Culture of Rajasthan, India | A Photographer's Journey

Kristian Bertel

Rajasthan, the land of kings in the northwest of India, is the largest state in the Republic of India by area. Rajasthan is famously known as the land of the Maharajas, where forts and palaces still remain as a mark of the royal lifestyle of the Maharajas. This desert landscaping province is culturally rich and has artistic and cultural traditions which reflect the ancient Indian way of life.

Rajasthani men are dressed in full sleeved shirts with a potia on their head. The turban can be an indicator of ones class and social status. The photo is captured in the town of Pushkar

Colorful Rajput heritage in Rajasthan

The state of Rajasthan is mainly arid, and its western border is adjacent to Pakistan. The photographer visited one of the vast attractions for travelers, Thar Desert, and one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, the Aravallis. When photographing and traveling around in this colorful province of India, it is easy to discover the Rajput heritage through its forts and temples. Palaces established by Rajput Kings like Bappa Rawal, Rana Kumbha, Rana Sanga, and Rana Pratap are also popular places to visit.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

The Culture of Rajasthan

A fabled realm of Maharajas in India

Photographing both landscapes and sceneries in the cities, you can deeply understand why it is said that there is almost more history in Rajasthan than the rest of India put together. You can see, feel, and sense a fabled realm of maharajas and their majestic forts and lavish palaces. Taking pictures of India, a land which littered with splendid, ruined bastions, nowhere will you find fortresses quite as magnificent as those in Rajasthan, rising up imperiously from the desert landscape like fairy-tale mirages of a bygone era.
As a photographer and a traveler, Kristian Bertel visited forts in Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Udaipur, and as enchanting as they are, there is more to this royal region than its timeless architectural wonders. Rajasthan is also a land of sand dunes and jungles, of camel trains and wild tigers, of glittering jewels, vivid colors, and vibrant culture. There are enough festivals in Rajasthan to fill a calendar and an artist’s palette, and the shopping and cuisine are nothing short of spectacular. Rajasthan has it all. It is the must-see state of this must-see country, brimming with startling, thought-provoking, and ultimately unforgettable attractions.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is not to be missed if you are on lookout for a colorful city. Known as the Pink City due to the rusty color that the walled city bears, Jaipur is an exquisite destination. With beautiful palaces, forts, gardens, temples, and never-ending market streets, it packs in everything that the colorful state has to offer.

Jodhpur is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The city is commonly referred to as ‘the blue city’– the reasons for which can be easily seen from the high vantage point of Meherangarh Fort’s battlements.

Delightful tastes of Rajasthan, India

As a traveling photographer, the taste of Rajasthani food is a truly cultural experience. The food is generally very spicy and should thus be enjoyed in moderation for first-timers. When the photographer visited India’s Rajasthan province, he tasted food from street kitchens as well as both small and big restaurants. Dairy-based sweet products are very popular in this part of the country, and restaurants are mostly vegetarian. Finding restaurants serving good non-vegetarian food can prove difficult, and non-vegetarian meals from road-side eateries should be avoided. Bread, both leavened and unleavened, is readily available.

A typical Rajasthani fare would include something called daal-baati-churma. Daal is lentil curry and baati consists of round balls made out of wheat flour and baked in charcoal fire. The churma is a dessert made out of crushed wheat balls, rolled in jaggery sugar, and topped with ghee, which is a flavorful type of butter.

Women are dazzling in gorgeous saris. The most common style is for the sari to be wrapped around the waist, with one end then draped over the shoulder.

Desert city of Bikaner, India

The desert city of Bikaner hosts many heritage properties that were once residences of noble families. Bikaner is a 15th-century kingdom primarily inhabited by trading communities and animal rearers. Even today, this city abounds with Camels–infact, a whole breed of camels is named after the city. The Bikaneri camels are strong, well built, and generally used to carry loads. You can see camel carts around just about every turn in Bikaner. You can also visit the 16th-century Junagarh Fort, one of the best maintained forts and museums, and also take a stroll in the old bylanes of the city with its intricately carved Havelis and interesting local markets.

Puppets or Kathputtlis as they are referred to in the local parlance are an integral part of Rajasthan’s folk entertainment. The puppets are gorgeously designed and through puppet shows, historical legends and mythologies to modern day issues like education for the girl child and child labour are highlighted during festivals and village fairs

More pictures and stories from India

If you are interested in seeing more photos of the rural palace and lifestyles in India, you can visit the photographer’s website. In slideshows you can explore stunning portraits and intriguing local markets where you can discover rural Indian culture in villages and pictures of India’s streets and landscapes. See the photographer’s website.
by Kristian Bertel

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article