Offbeat Destinations to Visit in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is a land that illuminates fluorescent palaces and dusky havelis; it is a place to visit for its flamboyant street markets that pierce through the soul of shoppers. Might just add a tiny detail – such existences are found almost in every nook and corner of places around Rajasthan. Be that as it may, such popular sites are for those who seek for a place that has heart-filled things to do but why not consider a visit to some overlooked destinations in Rajasthan that has a bundle of alluring beauty you just cannot deny but agree. Like the radiant lakes twinkle as the sun glares on it, you too can breathe in something new, something exciting by visiting some of the less visited places in Rajasthan you just cannot miss.

1. Bhilwara

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You may be familiar with all the grand destinations Rajasthan pampers you with but have you taken a peek into this city of textiles and looms, if not, come to Bhilwara. It maybe well-known for its fabrics but this little paradise offers tourist places like temples, to which one in particular Kyara Ke Balaji is rather a famous attraction. The locals believe that, an image of Lord Hanuman naturally appeared on one of the rocks, thus this temple was built around it. Other similar venues to seek a religious harmony are Ghatarani Temple, Patola Mahadev Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and Beeda ke Mataji Temple. And while here, you cannot miss out on visiting forts. One that is often seen with such glory and might is Badnore Fort, this fort radiant’s with medieval Indian architecture. It may be 70 kilometres off Bhilwara, but for a sight like this, a visit is always much needed. Despite the local attractions in Bhilwara may lack, but it is not short of interesting places to visit nearby. A visit to landmarks like Pur Udan Chatri (10 km), Triveni Chauraha (40 km) – a meeting point of three rivers Menali, Badachh and Banas; Meja Dam (20 km), Menal waterfall (80 km), Tilsavan Mahadev – a complex of four temples (15 km) are a few must visits.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Bhilwara is located at Udaipur and Jaipur – 150 km and 259 km

Rail: Bhilwara has a railway station that is well connected to places like Delhi, Ajmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ujjain and Indore.

Road: Road connectivity is well laid via national highway 48, which is 141 km from Ajmer.

Where to Stay

A decent collection of hotels can be found in Bhilwara ranging from budget to premium.

2. Churu

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Its beauty is no different from the rest of offbeat places in Rajasthan, except the fact that, Churu is tagged to be the gateway to the Great Indian Desert. Its sand dunes illuminates golden brown surface as the sun rays hit the earth shimmering with radiance. It offers quite a magical feeling that will take you to a place of wonderment. Here, the interesting attractions that surround Churu are filled with age-old havelis, built by the Kothari and Surana merchants. Malji Ka Kamra can be ranked as the top place to visit built by Malji Kothari in the year 1925 AD. A unique feature about this haveli is that, the entire structure is built in Shekhawati and Italian style of architecture. Built in 1870 AD, the famous Double Haveli of Surana brothers is one astounding work of art. Within the premises you can also find 1,111 windows Hawa Mahal and the Bagla Haveli. Churu also has a traditional designed reservoir called Sethani Ka Johra, built by a wealthy timber merchant’s wife of Bhagwandas Bagla. A unique feature about this reservoir is that, it is said to never dry even during harsh summers. Thus, it invites many birds and other animal species such as blue bull. A spiritual place where one can seek blessing is located in Salasar called Salasar Balaji Temple. A religious site for Lord Hanuman also houses two temples like Rani Sati and Khatu Shyamji. Nevertheless, for wildlife activities, plan a trip to Tal Chhappar Sanctuary at a distance of 210 km.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Churu is located in Jaipur about 175 km away.

Rail: Churu has a junction, thus, it receives many trains from all major stations around India.

Road: You can get regular local buses that ply from other places in Rajasthan.

Where to Stay

At Churu, you will find budget to 3 star hotels offering comfortable facilities and amenities.

