Places to visit in Rajasthan: best time, food and festivals

Places to see

Amber Fort, Jaipur

Jaipur

Hilltop fort-palace of mirrors and courtyards above Maota lake.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Udaipur

City of lakes, with the City Palace rising over Lake Pichola.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer

Living golden sandstone fort; dunes of Sam lie nearby.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

Jodhpur

Massive fort above the blue city.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Pushkar

Ajmer

Holy lake town with a rare Brahma temple and the November camel fair.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Ranthambore National Park

Sawai Madhopur

Tigers roaming among the ruins of a hill fort.

Best time: Oct–Jun

Hills

Mount Abu

Sirohi

Rajasthan’s only hill station, with the marble Dilwara temples.

Best time: Oct–Jun

Chittorgarh Fort

Chittorgarh

One of India’s largest forts, a UNESCO site.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Kumbhalgarh

Rajsamand

Hill fort whose walls run for 36 km across the Aravallis.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Bikaner

Junagarh Fort, havelis and the famous Bikaneri bhujia.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Ranakpur Jain Temple

Pali

Marble temple with 1,444 uniquely carved pillars.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Heritage

Bundi

Blue lanes, stepwells and a palace with fine murals.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Wildlife

Keoladeo National Park

Bharatpur

Wetland bird sanctuary best explored by bicycle.

Best time: Oct–Feb

Food to try in Rajasthan

Dal baati churma, Ghewar, Laal maas.

Crafts and products

Blue pottery, Bandhani.

Festivals

Jaipur Literature Festival, Jaipur: Usually late Jan. One of the world’s largest free literary festivals.
Desert Festival, Jaisalmer: Usually Feb (full moon of Magh). Camel races, folk music and turban-tying contests on the Sam dunes.
Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar: Oct–Nov (ends on Kartik Purnima). Camel trading, races and folk performances by the holy lake.

Timings, permits and prices change. Check official sources before you travel.