Rajasthan, the land of warrior kings, is the largest state in the country in terms of area. It lies to the north-west of India and lays claim to some of the most picturesque places of tourist interest. It is renowned for palaces and forts which were built and occupied by the Rajputs representing the warrior community. Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Alwar, Chittorgarh and Bikaner, all stand testimony to a very resilient population. The climate of Rajasthan swings between dry and sultry weather. Despite these conditions, the state is a major tourist attraction as the Government has promoted tourism in a big way. There is a perennial cycle of fairs and festivals throughout the year and if you happen to visit the state during such events, it is like icing on the cake.