3. Dausa

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You must be familiar with this famous attraction called Chand Baori that has been captured by many lenses, well, this stunner is located in Dausa. This perfectly symmetrical step well beholds every onlookers and why wouldn’t it? Perhaps, due to its old look it offers certain charm. Though Rajasthan has many baori this one is a beaut of traditionalism and to dwell amid its beauty all you have to do is visit and admire the place in complete silence. During your holiday in Dausa, this architectural wonder must be on top of your check list; however it is not just Chand Baori that is a crowd puller you can expect to get a sight of forts as well. While touring in Dausa, visit the Madhogarh Fort that lies on top of a hill surrounded by lovely backdrop, although it being converted into a lavish heritage hotel by the family of Thakur Bhawani Singh in 2000, you can as well visit the premises for luncheon or stay over and get the royal feeling. Dausa also has a few temples and the two mentions are Mehandipur Balaji Temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Harshat Mata Temple, dedicated to goddess Harshat. The temple Harshat Mata rules over with ruins as it was once ransacked by Islamic rulers. Mehandipur Balaji may have a rather eerie feel to it, but it is said to cure mentally disturbed people.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Dausa is located in Jaipur about 63 km away.

Rail: Dausa has a small railway station well connected by trains coming from a few major Indian destinations.

Road: Dausa is conveniently accessible via Jaipur-Agra National Highway. You may find a couple of local buses and taxis that ply to and fro services.

Where to Stay

The accommodations in Dausa are a complete mix of luxe and budget. You may find reasonable hotels around the city but it also has heritage hotels as well as posh motels.

4. Dholpur

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Their red coloured sandstone structure that glorifies the city of Dholpur is perhaps one of the less visited places in Rajasthan. However, it can be a popular destination for a one-day tour as it is located between two of the much publicized cities – Agra and Gwalior. This rather unpretentious hustling city has a few treasure of its own kind that are thumbed frequently and the must visit places in Dholpur that you cannot afford to miss circulates around its majestic palace turned hotel, godly temples, crumbling forts and appealing sanctuaries filled with beautiful animals and plants. During your sightseeing extravaganza, as you traverse town-hall road the first thing you may see in Dholpur is the Nihal Tower. It is clock tower locally known as Ghanta Ghar. Other interesting tourist spots are the royal step well or ‘baori’ located behind Nileshwar temple, elegant city palace or Dholpur palace, oldest Shiva temples – Chopra Shiv Temple, a 1540 built Shergarh Fort, the oldest Mughal garden in Dholpur – Bagh-e-Nilofar, a beautiful lake – Talab-e-Shahi, a Buddha temple – Sant Nagar and one of the oldest wildlife reserves – Van Vihar Sanctuary.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Dholpur is located in Gwalior about 60 km away.

Rail: Dholpur has a railway station and cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Okha, Amritsar, Jhansi etc are well-connected.

Road: Dholpur is easily connected via roadways, private and government buses are available from major cities. Taxis are also preferred option from Delhi.

Where to Stay

You may find several accommodation in Dholpur, both budget and luxury that offer well maintained range of facilities to the guests.

5. Dungarpur

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Dungarpur is becoming quite a popular place to visit in Rajasthan, perhaps for its artistic design royal residences and palaces. While here, you may as well simply wander amidst the tourist attractions that enchant the beholder, especially the Juna Mahal, which is quite a stunner. This 13th century old seventh stories structure built from a ‘Pareva stone’ has a rugged exterior offering a look of a citadel. This spellbinding structure is intact with narrow passageways, watchtowers, beautiful murals and miniature paintings. A tour here can take hours exploring. Its brilliant art work doesn’t end here; a visit to Udai Bilas Palace will leave you awe-struck for its striking and classic design of Rajput architecture. However, at present, Udai Bilas Palace has transformed into a heritage hotel. The attractions that can be visited while in Dungarpur are Gaib Sagar Lake, Government Archaeological Museum, Badal Mahal, Baneshwar temple, Vijay Raj Rajeshwar Temple, Nagfani (Jain Shrine), 12th century temple Deo Somnath and Boreshwar Mahadeo temple.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Dungarpur is located in Udaipur (120 km) and Allahabad (175 km).

Rail: There is a one platform railway station located 3 kilometres from the main city of Dungarpur and it connects Himatnagar-Dungarpur-Udaipur route.

