20 Interesting Facts About Rajasthan That Will Surprise You
Sucheta Pradhan
Royal vibe, breathtaking architecture, lip-smacking cuisine, vibrant landscape, flamboyant attire, and friendly people – take a peek into Rajasthan, the most magnificent and colorful state of India!
#1: Rajasthan in Northern India is the largest Indian state by area and the 7th largest by population.
#2: Rajasthan’s topography is a rich potpourri of unproductive region in the west and fertile land in the east. From sandy desert and soaring mountains to mesmerizing rivers & lakes and prolific vegetation, the state has it all!
#3: Rajasthan has a long and continuous history from the Chalcolithic Age, followed by the Indus Valley Civilization, the Vedic Civilization, the Classical period, and then most glorious medieval period boasting rich Rajput culture.
#4: The town of Kalibangan in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district has the world’s earliest known ploughing field.
#5: The name “Rajasthan” literally means the “land of kings”. A stone inscription from the region, dating back to 625 A.D., contains the oldest known reference to the name.
#6: On 30 March 1949, the region of the British dependencies of Rajputana were merged with the Dominion of India, thus forming Rajasthan with Jaipur as its capital.
#7: Rajasthan, by far, is the most color-coordinated state in India. Jaipur is the pink city, Jodhpur is the blue city, Udaipur is the white city, Jaisalmer is the golden city and Jhalawar is the purple city.
#8: Perhaps the most iconic symbol of Rajasthan is the famous Hawa Mahal. Located in Jaipur, the red and pink sandstone structure has 953 small windows adorned with intricate latticework.
#9: India’s only river with saline water, the Luni river, flows through Rajasthan’s Thar Desert and ends in Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch.
#10: Rajasthan is also home to India’s largest saltwater lake, the Sambhar Salt Lake. The lake is a major source for Rajasthan’s salt production.
#11: Rajasthan is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites viz., Keoladeo National Park, Jantar Mantar of Jaipur, and Hill Forts of Rajasthan that comprise Chittor, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amer, and Jaisalmer forts.
#12: The 17th-century Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan’s Alwar district has been declared the most haunted site in India. The Archaeological Survey of India has officially prohibited all visitors to enter the fort premises before sunrise and after sunset.
#13: The Kuldhara village in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district is another well-known haunted place in India. Legend says that it was abandoned overnight in the 1800s, owing to a curse from its original inhabitants.
#14: The town of Pushkar in Rajasthan has the only known Brahma temple in the world. The town also hosts one of the largest cattle fairs in India, known as the “Pushkar Fair”. Both, the temple and the fair, are major tourist attractions.
#15: Located in the Deshnok town of Rajasthan’s Bikaner district, the Karni Mata Temple is one of the most unique pilgrimage sites in India. It is home to over 25,000 rats, which are considered sacred in the region.
#16: Pokhran village in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district was the site for India’s successful underground nuclear weapon tests, first in 1974 and then again in 1998.
#17: If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, Rajasthan is just the place for you. The state boasts a staggering twenty-five wildlife sanctuaries and five national parks.
#18: One of the best heritage hotels in the world is in Rajasthan. The Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is not only a delight for people wanting to spend a lavish holiday, but also a much sought-after destination for a big, fat royal destination wedding.
#19: The white marble used to build the Taj Mahal was quarried from Makrana city of Rajasthan’s Nagaur district.
#20: Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan is located in the world's oldest Aravalli mountain ranges. It is home to the world-famous Dilwara Temples, a major pilgrimage site for the Jains.