The Seven Wonders Of Rajasthan

NDTV had unveiled 7 wonders of Rajasthan in 2009 based on the user polls. Here's the list of these wonders:

7. The Dilwara Temples

The spectacular Dilwara Temples are a group of Jain temples that are located about 2.5 km from Mount Abu in Rajasthan. These ancient temples were built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD by Vimal Shah. They are famous for their intricate marble carvings decorating the walls, pillars, and ceilings. There are five temples in the complex that serves as an important pilgrimage site for Jains. These temples thus deserve to be called one of the ‘Seven Wonders of Rajasthan.’

6. Amber Fort

The sixth most voted wonder of Rajasthan, the Amer Fort is located in Amber, about 11 km from Jaipur. The fort is one of the biggest attractions for tourists visiting Jaipur. Made of marble and red sandstone, the historical complex was built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh. The fort, located on a hill, is guarded by massive walls surrounding it. Inside the fort, there are several buildings, palaces, temples, stables, etc. The interiors of these buildings, especially, the royal palaces, are extremely beautiful with opulent structures and designs. It is thus no wonder that the fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Ranakpur Jain Temple

The Ranakpur Jain Temple, built in the 15th century by a local Jain businessperson, is located in Ranakpur. The temple is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara Rishabhanatha. The beautiful temple features ornately decorated turrets, cupolas, domes, and shikhara. The temple’s structure is supported by intricately carved 1444 marble pillars. Erotic arts also decorate the walls of this temple.

4. City Palace of Udaipur

The City Palace of Udaipur is located in the city of Udaipur. The breathtaking palace complex was built over a period of about 400 years during the reign of the rulers of the Mewar dynasty. The construction of the palace was first commissioned by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1553. The City Palace, located on the banks of the Lake Pichola, hosts several royal buildings within its complex. Mughal and Rajasthani architectural styles have been to build the palace complex.

3. Mehrangarh Fort

One of India’s largest forts, the Mehrangarh Fort is the third most voted of the Seven Wonders of Rajasthan. It was built by Rao Jodha in 1460. The fort is located atop a hill at an elevation 410 ft above the city of Jodhpur. Imposing thick walls guard the fort against all sides. Inside the walls is a sprawling city with numerous palaces that feature large courtyards and intricate carvings. The museum at the Mehrangarh Fort hosts numerous items that speak volumes about the rich history of the region.

2. Shekhawati Havelis

Shekhawati is a historical region located in northeastern Rajasthan. According to historical accounts, affluent Marwari merchants built many havelis (traditional Rajasthani homes) in this area from the 17th to the 19th centuries. With their immense wealth, these merchants developed a sense of outdoing each other in building their homes. Thus, they built extravagant buildings or havelis, each more beautiful than the others. These havelis were richly decorated both inside and outside. Today, these buildings are a reminder of the prosperity of the region and the craftsmanship skills of the local artisans.

1. Jaisalmer Fort

The 800-year old Jaisalmer Fort is the most popular of the ‘Seven Wonders of Rajasthan.’ The majestic fort stands tall in the city of Jaisalmer. It is considered to be one of the few ‘living forts’ in the world. One-fourth of Jaisalmer’s citizens still live inside the walls of this sprawling forts. Prior to the city of Jaisalmer spilling out of the fort’s boundaries, the entire city was confined inside it. The fort was built in 1156 AD by Rawal Jaisal, the Rajput ruler of the region. At the time of its building, the Jaisalmer Fort was located at the crossroads of important trade routes. The fort is made of red sandstone and its color changes from a day-time tawny lion color to honey-gold as dusk. Thus, the fort is nicknamed the Golden Fort. The Jaisalmer Fort is also a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.