The land of forts and palaces, of gallantry and legend, promises to enamor one and all with its grandeur. A sense of the ancient exists everywhere, from the heady aroma of its delectable cuisine to the dancing colours of its native costumes. Rajasthan is easy to spot, women and men dressed in the brightest of colours, in defiance of the desert’s arid brown. Experience the richness of Rajasthan through four of it the most exquisite locations.

Udaipur: Let’s start about 660 kilometers west of New Delhi, in the erstwhile hub of the celebrated kingdom of Mewar and one of Rajasthan’s most spectacular cities, Udaipur. Nestled in a fertile valley, it is a city of palaces, essentially built around the three lakes of Pichola, Fateh Sagar and Umaid Sagar. As the setting sun burns a fiery orange and the undulating Aravali range turns purple in the background, you will be stunned by the architecture of the palaces girdling the golden waters of the lake. The lake palace is the star attraction in this city. Tear away from the sprawling palatial acres, and weave through the inner city’s magical bylanes, to find noisy little markets, full of handicrafts and irresistible buys, the Bara Bazaar near the Jagdish Temple and Bapu Bazaar near Suraj Pol are memorable experiences.

Chittor: Once one of Rajputana’s most magnificent citadels, the fort is situated 150 kilometers from Udaipur. Nearly 700 years ago, it housed the fabled and beauteous Rani Padmini of the Sisaudia clan. Drawn by her irresistible beauty, Delhi’s Turko-Afghan ruler Alauddin Khilji attacked the fiercely protected fort, early in the 14th century. She preferred to die fighting, rather than give herself up. More than two centuries later, historian Malik Mohammad Jayasi immortalised her story of honour and sacrifice in his epic Padmavat. The legend leaps out at you from the walls and ramparts of the fort. Jaisalmer: Have you stood in the middle of the desert and watched the sun go down? And have you then watched the evening wrap a loving arm around the shoulders of sunbaked day? You can, in Jaisalmer. Wait a little longer and feel the night unfurl above you like a star-studded sheet of calm. Jaisalmer is a city of havelis (artistically designed private mansions). The Sonar Quila, or the golden fortress, rises like a colossus from the sands, and is a must see in the city.

Jaipur: The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur was founded in 1727 by the Kachhwaha Rajput king Jai Singh II. Jaipur is a five-hour drive from Delhi on most days, but you must take the route into town that cuts through the hills lined by the imposing ramparts of the sprawling Amber fort. History is etched in white and red sandstone in its architecture. A sound and light show at the fort is a popular attraction. In 1853, the ruler of Jaipur, Sawai Ram Singh, had all the city’s buildings painted pink to welcome the visiting Prince of Wales. Large parts of the city, including all its official buildings, are still painted in that colour, hence the name Pink City. It rightly boasts of the best in cultural heritage and markets. Tourists can enjoy shopping for gems, garments, blue pottery and much more.

If you are adventurous, you will go looking for the best savouries and sweets in the walled city. For the not so daring, LMB restaurants the place to sample Rajasthan’s cuisine. In the main city, visit Amprapali at Paanch Batti for gorgeous handcrafted silver jewellery. And for a perfect end to your busy day visit Chowkhi Dhani on the Ajmer-Tonk Road. Be treated like royalty, dine in Rajasthani splendour and let the colours and vibrancy of Rajasthan fill up your senses.