Jaipur is a colorful and vibrant city. It is also known as the Pink City as most of the buildings here were painted in pink in the 19th century (to welcome the then Prince of Wales in 1883).
Jaipur is well planned and is divided into nine rectangle sectors that symbolize the nine divisions of the universe (in accordance with 'shilpa shastra').
What to see
You can make the best out of your vacation to Jaipur if you are adventurous enough to explore the city on foot. Traverse through the inner lanes to discover a whole new experience. The important landmark locations in Jaipur include the Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jaigarh and Nahargarh Fort.
Founded by Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh, the City Palace is a historic landmark in Jaipur that blends both Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. Carved arches and floral motifs lend beauty and grandeur to all the structures in City Palace. The Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum displays various royal costumes, armory of the Mughal, Rajput weapons, swords, etc. The art gallery has a fine collection of paintings, carpets and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit. The palace also houses the Mubarak Mahal which is the palace of reception and the Maharani's Palace. The royal family still occupies the Chandra Mahal Palace, which is a part of the City Palace.
Jantar Mantar is one of the five observatories in India. This structure represents the high points of Medieval Indian astronomy and is constructed with stone and marble. The complex astronomical instruments at the observatory are chiseled out of stone and some provide accurate information even today.
Intricate architecture and exquisite designs are synonymous with the Hawa Mahal. Standing five-storey high, the Hawa Mahal has 953 pink sandstone windows and resembles a giant honeycomb. The ladies of the royal household watched the colorful shops and processions in the city from inside the Mahal.
The garland forts comprise the Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort and the Nahargarh Fort. While each fort was built in a different time period, they resemble a garland because of their locations.
- The Amer Fort is a blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture and is built with red sandstone and white marble. The Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas and Ganesh Pole are worth visiting.
- The world's largest Cannon on Wheels are located at the Jaigarh Fort. The fort also has a museum and provides excellent views of the Amer Palace and other surrounding areas.
- The Nahargarh Fort overlooks the city of Jaipur and visitors can have a spectacular view of the city at night.
Gardens
While Jaipur is located in the desert state of Rajasthan, visitors can enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens that are not only a visual delight but also are green retreats. The Vidhyadhar Gardens is the best-preserved garden in Jaipur and is surrounded by green mountains with views of the entire region. The Kanak Vrindavan Valley has well developed and planned gardens apart from a carved beige stone temple with marble columns and lattices. Multi-tiered gardens, fountains and watercourses and painted galleries gives the Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh an aesthetic appeal. Exotic murals of Lord Krishna can also be found here.
Temples
The temples speak volumes of the deeply rooted culture. Among the popular temples is the Moti Dungri Temple, a temple of Lord Ganesh. The Birla Temple situated just below the Moti Dungri Temple, is a huge complex built in a contemporary style with beautiful stained glass windows depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
Shopping
Jaipur offers a unique shopping experience for tourists. There is an abundance of arts and crafts items to choose from. The most-sought after items include camel leather items, handicrafts, metal works, pottery, jewellery, gems, fabrics, carpets, etc. The striking factor that is visible in all the items is the color and design produced by skilled artisans.
How to get here
The Sanganer Airport is located close to Jaipur. Domestic flights from various locations in India connect to the airport. Tourists can also reach Jaipur by train or road.
Climate
Jaipur is scorching hot in summers and cool in winters. Visiting Jaipur in winter is a better option as the weather permits you to do a lot of sightseeing. The best time to visit Jaipur is between September and March.
Accommodation
The hotels in Jaipur reflect the royal splendor of the past. Be it paintings, ambience or the interiors, the hotels give you a true experience of Jaipur. You will also find palaces that have been converted into hotels and equipped with multicuisine restaurants. Tourists have a wide range to choose from - 5-star deluxe, 5-star, 4-star, 3-star and heritage hotels. Whichever you choose, you can expect good service from the staff along with a comfortable stay.
All the eateries and hotels appease the tourist's palate by offering a wide variety of foods that include Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian, Continental, Mughlai, Chinese, etc.
