Jaipur, popularly knwon as "Pink City" is situated in the eastern part of Rajasthan in India. Jaipur (City of Victory) was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, a Kachhwaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744. Being a brainchild of the maharaja, he took special interest in the designing planning and execution works of Jaipur. The city has been divided into nine blocks of which two are kept for the City Palace Complex and other state buildings, whereas the other seven blocks were earmarked for the public. The city was encircled by the city wall, which opened at seven gates or darwazas. In 1728 maharaja jai Singh II built the remarkable observatory, which is still one of Jaipur's main attractions.
The Old City (Known as the Pink City) is a great place to wander around. The whole city was painted in Pink colour by Maharaja Man Singh II when Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876. Jaipur is still one of the beautiful cities in India with most of its forts and palaces perfectly in shape. Forts and palaces in and around Jaipur are what attract tourists to the Pink City. Jaipur has a number of fine hotels that provide best hospitality service to guests touring Jaipur.
Area of Jaipur : 23.3 sq km (approx.)
Population in Jaipur : 2,779,881 (approx.)
STD Code of Jaipur : 0141
Altitude of Jaipur : 431 m (above sea level)
Best time to visit Jaipur : September to March
Languages Spoken in Jaipur : Rajasthani, Marwari, Hindi, Punjabi, Sindhi and English
Climate in Jaipur : Climate in Jaipur is extreme with hot, dry and scorching summers to cool and pleasant winters. The temperature in Jaipur goes as high as 50 °C in summers and as low as 3°C in winters. Besides, the normal annual rainfall is 556mm.
Jaipur Tourist Attractions :Hawa Mahal : Hawa Mahal, literally the Palace of Winds, built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, situated at Sierh Deori bazar displays fanciful architecture and is a remarkable landmark of Jaipur. So named because the palace has specially latticed screens and arches for an unbridled flow of the air currents but is a set pattern with the passage of the sun. Till the recent past, ladies of the court from within the palace positioned themselves by the balconies to watch processions passing through in the streets below without themselves being observed by the people.
Jal Mahal : Jal Mahal was built by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 AD in the midst of the Man Sagar Lake as a pleasure spot. It is Jaipur's lake palace surrounded with water. It is built for royal duck shooting parties. The Lake was formed by constructing a dam between the two hills by Sawai Man Singh I. During the winter months one can see a large number of migratory birds at the lake. Jal Mahal Palace (Water Palace) has subsided under the mud and silt of the lake it used to look over. Cattle and water buffalo graze in the paddocks around the former palace on the Amer Road outside Jaipur.
Jantar Mantar : Emperor Sawai Jai Singh II, the builder of the city has to his credit five observatories in different parts of the country. The one he raised at Jaipur is the largest and best preserved. Huge instruments in intricate masonry offer an accurate measurement of the time, the declination of the sun, the altitude and the azimuth, the position of constellations in the sky for the day, the eclipses and the allied astronomical phenomena.
Amber Fort : Built on the hilltop outside Jaipur, the construction of the Fort was started by Raja Man Singh in the 16th century and was completed by Sawai Jai Singh in the 18th century. Set in a picturesque background, the splendid Amber Fort offers magnificent views of the surrounding area. Built in red stone and white marble, the Fort is a represents a fine blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.
Jaigarh Fort : At a distance of 15kms from Jaipur, stands the imposing Jaigarh Fort. Also called the Victory Fort, the Jaigarh Fort stands in the midst of thorn-scrub hills that impart a sterner look to the already forbidding Fort. As one approaches the fort from the steep road that leads to the main gate, the Dungar Darwaza, one cannot help but remark at the amazing view it offers of the city below. The Jaigarh fort was built to bolster up the defense of Amer, so one should not be amazed to find that the fort unlike most palaces and forts of Jaipur is quite plain and simple. It has moats and all the features you would expect of a full-fledged citadel.
