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Jaipur
[ Edit ] Overview
Jaipur, often referred to as the "Pink City", is a one of the corners of the "Golden Triangle" tourist circuit along with Delhi and Agra. With its colorful history, attractive monuments and forts, luxurious hotels which were once the palaces of kings, parks, and nearby places of interest, Jaipur is a tourist's paradise.
Jaipur is the first planned city in India and was designed according to Vastu standards (Vedic planning). The directions of each street, and location of key buildings and markets were all constructed on the appropriate East / West / South / North axis to maximise Vastu benefits. While most Indian towns of that period presented a chaotic picture of narrow lanes, and a confusion of buildings that bore little resemblance to the Hindu architectural principles, Jaipur stood out with its discipline to geometric planning. Originally a walled city, Jaipur has expanded from outside of its gated walls.
Unfortunately, with urban sprawl and crowds as faced in much of India, it is difficult for one to experience all of the historical beauty of Jaipur. Nevertheless, the city is an attractive holiday destination given its rich and colourful mix of history, architecture, forts, palaces and other nearby destinations.
[ Edit ] History
Jaipur, which means the "City of Victory" was established in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II as his new capital when it was shifted from its historical base in Amber.
Quick Facts
[ Edit ] State
[ Edit ] Location
Jaipur is located ~ 260 km South West of Delhi.
[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit
The best months to vist Jaipur are between October to March. If you are comfortable with the rains, June to September can also be decent months to visit Jaipur.
[ Edit ] Tourist Offices
RTDC Central Reservation Office, Hotel Swagatham Complex, Jaipur, Tel: 0141-2315714
[ Edit ] STD Code
0141
Sightseeing
[ Edit ] Albert Hall
Jal Mahal is a palace beautifully located in the middle of the small Man Sarobar lake on the outskirts of the Old City walls. It was inspired by the Lake Palace in Udaipur, where Madho Singh I spent his early childhood. Subsequently, Jal Mahal was used as a hunting lodge to shoot ducks by the royal family. It can only be viewed from the banks of the lake and is a particularly beautiful sight after the monsoons when the lake is filled up and water hyacinths are abundant. For much of the rest of the year, Jal Mahal lies alone in a barren lake bed. Most people get to see the Jal Mahal on their way to and from the Amber Fort.
[ Edit ] Amber Fort
Located 11km outside of Jaipur, Amber (pronounced “Amer”) was for seven centuries, before the city of Jaipur was constructed in 1727, the capital of the Jaipur State and the stronghold of the Rajputs. The Amer Fort & Palace, construction for which was started in 1592, is now the most popular tourist site in Jaipur.
The Amber Palace & Fort is in a beautiful natural setting, located on a rocky mountain gorge and overlooking an artificial lake. The craggy and rugged view from the complex from the outside betrays the beauty and culture that is on display inside with an amalgam of Hindu and Moghul architecture, a rich blend of white marble and red sandstone, and exquisite palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples, which were built over two centuries by each of the then ruling Maharajas.Some of the “must see” places in the complex include:
- Dil-e-Aaram Garden - The fort is entered through this garden which is laid out in the traditional Mughal style.
- Jai Mandir (or “Hall of Victory”) has a glittering ceiling with mirror pieces on stucco and elegant inlaid panels.
- Diwan-E-Khas (or Hall of Private Audience”) is similar in design to the Jai Mandir and has latticed windows, a floral ceiling. The marble screen in this hall overlooks the Maota Lake
- Sukh Niwas (or “Hall of Pleasure”) with has a beautiful sandalwood door, inlaid with ivory. There was a channel running through the room that would carry cool water through it – thus acting as an air cooler during hot summer months.
- Sheesh Mahal (or “Hall of Mirrors”) is renowned for its craftsmanship in mirrors, with several thousands pieces adorning the walls and the ceiling. A single candle is enough to makes the mirrors sparkle and illuminate the entire room.
- Diwan-E-Aam (or “Hall of Public Audiences”), where the Maharaja received his subjects and reviewed their grievances and petitions, has an imposing flight of stairs leading up to it and has latticed galleries and double row of columns.
- Ganesh Pol is a shimmering three storey gateway to the private chambers / pleasure palaces of the royal family.
- Shila Mata Temple / Kali Temple - According to a legend, Maharaja Man Singh I had worshiped the Goddess Kali praying for a victory over the rulers of Bengal. The temple has ornately carved silver doors.
- Kesar Kyari Bagh has star shaped flower beds once planted with the kesar / saffron flowers.
Another one of the highlights of a visit to Amber Fort is a ride on an elephant from the town up cobble stoned pathway.
