Rajasthan — with its intricate palaces and forts — was in mourning this week, unable to provide its usual warm welcome to visitors after a series of bomb blasts killed 63 people.

"Everything has come to a standstill," state tourism minister Usha Poonia told AFP after shops, schools and offices were closed Wednesday for a day-long curfew. "Everybody is shaken. Such a thing never happens in Rajasthan."

No tourists were among the casualties in Jaipur, the historic state capital of Rajasthan, popularly known as the 'pink city' because of the ochre-pink hue of its hill top forts, Hindu maharajah's palaces and crenellated city walls.

Along with those killed, about 200 people were injured on Tuesday when eight bombs exploded almost simultaneously, and there are fears it could impact severely on what is one of India's top holiday spots.

Will visitors have short memories?

"These things do leave a bad feeling but I don't think it's going to be permanent," said Poonia.

Poonia will no doubt hope that potential visitors have short memories, with the main tourist season — from October to March when it is cooler — still another five months away.

Those tourists brave enough to have ventured here in the hot season in northern India, when temperatures soar past 40°C, say the attacks have not fazed them.

A group of young tourists from China, trying to get an auto rickshaw to take them to areas where shops might be open, said they were planning to continue their travels through India.

"I don't think it will be a big problem for Chinese tourists," said Huang Yi Han, adding that she first heard about the bombings via text message from friends at home who were asking if she was all right.

"Maybe for Western tourists it might be a problem."

Past visitors won over by arid Rajasthan's feudal charms have included celebrities like model Liz Hurley, whose wedding took place in a medieval fort in Jodhpur city last March, and pop star Madonna.

Last year 25 million Indian tourists visited the state, along with 1.4 million foreigners.

"Random strangers were so helpful to us"

A pair of Canadians said they had headed out for a walk in Jaipur shortly after the explosions took place, unaware of what had happened.

"It was chaotic but I thought maybe that is how it is here," said Krista Armstrong, 27, who arrived in India on a first-time visit a week earlier.

Soon they realised the traffic was all heading one way — away from the old city.

A passerby on a motorcycle urged them to go back to their hotel in case religious riots broke out — a real fear on Tuesday night with many of the explosions taking place near Hindu temples.

The tourists rushed back with the help of a policeman who walked them across a busy intersection.

"Random strangers were so helpful to us. Just good Samaritans," said companion Youla Pompilus-Toure (26). "It would be a shame if people were not to come here."

AFP