Nahargarh Fort : 13 km, a picturesque road winds its way up the hills. At one time, the fort was a retreat for the royal family. Nahargarh Fort commands a panoramic view from the top of the hill.
Galta Ji : An ancient pilgrimage spot where the great saint Galav is believed to have spent his life and did his meditation. Galta, situated near Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh, is known mainly for its temples, pavilions, natural springs and holy 'kunds'.
Ishwar Lat : the tower, near Tripolia gate is built by Maharaja Ishwari Singh (1744-51). It offers one of the most breathtaking views of the city.
BM Birla Planetarium : The Birla Planetarium is at the BM Birla Science & Technology Center, near Statue Circle. The Planetarium offers unique audio-visual educational and entertainment with its modern computerised projections system.
Museums in Jaipur : Central Museum (Albert Hall ) : It is located in the Ramnivas Gardens. The Museum is in the Albert Hall and is inspired by the Indo-Sarcenic style of architecture, which uses the best features of both styles of building. It has many pillars, courtyards and arches that give it a very traditional yet elegant look. One of the oldest and the most famous Museum is the Government Central Museum or Albert museum was constructed under the supervision of a British Army officer, Lt. Swinton Jacob in the year 1876. Maharaja Ram Singh, who was then the king of Jaipur, wanted this building to be used as the town hall but his successor Madho Singh decided to convert the building to an art museum. The Central Museum also has a huge collection of miniature paintings from the Udaipur, Jaipur, Bundi, Kota and Kishangarh schools of painting. There are also fine specimens of woodwork, metal objects and other arts & crafts. One can also see the old traditional ceremonial dresses of the Kings and the royal families besides a whole lot of pottery objects, painting and sculptures.
City Palace Museum : The City Palace Museum in Jaipur is divided into three sections namely textile museum, arms museum and art museum. As one enters the City Palace area, the first museum that falls on the way is the textile museum that houses a number of garments and ornaments worn by the kings and other members of the royal family in the departed era. The major highlight of this museum is a garment worn by Sawai Raja Madho Singh II. It is said that as he had a bigger body frame, the cloth used for this garment was 190 meters of cloth. Several bridal dresses of the women of the royal family and the ornaments worn by them are also put on a display. The polo uniform of Sawai Raja Maan Singh II is worth noticing.
R. C. Museum of Indology : Consists of a large collection of historical archaeological manuscripts, miniature paintings and other artifacts.
Dolls Museum : Dolls Museum, Jaipur was established in 1974. It is around 4 kilometers away from the city. Apart from the foreign Dolls, the museum also has a varied collection of Dolls from different parts of India. The places include Gujarat, Bengal, Assam, Kashmir, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Punjab. There are also Dolls clad in bridal costumes and various Indian classical dances. But the most significant aspect of the Dolls Museum, Jaipur is probably the fact that it is educative in the sense that children learn many things about the various customs and traditions of the world.
Gardens in Jaipur :Kanak Vrindavan Garden : Kanak Vrindava Garden is located in the foothills of Nahargarh hills on the way towards Amer, this complex is a popular spot for picnic and film shoots. It should be definitely visited on the way to the three garland forts of Jaipur- Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Amber. The greenery after the monsoons give this whole place a feel of heavenly sensation, with Jal Mahal in the back ground.
Jai Niwas Garden : Built in the beautiful Jai Niwas Gardens is the spectacular seven-storied palace of Sawai Jai Singh called the Chandra Mahal. A temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is situated in the central pavilion of the gardens to the north of the palace. The deity of Lord Krishna that was installed in Vrindavan was reinstalled by Sawai jai Singh in his garden temple. The Jai Niwas garden encloses beautiful trees, flowers beds aligned methodically among the lush green lawns, the enchanting watercourses such as the fountains and ponds. Royal Chhatris of Maharajas are found here. The only ruler who was cremated in the Jai Niwas Garden and also had his royal Chattri here is Maharaja Sawai Ishwari Singh.
