Hidden Gems of Rajasthan: Beyond The Major Tourist Attractions

Rajasthan is a treasure trove of history and one can spend years trying to unearth its hidden gems. Every time I visit a new place, I get blown away with the history, architecture, culture, tradition and beauty of the place. Bundi, for example, had that kind of effect on me. I’d never heard of the place earlier – a friend had organised the trip and I had just blindly followed! The experience made me curious...forcing me to look for more of these hidden gems of Rajasthan.

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Bundi

This quaint little picture perfect city boasts of a towering fort that has never been conquered, a palace with amazing frescos and mirrors, over 50 baoris (step wells) with the most magnificent architecture, the Nawal Sagar Lake. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Take a day trip out of the city and you’ll see some real hidden beauties of Rajasthan - pre-historic rock paintings, a beautiful waterfall straight out of the sets of a Hollywood movie, humongous rock formations and some old temples.

Distance: Delhi via Jaipur and Tonk - 465 kilometres OR via Alwar and Ranthambore - 475 kilometres

While on the road: You could also visit Kota - 35 kilometres

Airport: Jaipur (210 kilometres), Udaipur (261 kilometres)

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Railway Station: Bundi

Stay: Nawal Sagar Palace

Eat: Hotel Nawal Sagar and Out of the Blue restaurant for Continental cuisine

Tip: Remember to slot at least 45 minutes for service at restaurants as the food is freshly made and worth the wait!

Another tip: Contact Kukkiji on +91 98284 04527, +91 90010 00188 - he is possibly the best guide you could have for a day trip outside Bundi.

Narlai, Pali

Right in the heart of the Aravalli Hills, Narlai is midway between Jodhpur and Udaipur. Old havelis have been converted in to hotels for you to enjoy the wilderness like the Jodhpur royal family did. Fortunately, unlike them, the only wildlife shooting you’ll get a chance to do is with your camera. So, take a jeep safari and hope to spot deer, chitals and leopards. Visit handicraft centres to see locals craft textiles and durries being made. Trek around the area or just sit back like a royal and enjoy authentic Rajasthan cuisine. You must also visit the Adinath and Lord Shiva temples in the area to see fine mural work.

Distance: Delhi via Jaipur and Ajmer - 590 kilometres

While on the road: You could also visit Kumbhalgarh Fort - 50 kilometres, Jodhpur - 144 kilometres, Udaipur - 123 kilometres

Airport: Jodhpur (144 kilometres)

Book Your Flight to Jodhpur

Railway Station: Falna (45 kilometres)

Stay: WelcomHeritage Sardar Samand Palace

Eat: Stepwell at the Rawla Narlai

Kumbhalgarh Fort

Just about 50 kilometres from Narlai stands the highest, almost invincible and most formidable fort of the Mewar region. Built in the 15^th century by Rana Kumbha, Kumbhalgarh is the birth place of Maharana Pratap. This glorious fort is testimony of the valour of the Rajputs and how even the mighty Mughals couldn’t capture it alone! Kumbhalgarh Fort is protected by 13 mountain peaks of the Aravalis. The entrance is through seven imposing gates. A 36 kilometre wall, second only to the Great Wall of China, surrounds the fort. It’s 15 feet thick, broad enough for eight horses to ride alongside each other. There are 360 temples within the walls of the fort. Despite being 700 years old, Kumbhalgarh Fort is still intact and in good shape, truly making it one of the hidden gems of Rajasthan.

From atop the walls of this great fort, you can see the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, known to shelter many endangered species of wildlife. Take a jeep safari to see leopards, panthers, hyenas, wolves, toddy cats, crocodiles, wild boars, bears and more.

Distance from: Jodhpur - 180 kilometres, Udaipur - 100 kilometres

While on the road: You could also visit Ranakpur Jain Temple (40 kilometres). The temple opens at 6 am and photography is only allowed after 12 noon.

Airport: Udaipur

​Book Your Flight to Udaipur

Railway Station: Falna (50 kilometres)

Eat: At any of the bigger hotels

Tip: Don’t miss the sound and light show at the fort in the evening.

