Rajasthan is a vibrant land filled with colours, and each of its historic cities has a colour associated with it that tells a story of its heritage, architecture, and culture. From the pink façades of Jaipur, the Pink City, to the indigo lanes of Jodhpur, the Blue City, the warm sandstone glow of Bikaner, the Red City, the serene marble elegance of Udaipur, the White City, and the golden fortressed excellence of Jaisalmer, the Golden City, these destinations are absolutely breathtaking.Let’s get into why each city has a colour associated with it:Jaipur – The Pink City
Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan and is known worldwide as the Pink City, as the historic walled city is painted in terracotta pink colour. This has been a tradition which began in 1876 when Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh ordered the city to be painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales, as pink was associated with hospitality. Jaipur is considered one of India’s planned cities, and the layout has been laid out according to Vastu-shastra principles. One can visit many beautiful heritage monuments here such as Hawa Mahal, the hilltop Amber Fort, the astronomical wonder of Jantar Mantar, and the City Palace.Jodhpur – The Blue City
This is the second largest city of Rajasthan and is also known as the Blue City, as it has indigo-coloured houses around the ancient town. This started as a tradition where Brahmins painted their homes blue to signify identity and also to keep their houses cool during the hot summers of the desert landscape, and this tradition was later adopted by the non-Brahmins as well. There are a lot of heritage sites that one must visit such as Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore Gardens, historic stepwells, and bustling old-city markets near the Clock Tower. The sea of blue houses and the city’s royal heritage make Jodhpur an unforgettable experience.Bikaner – The Red City
This city earns the name ‘the Red City’ as most of the forts, palaces, and temples here are made of reddish-pink sandstone. This place has a lot of landmarks such as the Junagarh Fort and the famous Karni Mata Temple, which is famous for its huge population of rats, and this city is also known for its annual Bikaner Camel Festival and for its culinary specialities. One can also go through the beautiful streets of Bikaner that have great stonework on them and glow with the warmth of the pinkish-red sandstone.Udaipur – The White City
This city is also known as the ‘City of Lakes’ along with being called ‘the White City’. The white marble of the palaces and temples gives the name, and the white marble along with the beautiful lakes around creates a serene and royal ambiance. The most iconic site is the City Palace overlooking Lake Pichola, alongside the Lake Palace set on Jag Niwas Island and Jag Mandir. This place is famous for its handicrafts and is the perfect destination with a blend of natural beauty, royal elegance, and history.Jaisalmer – The Golden City
This city is known as the Golden City, as it has yellow sandstone architecture that glows in the desert sunlight. The most famous spot of this place is the Jaisalmer Fort, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the few living forts. Mansions like Patwon-ki-Haveli and Salim Singh-ki-Haveli display intricate stone carvings characteristic of local craftsmanship. The golden hue of its buildings and landscape makes Jaisalmer a visual jewel of Rajasthan.