Ram Niwas Bagh : Located in the heart of the city, the famous Ram Niwas Bagh is easily commutable from all parts of the city of Jaipur. Ram Niwas Garden is of utmost significance. Established by Sawai Raja Pratap Singh in the year 1868, this place was constructed to offer relief from the drought that had taken over the state of Jaipur. The tourists arriving in the Pink City can visit this place to savor the natural beauty of flowering and non flowering plants in the garden area and the museum at the famous Albert Hall.
Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh : Built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur, in 1728, Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh was built as a gift by the royal groom to his Sisodia Queen from Udaipur. Depicting the theme based on the legends of eternal lovers - Lord Krishna and his soul beloved Radha, the garden is laid in Mughal style, 8 km from Jaipur on the way to Agra. The gardens appeal to the aesthetic and visual tastes of the onlooker with its multi-tiered gardens, most elegant and graceful fountains and watercourses, painted pavilions and galleries and most exotic murals of Lord Krishna in all sorts of poses taken from his lifetime.
Vidyadhar Garden : Vidyadhar Garden or Vidyadharji ka Bagh is situated about 8 kilometers from the walled city of Jaipur on the Agra Road. This Garden was built in memory of the chief architect of Jaipur, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. It is laid in the valley between two hills thus incorporating the natural beauty of the landscape. The garden has beautiful fountains, flowerbeds and shady trees. It is pleasant to walk in the gardens either in the morning or the evenings. It was a vineyard of the erstwhile rulers that was renovated into the garden. It is a terraced garden with watercourses such as pools and fountains.
Temples in Jaipur :Govind Deo Ji Temple : Govind Deo Ji temple is situated in the City Palace complex. Well preserved by the erstwhile royal family, the image of the chief deity Govind Deo Ji (Lord Krishna) is said to have been brought from Vrindavan and was installed here by Raja Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. Since then, he has been worshipped as the patron deity of the royal family and occupies the sanctum of this spire less temple. 'Aartis' and 'Bhog' are offered to the deity seven times a day, when the idol is unveiled for the benefit of the devotees who come here to pay their homage to the deities. 'Bhog' mostly consists of sweets and is offered in the huge silver wares.
Moti Dungri (Ganesh Temple) : In the middle of Jaipur rises a small hill Moti Dungri meaning pearl hill, because it looks hill a drop of pearl. An exotic palace is parched which is a replica of Scottish castle once occupied by Maharaja Madho Singh's son. From There on remained as a private property of the ruling family. In the recent past it served as a home for Rajmata Gaytri Devi and her estranged son Jagat Singh.
Jagat Shiromani Temple : The beautifully carved Jagat Shiromani Temple houses the idol of Lord Krishna and is popularly associated with the celebrated saint-poetess Mira Bai. The old temple of Narsinghji and a step well Panna Main-ki-Baodi, which still bears witness to its past glory are also located in the vicinity.
Birla Lakshmi-Narayan Temple : Birla Mandir or the Lakshmi - Narayan Temple, situated just below the Moti Dungari. This is a modern temple built of white marble on top of a hill, dominating the skyline of south Jaipur. The Birlas (industrialists who have also built several temples in India) built this temple. The temple has been constructed in white marble and has three domes, each portraying the different approaches to religion.
Kalki Temple : The only one dedicated to the incarnation of God not yet born, Raja Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur built this temple in 1727. Hindu mythology prophesizes the birth of the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who will come riding a white horse with a shining sword in his hand as Lord Kalki to deliver the mankind from the prevailing chaos and confusion of Kal Yug. A keen student of Vedic texts, Jai Singh built the Kalki temple right opposite the eastern entrance to the City Palace.
Fairs and Festivals in Jaipur :Gangaur Festival : Gangaur Festival is usually celebrated in March or April, a fortnight after Holi. It is the most colorful and important festival of Rajasthan. The womenfolk worship Goddess Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva for marital bliss, long lives of their husbands and conjugal happiness. During this eighteen-day long festival, the girls and married women dress up in their traditional ghaghras and cholis. The idols and images of the Goddess are ornamented in beautiful dresses and exotic jewellery and women make offerings to her for her blessings with great devotion. The period is considered auspicious for marriages.