Road: The state highways such as NH no 8 and the Sirohi – Ratlam highway passes through Dungarpur and to get here, you may find local buses. However, private taxis are convenient since it lacks steady transport.

Where to Stay

Dungarpur has a few selection of hotels offering comfortable amenities to the guests.

6. Jalore

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Jalore is a city famed for offering the best granite in the world and it is here you can delve into the rustic beauty of Rajasthan. With its strong connection to the pilgrimage sector, you can find many shrines and the two popular temples are Sirey Mandir built by Rawal Ratan Singh, it is located 646 meters high on the hill of Kalasha Chal. In order to get to the temple, you can expect a 3 km walk. The other temple is Sundha Mata placed in Sundha Mountain in the Aravalli Range. Soaring 1220 m, it houses the Goddess Chamunda Devi. At Jalore, Malik Shah’s Mosque is also a well known pilgrimage site and it is located within the premises of the Jalore Fort. Speaking of which, this fort is the main attraction and it has an impressive architecture built in the 8th and 10th centuries. The other must visit attraction is the 7th or 8th century Sanskrit school built by King Bhoj. Although, this structure is in ruins but it still holds impressive design of the building and stone carvings everywhere.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport is in Jodhpur located 140 km away.

Rail: Jalore has a railway station that is connected to Jodhpur division network and the trains from Gujarat and Mumbai usually halt at Jalore.

Road: This city is well connected to all major parts of Rajasthan. Both government and public buses can be available from places like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Ajmer and Surat.

Where to Stay

In Jalore, you can find a few accommodation options that range from budget to moderate. Each hotels here offer nice facilities for the convenience of the guests.

7. Jhunjhunu

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The beautiful frescos that glam the grand havelis, a visit to Jhunjhunu will let one see a bevy of palaces and temples. While here in this cultural capital known as Shekhawati, you can delve into some masterpiece attractions such as The Modi and Tibrewala Haveli. Here, you can also admire the Shekhawati work of artwork that details its linings in the interiors of the heritage building. A temple, Rani Sati is a beauty that attracts many tourists; its architecture and the paintings inside are well kept for the future visitors to see. Rani Sati also offers a lodge for guests. Feel overwhelmed yet, well, a visit to Aath Havelis, Khemi Sati Temple and Dundlot Fort are a few glam old treasure in Jhunjhunu.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Jhunjhunu is in Jaipur located 193 km away.

Rail: Jhunjhunu has a railway station that is connected to some major stations, Delhi for instance. Sikar Express from Delhi Sarai Rohilla makes bi-weekly rounds to Jhunjhunu.

Road: The roadways are well connected from all cities of Rajasthan. The highway 8 links Jaipur to Jhunjhunu and highway 41 links Rajgarh to Fatehpur via Jhunjhunu.

Where to Stay

Jhunjhunu has a few accommodation options ranging from budget to slightly expensive. Here there are modern facilitated hotels to heritage hotels.

8. Karauli

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Offbeat destinations are endless in Rajasthan, there are just so many to visit but one such place is Karauli. This growing tourist destination has a melange of interesting sites to keep one accompanied like the havelis, shrines, forts and palaces. Its tranquil ambience is such that, you cannot escape from its warm hospitable locals. And while here, the must sees revolve around the many temples such as Kaila Devi located on the outskirts of Karauli. It is 25 km from the city near the banks of the river Kalisal and it attracts a lot of pilgrims during the annual fair that lasts a fortnight. Madan Mohan is another famous krishna temple where you can sightsee beautifully carved idols of Lord Krishna and Radha. Mehandipur Balaji Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Shri Mahavir Ji Temple dedicated to Jain tirthankaras and Gufa Temple of Kaila Devi are other holy shrines. A visit to Gomti Dham is also a refreshing attraction, here, Sant Gomti Das Ji ashram, Sagar Talab and Timangarh Fort offers a tranquil environment to those who are in much need of, especially for those city escapades.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Karauli is in Jaipur located 170 km away.

Rail: Dhindora Hukmikhera railway Station is the closest railway station to Karauli (45 km) that is well connected from other parts of Rajasthan and northern India.

Road: Karauli is well connected via roadways to all major places in Rajasthan as well as the rest of prominent cities around India.

