JAIPUR
Planned by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, Jaipur holds the
distinction of being the first planned city of India. Renowned globally for its
coloured gems, the capital city of Rajasthan combines the allure of its ancient
history with all the advantages of a metropolis. The bustling modern city is
one of the three corners of the golden triangle that includes Delhi, Agra and
Jaipur.The story goes that in 1876, the Prince of Wales visited India on a tour. Since
the colour pink was symbolic of hospitality, Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur
painted the entire city pink. The pink that colours the city makes for a
marvellous spectacle to behold. Jaipur rises up majestically against the
backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Garh Ganesh Temple.Jaipur traces back its origins to 1727 when it was established by Jai Singh II,
the Raja of Amber. He shifted his capital from Amber to the new city because of
the rapidly-growing population and an increasing water scarcity. Noted
architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya used the established principles of Vastu
Shastra to build the city.
AMBER PALACE
Amber
(pronounced Amer) is at a distance of about 11 kilometres from Jaipur. Now a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was the bastion of the Kachwahas of Amber, until
the capital was moved to the plains, to what is today Jaipur. The palace,
located in craggy hills, is a beautiful melange of Hindu and Mughal styles.
Raja Man Singh I began construction in 1592 and the palace, which was built as
a strong, safe haven against attacking enemies, was completed by Mirja Raja Jai
Singh. The contrast between the harsh exterior and the inviting interior
couldn’t be more surprising. Made entirely of red sandstone and white marble,
visitors are left spellbound by the magnificence of the palace that utilises
carvings, precious stones and mirrors. The splendour of the palace is enhanced
by the breath-taking vista of the Maota Lake in front. The palace is nearly
seven centuries old and has a legendary past. Originally a small structure that
the Rajputs won from the Meena tribes, it was later transformed into the grand
Amber Palace.
CITY PALACE
Located
deep within the walled city, the City Palace Complex was conceived and built by
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. A beautiful fusion of
Mughal and Rajput architecture, the palace is still home to the last ruling
royal family which lives in a private section of the palace. Maharaja Sawai Jai
Singh II is credited with building most of the structures, but it was expanded
upon by later rulers as well. The City Palace Complex includes the Mubarak
Mahal (the palace of reception) and the Maharani’s Palace (the palace of the
queen). Mubarak Mahal now houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and
displays a vast and unique collection of royal costumes, delicate Pashmina
(Kashmiri) shawls, Benaras silk saris, and other dresses with Sanganeri prints
and folk embroidery. The clothes of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I are also on
display. The Maharani's Palace, surprisingly, has an interesting display of
very well-preserved Rajput weaponry, some dating back to the 15th century.
Other than the arms, the palace is adorned with beautiful paintings on the
ceiling that are well-maintained.
JANTAR MANTAR
Now
a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is considered to be the
largest of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Sawai Jai
Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. It contains sixteen geometric devices,
designed to measure time, track celestial bodies and observe the orbits of the
planets around the sun. It also houses the Interpretation Centre that helps the
tourists to understand about the working principles & chronolgy of the observatory.
HAWA MAHAL
Hawa
Mahal, literally the Palace of Winds, was built in 1799 by the poet king Sawai
Pratap Singh as a summer retreat for him and his family. It also served as a
place where the ladies of the royal household could observe everyday life
without being seen themselves. This unique five-storey structure is a blend of
Hindu and Islamic architecture, and the exterior, with its small latticed
windows (called jharokhas), resembles the crown of Lord Krishna. The windows
also serve as an air-conditioner of sorts, blowing cool air throughout the
palace, making it the perfect retreat during summers. Built from pink
sandstone, the Hawa Mahal is Jaipur’s iconic landmark and visitors can view its
complete magnificence from outside, from across the road. However, it is also possible
to climb right up to the top for a wonderful view from the windows. Today, the
Mahal is maintained by the Archaeological Department of the Government of
Rajasthan and also houses an archaeological museum in the courtyard.
ALBERT HALL MUSEUM (CENTRAL MUSEUM)
The
building gets its name from The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the
inspiration for its design. The exquisitely built Albert Hall is housed in the
centre of Ram Niwas Garden. Sir Swinton Jacob (who is also the mastermind
behind many other palaces in Rajasthan) conceptualised and designed it using
styles from the Indo-Sarcenic architecture and the Prince of Wales laid the
foundation stone of the building in 1876. The museum displays a wide range of
metal objects, wood crafts, carpets, stone and metal sculptures, arms and
weapons, natural stones and ivory goods. It also houses a large collection of
miniatures from Bundi, Kota, Kishangarh, Udaipur and Jaipur schools of art.
