Jaipur
The Kachwaha of Amber, Raja Mans Singh (1590-1614) was the chief of the Mughal army and he amassed great wealth and power from his conquests established Jaipur, a powerful regime.
Jaipur is its friendly, hospitable and relaxed people. One experience that all visitors to Pink city must have is a stroll through its colourful bazaars quite in contrast to the innumerable malls and multiplexes coming up virtually
everywhere revealing why it has become one of the happening cities of India.
Jaipur is blessed with innumerable attractions from the forts and palaces of Amber, natural riches of its surrounding Aravali range, world class museums, business centres in top end hotels, gems jewellery and handicrafts to exotic cuisine. Indeed there is no place like Jaipur and it is no surprise that it is among India's top most tourist destination.
Must see:
Amber Fort Complex
One of the most impressive forts of India, it shows its beauty in full splendour as you drive towards it from Jaipur. It is a huge complex of many rooms including a Shish Mahal (Mirror room). Elephant ride happens here.
City Palace Complex
In the heart of city, near Hawa Mahal, this has the museum and Jantar Mantar - the astronomical observatory.
Hawa Mahal - Palace of winds
Most famous of all Jaipur monuments, this was built for viewing of royal and religious processions in privacy by the royal ladies.
Shopping:
Jaipur is shopper's delight. Textiles, gems, jewellery, handicrafts, antiques, foot wear, garments. A perfect place for retail therapy.
Pushkar
Pushkar
Pushkar came into existence when Lord Brahma, the Creator, to kill a demon dropped his lotus flower to earth from his hand. 3 blue lakes magically manifested in the middle of desert at the place where the petals had landed. It was here, at the banks of these lakes, Brahma held a congregation of 90,000 celestial beings.
The lake surrounded by many temples, most of them white washed, is one of the most sacred sites for Hindus. Pilgrims come from everywhere during the full moon phase of Nov month with the belief that their impurities shall be washed away.
Pushkar is also famous for its annual camel fair, which occurs during the auspicious month of Nov. Camel races happen,aggressively supported by gamblers.
The priests here are aggressive to perform rituals, sometimes asking too much money. Be on guard for this.
During British rule crocodiles used to be found in the lake. The British shifted them to a nearby reservoir though not many are found there.
Camel fair time can be overwhelming as it attracts a huge number of tourists. Eventhough Pushkar has gone commercial, still the spontaniety of meeting the locals can be very fulfilling.
There are more than five hundred temples in Pushkar but the pride of the town is its Brahma's temple. Brahma has only one temple in the whole world dedicated to him and it is at Pushkar.
For the uninitiated, Brahma is the part of the Hindu trinity of Gods: Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Sustainer), Shiva (the
Destroyer).
Agra
Agra
Agra is a city situated on the river Yamuna. Largely known for its Mughal rule (1526-1658), Agra finds mention in the great Indian epic Mahabharat where it is called Agrevana or 'the border of the forest'.
History records Sultan Sikandar Lodi, ruler of Delhi sultantate as founder of the Agra in 1504. It is home to the famous monuments of Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandara with Fatehpur Sikri about 45 Kms away. Other places of interest are I'timad-Ud-Daulah, Swami Bagh Samadhi, Chini ka Rauza, Mehtab Bagh.
The golden age of the city began with the Mughals. It was known then as Akbarabad and remained the capital of the Mughal Empire under the Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
Must See:
Taj Mahal
Agra's Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favorite wife,
Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra. Completed in 1653
Agra Fort
The fort was commissioned by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565, and is another of Agra's World Heritage Sites. It is a redstone fort was converted into palace by Shah Jehan. Notable buildings inside fort are Pearl Mosque or Moti Masjid, the Diwan-e-aam and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jahangir's Palace, Khas Mahal, Shish Mahal (mirrored palace), and the Musamman Burj. The forbidding exteriors of this fort conceal an inner paradise. This is the fort from where Chhatrapati Shivaji escaped.
Fatehpur Sikri
The Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri about 35 km from Agra, and moved his capital there. Later abandoned due to shortage of water, Akbar moved his headquarters to Agra Fort. It houses the shrine of the sufi saint Saleem Chisti.
Shopping:
Items made of marble with intricate engraving work done using precious stones and carpets.
Varanasi
Varanasi
Older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together - Mark Twain on Varanasi
Varanasi also known as Kashi and Benares is a very old, very holy city on the river Ganges. Varanasi is characterised by long flights of stone ghats and a pilgrimage for millions of piligrims.
Even today it reeks ancientness. It has been the destination for all luminaries such as Adi Shankracharya, Kabir and many more.
Traditionally many old Indians come to Varanasi and wait for their death. Varanasi is a city in your face. After Varanasi no city has the potential to surprise you. Rest of India shall look tame.
Either your will passionately love Varanasi or be absolutely put off by it. Varanasi thrives on extremes.
Take the boat ride on Ganges.
Varanasi if famous for its ghats (chain of steps). Each ghat is marked by a Shiva symbol, lingam. Few of them are:
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Asi Ghat
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Kedara Ghat
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Chaukhi Ghat
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Chaumsathi Ghat
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Dashaswamedh Ghat
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Man Mandir Ghat
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Lalita Ghat
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Manikarnika Ghat
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Scindia Ghat
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Panchganga Ghat
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Adi Keshava Ghat
... with Varanasi 