Mandawa

Historically, Mandawa was on the famous Silk Route to China and many rich merchants built havelis and adorned them with gorgeous paintings of folk, social, religious and historical themes on the internal and external walls. Because of these paintings, Mandawa is now referred to as an ‘Open Air Art Gallery’. The Mandawa Castle is also an impressive building worth a visit. Made in white marble, blues and reds, each room has been decorated with frescos and antique furniture. This castle has been converted in to a hotel so here is your chance to live life king size!

Distance: Delhi - 270 kilometres

While on the road: You could also visit Mahansar (26 kilometres)

Airport: Jaipur (170 kilometres)

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Railway Station: Jhunjhunu (30 kilometres)

Stay: Udai Villas Palace

Eat: Paawana Restaurant, Monica Rooftop Restaurant

Tip: Artisans in the city have managed to recreate replicas of old paintings on paper and cloth. They make great souvenirs from your visit to Mandawa. You can shop at the government emporium or at private shops. Either way, but don’t forget to haggle!

Mahansar

Known for the Sone-Chandi ki Dukan dating back to 1846, the town boasts of five havelis that adorn intricate gold leaf paintings. The havelis have three vaulted ceilings with beautiful paintings of scenes from the Ramayan, incarnations of Vishnu and the life of Krishna. The walls are also beautifully decorated with meenakari work in floral and tree motifs and figures of birds that are still as vibrant as if painted yesterday!

Distance: Delhi - 276 kilometres

While on the road: You could also visit Fatehpur - 27 kilometres

Airport: Jaipur (188 kilometres)

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Railway Station: Churu (22 kilometres)

Stay: Mahansar Fort Heritage Hotel, Narayan Niwas Castle

Eat: At the hotel

Tip: Try the popular heritage liquor known as Mahansar wine.

Manwar Desert Camp and Resort

Stay right in the heart of the desert, choosing between a camp site, a resort or even a private camping ground all to yourself! Manwar has all these options for you to choose from. Having created a green oasis in the desert, the Manwar Camp and Resort gives you the feel of living in a village settlement with the desert landscape as its backdrop. The only pollutant here is the chitter chatter of birds and the food is to die for. A fantastic blend of the modern with the traditional, the resort has a pool and massage rooms overlooking a small sanctuary. Camel rides, visits to village homes, driving on the dunes and camp fires add the experience. This really is one of those hidden gems of Rajasthan just waiting to be explored!

Distance: Delhi via Jhunjhunu and Fatehpur - 663 kilometres

While on the road: You could also visit Jodhpur - 110 kilometres, Jaisalmer - 175 kilometres

Airport: Jodhpur

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Railway Station: Jodhpur

Eat: At Manwar Camp and Resort

Tip: As it’s located on the Jodhpur-Jaisalmer highway, Manwar Camp and Resort is a great place to stop and break your journey. If you’re in a hurry, you can just drop in for lunch.

Kuchaman

Kuchaman is another historical city that has a lot to offer. The Kuchaman Fort, perched 1100-feet high up on a cliff, has a rich collection of inlay work in gold, glass and semi-precious stones and a Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), which is stunning. Parts of the Bollywood movie Jodha Akbar were shot at the fort.

The Meera Mahal is dedicated to the great poet-saint Meerabai, with stories of her love for Lord Krishna depicted through miniature paintings. The Jai Mahal (water palace) was specially conceptualised to give queens and princesses privacy, with hidden swimming pools. One of them is underground and is even temperature controlled for a really royal feel. The Sabha Prakash (citizens’ court) is beautifully decorated with semi-precious stones adorning the walls.

Distance: Delhi - 344 kilometres

Airport: Jaipur (130 kilometres), Jodhpur (255 kilometres)

Book Your Flight to Jaipur

Railway Station: Kuchaman

Stay: The Kuchaman Fort

Eat: Kuchaman Haveli Restaurant and at The Kuchaman Fort

I hope you’ve been inspired and manage to take time out from your busy schedule to travel and explore some of these hidden gems of Rajasthan. I’m sure you’ll discover many more and I’d love to hear about them from you. On a final note,  the best time to visit any place in Rajasthan is between October and March. Enjoy your trip!

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