NAHARGARH FORT
Nahargarh
Fort sits proudly on a ridge of the Aravalli Hills, creating an impressive
northern backdrop to the city of Jaipur. It was constructed during the reign of
Jai Singh in 1734, and was later expanded in 1868. Nahargarh, which means abode
of tigers, was a formidable barrier, defending Jaipur against attacking enemies.
Within its walls, the fort houses Madhavendra Bhawan, the summer destination
for the members of the royal family. Built by Sawai Madho Singh, the palace has
12 matching boudoirs for the queens, at the head of which is a suite for the
king. They are all connected by corridors decorated with delicate murals. Even
today the palace is a favoured spot for local picnickers. The fort looks
brilliant when floodlit at night. Overlooking the city, it presents a
glittering view of the city lights.
JAIGARH FORT
About
15 kilometres from Jaipur, Jaigarh Fort was built by Sawai Jai Singh II
sometime in the early 18th century amidst the arid, rocky and thorn-scrub
covered hills. Despite its ancient construction, it still retains most of its
imposing citadel appearance. Visitors can see the world’s largest cannon –
Jaiban, at the fort.
BIRLA TEMPLE
The Lakshmi-Narayan Temple, or the Birla Temple, as it is more popularly known as, is located at the base of Moti Dungari. Built on an elevated platform, this comparatively modern temple is built entirely of white marble and dominates the skyline of south Jaipur. The temple was commissioned and built by renowned Indian industrialists, the Birlas, in 1988. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, also called Narayan, and his companion, Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and good fortune. The temple is a work of art and has a marvellous display of exquisite carvings and sculptures covering many mythological themes. The eye is drawn to the images of Laxmi and Narayan, carved as they are, from one piece of marble. The top of the temple has three domes, each representing the three religions followed in India. This is designed to pay homage to secular India. The temple looks spectacular at night when it is lit up. Other than the main temple, the complex has a museum that exhibits the earlier belongings of the Birla family.
SISODIA RANI PALACE AND GARDEN
Sisodia
Rani Palace and Garden is located 8 kilometres from Jaipur on the Agra road.
Laid out in Mughal style, it is painted with the legends of Radha and Krishna.
The garden is multi-tiered and has fountains, water courses and painted
pavilions. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II built it for his Sisodia queen.
JAL MAHAL
One
of the most wonderful sights in Jaipur is the beautiful Jal Mahal or Lake
Palace. The light, sand coloured stone walls and the deep blue of the water
make for a wonderful contrast. The palace appears to float in the centre of Man
Sagar Lake, where its magnificent exteriors can be enjoyed by tourists.
CENTRAL PARK
Central
Park is a large green zone right in the centre of Jaipur that offers city
dwellers a spot for a moment of respite. Conceptualised and built by the Jaipur
Development Authority, it is Jaipur’s largest park. It houses a lush garden,
the Polo Ground and a golf club. However, the highlight of the park is India’s
first all-day-and-all-night monumental National Flag which also happens to be
the country’s tallest flagpole.
ANOKHI MUSEUM OF HAND PRINTING
At a
mere ten-minute walk through the cobbled streets of Amber lies the Anokhi
Museum of Hand Printing. Located in a magnificently restored haveli (mansion),
the museum displays a varied selection of block-printed textiles alongside
images, tools and related objects – all chosen to provide an in-depth look into
the complexity of this ancient tradition.
GOVIND DEVJI TEMPLE
The
Krishna temple is a rare spire-less temple and houses the idol of Govind Devji
that Sawai Jai Singh brought from Vrindavan. The deity, worshipped by the
erstwhile royal family, is also revered by the the locals in the area.
MOTI DOONGRI GANESH TEMPLE
Moti
Doongri is a small hill around which the city of Jaipur flourishes. Moti
Doongri means pearl hill, because the hill indeed resembles a pearl drop.
