The lovely Lake Pichola glitters under the simmering sun, inviting visitors to get on the tour boats to see the City Palace while floating on the lake. © Mikecphoto

A woman walks by the many traditional Rajasthani pieces of fabric on sale outside the sandstone walls of the Jaisalmer Fort. © Don Mammoser

Visitors at the street market in Jodhpur Rajasthan, checking out the many folk-style articles on display ranging from bangles to necklaces to clothes. © f9photos

A pair of grandfather and grandson riding in a horse carriage on the streets of Jodhpur, the second largest city in Jodhpur. © Don Mammoser

Rural women with jugs of water on their head walking back home; Rajasthan has an acute shortage of water during summer months and villagers have to get water for daily use from natural springs. © Kijja Pruchyathamkorn

A Rajasthani man dressed in traditional attire, looking out of the regal Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur, one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions. © Matyas Rehak

The view of a street in the blue city of Jodhpur; given the extreme heat in the state of Rajasthan, Jodhpur resorted to painting all houses blue to counter the heat. © costas anton dumitrescu

A tourist standing next to the Kirti Stambh (The Tower of Glory) dating back to the 12th century of Chittorgarh Fortress – the largest in Rajasthan. © Radiokafka

A shot of the Jama Masjid, Asia’s largest mosque with a crowd of devotees, as taken from the silhouetted front doorway. © Wan Fahmy Redzuan

A snake charmer at Alt Jaipur; Snake charming is an old tradition of India and it can be seen in smaller cities and villages on the roadside. © Anyamay

Two men dressed in traditional Rajasthani attire demonstrate how to tie a pagdi, a kind of turban, to the visitors at the Mehrangarh fort. © Pikoso.kz

Visitors explore the observatory at Jantar Mantar, a structure imitating a giant sun-clock built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the 18th century. © Angelo Giampiccolo

A group of visitors walking through the ginormous lanes of the Red Fort in Agra in Uttar Pradesh, the backdrop to which is the world-renowned Taj Mahal. © Jorg Hackemann

Visitors walk through the Great Gate, the primary entrance to the great Mughal monument that symbolises love: Taj Mahal in Agra. © Paul Prescott

A pair of visitors snap away shots of one of the many smaller fortifications within the walled city structure of Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan in the 17th century. © maodoltee

The Red Fort in Delhi is recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site; the mughal architectural structure is at the centre of the city, right next to Chandni Chowk. © Yavuz Sariyildiz

The entrance to the Tomb of Humayun in Delhi, a structure modeled after the recognisable Taj Mahal, but made in red sandstone instead of white marble. © Tatiana Dyuvbanova

Tuk-tuks on the streets of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, are a popular means of commuting for short distances given they are both cheap and eco-friendly. © Roman Malanchuk

The Qutab Minar towering at a height of 73 metres, against the backdrop of a beautifully cloudy sky as a plane flies by. © Rahul Sapra

The City Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan was constructed in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, when he moved his court from Amber to Jaipur. © DeGe Photos

A shot of the Amer Fort from behind two of the many turrets, which witness more than five thousand visitors walk into the fort every single day. © Rolf_52

Tourists exploring Agrasen ki Baoli, an ancient structure meant for water preservation in the capital, located on Hailey Road next to the busy junction of Connaught Place. © ABIR ROY BARMAN

A tourist riding on the elephant back, entering the landmark hill fort of Amer in Jaipur in proper royal fashion. © Amlan Mathur

Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds, is another very popular monument of the Pink City, Jaipur right on the busy street and a mere four minute walk from the Jantar Mantar. © Nila Newsom

A street in Jaipur, Rajasthan’s largest city; with all structures in the same pink sandstone that is signature to the city and justifies its name of the Pink City. © Phuong D. Nguyen

The view of a clothes market in Jaipur where city dwellers and tourists often go to buy traditional Indian outfits, from Rajasthan and other parts of the country. © Fotos593

A group of young children pose welcomingly outside a traditional house in the city of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan. © Christophe Cappelli

An aerial shot of the old Chittorgarh Fort which was once the capital of Mewar, and is now recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. © Nomad1988

Tourists enjoy a boat ride on the Lake Pichola in Udaipur, looking over the city and its heritage sights, such as the City Palace. © Dmitry Rukhlenko

A shot of the spice shop at Udaipur’s city market with spices such as Dry Red Chillies, Coriander Powder, Turmeric Powder, and other traditional Indian spices on display. © Pierre Jean Durieu

A busy street market in the city of Udaipur which is loved by national and international tourists, with people, tuk-tuks, and shops. © mikecphoto

A young street snack vendor in Udaipur selling the beloved street snack, Bhelpuri and its many renditions by the peaceful Lake Pichola. © Kamila Koziol

Earrings, necklaces, and hair ornaments on display at a local jewelry shop in the busy city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. © stesilvers

A young tourist sitting on the beautifully textured sand dunes of Thar Desert in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. © Don Mammoser

Camel drivers walk back home as the sun sets upon the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer casting a lovely orange hue across the sands. © Andrey Armyagov

The Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan that dates back to the mid 15th century, and has thick walls with intricate carvings which house several palaces inside. © Gameoflight

The popular Jaswant Thada Mausoleum in the city of Jodhpur, often referred to as the Taj Mahal of Mewar, is a white marble cenotaph dedicated to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. © Sharad Raval

Tourists look out for the fauna in Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur, India while on a cycle rickshaw ride. © Don Mammoser

A pair of Sarus crane or Grus antigone grazing in the wetland in Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur, unaware of the camera. © Sourabh Bharti

A painted stork of the genus Mycteria Leucocephala, as spotted in the scenic Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. © Sourabh Bharti

The Anguri Bagh courtyard with its formal charbagh-style, or four part, garden in front of the Khas Mahal in Agra Fort. © AlexAnton

Visitors at the Taj Mahal, perhaps India’s most recognisable historical monument dating back to 1632, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. © Don Mammoser

Tourists take a ride in an open truck across the Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan on the lookout for wild beasts such as the likes of leopards and tigers. © Salvador Aznar

The Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of India’s largest private residences and partly owned by Taj Hotels, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. © Mario Savoia / Dreamstime

A tourist looking at a display of swords at the Mehrangarh Fort built circa 1459 by Rao Jodha – namesake of the city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. © Donyanedomam / Dreamstime

A majestic view of the Maharaja Walkway at the Mehrangarh Fort situated 123 metres above sea level in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. © Ramillah / Dreamstime

A tourist in Jaisalmer enjoying a camel ride in the Thar desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert – the largest in the Indian subcontinent. © Ninlawan Donlakkham / Dreamstime

The grand Jaisalmer Fort also known as the Golden Fort of Rajasthan, is entirely made of yellow limestone and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. © Roop Dey / Dreamstime

A bird’s eye view of the city of Jaisalmer, also known as “The Golden City”, located 575 kilometres west of the state capital Jaipur in Rajasthan. © Mubarak Khan / Dreamstime

Street musicians in their traditional attire at the gates of the Grand Old City of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. © Edwardje / Dreamstime

The City Palace in all its glory, built by the Mewar dynasty in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan. © Borisgelman84 / Dreamstime

Exquisite sandstone sculptures dating to the 15th century at the City Palace of Udaipur, Rajasthan. © Letloose78 / Dreamstime

A traditional style wall painting depicting the scene of a royal procession plastered on an old wall in Udaipur, Rajasthan. © Anna Artamonova / Dreamstime

Locals enjoying a ride on the back of a tuk tuk in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan which is their primary means of intra city commute. © Christophe Cappelli / Dreamstime

The vibrant rose-ringed parakeet, named after its distinctive red nose, perched on the walls of the citadel in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. © Rene Drouyer / Dreamstime

Lemurs sit on the majestic stone carvings of the Chittorgarh Fort depicting Hindu Gods and scenes from mythological stories. © Jarnogz / Dreamstime

The ruined Citadel of the Maurya Dynasty, dating back to the 7th Century outside the Chittorgarh stone fortress against a bright blue sky. © Rene Drouyer / Dreamstime

The front-face view of an ancient Hindu temple built of carved stones at the Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan. © Ramillah / Dreamstime

Rajasthani men dressed in their traditional attire, preparing Masala Chai at the Jaipur Literature Festival which is the world’s largest literary festival with free access to participants. © Radiokafka / Dreamstime

North-Indian delicacies of Fish Tikka, Chicken Tikka, and fried Potato Patty served with a traditional green chilli, mint, and yoghurt based sauce. © Rahul Kumar / Dreamstime

A leopard spotted by the lake drinking water by tourists on a safari at the Ranthambhore National Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. © Shardran / Dreamstime

A graceful Royal Bengal Tiger strutting through the jungle, its stripes camouflaging it amidst the tree trunks and branches at the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan. © Vladimir Cech / Dreamstime

Sambar deer, crocodile, and storks on the banks of a water body in the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. © EPhotocorp / Dreamstime

As the sun sets outside the Amer Fort, it casts a pink and violet light over the structure, which is also lit artificially at the time of dusk. © Sitaretravels EPhotocorp / Dreamstime

Located high on a hill, The Amer Fort has several Hindu Rajputana-style artistic elements to its architecture and adornments, and it is the most popular tourist attraction in Jaipur. © Letloose78 / Dreamstime

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is a Sikh place of worship open to people of all classes, castes, religions, communities, genders, or political affiliations seeking peace and the Guru’s blessings. © MrFly / Dreamstime

Pilgrims sit on the floor alongside each other, renouncing social differences, while eating a meal at the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara in Delhi. © Abhishek Saini / Dreamstime

An admirer places a wreath of marigold flowers on the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi – Father of the Nation, at Rajghat. © Jasmina / Dreamstime

The fountain flourishes outside Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi which was designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, and was commissioned by Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. © Vikramchandoria / Dreamstime

The Rashtrapati Bhavan located on the western end of Rajpath in the capital city Delhi is the official home of the President of India. © Anna Artamonova / Dreamstime