Where to Stay

A series of well ventilated budget accommodation, guest houses, lodges, resorts and heritage hotels are available in Karauli.

9. Nagaur

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While a visit to Nagaur can be exceptionally pleasing, you cannot miss this opportunity to visit the largest saltwater lake in India, Sambhar Lake. However, the city may not have much to keep one grounded but you can as well throb in the spice markets that will overwhelm you by the colourful varieties of masalas shaped in a pyramid structure. Nonetheless, a historical place that may please you learning about its wars is Nagaur fort, it is certainly a prominent place to visit. Besides, the fort and the spice market, while in Nagaur, visit a spiritual place like Ladnun which is a centre of Jainism. Deepak Mahal located within the walls of Nagaur fort is also an attraction not to miss. Other monument that displays age-old work of art and design is Amar Singh’s Cenotaph. Tarkeen Dargah and Jain Glass Temple are also two popular attractions in Nagaur.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Nagaur is located in Jodhpur about 137 km away.

Rail: Nagaur has a railway station that is well connected from major places like Mumbai, Indore, Coimbatore, Bikaner, Surat, Jodhpur and Jaipur.

Road: Roadways are well laid and you can find government and public buses from Jaipur, Bikaner and Jodhpur.

Where to Stay

From expensive to budget, you will find all sorts of accommodation options here at Nagaur offering well maintained facilities and comfortable rooms.

10. Pali

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Often overshadowed by other mega cities, Pali is not far behind when it comes to being one of the important cities. To be precise, Pali has been an essential part of Rajasthan mainly for merchant activities. However, though Pali is known as an industrial city, it has a compilation of beautiful temples. A noteworthy is the 15th century Ranakpur Jain Temple, dedicated to an important figure in the Jain cosmology, Adinath. This complex of Jain temples occupies its place in a beautiful Aravalli mountain. Sites where pilgrims can go devote to the godly figures are Parshuram Mahadev Temple and Nimbo Ka Nath Temple both dedicated to Lord Shiva. The other attraction in Pali is a dam that is built across the tributary of Luni River called Jawai dam. It is said to be the biggest dam in Rajasthan.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Pali is in Jodhpur about 77 km away.

Rail: Pali has a railway station that is well connected, trains from Beawar and Jodhpur are regular.

Road: National HIghway 14 connects pali to other parts of Rajasthan. Government and public buses are served from other rajasthan cities.

Where to Stay

Pali has a number of accommodations that range from budget to moderate. It offers good facilities and comfortable beds.

11. Pratapgad

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A city carved out from Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Banswara districts in 2008, Pratapgad is renowned for its Thewa art and it is the second highest place in Rajasthan first being Mount Abu. During a visit here, you may feel and witness the tribal culture still lingering in the city. And the many places to visit in Pratapgarh dwell amid forts, wildlife and temples. The main attraction here however is the Deogarh Fort, Dawk Bungalow and Kila Parisar are also a prominent attractions. Another site to visit is Baiji Ki Masjid, this mosque of Madar Chilla is a reputed religious place in Pratapgad, followed by Dargah Kaka Saheb. Near the town of Arnod around 18 km away lies Bhagwan Shiva. This temple has a historical past, it is said to have been separated into four parts – Deepa Nath, Gupteshwar, Parshwanath and Keshav Rai. Famous for being the largest ling of Bhagwan Shiv in India, a visit to Pashupatinath Ji of Mandsour is a definite not to miss attraction.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Pratapgad is in Udaipur about 45 km away.

Rail: The nearest railway station is located in Mandsaur (32 km) and Chittorgarh (110 km).

Road: Pratapgarh has a well connected road with all cities in Rajasthan as well as other indian states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Where to Stay

There is no shortage of hotels in Pratapgad, you will find well equipped resorts and hotels from budget to moderate options here.

