Sun, Sand, Serenity: The Best Time to Visit Rajasthan Is Now

There is scarcely a soul full of wanderlust that will not want to visit the magnificent, multi-faceted Rajasthan.

There is scarcely a soul full of wanderlust that will not want to visit the magnificent, multi-faceted Rajasthan. A State with history full of legends of art, valour, thrilling battles, high culture, education, clannish enmity and foreign invaders vying for the region’s palaces, forts and mansions…what’s not to love about Rajasthan?

The State has managed to maintain many of its historical landmarks to this day. Chief among these are the various palaces and forts built by a succession of Rajput and Mewari kings, some of which are modern day 5-star hotels and museums – most can be visited by the general public.

The word ‘Rajasthan’ is derived from the two Hindi words ‘Raja’ meaning ‘King’ and ‘Sthan’ which means ‘Land’. Literally, ‘Rajasthan’ means ‘Land of the Kings’. The sobriquet comes from the time of the famous Indus Valley Civilisation spanning Rajasthan and Gujarat, to the time of the Indian Independence. There has been a veritable parade of kings and fearsome empires from this State, but also some of the earliest finds of mankind dating back to the Harappan Civilisation.

Before the Mughals and the British ruled the State, Rajasthan was ruled by tribes like the Bishnois, Gurjars, Jats, Yadavs, Rajputs, Bhils, Meenas, Meghwals, Sainis and Sermals. All of them left a distinct mark on the history of the region, whether it be trade or architecture.

Geographically, Rajasthan is the largest Indian State and comprises such famous landmarks as the Thar Desert. Pre-Independence, it was one of the most important political and cultural centres for the British Raj in India.

Like a few other Indian territories it was merged into the Indian Republic in 1949, after the region’s rulers decided to align with India instead of remaining a sovereign State.

The Best Time to Visit Rajasthan

It is not always easy to predict the best time to visit Rajasthan. The decision cannot be made lightly – what works for you might not work for another! There really isn’t a generic approach to this issue, so let’s break it down season-wise:

* Visiting Rajasthan in the Summer: The summer season is the harshest season in Rajasthan. The day time temperatures may routinely go over 40⁰C and the air is extremely dry. The dreaded hot and dry winds that blow from the desert towards the mainland are witnessed during this time. They carry a lot of loose sand that can irritate your nasal passages and throat, while the dry heat in the wind can crack your skin. Most visitors report dehydration, skin rashes, digestive issues and even vision problems in the harsh sunlight and arid climate during the summer season. Though there are tourists visiting the State during this time as well, it is often not the best time to visit Rajasthan if the hot weather conditions are going to bother you or your loved ones. Trust us, you have to be made of hardy stuff if you want to visit Rajasthan at say, the peak of May, and complete your sightseeing as planned. Ideally, we recommend waiting to visit Rajasthan in the latter half of the year.

* Visiting Rajasthan in the Monsoon: Rajasthan does not experience a heavy monsoon season, being a desert State. However, the months between June and September are generally not preferred by many tourists. It does rain sporadically, but its unpredictability can be a dampener for your sightseeing plans. With less footfalls and most people staying away, you will not find many adventure activities and cultural events taking place during the monsoon season.. However, most of the tourist spots are open and operators are happy to offer tours on a discount. Even restaurants and hotels offer lower tariffs during this time, which is a big upside. Flight tickets can also be booked quite easily without waiting for good deals.

* Visiting Rajasthan in the Winter: Being a desert State, Rajasthan shows extremes of temperature. The scorching summer in the months of March to June, gives way to a chilly winter in the months of November to February. It is not uncommon for the mercury to dip below 0⁰C during the severe winter months. But there is never an incidence of snowfall in Rajasthan, but there may be frost in some places. The cities routinely experience smog due to vehicular congestions during the winter season – this reduces day time visibility considerably. However, the start of winter in October is the best time to visit Rajasthan. The start of the winter is also the peak tourist season here, so you might have to book your flights and resort at least two months in advance to avoid a last minute disappointment.

Is Rajasthan Really Worth a Visit?

