Travel Incredible India
Rajasthan
Cities Jaipur City
Jaipur City Guide
Jaipur the capital city of the northern Indian state of Rajasthan is one
of the most vibrant and colourful cities of India. Famous for its colourful
culture, forts, palaces, and lakes the city basks in the glory of a rich
and eventful past. Jaipur is a planned city which is made all the more attractive
by the pink wash that most buildings are periodically given.
Besides, it remains the only city in the world that symbolises the nine
divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors. It is for these
reasons that Jaipur has been included on the popular tourist "Golden
Triangle" of Delhi-Jaipur-Agra.
Tourist Attractions of Jaipur
City Palace, Jaipur
The sprawling palace of Sawai Jai Singh II, sits right in the centre of
the geometric grid in the heart of the old city. It consists of the seven-storied
Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, the Diwan-i-Am and the Diwan-i-Khas. While
the beautiful Chandra Mahal is still used as a residence by the former royal
family, a part of the complex is open to the public as the City Palace Museum.
The City Palace Museum houses an exquisite collection of textiles, costumes,
carpets, the finest porcelain and a rare collection of arms and paintings.
It is here that you can see the worlds largest silver objects - a
pair of giant urns.
Amber Fort, Jaipur
The fort-palace Amber, 11 km from Jaipur is a fascinating blend of Hindu
and Muslim architecture. Built in the 16th and early 17th centuries by Raja
Man Singh and his successor Jai Singh I, it sprawls dramatically on a hillside
overlooking the Maotha Lake. The white marble and red sandstone complex
has some interesting apartments of a kind found nowhere else. The stunning
Sheesh Mahal in the Jai Mandir, the Jas Mandir, Sukh Niwas and the shimmering
gateway Ganesh Pol, justify the ten-minute climb up the hill. The less energetic
can make the journey riding a caparisoned elephant, in the manner of former
kings and queens.
Hawa Mahal in Jaipur
Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds is one of the most unusual
structures built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Honeycombed with over 900
niches or windows, it allowed the ladies of the court to watch the activities
on the streets below and yet not be seen themselves! The Hawa Mahal too
is made of the famed Jaipur pink stone!
Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
is one of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh whose ruling passion
was astronomy. It was built between 1728-34 and consists of observers
seat, sundial and a number of enormous instruments used to calculate altitude,
locate and identify celestial bodies. These instruments are extremely accurate.
Nahargarh and Jaigarh Forts in Jaipur
Two forbidding forts, Nahargarh and Jaigarh, tower above Jaipur and the
old capital, Amer, in the north. Nahargarh Fort (or Tiger Fort) is 2 km
from Jaipur was once a royal retreat for the Maharanis (queens) and was
also used as a personal treasury. Legend has it that a huge treasure of
gold bullion, jewels and gemstones is stashed away within its wall. Access
to the fort is via a steep winding path. Once up in the fort premises, visitors
can enjoy an excellent view of the city and sip a cup of tea/coffee at the
RTDC caféteria.
Gaitor
Gaitor, the cremation ground of the rulers of Jaipur, nestling at the foot
of the Nahargarh hills, has several ornate cenotaphs - Maharani ki Chattri,
adorned by memorials to the royal ladies whose last rites were performed
there. The imposing Jaigarh, or the Fort of Victory, built by Sawai Jai
Singh in 1726 stands sentinel over Amber. It housed the royal treasury for
many years. The piece-de-resistance here is Jai Vana, believed to be the
worlds largest cannon on wheels (barrel length 6m or 20 ft).
Sisodia Palace and Garden, Jaipur
Sisodia Palace and Garden is the 18th century palace with a terraced well
laid garden where there are several galleries, pavilions and beautiful murals
depicting scenes from the life of Lord Krishna.The Jal Mahal is a lovely
palace/hunting lodge set in the Man Sagar Lake, used for duck-shoots by
the royalty.