Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan, Also known as the Pink
City, With numerous forts, palaces, flourished gardens, trendy
restaurants and shopping centers, this magnificent capital city rarely
disappoints visitors. The major highlight of Jaipur tour is the City
Palace that showcases the superbJaipur - Rajasthan lifestyle and
artifacts of yesteryear. The best time to take a tour to Jaipur is from
October to March. With uncountable tourists attractions, Jaipur tour
promises to offer the best time of your life. City Palace is located in
the heart of the pink city. A part of the City Palace has been
transferred into a museum and another part is a residence of erstwhile
royal family. With a splendid collection of paintings, weapons, swords
and antiques, the City Palace of Jaipur is a repository of the wealth of
artistic treasure. Amber Fort is another place worth seeing. Visit
Seesh Mahal in the fort. The fort showcases the fine architecture of
Hindu and Muslim. Hawa Mahal, erected in 1799, is a popular monument of
the capital city. Jal Mahal is situated over the Man Sagar Lake. In the
midst of water, the palace can be accessed only by boat. Jantar Mantar,
Nahar Garh, Samode Palace, Ramgarh Lake and Vidyadhar's Garden are some
of the other noteworthy places to see in Jaipur.
History
Jaipur was founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the capital
of Rajasthan. It is a major attraction for the first-time visitor.
Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts
& enclosed by embattled walls.
The Old City (Known as the Pink City) is a great place to wander around.
The whole city was painted in Pink colour by Maharaja Man Singh II when
Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876 AD. Today,
every home within the city is obliged by law to maintain its facade. It
is a very well planned city laid out in a grid pattern and was designed
by a young Bengali engineer and scholar by the name "Vidyadhar
Bhattacharya".
Jaipur was and remains the only city in the world, symbolising the
nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors
sub-dividing it. Jaipur is a royal city & this is its most
noticeable aspect, small buildings & festivals testify it.
Jaipur & its surroundings are rather like an endless museum. The
city also offers an endless variety of crafts. Jewellers here still
fashion the beautiful enamel-on-gold pendants, studded on the reverse
with precious stones or pearls & turquoise that one sees in
miniature paintings. Jaipur's lacquer bangles are famous all over the
world.
Places of Interest (Jaipur)
Amer Palace
High on the rugged hills outside of town sits ancient forts, including
Amer (often called the Amber Fort), where the Jaipur royal house held
court for seven centuries. Visitors ridding painted elephants can ascend
to the fort to see magnificent gateways, courtyards, pavalions, and a
gliterring chamber of inlaid mirrors.
Hawa Mahal
Jaipur's most famous landmark is the Palace of the Winds or Hawa Mahal, a
fantasia of 1953 ornate of windows set in a rose-colored five storey
facade. The palace , tier upon tier of curved arch surmounting fairy
casements with "jali", lattice work screens. From here the ladies of the
court could look out at festive processions without jeopardizing their
modest seclusion..
City Palace
A pride of peacocks adorn an ornate doorway in Jaipur's City Palace.
Palace retainers stand at attention as in the past when Jaipur Court was
headquartered here. The palace is now a fine museum. It houses a
remarkable collection of textiles, paintings, manuscripts, and
extraordinary weapons. On display there are two huge urns of silver,
said to be the largest silver vessels in the world.
Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of the City Palace guarded
by stone elephants, is monumental.
Jantar Mantar
The architectural astronomical instruments of 18th century Rajasthani
king named Jai Singh contained in an amazing, three-storey-high complex
known as Jantar Mantar.
Jaigarh
The western skyline is dominated by the extensive walls, watch towers
and gateways of Jaigarh built by Jai Singh in 1726. It is one of the few
military structures of medevial India preserved almost intact,
containing palaces , gardens, open and covered reservoirs, a granary, an
armoury, a canon foundary and several temples. It is the royal treasury
for several years. The world's largest cannon on wheels is to be found
here. The fort has its own museum and provide an excellent view of Amer
Palace.
Jal Mahal
A picturesque palace admist the Man Sagar Lake. It is Jaipur's lake
palace surrounded with water. It is built for royal duck shooting
parties.
Nahargarh Fort
Built in 1734, the Nahargarh Fort lies north-west of City Palace and
provides some stunning views of the city down below both during daytime
and night.
Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh
Has beautiful gardens, fountains, pools & some magnificent pieces of sculpture.
Ramgarh Lake
A huge artificial lake created by constructing a high bund amidst tree
covered hills. While the temple of Jamwa Mata and the ruins of the old
fort are some of its antiquities, its beautiful landscape, especially
during in oils pools, makes it an idyllic picnic spot.
Samode
The beautiful Samode Palace, has been rebuilt and renovated and provides
a fine example of the Rajput haveli architecture and is an ideal spot
for outings. The highlight of the building is the exquisite
Diwan-i-Khas, which is covered with original paintings and mirrorwork.
Sanganer
This small town is entered through the ruins of two ' Tripolias ' or '
Triple-gateways '. The town has a ruined palace and a group of Jain
temples with fine carvings. Entry to the temples is restricted. The town
is an important centre for craft, industry and produces some of the
finest hand printed textiles from units of block and screen printers.
This textile is popular all over the country and abroad. It is noted for
its hand printed handloom industry using simple techniques.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air : There are flight connections to Delhi, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Rail: An excellent connection from Delhi is Shatabdi Express
which provides a fast, air-conditioned rail service. Other connections
to Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad,
Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai and Calcutta.
Road: A convenient mode of travel to Jaipur is by road, through a
network of comfortable tourist buses. Rajasthan Roadways runs excellent
regular service of AC and Deluxe Coaches from Delhi (From Bikaner
House, Pandara road and ISBT, Kashmeri Gate) Some Road distances are
Delhi 259 km, Udaipur 405 km, Jodhpur 336 km, Ahmedabad 657 km.