Visitors go there to pay homage at the famous Ganesh temple, the most
auspicious and important religious temple in Jaipur. The Ganesh temple was
built by Seth Jai Ram Paliwal, sometime in the early 18th century. A legend
goes, the King of Mewar was heading back to his palace after a long journey and
was carting a massive Ganesh idol on a bullock cart. The king had decided that
he would build a temple for the idol of Lord Ganesh wherever the bullock cart
stopped. Apparently the cart stopped at the foot of the Moti Doongri, which is
where the temple is situated today. The hill also has an exotic palace perched
right on top. A replica of a Scottish castle, it was once the royal home of
Maharaja Sawai Man Singh. It continues to belong to the royal family. The mere
view of this castle is extremely exotic.
DIGAMBER JAIN MANDIR
The
ancient Digamber Jain temple at Jaipur is in Sanganer, 14 km from the city. The
principal idol in the Sanghiji Temple is of Lord Adinath in the Padmasan (lotus
position) posture. The temple is made of red stone and has attractive carvings.
The seven-storied temple has sky-high 'shikharas' (spires) and its inner
sanctum is a stone shrine with eight sky-high shikharas.
· GALTAJI
Galtaji is an ancient pilgrimage centre in Jaipur. Set amidst low hills and packed with locals and tourists alike, the attractive spot has temples, pavilions and holy kunds (natural springs and water tanks). Visitors to Galtaji will come across the complex of Ramgopalji temple, locally called the Monkey temple (Galwar Bagh). It gets this moniker because of a large group of resident monkeys. The green landscape and chattering monkeys add to the delight of the area. On top of the hill is a small temple dedicated to the sun god, called the Surya Mandir. Constructed by Diwan Kriparam, the temple can be seen from anywhere in the city.
STATUE CIRCLE
· A life-size white marble statue of Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur, stands tall in the middle of a circle in the C-Scheme area. Erected in his honour, the statue pays homage to the founder of Jaipur.
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RAM NIWAS GARDEN
This
historical garden was built by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh in 1868. Located in the
heart of the city, the garden houses the Albert Hall Museum (now known as
Central Museum), a bird park, a zoo, the Ravindra Rang Manch theatre, an art
gallery and an exhibition ground.
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ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN
The
Zoological Garden or Jaipur Zoo was founded by Sawai Raja Pratap Singh in the
year 1868. It is located in Ram Niwas Bagh, within walking distance of the
famous Albert Hall.
KANAK VRINDAVAN
Located at the foothills of Nahargarh hills on the way to Amber, Kanak Vrindavan is popular among the locals for picnics. The beautifully landscaped garden houses an intricately carved temple, several terrace sites, marble columns and lattices, making it a dream location for film s ISHWAR LAT (SARGASULI)
Ishwar
Lat, is a 60 feet high grand minaret in Jaipur. Also called 'Swarg Suli' or
'heaven piercing minaret', this tower near Tripolia Gate was built by Raja
Ishwari Singh in 1749 A.D to commemorate a grand victory. Ishwar Lat offers a
breath-taking view of Jaipur.
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AMAR JAWAN JYOTI
The
Amar Jawan Jyoti, or the ‘flame of the immortal soldiers’, is a memorial
dedicated to the martyrs of Rajasthan. This memorial is situated near Jaipur’s
Vidhan Sabha Bhawan (Legislative Assembly).The key attraction of the Amar Jawan
Jyoti is that the torches at the four corners of the structure are always
burning. In evenings, this formidable structure is attractively lit up in vivid
colours. The brilliant lighting effects make this a picturesque spot a
favourite with tourists.
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MAHARANI KI CHHATRI (MEMORIALS OF QUEENS)
Maharani
Ki Chhatri was a special funeral area for women belonging to Jaipur's royal
family and is located on the way to Amber fort. This crematorium has several
exquisitely carved cenotaphs built to commemorate them. The cenotaphs are
either built with marble or the local stones. As a popular belief, a cenotaph
was finished with a roof structure only if the queen died before her king. In
case she died after the king, it would remain unfinished. One of the
significant features of these cenotaphs is the use of chhatri (umbrella), a
quintessential architectural style of the Rajputs.
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NAHARGARH BIOLOGICAL PARK
· JAIPUR WAX MUSEUM
Amidst the confines of the Nahargarh Fort at the foothills of the Aravallis lies the Jaipur wax museum, a visit of which is sure to leave you awe-struck! It has been developed by Entertainment 7 Ventures Pvt Ltd. Hosting over 30 wax statues of famed personalities, the museum is a spectacle to behold! The wax museum, as the name suggests, holds wax statues of many leading personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Rabindranath Tagore, Albert Einstein, Michael Jackson, Sawai Jai Singh II, Maharani Gayatri Devi and many Indian and International leads. The life-like replicas along with detailed backdrops and ingenious sets provide an overwhelming yet unique experience. The museum also has a display of the 10 foot long Bullet, Gati Gamini, the signature Rajasthan Tourism Motorbike. The timing for the wax museum and sheesh Mahal is from 10 am to 6.30 pm and open all days of the week, The ticket price per person for wax museum and Sheesh Mahal is Rs 500 for Indians, and Combo entry for International Travellers is Rs 700 for all days.