- The Amber Fort is open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm
[ Edit ] Hawa Mahal
Built by the poet King Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799, the five-storey Hawa Mahal (“Palace of Winds”) is the most distinctive landmark in Jaipur. A beautiful example of Rajput artistry, Hawa Mahal has 953 delicately honeycombed, semioctagonal pink sandstone windows, known as 'Jharokhas, which the King built to act as privacy screens for his palace women to watch everyday life and processions in the city. Given its design, the building enjoys a constant breeze ("hawa") which circulates through its windows - thus the palace's name.
The building, which is essentially just a façade, overlooks the busy Sireh Deorhi Bazaar street and is best viewed from the outside. However, it is possible to climb up to the top. At the rear of the building is the entrance.
- Hours of operation are from 9am to 4:30pm and there is a nominal fee to climb the building. There is also a small museum at the site.
[ Edit ] Jaigarh Fort
The legendary Jaigarh Fort (or the "Victory Fort") looks over the old capital of Amber and Amber Fort. The views of Jaipur, especially at sunset, are remarkable.
One of the most impressive sights at Jaigarh Fort is a monumental 50 tonne cannon - named the Jai Van - believed to be the largest cannon in the world on wheels and capable of shooting cannon balls nearly 10 kms away. It was cast in 1726 at a foundry at the fort itself. A complex set of processes and systems were set up to fire the cannon including the use of elephants, water from a nearby lake for cooling, etc. Yet, and despite the imposing size and power of the cannon, it has never been fired.
Other interesting sights at Jaigarh Fort are two temples, a palace (in ruins), and a seven storeyed tower where a huge oil lamp was lit on the Maharaja's birthday.
Jaigarh Fort is located 12 kms from north west of Jaipur near Amber.
[ Edit ] Jaipur City Palace
The City Palace of Jaipur, originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II and expanded upon by his successors, is an impressive blend of Rajasthani and Mughalai architecture. While much of this vast palace complex has been converted into a museum, the former Maharaja and his family still lives within the premises. The legacy of some of the most magnificent architecture, arts and crafts of the Rajput culture is displayed at this palace and it’s museums.
Like the Old City itself, the City Palace is impressive in its design with built with a series of courtyards with gardens and buildings. the City Palace contains several impressive structures. They include: Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple, and the City Palace Museum. Selected details include:
- Chandra Mahal, or the “Moon Palace”, with each of its 7 floors based on a specific function is extravagantly decorated. It is not open to the public - as it is the home to the present Maharaja of Jaipur. However, the ground floor, with certain exhibits including an exquisitely crafted peacock in the courtyard, is open to the public.
- Mubarak Mahal, or the “Auspicious Palace”, has a magnificent gateway with a grand door in brass opening.
- Diwan-I-Khas or 'Hall of Private Audience' is an open marble paved pavilion / hall with a double row of columns with scalloped arches. The largest silver objects in the world - urns to carry water from the Ganges for personal use of Maharaja Madho Singh II on his journey to England in 1901 are based here.
- Diwan-I-Aam, which literally mean the “Hall of Public Audience”, has now been converted into an art museum and houses miniature paintings, carpets, manuscripts, a silver throne, and ivory elephant saddles (“houdha”)
- The Palace Museum is open daily, except on public holidays, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Entrance Fees apply
[ Edit ] Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal is a palace beautifully located in the middle of the small Man Sarobar lake on the outskirts of the Old City walls. It was inspired by the Lake Palace in Udaipur, where Madho Singh I spent his early childhood. Subsequently, Jal Mahal was used as a hunting lodge to shoot ducks by the royal family. It can only be viewed from the banks of the lake and is a particularly beautiful sight after the monsoons when the lake is filled up and water hyacinths are abundant. For much of the rest of the year, Jal Mahal lies alone in a barren lake bed. Most people get to see the Jal Mahal on their way to and from the Amber Fort.
[ Edit ] Jantar Mantar - Jaipur
Adjacent to the City Palace, Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar is one of a five such sites that was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The Maharaja was a big fan of astronomy and was inspired by the astronomer king of Samarkand - Mirza Ulugh Beg. Built between 1727 and 1733, when the Jaipur itself was being constructed as the new Capital, Jantar Mantar is essentially an observatory that is a collection of fourteen major geometric devices that are large astronomical instruments (or "Yantra"). These instruments perform various functions including measuring time, tracking stars, and predicting eclipses among other such astronomical functions.