12. Rajasmand

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A small city in a big state, Rajsamand of Rajasthan is one beautiful destination. It being unheard makes it even more appealing but don’t go by its size because it is filled with a variety of things to see. A visit to this remarkable paradise is perfect for a city escape, even for adventure getaways. The landmarks that invite visitors to visit are Rajsamand Lake, a far and wide stretch blue lake offers a lovely backdrop of brown and green shaded mountains. Kankroli Temple located near the lake is also a renowned attraction. Soaring up in a hilltop, a grand and massive Kumbhalgarh fort is said to be one of the best forts of Rajasthan. Being declared as a UNESCO site, this fort charms the onlookers by its grandiose and architectural marvels. Kumbhalgarh fort has the longest walls amongst all other forts in Rajasthan. In Rajsamand, you can go for a wildlife tour at Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of the best kid friendly activities you can plan during family holidays. Catching a sight of various animals through a jeep safari amid dense forest is certainly a change in scenario during your Rajasthan tourism.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Rajsamand is in Udaipur about 56 km away.

Rail: Rajsamand does not have a railway station, thus the nearest railhead is in Udaipur located 59 km away.

Road: Roadways are well connected from major parts of Indian cities, you may find bus services from places like Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Kota, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, New Delhi and Indore.

Where to Stay

At Rajsamand, you will find many hotels that provide a decent stay with convenient facilities to the guests.

13. Sikar

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Sikar is quite an offbeat route to venture in Rajasthan; it may not have much to offer within the premises but it is a land filled with sand, havelis, forts, palaces and cenotaphs located all around the area. A sojourn to this place that is rapidly evolving as a tourist destination has a series of attractions laid for you. Here, you can mark your visit to an exotic and vibrant place Dantaramgarh. A tiny village off road at a distance of 51 km from Sikar is famous for the Fort built by Guman Singh Ladkhani. Another Fort that lies 10 km from Sikar is located in Devgarh. What’s adventurous about this place is that there are no roads to the fort. A pilgrimage place at Ganeshwar is also a definite must visit; here the hot sulphur springs is the main crowd puller. Also an ancient site where 4000 year old civilizations were excavated is worth visiting.

How to Reach

Air: The closest airport to Sikar is in jaipur about 101 km away.

Rail: Sikar has a railway station that is well connected to other major stations.

Road: Regular buses and taxis ply from other places in Rajasthan to Sikar.

Where to Stay

At Sikar, you can find luxury hotels to budget friendly hotels that provide guests with a good amount of facilities and amenities.

14. Tonk

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A humble abode near the grand city of Jaipur lies Tonk. Its unfamiliar name often tempts listeners to know more and to find what it has to offer. Like any other destinations, Tonk is also surrounded by a melange of temples, baoris and havelis but what’s refreshing here are the beautiful cross-cultural buildings you can see endowed in Rajput and Muslim architecture style decor in their mosques, havelis and British colonial buildings. This city has a rich historical and archaeological background perfectly suited for those who take a keen interest in history. Tonk has various places to explore like the 19th century Golden Mansion locally known as Sunehri Kothi. Similar to that of the Red Fort in Agra, here too you can find a glass hall (sheesh mahal) and flamboyant floral work of art on its walls. Another popular tourist attraction is Hathi Bhata, made from a single stone, the statue of the elephant. Bisalpur Temple, Hadi rani Baori and Diggi Kalyanji Temple are also prominent hotspots.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport to Tonk is in Jaipur about 94 km away.

Rail: Bansthali Niwai railway station is the closest railhead located 38 km from Tonk. It receives trains from Kota, Jaipur, Secunderabad, Jodhpur Bhopal and Indore.

Road: You can get bus services from cities such as Bhilwara, Gwalior, Jaipur, Kota and other cities to Tonk.

Where to Stay

Tonk has few accommodation options that may fit the shoestring travellers. However, there are also other hotels slightly higher and more comfortable.

Can’t deny the fact that these holiday destinations captivate every genre of travellers by offering only the best possible outcomes but we hope you get the urge to explore what’s beyond the monotonous places in Rajasthan after reading this blog. Here, we have laid all possible how to list; all you have to do is book a ticket and whisk away. However, Tour My India is always here if you need our assistance. Simple call us at +91-9212553106 or send us an email at info@tourmyindia.com and we will get back to you asap with more details and tour packages to let you have a memorable Rajasthan tour this season.