Location & Climate

Travel to Rajasthan, the Desert Jewel of India. Royal, exquisite, sprawled languidly in ancient splendor, Rajasthan travel has so much for tourists that it's difficult to decide where to start. Rajasthan is located in the Thar Desert region and is composed of two distinct geographical regions, the dividing line being the Aravallis, the oldest mountain chain in India. Aravallis runs southwest to northeast, the last low ridge ending up in Delhi. These hills block the southeast monsoon so the eastern region receives good rainfall and parts of it are covered with dense green forests of sal, axlewood, dhak and mesquite.

The location of Rajasthan is in the northwestern part of the subcontinent. It is bounded on the west and northwest by Pakistan, on the north and northeast by the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, on the east and southeast by the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and on the southwest by the state of Gujarat. The Tropic of Cancer passes through its southern tip in the Banswara district. The state has an area of 132,140 square miles (342,239 square kilometres).

Climate

The climate of Rajasthan greatly varies throughout the state. In the west, Rajasthan is relatively dry and infertile; this area includes some of the Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert. In the southwestern part of the state, the land is wetter, hilly and more fertile. The climate varies throughout Rajasthan. On average winter temperatures range from 8° to 28° C (46° to 82° F) and summer temperatures range from 25° to 46° C (77° to 115° F). Average rainfall also varies; the western deserts accumulate about 100 mm (about 4 in) annually, while the southeastern part of the state receives 650 mm (26 in) annually, most of which falls from July through September during the monsoon season. The best time to travel to Rajasthan is during the winters, or cold season, which extends from December to March. January is the coolest month of the year.