Ranthambore National Park is a popular wildlife destination in Rajasthan and a notably large one in Northern India. Once a hunting ground for the Royal members of Jaipur, it is currently a conservation area of the powerful predators that is the Royal Bengal Tigers. Today, Ranthambore National Park has become a favourite go-to place for wildlife lovers, especially for spotting tigers by booking jeep safaris. Wildlife photographers also take special enthusiasm for capturing the majestic beasts and other wildlife species through their lens.
Tourists posing for other interests along with the wildlife thrill usually search for some nearby destinations or tourist attractions which will take about 3-4 hours from Ranthambore National Park. The good news is that Rajasthan never falls short of amusing its tourists with its vibrant vivacious forts, lakes and other monuments. There are several tourist spots in the close vicinity of the national park such as the Ranthambore Fort, Kachida Valley, Padam Talo, Malik Talao, Raj Bagh Ruins, Jogi Mahal, Trinetra Ganesh Temple and so on. On the other hand, if you wish to travel a little longer, then the following list of destinations will definitely assuage you.
- Sunehri Kothi, Tonk (87.3 km) – The palace is also known as Sheesh Mahal or Mansion of Gold as the interior of the palace is made of polished gold and intricate artwork of diamonds and glasses. This burnished embellishment attracts a lot of tourists every year awaiting loads of appreciation and admiration of the architectural excellence.
- Garh Palace, Bundi (145 km) – Once the residence of the royal family of Bundi, the exceptional fact about the palace is that it has remained untouched by the Mughal influence of architecture. The walls of the palace are vibrantly painted, depicting the lifestyles of the royal ancestors. Each corner of the Garh Palace resembles the architectural brilliance of rajasthan including the Chhatris, Hathi Pol, netted walls made of sandstones and so on.
- Chand Baori Stepwell (Abhaneri), Dausa (162 km) – A photogenic stepwell, built thousands of years ago, it is probably the oldest stepwell in India. This is a 13-storeyed deep stepwell with symmetrically constructed triangular stairs leading to the bottom of the well. The steps are on three sides of the well and the accurate construction of the stairs gives it a look like that of a diamond. This stepwell serves as a natural cooler during the summer season.
- Mehandipur Balaji Temple, Karauli (176 km) – Located in the Dausa district of Rajasthan, and is a highly revered pilgrimage site. The presiding deity of the temple is believed to have powerful energy, and people under the spell of black magic or possessed by some evil spirit come here to seek relief. This temple has been enlisted here as it serves an exceptional purpose and one can pay a visit to get an unusual experience.
- Amer Fort, Jaipur (193 km) – It is a magnificent fort, perched atop a hill in Jaipur. The total area is divided into four parts, each with its own courtyard. The two main gates of the fort are known as Surajpol and Chandpol. The fascinating fact is you can get a complete overview of the Pink City from the rooftop of Amer Fort.
- Adhai Din ka Jhonpra, Ajmer (247 km) – This ruined mosque stands as a testament to the monstrosity of the Mughals. There was also a Sanskrit college and a Saraswati temple, where the Adhai Din ka Jhonpra stands today. According to some documents, the square-shaped building was built by Seth Viramdev Kala for the Jain pilgrimage. After the invasion of Muhammad Ghori, the prevailing temple and college were destroyed and a mosque was erected. Since the construction of the mosque was completed in 2&½ days, it is known as Adhai Din ka Jhonpra.
