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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists walk in 'Saheliyon-Ki-Badi' garden in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Saheliyon-Ki-Badi is an ornamental garden built by Sangram Singh II in 1710 for the entertainment of the royal ladies.

Rajasthan is a vibrant, exotic state where tradition and royal glory meet in a riot of colours against the vast backdrop of sand and desert.

It has an unusual diversity in its entire forms - people, customs, culture, costumes, music, manners, dialects, cuisine and physiography.

Let's take a look at amazing Rajasthan.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A tourist rests inside the City Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The City Palace contains many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils.

The land is endowed with invincible forts, magnificent palace havelis, rich culture and heritage, beauty and natural resources.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists stand at the City Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

It is a land rich in music, dance, art, craft and adventure, a land that never ceases to intrigue and enchant.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists stand in a queue outside the entrance of the City Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

There is a haunting air of romance, about the state, which is palpable in its every nook and corner.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A general view of the City Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

This abode of kings is one of the most exotic locales for tourist world over.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists stand at the City Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

The state has not only survived in all its ethnicity but owes its charisma and colour to its enduring traditional way of life.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A view of the Meharangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The fort was built by Rao Jodhaa in 1459 and it is situated about 400-feet above the city with 117-feet high walls that dominate the surrounding plains.

So rich is the history of the land that every roadside village has its own tales of valour and sacrifice, the winds sing them and the sands shift to spread them.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A band plays music for the guests at the Meharangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The panoramic outlook of the state is simply mesmerizing, with lofty hills of Aravali's - one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world and the golden sand dunes of the Great Indian Desert - the only desert of the subcontinent.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists stand beside medieval cannons at the Meharangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

No other region in the country is a conglomeration of so many paradoxes.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Guests walk through the lobby of Umaid Bhawan Palace also operating as a five-star deluxe hotel in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The palace is named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present Maharaja of Jodhpur, this monument has 347 rooms and also serves as the residence of the Jodhpur royal family.

It is a land of superlatives, everything over here is breathtakingly beautiful, impressive and fascinating.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A view of the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The state is well connected with other parts of the country and can be easily approached from Delhi and Mumbai.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A man with a video camera takes pictures of the ceiling of Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur Rajasthan.

Fast trains, direct bus and air connections make travel easy and comfortable.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
An artisan arranges puppets for sale at the Jaisalmer Fort at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The Jaisalmer Fort was built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal.

A visit to this wonderland will leave a lasting spell on your mind.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
People sit in front the 'Patwa Haveli' in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The Patwa Haveli is a cluster of five small havelis and are also known as the mansion of brocade merchants.

In fact, one visit is not enough to capture the real essence of this magical land.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists visit Jantar Mantar, a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, in Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan. The name Jantar Mantar is derived from instrument for formula on context calculation as this observatory consists of 14 major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits, ascertaining the declinations of planets, and determining the celestial altitudes and related ephemeredes.

Rajasthan is a destination that defies definition.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists visit the Amber Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The structure known as Amber Fort contains several spectacular buildings and is actually the palace built by the great conqueror Raja Man Singh I who ruled from 1590-1614 AD.

The land of massive forts, sprawling palaces and intricately carved temples of colourful tribes and brave warriors, of unrivalled form of arts and crafts, unique dance and music traditions is changing at rapid pace.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A view of the 'Jal Mahal' also known as 'Water Palace' in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Jal Mahal was built by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 AD in the midst of the Man Sagar Lake and the lake was formed by constructing a dam between the two hills.

Its vast network of museums in large and small towns, archaeological sites and the recently opened museums and art galleries in the palaces of erstwhile rulers of old states help to preserve this great heritage for posterity.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Commuters move in front of 'Hawa Mahal' also known as 'Palace of Winds' in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, designed by Lal Chand Usta in the form of the crown of Hindu Lord Krishna and have five stories and is constructed of red and pink sandstone. The side facing the street outside the palace complex has 953 small windows.

Rajasthani's love for colour and joyous celebrations is proved by the elaborate rituals and the gay abandon with which it surrenders itself to the numerous fairs and festivals of the region.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists stand at the Amber Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The structure known as Amber fort contains several spectacular buildings and is actually the palace built by Raja Man Singh I who ruled from 1590-1614 AD.

Jaipur is 260km from Delhi and 240km from Agra and forms the golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A mahout sits atop his decorated elephant in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

It a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trappings of a modern metropolis but yet flavoured strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists stand at the Amber fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The old Jaipur painted in pink can grip any visitor with admiration.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A tourist takes pictures at the Meharangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The Meharangarh Fort was built by Rao Jodhaa in 1459 and it is situated about 400-feet above the city with 117-feet high walls that dominate the surrounding plains. The parts of the palaces and buildings inside the fort complex are converted into museums.

This bustling desert city is the second-largest in Rajasthan after Jaipur. It was founded by Rao Jodha, the leader of the Rathore clan, in 1459 AD.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A Rajasthani artisan plays music at the entrance of the Meharangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The mammoth, imposing fortress (Meherangarh) has a landscape dominating a rocky ridge with the eight gates leading out of fortress. The new city is outside the structure.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A view of the historic town of Jodhpur is seen from the Meharangarh Fort in Rajasthan.

Rao Jodha founded the fort in 1459 but subsequent rulers of Jodhpur have also added to it over the centuries. A meandering road leads to the from the city 5km below.

Battle scars of canon ball hit by attacking armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the second gate.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A view from inside the City Palace is seen at Udaipur in Rajasthan.

Udaipur is often called 'Venice of the East'. It is also the 'city of lakes'. The Lake Palace (Jag Niwas) located in the middle of Pichola Lake is the finest example of architectural and cultural marvel.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists stand in front of Meharangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The mixture and brilliance of Rajasthan's architectural heritage can amaze a visitor. Majestic forts, intricately carved temples and havelis (meaning mansion) and even step wells make Rajasthan a paradise for an architecture buff.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
A man sits inside his shop of Hukkas at the Meharangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The desert State of Rajasthan is a land of irony and extremes. It is also home to some of India's most romantic cities.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists walk inside the Meharangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Today the structures defy time to tell the story of gallantry, courage and tragedy of the bygone era and its story of survival in the harsh Thar Desert.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Guests have their food in the dinning hall of the City Palace in Udaipur in Rajasthan.

Some of the prominent structures that represent the architectural heritage of Rajasthan are Jantar Mantar, Dilwara Temples, Chittaurgarh Fort, Lake Palace Hotel, City Palace and Jaisalmer havelis.

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Amazing images of beautiful Rajasthan

Last updated on: April 3, 2012 15:02 IST
Tourists take camel ride on the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large arid region in the northwestern part of the subcontinent.

Rajasthan has a large indigenous populace - The Meo and Minas (Minawati) in Alwar, Jaipur, Bharatpur and Dholpur areas.