The sibling festivities of Raksha Bandhan will be held on August 19, 2024 (Monday) this year. For many people, it will be a much-welcomed long weekend that stretches from Independence Day (Thursday, August 15) onwards, meaning there is no better time to get out of your home for a quick trip. We recommend Rajasthan for your travel itinerary as the monsoon makes parts of the state cooler and greener.
Here are five offbeat places to visit in Rajasthan for the Raksha Bandhan long weekend.
Karauli is steadily emerging onto the tourist scene because of its decorated havelis, peaceful shrines, picturesque views and imprinted chhatris that dot the entire city. It rings with Mughal architectural panache and its pale red sandstone walls which surround the city make it pleasing to the eye, especially at dawn and dusk. Apart from its royal history, Karauli offers visitors a rural and tranquil ambience and a warm hospitality that echoes the hospitality of old Rajasthani culture.
Visit the Kaila Devi Temple which is considered to be one of nine Shakti Peethas; the Madan Mohan Ji Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna; the Kaila Devi sanctuary where you can spy nilgai, chinkaras, leopards, jackals, kingfishers and sandpipers; Timangarh Fort, whose structure is made up of ancient ashtadathu (eight metals); and the Chattri of Raja Gopal Singh which is beautifully adorned with fresco paintings.
Jhalawar is known for its rich natural wealth of flora and fauna. Unlike other cities of Rajasthan, it has a rocky but water-laden verdant landscape. Red poppy fields and orange orchards are strewn across this town, lending it a colourful look. The latter also contributes a major share to the production of citrus in the country.
The place has a varied cultural heritage that includes many forts and palaces from the Rajput and Mughal periods. Visit the ancient Buddhist caves located in Kolvi village which is 90km away. A colossal figure of Buddha and the carved stupas of the cave are some of the finest examples of Indian art. Also, check out Garh Palace which was built by Maharaj Rana Madan Singh and his successors from 1838-1854; the Jhalawar Government Museum which has a fine collection of rare paintings, manuscripts and idols; the Bhawani Natyashala, one of India’s most unusual theatres which was constructed in 1921; the iconic Padmanabha or Sun Temple; and the calming herbal garden near the Dwarkadhish Temple.
Famous for its sand dunes, Khuri is a small village about 50km south-west of Jaisalmer. There are fewer hordes of tourists who come here, making it a peaceful getaway far from the hustle and bustle of city life. Stay at the Khuri Resort, a luxurious accommodation located in the heart of the Thar Desert, for traditional Rajasthani dance programs, a camel safari experience across the beautiful desert landscape and a delicious Rajasthani dinner under the stars.
Also make time for a trip to the Desert National Park, one of India’s largest. The major landform here consists of craggy rocks, compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes. Despite the fragile ecosystem, it harbours an abundance of both migratory and resident birds, including short-toed eagles, tawny eagles, laggar falcons, kestrels and the great Indian bustard.
The “Granite City” is famous for its quarries which produce some of the finest granite in the world. Believed to have been founded in the 8th century, it was originally called Jabalipur in honour of Maharishi Jabali. The main attraction here is Jalore Fort, which is perched atop a steep hill at a height of about 336m and offers exquisite views of the city below. The highlights of the fort are its fortified walls and bastions with cannons mounted upon them.
The city is also famous for the Sundha Mata Temple which was built around 900 years ago and is sacred to the devotees of the goddess Chamunda Devi. The design of the temple pillars is reminiscent of those of the Dilwara Temple in Mount Abu. You should also check out Malik Shah’s Mosque. Commissioned by Ala-Ud-Din-Khilji during his reign over Jalore, the mosque is particularly distinct for its architectural style and is believed to have been inspired by buildings found in Gujarat.
The town of Mandawa is a hidden gem that is often referred to as Rajasthan's “Open Art Gallery.” It is a living museum where exquisite frescoes and beautifully adorned havelis will capture your eye, which is why many Hindi movies have been filmed here like “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” and “Jab We Met.” Tour the Mandawa Haveli, whose vibrant frescos depict regional folktales, culture and history; the Murmuria Haveli, which has two paintings of Venetian gondolas in its southern courtyard; the Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli with its beautifully carved wooden doors and latticed windows; and the Chokhani Double Haveli which has floral arabesques and peacock paintings above its archways. The Durbar Hall of Mandawa Fort, which was built by Thakur Nawal Singh Bahadur and is now a converted hotel, is worth checking out, too.