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JAWAHAR KALA KENDRA
The
Jawahar Kala Kendra, more popularly known as the JKK, is an international
institution that focuses on preserving and promoting the different genres of
Indian culture and art. Established in Jaipur in the year 1993, the Jawahar
Kala Kendra has become a very popular cultural destination in the city. JKK
facilitates a lot of artists, artisans, scholars, art-connoisseurs, and
visitors to interact with each other. The center portrays the nuances of Indian
art and culture, through a number of activities like art exhibitions, theater
shows, dance and music recitals, and workshops, helping people observe the
intrinsic aspects of Rajasthani and Indian culture. JKK has been built on a
theme of the nine planets, or the navgraha concept of Indian astronomy. With
six exhibition galleries, dormitories, auditoriums, and an open house theater,
the JKK also has its own Shipgram complex that has six huts that represent the
rural aspect of the state and are the venue for haat bazaars, festival, and fairs.
It also houses the Indian Coffee House, a restaurant very popular among the
locals & visitors alike.
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RAJ MANDIR
One
of the most famous spots in Jaipur is the Raj Mandir Cinema. A single-screen
experience, done up with a royal and luxurious architecture, the cinema holds a
special place in the Pink City. Watching a Hindi movie is an amazing experience
at this cinema, and booking your seat in advance is always a good idea. It was
established in 1976. An asymmetrical exterior design helps the theater stand
apart. Inside, the extravagantly finished roof, grand chandeliers, and a rising
staircase next to the lobby lend an old world charm to the place.Located just
off MI road, a Jaipur trip cannot be considered complete without a visit to the
Raj Mandir.
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SAMBHAR LAKE
Sambhar Lake is one of the largest inland salt lake and lies just 70 kms from Jaipur. It is an incredible landscape, almost resembling the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. Apart from producing a large percentage of India's salt supply - it also an incredible place to spot birds including large flocks of flamingos. The views from the Shakambhari Mata Temple are breathtaking at sunset and one can spend hours in solitude. Another unique aspect is the Saltwork's own railway system built to transfer salt from the pans to the processing unit. A visit to the salt lake and a walk in the Sambhar town is also a must do activity. Devyani Kund, Sharmishtha Sarovar, Salt Museum, Circuit House, etc are also important places to visit in Sambhar. One can also visit religious sites Naraina & Bhairana on the way to Sambhar
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SCULPTURE PARK (NAHARGARH)
Perched
on the edge of the Aravallis, the NahargarhFort, overlooking the city of
Jaipur, has always been a popular tourist destination. Now, adding zing to the
already colorful history of the fort, under an initiative by the Government of
Rajasthan, the Fort also houses the Sculpture Park. This is a one-of-a-kind
venue that showcases works of contemporary arts. This project is a
collaborative effort by the Government of Rajasthan and SathSaath Arts, which
is a non-profit NGO. It aims to turn the palace into a gallery for contemporary
art, with sculptures by top Indian and international artists being displayed
indoors and outdoors. The Sculpture Park at Nahargarh Fort is an initiative
that aims to promote the country’s ever growing interest in contemporary art,
while at the same timeembracing the heritage of India.This gallery is open to
the public, and is the perfectcoming together of India’s distinctive past and
present.
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akshardham temple
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jhalana safari park
· masala chowk
It was very difficult to forget the old memories of Kiran Cafe on arrival at Ramnivas Bagh in Jaipur. But now, that curious scene is back, named 'Masala Chowk', a place where you can enjoy a spicy, spicy food in Jaipur.Jaipur has become a great place for fun for people visiting the city. You can sit in Masala Chowk and taste the delicious food found in the old streets of Jaipur, as well as taste other popular local delicacies that are found in Jaipur.An entry fee of Rs.10 / - is required to come to Masala Chowk and a total of 21 food stalls i.e. small food shops have been set up here. Evening time is the best time to come here, because at this time you will also get a chance to meet and interact with the local people here.
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amrapali museum
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