Planning to see the myriad colors of India? You need to visit Rajasthan - the most colorful and culturally diverse state of the country. Rajasthan is also known for it’s extreme weather conditions such as the scorching summers and frightfully cold winters. Despite the harsh cold, however, the winter season enjoys an unbeatable number of tourists and travelers who flock to the desert to experience the glorious beauty of Rajasthan and of course – to beat the heat!
Winter weather in Rajasthan extends from December to March with January being the coldest month of the year. Temperature varies throughout the state and the lowest temperature recorded is 0⁰C - or even below 0⁰C sometimes. Slight rainfall in the north and north eastern region of the state is often experienced in the winter months due to the effect of the Western Disturbance. Winter weather in Rajasthan means biting cold and average temperature ranging from 8⁰C to 28⁰C.
But if you love the winters, thoroughly enjoy the icy cold weather, and are planning to do so by visiting only Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Pushkar in Rajasthan - think again! Temperatures in these parts of Rajasthan is no doubt very cold during the winters but places like Churu, Bikaner, Ganganagar and Pilani, that lie in the north, northwest part of Rajasthan often record below zero temperatures and are also less crowded as they are less known. Therefore, traveling to these parts might be a better idea if you’re looking for a peaceful winter vacation.
In 2011, while Jaisalmer recorded 1⁰C, Bikaner recorded -2⁰C. Jaisalmer’s 2012 average temperature was between 3⁰C - 4⁰C and Churu and Pilani repeatedly saw temperatures hovering around 2⁰C -3⁰C. Thursday, January 3rd 2013 recorded 0.4⁰C in Bikaner. If these figures are not enough, here are some more reasons to travel to the less traveled Bikaner, Pilani and Churu and make the most of the winter weather in Rajasthan:
a) Don’t forget to attend the ‘Camel Festival’ in Bikaner, held in the month of January. It’s an elaborate affair accompanied by folk dancers and singers of Rajasthan.
b) The Karni Mata temple in Bikaner is not just an auspicious Jain pilgrim site but is home to thousands of rats living here. Spotting a white rat among them is considered lucky.
c) Camp at the Churu to visit the wildlife sanctuary here and spot the endangered black buck. A visit to the empty deserted land of Churu is the perfect way to enjoy the weather of Rajasthan.
d) The entire Rajasthan is famous for it’s grand havelis but nothing like the ones that still stand tall on a quiet hill in an even quieter village of khetri in Pilani. Khetri fort is the perfect example of this.
Photo by Christopher.
