Jaipur Tourism
About Jaipur
The
picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is color washed pink-the color associated
with hospitality in Rajput culture. Built in 1727 A.D. by Maharaja Sawai Jai
Singh JI, Jaipur displays a remarkable harmony and architectural splendor. The
ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy-tale palaces, rugged
fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city.
The only planned city of its time, Jaipur is encircled by a formidable wall.
A young Bengali architect, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya formalised the city’s
plans in a grid system. The wide straight avenues. Roads, streets, lanes and
uniform rows of shops on either side of main bazaars were arranged in nine rectangular
city sectors (Chokris), in accordance with the principles of town planning set
down in the ‘Shilpa Shastra’- and epochal treatise on the Hindu architecture.
A city like Jaipur, where modernity and tradition live hand-in-hand, is truly
rare. Perhaps this is what makes it an attractive destination for tourists who
flock to Jaipur , year after year .
Jaipur is named after its founder the warrior and astronomer sovereign Sawai
Jai Singh II (ruled 1688 to 1744). The decision to move out of his hilltop capital
Amer was also compelled by reasons of growing population and paucity of water.
Moreover in the early seventh century the power of the great Mughals was dwindling
with its aging Monarch Aurangzeb and after several centuries of invasions the
north was now quite and the wealth of the kingdom had become greater than before.
Seizing upon this opportune time Jai Singh planned his new capital in the planes.
Jaipur is a corroborative
effort of Sawai Jai Singh's strong grounding in sciences and astrology and a
Bengali architect Vidyadhar with a strong instinct for planning.
Moreover in the early seventh century the power of the great Mughals was dwindling
with its aging Monarch Aurangzeb and after several centuries of invasions the
north was now quite and the wealth of the kingdom had become greater than before.
Seizing upon this opportune time Jai Singh planned his new capital in the planes.
Jaipur is a corroborative effort of Sawai Jai Singh's strong grounding in sciences
and astrology and a Bengali architect Vidyadhar with a strong instinct for planning.
There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur’s colorful bazaars where one can shop
for Rajasthani handlooms and trinkets. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks,
attractive monuments and marvelous heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharaja’s
are worth admiration. Not to mention the ambling camels and cheerful people
in multi-hued costumes that make your trip to the pink city a memorable one.
Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra and forms the most chosen tourism
golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a
business centre with all the trapping of modern metropolis but yet flavoured
strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller. The
old Jaipur painted in Pink can grip any visitor with admiration. Stunning backdrop
of ancient forts Nahargarh, Amer, Jagarh and Moti Dungri are dramatic testimonials
of the bygone era and a reminder of their lingering romance.
Places to See in Jaipur
The City Palace
In the heart of the old city is 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 retainers whose families have served
generations of rulers serve as guides.
The palace houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and
armory of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes
with chased handles, some of them inlaid with enamel and embellished with jewels
and encased in magnificent scabbards.
The palace also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature
paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic,Persian,Latin
and Sanskrit, acquired by Sawai Jai Singh II to study astronomy in detail.
Jantar
Mantar
A stone observatory. Largest of Jai Singh’s five remarkable observatories.
Its complex instruments,whose setting 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.
Hawa Mahal
Built in 1799 A.D. the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds is a major Rajput landmark.
This five storey building along the main street of the old city is in pink splendor
with semioctagonal and delicately honey combed sandstone windows.
The monument was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the
royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions of the city.
Amer Fort
At a short distance of 11 kms . from Jaipur, the Amer Fort complex stands amidst
wooded hills overlooking the Delhi-Jaipur highway, with its forbidding ramparts
reflected in the still waters of the Maota Lake below.
One of the finest examples of Rajput architecture, it was the ancient capital
of the Kachhawah rulers. The original palace was built by Raja Man Singh and
additions were made later by Sawai Jai Singh.
Within the palace are the Diwan-e-Aam or the "Hall of Public Audience",
the Diwan-e-Khas or the "Hall of Private Audience" and the Sukh Niws
where a cool breeze blows across channels of water for the purpose of air-conditioning.
Here are the private chambers of the queens with windows having latticed screens
so that the ladies could watch the proceedings of the royal court inprivacy.
There is also the Jai Mandir or the "Temple of Vicotry", with its
famed Sheesh Mahal, the scintillating "Hall of Mirrors"
Jaigarh
Fort
The western skyline is dominated by the extensive walls, watch towers and gatewasys
of the Jaigarh Fort.
It is one of the few military structures of medieval India preserved almost
intact, containing palaces, agrdens open and covered reservoirs, a granary,
an armoury, a well-planned cannon foundry, several temples, a tall tower and
a giant mounted acnnon-the Jain Ban, the largest cannon in the world.
Nahargarh Fort
Perched atop a pricturesque hill, the Nahargarh Fort offers a breathtaking view
of the city below. Initially built by Sawai Jain Singh in 1734 A.D. It was enlarged
and given its present shape by Sawai Madho Singh in1885 A.D. Decorative motifs
in some of the rooms are delightful.
From the windows of the nine identical suites, one gets a magnificent view of
the city, complete witht he geometrical layout. From Amer there is a road to
Nahargarh, which passes through the hills
Govind Devji Temple
To the north of Chandra Mahal in the midst of the sprawling Jai Niwas Garden
is the spireless temple of Lord Krishna. The idol wsa brought from Vrindavan
and installed here by Sawai Jai Singh II as the tutelary deity. Today, the temple
attracts devotees, from all over the country.
A delightful system of fountains is placed in the middle of the paved path between
the Chandra Mahal and the Badal Mahal. The palace has extensive and sprawling
gardens.
Moti Doongrari & Lakshmi Narayan Temple
The important landmarks dotting the southern horizon of the city inlcude the
small privately- owned hilltop fort of Moti Doongari, shaped like a Scottish
Castle; the Ganesh Temple at the foot of the hill and the Lakshmi Narayan Temple
built from white marble, a few years back by the B.M. Birla foundation.
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.
The Kanak Vrindavan
Complex of fine temples and gardens has been recently renovated to their pristine
perfection. To the west of this road is the royal crematorium at Gaitore in
a narrow valley with some spectacular cenotaphs of all the Jaipur rulers except
Swai Ishwari Singh who was cremated outside the Jai Niwas Garden. Most imposing
is the ‘chattri’ of Sawai Jai Singh II with the intricate carvings
and a graceful shape.
Ghat ki Guni
Beautifully landscaped gardens, laid out in the 18th and 19th century by king
and courtiers dot the narrow gorge in the south eastern corner of the walled
city, along the road to Agra.
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