Saris covered in jewels and sequins sparkle in the sun, worn by

women walking Rajasthan’s streets. The heat is almost unbearable, and the

men wear the top buttons on their collared shirts lose as they walk briskly

between business meetings avoiding the eyes of tourists reclining in the

outdoor cafes. A respectful and incredibly strict culture, the lifestyle of

Rajasthan is more similar to that of old India than modern cities like Delhi;

there’s an appetite for extravagance mixed with exotic mystery and this, the

largest state in India, offers both the isolation of the Thar Desert and

closeness of bustling cities like Jaipur. Jaipur stands out as having taken

it upon itself to move Rajasthan towards modernization and away from

tradition.

Lavish palaces in and around the major cities embody the wealth

that underlies the extreme poverty of a people still firmly rooted in an

old-world caste system. Choose one of Rajasthan’s cities to walk through

and the duality of wealth and poverty living side by side is obvious, a

chance to see the brilliance of a culture coping with its past. Take a day

trip to one of the many wildlife reservations throughout the state and watch

tigers, just a few yards away in their original habitats, then return to the

city at dusk, just as the sun turns it into a glowing aura of light, an

orange tint gleaming off of all the buildings, for a flavourful local meal.

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Selected places to go in Rajasthan

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