Rajasthan, the land of the Kings, in India at its exotic and colourful best with its bettle-scarred forts, its palaces of breathtaking grandeur and whimsical charm, its riotous colours and even its romantic sense of pride and honour. The state is diagonally divided into the hilly and rugged south-eastern region and the barren north-western Thar desert, which extends across the border into Pakistan. There are also a number of centres which attract travellers from far and wide, such as Pushkar with its holy lake, and the desert city of Jaisalmer which resembles a fantasy from the The Thousand & One Nights. Rajasthan is one of India's prime tourist destinations. Nobody leaves here without priceless memories, a bundle of souvenirs, and an address book full of friends.

CAPITAL : Jaipur