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You Must Explore These Magnificent Forts, When In Rajasthan

Archita Minocha

January 2, 2019

A jewel in India’s crown, Rajasthan is a vivacious blend of contrasts, culture and tourism. The place is highly famous for its royal forts and fairy-tale palaces that significantly contribute to the history of the state. Referred to as the ‘Land Of Kings’, Rajasthan is home to the chivalrous Rajputs and has forever honored the sacrifices of rulers with pride and tradition. Largest by area, and seventh largest by population, Rajasthan houses some of the finest heritage sites.

There are numerous places in Rajasthan to plan a trip for, such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Mount Abu, Bundi and much more than this. Rajasthan is very famous for its forts and palaces, mostly for Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal etc. Rajasthan is also known for its traditional jutti (footwear), ghagra (skirt) and kanchli (top), and their mouth watering foods. You must plan a trip to Rajasthan as soon as possible.

Why Go There? Incredible Views | Remarkable Architecture | Stupendous Festive Celebrations | Wildlife | Delicious Sweets

Ideal For: Family Trips | Official Tours | Photographers | Adventure Lovers | Bloggers

Trivia: Almost every city in Rajasthan holds a dominant color scheme, and so do the monuments. Jaipur is Pink, Jodhpur is Blue, Jhalawar is Purple, and Udaipur is White.

Things To Bring Back: Rajasthani Artwork | Jewelry | Ethnic Carpets | Pottery | Vibrant Handicrafts | Aromatic Spices | Jodhpuri Juttis | Ghewar

You can book your tickets through MakeMyTrip Domestic Flights, and don’t forget to check Makemytrip coupon code as well as Makemytrip coupon to avail their exclusive offers provided for their new and existing users.

Forts In Rajasthan: List Of 16 Best Forts In Rajasthan

Quick Guide To The Best Forts In Rajasthan

1. Amber Fort, Amer – Popular Fort in Rajasthan

Laid on a four-level layout, the Amber Fort is a principal tourist attraction of the state of Rajasthan. The fort is popularly known as Amer Palace and was home to the Rajput Maharajas and their families. The renowned architectural splendor is built of red sandstone and marble that has stupefied millions of travelers from all over the world. Hall of Public Audience, Hall of Private Audience, Sheesh Mahal and Sukh Niwas are some of the glorious attractions nestled inside the monument.

Distance From City Centre: 12.5 Km
Entry Fee: Indian: Rs.10 | Student: Rs.10 | Foreigner: Rs.50
Camera Fee: Indian: Still- Rs.50; Video- Rs.100 || Foreigner: Still- Rs.70; Video- Rs.150
Timings: 9:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Things To Do At Amber Fort:

• Light and Sound Show during dusk hours
• Elephant Ride
• Jeep Ride
• Photography

2. Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur- Prominent Fort in Rajasthan

Perched on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, the Nahargarh Fort is one of the most prominent monuments located on the outskirts of Jaipur. The fort was a hideaway to the British Army during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. It even has walls extending over the surrounding hills that help connect to the Jaigarh Fort. Within the fort complex, there is a museum that displays more than 35 wax and silicon statues of people from Sports, Bollywood, Social and various other sectors.

Distance From City Centre: 18.8 Km
Entry Fee: Indian: Rs.5 | Foreigner: Rs.5
Camera Fee: Indian: Rs.10 | Foreigner: Rs.30
Timings: 9:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Things To Do At Nahargarh Fort:

• Enjoy the city view from the top.
• Visit the Jaipur Wax Museum located nearby.
• Leisure at the Madhavendra Bhavan.

3. City Palace Fort, Jaipur – Colourful Fort in Rajasthan

The brainchild of Sawai Jai Singh II, the City Palace Fort stands majestically in the heart of the pink city of Jaipur. The fort is a beautiful icon of Rajasthan and incorporates a vast array of courtyards, gardens and buildings. Holding a rich blend of Rajasthani, Mughal and European style of architecture, the Fort is well-known for its exquisite architectural work and historical significance. The palace also houses a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.

Distance From City Centre: 4.6 Km
Entry Fee: Indian: Rs.35 | Foreigner: Rs.150 | Child: Rs.25
Camera Fee: Indian: Still- Rs.50; Video- Rs.150 | Foreigner: Still- Rs.50; Video- Rs.150
Timings: 9:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Things To Do At City Palace Fort:

• Roam around the wide array of courtyards, gardens and buildings.
• Photography

4. Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur – Archaic Fort in Rajasthan

Overlooking the Amer Fort and the Maota Lake, the Jaigarh Fort in Rajasthan lies on the foot of ‘Cheel Ka Teela’ (Hill of Eagles). The fort comprises of a vast range of antiques and armours that belong to several Rajput clans. Also known as Victory fort, the monument houses the Laxmi Vilas, Lalit Mandir, Vilas Mandir and Aram Mandir.

