The color pink is associated with hospitality in Rajasthan.
Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, was founded in 1727 AD by
one of the greatest rulers of the Kachhawaha clan, the astronomer
king Sawai Jai Singh. The pink color was used at the time of making
to create an impression of red sandstone buildings of Mughal cities
- and repainted in 1876, during the visit of the Prince of Wales.
The city is best explored on foot and the adventurous visitor
willing to go into the inner lanes can discover a whole new world
not visible to the tourist-in-a-hurry.
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| (Rajput Marionettes) |
The city was designed by Vidyasagar Chkravarty, a young Bengali
architect, who succeeded in making a marvellous synthesis of many
influences- Hindu, Jain, Mughal (with Persian overtones), beside
his own idea from eastern India.This fascinating city with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch
of royalty and tradition. The imperial city, replete with amazing
legends of romance and heroism.Displaying remarkable harmony, the
heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy tale palaces,
rugged fortresses perched on hills. The only planned city of its
time, Jaipur is encircled by a formidable wall. Jaipur today is a
blend of tradition and modernity.
Prime Sites
City
Palace
In the heart of the old city is the
former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and
Mughal styles. The carved arches are supported by grey-white marble
columns ornate with floral motifs in gold and colored stones. Two
carved elephants in marble guard the entrance. The palace complex, which is located northeast of the centre of the grid patterned Jaipur city, incorporates an impressive and vast array of courtyards, gardens and buildings.
Jantar
Mantar
A stone observatory. Largest of Jai Singh's
five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments, whose
settings and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high
points of medieval Indian astronomy. The Most striking of these are
the Ram Yantras used for gauging altitudes. The worlds largest sundial at Jantar Mantar.
Hawa
Mahal
Govind Devji
Temple
The most popular spireless temple of Jaipur
dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is located in the central pavilion of
the Jai Niwas graden to the north of Chandra Mahal. The image of
the patron deity-Govind Devji, originally installed in a temple of
Vrindavan, was reinstalled here by Sawai Jai Singh II as his family
deity.
Swargasuli (Isar
Lat)
The highest tower dominating the skyline on
the western side of the Tripolia bazaar. It was built by Sawai
Ishwari Singh in 1749 A.D. to commemorate a grand
victory.
Ram Niwas
Bagh
A lush spacious garden with a zoo, an aviary,
a greenhouse, a herbarium, a museum and popular sports ground. The
Albert Hall - fine example of Indo-sarcenic style of architecture
designed by Sir Swinton jacob, was opened later with an exiquist
collection of sculptures, painting, decorative wares, natural
history specimen, an Egyptian mummy.
Nahargarh
Fort
A sentinel to the Pink City is Nahargarh
Fort, situated beyond the hills of Jaigarh. Although much of it is
in ruins, the lovely building added by sawai Ram Singh II and Sawai
Madho Singh II provides interest to the fort.
Jaigarh
Fort
One of the few military structures of
medieval India, retaining its ancient splendour in palaces,
gardens, reservoirs, a granary, an armoury, a well planned cannon
foundry, several temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted
cannon-the Jai Baan, one of the largest in the country are
preserved here. The extensive parkotas (walls), watch-tower and
gateways of Jaigarh dominate the western skyline.The world's
largest cannon on wheels is to be found here. The fort houses a
museum and provides some excellent views of the Amer
Palace.
Amber Palace and Shila Mata Temple
A beautiful complex of
palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples built by Raja Man
Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh over a period of
about two centuires still stand in magnificent state. Tourists
often ride on the elephant back to the Singh Pol and the Jaled
Chowk. The well proportioned Mohan Bari or Kesar Kyari in the
centre of the Maotha Lake and the Dilaram Bagh at its north &
provides a spectacular view of the palaces above.
Statue
Circle
full-length exquisitely carved statue
of Sawai Jai Singh in white marble in the center of the circle was
erected under the newly planned scheme area to pay homage to the
founder of Jaipur.
Jal
Mahal
Jal Mahal is palace located in the middle of
the Man Sagar Lake in city. The palace and the lake around it were
renovated and enlarged in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II
of Amber.The Jal Mahal palace has got an eye-popping makeover.
Traditional boat-makers from Vrindavan have crafted the Rajput
style wooden boats. A gentle splashing of oars on the clear lake
waters takes you to Jal Mahal. You move past decorated hallways and
chambers on the first floor to climb all the way up to the fragrant
Chameli Bagh. Across the lake, you can view the Aravalli hills,
dotted with temples and ancient forts, and on the other side,
bustling Jaipur. The most remarkable change is in the lake itself.
Awater treatment system was developed, local vegetation and fish
reintroduced, the surrounding wetlands regenerated and five nesting
islands created to attract migratory birds.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air
Jaipur is
connected by air with Delhi, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai,
Varanasi, Calcutta, Ahmadabad.
By Road
A
convient 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, Udaipur,
Jodhpur, Ajmer.Good motorable roads connect Jaipur with Delhi 258
km, Agra 236 km, Bikaner 321 km, Udaipur 405 km, Ajmer 131 km,
Jodhpur 316 km, Bharatpur 176 km, Jaisalmer 638 km and Mumbai 1202
km
Jaipur offers one of a kind shopping experience with its rich
treasure of bewithching jewellery, beautiful gems, semi - precious
stones, kundan and Minakari work (enamel work on gold). Beautiful
cotton fabrics including Sanganeri prints, tie and dye and fine
'Kota doria' saris are the best buys for women.
The exotic blue pottery, enamelware and brassware make excellent souvenris and gift items. The city is also famous for woollen carpets and cotton rugs. Equally popular are the leather footwear, especially the embroidered 'Juits'.
The famous shopping spots are Rajasthali (Govt. Handicrafts shop on MI Road), Johari Bazar, MI Road, Nehru Bazar, Bapu Bazar, Chhoti & Badi Chaupar stalls. The markets generally remain closed on Sundays.
EXCURSIONS
Sanganer (12km)
Bagru (35 km)
Bagru (35 km)
Ramgarh Lake (32km)
Samode (40km)
Bairath (86km)
Abhaneri (80km)
Sambhar (94km)
Jaisinghpura Khor (12km)
Madhogarh-Tunga (40km)
FESTIVE FUN
Some of the festivals unique to the city include :
Gangaur (March-April) : The Festival of women,
dedicated to Goddess Gauri.
Elephant Festival (March) :
Playing holi on these majestic mammals is unique sight during the
festival.
Teej (July-August) :
Another festival exclusively for women and dedicated to Godess
Parvati.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area
Jaipur city (Municipal limits 64.75 sq. km, Pink City 9.8
sq.km)
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