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The Rose Pink City founded by Maharaja
Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the capital of Rajasthan.
It is a major attraction for the first-time visitor.
Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills,
crowned with forts & enclosed by embattled walls.
Houses with latticed windows line the streets with
their rose pink colour, lending enchantment to the
scene, which is almost magical at sunset.
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
AD. Today, every home within the city is obliged by
law to maintain its facade. It is a very well planned
city laid out in a grid pattern and was designed by
a young Bengali engineer and scholar by the name "Vidyadhar
Bhattacharya".
Jaipur was and remains the only city in the world,
symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through
nine rectangular sectors sub-dividing it. Jaipur is
a royal city & this is its most noticeable aspect,
small buildings & festivals testify it.
Jaipur & its surroundings are rather like an endless
museum. The city also offers an endless variety of
crafts. Jewelers here still fashion the beautiful
enamel-on-gold pendants, studded on the reverse with
precious stones or pearls & turquoise that one
sees in miniature paintings. Jaipur's lacquer bangles
are famous all over the world. This is a city to be
visited.
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| PRIME ATTRACTIONS |
FORTS
AND PALACES
Amer Palace:
The magnificent fort with its huge ramparts & watchtowers,
overlooking the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. It is believed
to have been the capital of the "Minas", the
original inhabitants of Rajasthan.
City Palace:
Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of the
City Palace guarded by stone elephants, is monumental.
Hawa Mahal:
A Pandora's box of wonders, the enchanting Hawa Mahal
is a multi-layered palace, with a profusion of windows
and stone screens.
Jai Garh:
Built on a peak, Jai Garh overlooks the palace &
city of Amber below. Jal Mahal is Jaipur's lake palace.
It is surrounded with water.
Nahargarh Fort:
Originally called Sudarshan Garh, it affords a splendid
view of Jaipur.
MONUMENTS
Jantar Mantar:
The amazing astronomical three-storey-high observatory,
of an 18th century Rajasthani king, named Jai Singh.
GARDENS
Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh:
Has beautiful gardens, fountains, pools & some
magnificent pieces of sculpture.
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MUSEUMS
Government Central Museum:
This is the oldest museum in the state. The building,
designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob is located in the
centre of the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh, built in 1876
AD. When King Edward VII visited India as the Prince of
Wales, it was opened to public in 1886. |
| EXCURSIONS |
TEMPLES
Bairath (86-km on the Shahpura-Alwar Road):
An important historical place with the excavated remains
of a circular Buddhist temple - unique in Rajasthan
and the earliest known temple in India. Bairath also
has relics of the Mauryan, Mughal and Rajput periods.
A mint constructed by Akbar, a beautiful Mughal garden
and a remarkable monument with painted 'chhatris' and
wall built by Jahangir, are other attractions.
Galta (2.5-km):
Beyond the gardens amidst the low
hill guarding the city lies the old pilgrim centre of
Galtaji. Temples, pavilions and holy 'kunds' (natural
springs and reservoirs) dot the serene green landscape.
The small temple of the Sun god, built by Diwan Kriparam
on top of the highest peak, is visible form all parts
of the city.
LAKES
Ramgarh Lake (32-km north-east):
A huge artificial lake created by
constructing a high dam amidst tree-covered hills. While
the temple of Jamwa Mata and the ruins of the old fort
are some of its antiquities, its beautiful landscape
makes it an idyllic picnic spot.
PALACE
Samode (40-km north-west):
The beautiful Samode Palace, has
been rebuilt and renovated and provides a fine example
of the Rajput haveli architecture. It is an ideal spot
for outings.
CITIES
Sanganer (16-km):
Located on the Tonk Road. This small
town is entered through the ruins of two 'Tripolias'
or triple-gateways. The town has a ruined palace and
a group of Jain temples with fine carvings. Entry to
the temples is restricted. The town is an important
centre for craft, industry and produces some of the
finest hand printed textiles from units of block and
screen printers. This textile is popular all over the
country and abroad. On the Ajmer Road, the ground level
fort is still in good shape. It is noted for its hand
printed handloom industry using simple techniques.
GARDENS
Vidyadhar's Garden:
Nestled in a narrow valley, this
beautiful garden was built in honour of Jai Singh's
chief architect and town planner.
OTHERS
Gaitor (6.5-km on the road to Amer):
There are memorials to the queens
in the Maharani-ki-Chhatri complex near the Ramgarh
road crossing. The white marble cenotaph of Maharajah
Jai Singh II is the most impressive and is decorated
with carved peacocks. Next to it is the cenotaph of
his son. The island palace-Jal Mahal built by Sawai
Madho Singh as a pleasure spot at the centre of the
Man Sagar Lake, and the Kanak Vrindavan complex of temples
and gardens recently renovated add to its pristine glory.
To the west of this road,
in a narrow valley, is the royal cremation ground at
Gaitor. The cenotaphs of all Jaipur rulers, with the
exception of Sawai Ishwari Singh, who was cremated outside
the Jai Niwas Garden, were built at this place. The
imposing cenotaph of Sawai Jai Singh stands out for
its delicate carvings and beautiful shape. |
HOW
TO GET THERE |
| Air:
Jaipur has its own airport, and is well connected
to all other tourist and business centres.
Rail:
An excellent connection to Delhi by Shatabdi Express
and the Pink City Express. Other connections to Jaipur
are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahemadabad, Secunderabad
and Lucknow.
Road:
A network of reasonably comfortable tourist buses, run
by road corporations of Rajasthan, Haryana and others.
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