Rajasthan
Introduction
Folklore of heroism and romance resound from the formidable monuments that majestically stand to tell the tale of a bygone era. The magic of vibrant Rajasthan - its rich heritage, colourful culture, exciting desert safaris, shining sand-dunes, amazing variety lush forests and varied wildlife - makes it a destination nonpareil. Rajasthan is often portrayed as one vast open-air museum, with its relics so well preserved that it delights even the most skeptical traveller.
It is an incredible destination for the outdoor-tourist - take a safari on horses, camels, elephants or even in jeeps, with the Aravalis - India's oldest mountain range as the backdrop. Feast your eyes on spectacular sand-dunes, take the tiger trail, or just watch the birds in the wetlands. You can also choose to pamper yourself in the lavish heritage properties. Rajasthan has something for everyone - one just has to choose an activity appropriate to one's temperament.
Tourist Attraction
Hill Stations
Mount Abu
During the period of the Maharaja's, it was used as a place of leisure by the royalties and semi-royalties. The place presents an interesting contrast of British style bungalows and holiday lodges of the royals (Thikhana) with various tribal communities residing amidst the thick lush forest on the hills surrounding the region. Mount Abu is recognized the world over for its magnificent Jain temples. No visit to Abu can be complete without a trip to the famed Delwara temples. These temples are the greatest draw of Abu, apart from its salubrious clime.
More on Mount Abu (External website that opens in a new window)
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Keoladeo Ghana National Park
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, commonly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is one of the finest bird parks in the world. It is one of the smallest parks in the country, but one of the finest bird parks in the world. This magnificent bird haven in actual came into being paradoxically as a duck shooting preserve for Maharaja Suraj Mal of Bharatpur. He transformed the shallow depression formed by the confluence of river Gambhir and river Banganga into a reservoir by damming the rainwater in monsoons. Flooding of water created shallow wetland ecosystem causing it to be a perfect habitat for an astounding variety of birds.
More on Keoladeo Ghana National Park (External website that opens in a new window)
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is in Sawai Madhopur District of Rajasthan state. Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve is located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill range, this is one of the finest places to view animals, especially as they are used to being stared at here. The park covers an area of Approximately 400 sq Km and if combined it with the area of Sawai Man Singh sanctuary area, it is around 500 Sq km. Ranthambore national park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection of "Project Tiger". It got its status of a National Park in 1981.
The tiger is not the only attraction at Ranthambhor. A variety of birds including owlets, the ubiquitous langur (monkey), leopard, caracal, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, marsh crocodiles, wild boar, bears and various species of deer are the other attractions. A significant geological feature within the park is the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhaya plateau meets the Aravali range. The Rivers Chambal in the South and the Banas in the north bound the National Park. The park is dotted with steep rocky hills and the dominating architecture of Ranthambhor Fort (built in the 10th century), adds to its landscape.
More on Ranthambore National Park (External website that opens in a new window)
Sariska Tiger Reserve
Sariska Tiger Reserve lies in the Alwar district of the Rajasthan state of India. It is prime tiger country. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and came under the "Project Tiger" as a Sariska tiger reserve in 1979. The forest is typical dry deciduous, dramatically changing with the change in season. Dhok (Anogeissus pendula) is the dominant tree species covering over 90 per cent area of the forest. Boswellia serreta and Lannea coromandelica grow at rocky patches. Kattha (Acacia Catechu) and Bamboo are common in the valleys.
The Northern Aravali Hills dominate the skyline with their mixture of sharp cliffs and long narrow valleys. The landscape of Sariska comprises of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravali hill range. Sariska Park is home to numerous carnivores including Leopard, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Hyena, Jackal, and Tiger. These feed on an abundance of prey species such as Sambar, Chitel, Nilgai, Chausingha, Wild Boar and Langur. Sariska is also well known for its large population of Rhesus Monkeys, which are found in large numbers around Talvriksh.
More on Sariska Tiger Reserve (External website that opens in a new window)
Desert National Park
The Desert National Park is situated in the West Indian state of Rajasthan near Jaisalmer. This is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3100 sq. km. The desert sanctuary being a fragile ecosystem has its own flora and fauna.
Birdlife in this sandy habitat is vivid & spectacular. The great Indian bustard is another magnificent bird found in relatively fair numbers. It migrates locally in different seasons. The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. One can see many eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel and vultures. Short- toed eagles, tawny eagles, spotted eagles, lagger falcons and kestrels are the commonest of these. Sandgrouses are spotted near small ponds or lakes. Sea shells and massive fossilized tree trunks in this park record the geological history of the desert.
Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on: 20-02-2010 