Jaipur’s observatory is the largest such one in India and arguably the best preserved. The others built by the Maharaja are located in Delhi, Mathura, Varanasi, and Ujjain. Jantar Mantar is open daily. more
[ Edit ] Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort (or "Tiger Fort"), with its forbidding hill-top location, was the domain of the fierce Meena tribe of Rajasthan which ruled the area until they were defeated by the Kuchhawahas. Nahargarh fortifications were strengthened by Maharaja Jai Singh II and by subsequent rulers.
Madho Singh II added a lavish palace here for his nine queens - called Madhavendra Bhavan - laid out in a maze of terraces and courtyards. It was designed to be a cool and airy place for the ladies of the court to enjoy during the summers. The palace is an outstanding example of a form of plaster work, known as arayish, where the plaster is polished with a piece of agate to produce a marble like finish. Examples of this work are clearly visible on the pillars and walls of the Madhavendra Bhavan.
Nahargarh Fort is located 9 kms northwest of Jaipur.
[ Edit ] Old City
The Old City, with surrounding high walls, was designed per the ancient Hindu texts on architecture - the Shilpa Shastra and was laid out in neat rectangular blocks, vastu compliant and with wide avenues. It is still possible to witness and experience the planning. While the traffic on the streets of the Old City today is overwhelming, when one puts it in the context of this being a 300+ year old city, it is easy to appreciate the thought and effort that went into the design of Jaipur.
Sadly, all that remains of the Old City's walls are its 7 gates with much of the rest long since torn down and used for construction. The key gates to the Old City are Chandpol, Ajmeri, and Sanganeri.
Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, are among the key attractions within the Old City. In addition, the Old City contains within it the main markets including Tripolia Bazaar(souvenirs including brassware, lacquerware, carvings), Bapu Tripolia Bazaar (textiles and perfumes) Johari Bazaar (for jewelery).
[ Edit ] Ram Niwas Garden
The Ram Niwas Garden houses one of the oldest zoos in India, an aviary, a greenhouse, a sports ground and a museum – Albert Hall. The garden, on 33 sprawling acres outside the Old City, was originally built by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II in 1868 to provide relief to his subjects struck by famine.
[ Edit ] Ramgarh Fort
Built in 12th century, Ramgarh Fort was the home of the earliest Kachhawaha rulers of the Jaipur district / region. The fort is popular among local pilgrims who come here to visit a temple built by Kachhawaha rulers in honor of goddess Hamvai Mata.
Also in the fort is the Ramgarh Lodge which is now a heritage hotel. This complex, built in the style of a French villa in 1931 and meant for the use of the Jaipur Royal family, includes one of the best polo grounds in India.
Ramgarh Fort is located 40 kms from Jaipur.
Planning a Trip
Getting There
[ Edit ] Air
Jaipur's Sanganer Airport is well connected to Delhi and increasingly to a few other cities.
[ Edit ] Rail
Jaipur is very well connected by rail with all major cities including Agra, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkotta, Hyderabad, Chennai, & Bangalore.
[ Edit ] Road
NH8 connects Delhi directly with Jaipur. The highway continues to get better over time. Jaipur can be accessed by Bus from all the major places in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai.
Driving distance to Jaipur from:
- Abhaneri: 97 kms
- Agra: 232 kms
- Ajmer: 131 kms
- Bharatpur: 177 kms
- Bikaner: 321 kms
- Chittorgarh: 317 kms
- Delhi: 270 kms
- Keoladeo Ghana National Park: 179 kms
- Mandawa: 151 kms
- Sariska National Park: 110 kms
[ Edit ] Getting Around
[ Edit ] Other Information
Jaipur is great place to experience the culture and heritage of rajasthan. Jaipur Virasat Foundation, a charitable organisation organises several local and international festivals and workshops every year to showcase the tradional craft, music, folk dance, art etc. These festivals are ususally organised during the months of Oct - Feb and are attended by visitors from all over the world. To check the details of the events, visit www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org, www.jaipurfestival.org, www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org
[ Edit ] Shopping
Jaipur is a very popular shopping destination and visitors can easily spend a day on shopping for jewellery, sarees, local handicraft, paintings, marble idols.
For jewellery, precious and semi-precious stones, head to Johari Bazaar and MI Road. Most souvenir shops sell hand-blocks prints, fabrics, colorful quilts and carpets, elaborately-embroidered footwear, folk painting, miniatures, and jewelry boxes enameled with precious stones. For the best range in thick fabric items, stick to Hawa Mahal and Chhoti Chaupur while For finer fabrics like silks and satins, go to Anolhi on Tilak Marg or Soma on Jacob Road.
[ Edit ] Food
Chokhi Dhani is a great place to enjoy the tradional Rajasthani veg cuisine
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