Distance From City Centre: 12.4 Km
Entry Fee: Indian: Rs.70 | Foreigner: Rs.150
Timings: 9:30 A.M. – 4:45 P.M.

Things To Do At Jaigarh Fort:

• Visit Laxmi Vilas, Lalit, Mandir, Vilas Mandir and Aram Mandir.
• Explore the fort museum.

5. Chittor Fort, Chittorgarh – Famous Fort in Rajasthan

One of the most significant monuments of Rajasthan, the Chittor Fort is home to the many compelling stories of valor, courage and sacrifice. Being the largest citadel in India, the fort is associated with great legends such as Meera Bai, Rani Padmini and Karnavati, and thus occupies a soft corner in the heart of every Indian. It has seven gateways, each one relating to various historic tales. The beautiful attractions of Rana Kumbha Mahal, Ratan Singh’s Palace, Badal Mahal, Rani Padmini’s Palace, Kanwar Pade Ka Mahal rest inside this fort.

Distance From City Centre: 4.7 Km
Entry Fee: Indian: Rs.10 | Foreigner: Rs. 100
Timings: 4:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.

Things To Do At Chittor Fort:

• Visit the Kalikamata Temple, Adbuthnath Temple, Kumbha Shyam Temple.
• Watch the Vijay Stambha and Kirti Stambha memorials.

6. Alwar Fort, Alwar – Spectacular Fort in Rajasthan

Also referred to as Bala Quila, the Alwar Fort comprises of 15 large and 51 small towers within it’s complex. The fort offers a spectacular view of the city of Alwar and has 446 openings for musketry, along with 8 huge bastions surrounding it. The artwork of the craftsmen of that era makes the fort a special attraction for the visitors.

Distance From City Centre: 10.8 Km
Timings: 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Things To Do At Alwar Fort:

• Wander within the structure.
• View the intricate designs.

7. Ranthambore Fort, Sawai Madhopur

Formerly a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur, the Ranthambore Fort is a must-visit destination for adventure lovers. The fort is a part of the Ranthambore National Park where several endangered animals such as the Royal Bengal Tiger reside. Within the fort are three Hindu temples dedicated to Ganesh, Shiva and Ramlalaji, constructed in 12th and 13th century. The dolmen has even witnessed various attacks by the Sultans of Delhi, Kings of Mewar and the Mughals.

Distance From City Centre: 16.7 Km
Entry Fee: Adult: Rs.15 | Child: Rs.10
Timings: 6:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Things To Do At Ranthambore Fort:

• Check out Hammir’s Court, Badal Mahal, Dhula Mahal, and Jogi Mahal.
• Visit Shiva Temple, Ramlalji Temple, Ganesha Temple, and a temple of Lord Sumatinath along with the Lord Sambhavanath Temple.

8. Junagarh Fort, Bikaner – Beautiful Fort in Rajasthan

The Junagarh Fort was initially called ‘Chintamani’ and is one of the few forts in Rajasthan which is not built on a hilltop. Comprising of several eminent monuments such as the Phool Mahal, Karan Mahal, Ganga Mahal and Badal Mahal, the fort is an excellent example of art, architecture and culture. The heritage site holds an incredible fusion of Mughal, British and Rajasthani style of architecture and is situated in the arid Thar Desert of Rajasthan.

Distance From City Centre: 1.5 Km
Entry Fee: Indian: Rs.50 | Foreigner: Rs.300
Timings: 10:00 AM – 4:30 P.M.

Things To Do At Junagarh Fort:

• Check out the massive gates of the fort.
• Explore the Phool Mahal, Karan Mahal, Anup Mahal, and Chandra Mahal.

9. Jaisalmer Fort – Majestic Fort in Rajasthan

Counted amongst the very few ‘living forts’ in the world, the Jaisalmer Fort is fondly referred to as the ‘Sonal Quilla’ of Jaisalmer. It is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan and has a yellow sandstone architecture, rimmed with 3 layers of walls. The majestic fort maintains 99 bastions, four massive gateways, merchant havelis and temples belonging to both, the Hindu and the Jain religion. Tucked on a sandy expanse of the Thar Desert on Trikuta Hill, the fort offers a majestic view of the city and is certainly a treat to visit.

Distance From City Centre: 1.7 Km
Entry Fee: Indian: Rs.50 | Foreigner: Rs.250
Timings: 8:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.

Things To Do At Jaisalmer Fort:

• Walk through the Royal Palace, The Shree Nath Palace, Vyas Haveli, and the museums.