Anybody who knows even a little about this beautiful desert State will want to go to Rajasthan. So yes, Rajasthan is certainly well worth a visit. In fact, everybody will enjoy it to a large extent, when you combine sightseeing with enough recreation activities in the evening. We present a few reasons for you to consider going, in case you are still undecided:

* It Is Full of Historical Monuments in All Its Cities: Rajasthan holds the distinction of having the highest number of palaces and forts in the country. Every city, from Jaipur to Udaipur, has many ancient palaces, mansions, temples and forts to boast of. And many of them are in good condition and can be visited by the general public. Not only are some of the forts impregnable, but the palaces were created in local Rajasthani architectural style, with some crafted in Mughal styles as well. They are truly representative of the rulers of their time, and the cultural influences that followed. Visiting these places gives you a perspective of how royalty lived in olden times.

* You Can Walk Through Actual Deserts: If your only experience with deserts thus far has been from watching them on your TV screen, then a trip to Rajasthan will get you inside actual deserts. Taking a desert tour is one of the best things to do in Rajasthan. Check out the great Thar Desert is here, as well as smaller ones in Bikaner and Jaisalmer. You can take a desert safari in Jaisalmer – book the tour with a reputed Rajasthan tourism guide – and take a look at the hauntingly beautiful desert that the whole family will enjoy. Be sure to wrap yourself in loose cotton clothing, taking care to wear a scarf around your face and sunglasses to keep the sand out of your nose and eyes. There is also a famous desert festival in January and February every year in Jaisalmer every year, which is the best time to visit Rajasthan if you like cultural events.

* There Is a Lot of Wildlife to Look At: You will be left astounded at the variety of wildlife in Rajasthan. Peacocks are commonplace in many places, and you can see them casually crossing the street or sitting majestically on tree branches. But there are some large zoos and wildlife sanctuaries to check out in this State as well. You can visit sanctuaries and zoos in cities like Alwar, Jaisalmer, Ranthambore, Kota, Kumbhalgarh, etc. Your children will love these excursions – the best time to visit Rajasthan for its wildlife is at the start of the winter months, in October or November, when there are many migratory birds and the larger animals have not yet gone in hibernation mode.

* The Local Cuisine Is Mouth-Wateringly Tasty: Rajasthan’s best kept secret is its food. There is great diversity in Rajasthani cuisine, with recipes changing from one region to another with the deft addition of a spice here, or using milk instead of water in a sweet preparation. The residents are hearty eaters, and they have to be, to be able to withstand the extremes of climate. It is customery to eat an entire thali instead of just roti and vegetables or non-vegetarian curry. The food is prepared in response to the seasonal variations, and a lot of ghee and milk is used in the cooking to provide energy and lower the body temperature. You will find liberal use of dried lentils, beans, gram flour, ghee, curd and jowar in their cooking. You and your loved ones will enjoy both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes across some of the best restaurants in Rajasthan. Try the special dishes like dal bati churma, laal maas, khargosh, and badam halwa among many other dishes.

 How to Reach Rajasthan

Rajasthan is well connected to the rest of the country, via air, road and railway. It has an international airport at Jaipur, while the domestic flights arrive at the airports located in Jodhpur and Udaipur. Once you arrive at the airport, your Rajasthan resort can have you picked up or you can take a taxi to your destination.

Meanwhile, you can take a bus or car to your destination city in Rajasthan, and even a train. Be sure to check an updated Rajasthan tourism guide for the exact routes and train schedules.

Where to Stay in Rajasthan

Now that you are aware of the places to visit in Rajasthan and the best time to visit Rajasthan, it is time to book yourself into the best resort in the State. Obviously, this depends on which cities you plan to visit.

We recommend the different Club Mahindra resorts in Rajasthan – choose from Club Mahindra properties at Pratap Niwas Jodhpur, Mansingh Towers Jaipur and Club Mahindra Udaipur. With luxurious rooms, state-of-the-art amenities, recreation space and activities for children, spa and fitness centres and also the most amazing restaurants located on the premises to serve multiple cuisines, you will love every minute of your stay in any of these properties. Book yourself for a Rajasthan vacation of a lifetime, and feel right at home with Club Mahindra’s luxury properties that are a home away from home!

About Mahindra Holidays

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India’s leading player in the leisure hospitality industry, offers quality family holidays as also stated by Club Mahindra Resort Reviews, primarily through vacation ownership memberships. While Club Mahindra is the flagship brand offering Club Mahindra Membership, the other brands offered by the company are – Club Mahindra Resorts Fundays and Svaastha Spa. As on Mar 31, 2019, MHRIL has 61+ resorts across India and abroad and its subsidiary, Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, a leading vacation ownership company in Europe has 33 resorts across Finland, Sweden and Spain. Visit us at www.clubmahindra.com