the way you can go about it.

I]Eastern Rajsathan - Jaipur, Ajmer, Pushkar, Ranthambore National Park etc.

1) Jaipur - it’s the capital of Rajasthan, also known as the Pink City. Flights are easier to get to Jaipur/ Udaipur from most metros in India. I had been to Jaipur several years ago and stayed at Khasa Kothi,its a beautiful place. If you get a chance, you must stay there for a night. It also houses the Govnt. of India Tourist Office (Phone - 0141-2372200).

In Jaipur you can see the: Hawa Mahal, Old City, Jantar Mantar, Central Museum, Royal Gaitor.

2) Ajmer - Its 130kms south-west of Jaipur and if you wish to visit Pushkar, then you have to go via Ajmer. It is one of the country's most important Muslim pilgrimages with the Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chisti. Ajmer is also home to the famous Mayo College. At Ajmer, you can see Ana Sagar, Dargah, Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra and Taragarh, Akbar's Palace and the Jain Temple - Nasiyan red Temple.

3) Pushkar – It is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre and probably one of the most popular tourist spots in Rajasthan and is famous for its Camel Fair. There's a Brahma Temple and Ghats at Pushkar for sightseeing.

II] Southern Rajasthan - Bundi, Kota, Udaipur, Mount Abu etc.

1)Udaipur is lovely. You can see the Lake Pichola, Jagniwas Island, Jagmandir Island,City Palace Museum etc. Western Rajasthan includes Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. Jodhpur is known for its forts, Meherangarh, clock tower and markets, Umaid Bhawan Palace and the Museum.

2) Mt. Abu – It’s the only hill station in Rajasthan. October- November is the peak season as that’s the time all families visit this place during the Diwali vacations. At Mt. Abu, you can visit Nakki Lake, Sunset Point, Dilwara Temples or go for treks.

III] Western Rajasthan – Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner etc.

1) Jodhpur is known for its forts, Meherangarh, clock tower and markets, Umaid Bhawan Palace and Museum.

2) Jaisalemer is another popular tourist spot. There's the Jaisalmer Fort, Jain temples, Laxminath Temple, havelis and the government museum.

Happy traveling.