10. Kumbhalgarh Fort – Mesmerising Fort in Rajasthan

Situated on the westerly range of Aravalli Hills, the Kumbhalgarh Fort is one of the largest wall complexes in the world. The fort is widely known for its 36 kilometers long wall, comprising seven huge gates- Hulla Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ram Pol, Bhairava Pol, Paghra Pol, Top-khana Pol and Nimboo Pol.

Badal Mahal, the birthplace of Maharana Pratap is a significant part of this fort. The Shiva Temple is another beautiful work of architecture built inside the fort. In 2013, the Kumbhalgarh Fort was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Distance From Udaipur: 84.1 Km
Entry Fee: Indian: Rs.15 | Foreigner: Rs.200
Timings: 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Things To Do At Kumbhalgarh Fort:

• Roam around marvelous mansions, crumbling shrines, temples, and lush green parks.
• Visit the impressive Badal Mahal and the Shiva Temple.

11. Lohagarh Fort, Bharatpur- Iconic Fort in Rajasthan

True to its name and an iconic monument in the city of Bharatpur, Lohagarh Fort is the strongest fort ever built in Indian history. It is the only fort in India to withstand the attacks of Mughals and British. Additionally, the fort comprises the State Archeological Museum which houses weapons and armors, Arabic and Sanskrit manuscripts, paintings and relics of the lifestyle of Jat rulers.

Distance From City Centre: 1.7 Km
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 9:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.

Things To Do At Lohagarh Fort:

• Visit Kishori Mahal, Kothi Khas and Mahal Khas.
• Explore the State Archeological Museum.

12. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur – Famous Fort in Jaipur

Crafted with thick walls, the Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur is one of the splendid architectures in India. Having witnessed several battles against the Jodhpur and the Bikaner army, the fort comprises seven gates including ‘Jayapol’ that honoured the victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. The fort even has various galleries containing antiques belonging to the Mughal emperors, armours belonging to Rajput clans, along with turbans.

Distance From City Centre: 11.4 Km
Timings: 9:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.

Things To Do At Mehrangarh Fort:

• Check out the Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Daulat Khana and Sileh Khana.

13. Taragarh Fort, Ajmer – Exquisite Fort in Rajasthan 

Also known as ‘Star Fort’, the Taragarh Fort was built in the year 1354 and stands tall on a steep hillside. The exquisite monument was constructed with three gateways, namely, Lakshmi Pol, Phuta Darwaza, and Gagudi Ki Phatak. One of the most impressive qualities of the fort is its amazing network of tunnels crisscrossing the entire hillside. Rani Mahal and Miran Saheb ki Dargah are the major diversions of the architectural splendor.

Distance From City Centre: 10.6 Km
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6:30 A.M. – 10:15 P.M.

Things To Do At Taragarh Fort:

• Visit the Bhim Burj, Garbha Gunjan, and the huge field cannons.

14. Ratangarh Fort, Shekhawati – Attractive Fort in Rajasthan

Established in the 19^th Century, the Ratangarh Fort is a majestic creation of Maharaja Ratan Singh. The fort is situated on the Agra-Bikaner highway and is encompassed by several ancient villages. Clock Tower, also known as ‘Ghantaghar’ is one of the imposing attractions of the monument.

Distance From City Centre: 212.2 Km
Entry Fee: Free

Things To Do At Ratangarh Fort:

• Visit ancient villages located nearby.

15. Mandawa Fort, Shekhawati – Medieval Fort in Rajasthan

Built by Nawal Singh in the 18th century, the Mandawa Fort makes for a lovely halt while driving to Shekhawati. Lately, the fort has been converted into a hotel and is run by the Rajasthan Tourism Department. The Mandawa Fort is well-decorated with paintings and mirror works. It also maintains a palace that comprises several antique products and is bound to take you back to the medieval era.

Distance From Jaipur: 176.5 Km

Things To Do At Mandawa Fort:

• Enjoy a royal stay at the hotel
• Admire the architecture
• Photography

16. Laxmangarh Fort, Shekhawati

Although this fort is not open to tourists anymore, yet it is one of the most magnificent structures in the town of Laxmangarh. The fort is built upon scattered pieces of huge rocks and was constructed by the Raja of Sikar- Laxman Singh. The Char Chowk Haveli is an attractive site located near the fort and is open for tourists.

Distance From Jaipur: 154.3 Km
Entry Fee: NA
Timings: 8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Things To Do At Laxmangarh Fort:

• Visit the temple and the Char Chowk Haveli nearby.

Similar Reads:

• Maharashtra Forts List
• Jaipur Forts List
• Jaisalmer Forts List