Elephant Festival : Celebrated in March, this annual festival of Jaipur is unique in its concept. A number of beautifully bejeweled and bedecked elephants march gloriously in a grand procession that savors of royal tastes and participate in several competitions and events at the time of Holi. The giant pets run races and play polo at Chaugan in Jaipur, the venue of the Elephant Festival, with their long trunks during the festival. There are dancers, musicians and a large number of onlookers who come there to witness this majestic event.
Makar Sankranti (Kite Festival) : Celebrated on the 14th of January, every year with traditional fervour, the devotees take a holy dip in the holy tank at Galtaji, it has now also become a kite flying festival, millions of colourful kites come on the sky of Jaipur on this day.
Teej Festival : Celebrated usually during the first week of August, Teej festival is marked by rituals and fasts that accompany the monsoon clouds. The newly washed fields look fresh and beautiful and peacocks can often be spotted dancing during the season, as women sing Teej songs and enjoy rope swings in their gardens. Teej marks the beginning of the series of festivals and fairs that ends only with the Spring festival of Gangaur. Especially in Jaipur, Teej is celebrated with a special fervor and showers of rain on this day pep up the joyous celebrations by several degrees.
Shopping in Jaipur : Jaipur is internationally known for its gemstones master cutters, polishers and gemstone dealers. Other items to look for in Jaipur are Stone Craft Marble, sandstone articles and traditional miniature paintings. The main markets popular among tourists are Jauhari Bazar, Bapu Bazar, Nehru Bazar, Chaura Rasta, Tripolia Bazar and M.I. Road. Jewellery, precious and semi-precious stones and the famous 'kundan' and 'minakari' work of Jauhari Bazaar attract many. Tie and dye sarees such as 'Bandhni' and 'Lehariya' are also famous in this market. Especially the two lanes famous in this market for shopping are Gopalji ka Rasta and Haldion ka Rasta that boasts of housing good and reputed shops for jewellery and traditional tie and dye fabrics and textiles. Bapu Bazar and Nehur Bazar are famous for textiles, local perfumes and shoes made of camel skin. There are a number of emporia on Mirza Ismial road (M.I. Road) offering a wide range of products such as jewellery, brass work, textiles, blue pottery and woodwork. Leather footwear such as shoes and 'jutis' are best buys in Ramganj Bazar. Other famous bazaars are Kishanpol Bazar for tie and dye textiles, Maniharon Ka Rasta or Tripolia Bazar for lac bangles and Subhash Chowk for carpets.
Accommodations in Jaipur :
Jaipur has a number of hotels that provide all the modern facilities to tourists in Jaipur. Hotels in Jaipur are well equipped with modern amenities and serve the perfect base for tourist touring Jaipur. The Pink City has an excellent infrastructure that makes it comfortable to stay and tour Jaipur. Accommodation for tourists in Jaipur ranges from five star deluxe hotels to budget hotels. Heritage hotels also offer immaculate hospitality to guests. Jaipur has a number of heritage hotels, which have been converted into hotels from the erstwhile palaces and havelis of Jaipur royalty. Major Jaipur Hotels are : Raj Vilas Palace, Rambagh Palace, Jai Mahal Palace, The Trident, Rajputana Palace Sheraton, Mansingh Tower, Clarks AmerHoliday Inn etc,
How to Reach Jaipur :By Air : Airport nearest to Jaipur is Sanganer Airport, which is hardly 10 km from the city. Domestic flights connect Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Udaipur to Jaipur. However, there is only one international flight to Dubai.
By Train : Jaipur is well connected by trains to all the major cities of India such as Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Chennai, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ahmedabad.
By Road : A network of good motor able roads and private and government buses connect Jaipur to all the nearby major cities such as Delhi and Agra.
