Jaipur
Brief
The picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is also known as the Pink city.
The colour pink is associated with culture. There is a timeless appeal in
the colourful bazaars of Jaipur ,where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms
and trinklets. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments
and marvellous heritage hotels,which were once the residence of Maharajas,
are worthy of 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.
History

Built in 1727 A.D. by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur displays a remarkable
harmony and architectural splendour. 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 plans of the city, in
a grid system. The wide straight avenues, roads, streets, lanes and uniform
rows of shops on either side of the main bazaars, were arranged in nine
rectangular city sectors (Chokris), in accordance with the principles
of town planning set down in the Shilpa Shastra - an epochal treatise
on the Hindu architecture.
Culture
Hospitality is the main feature of the cultural specialities here. The
city is also known for its colourful atmosphere, associated with well
being and cheer.
Climate & Geogaphical Location
Jaipur is very hot and dry in summer and extremely cold in winter. Jaipur
is located at 431 metres above sea level.
How to Reach
Jaipur is well connected by air, rail and road. By air, Jaipur is well
connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Rajkot, Aurangabad, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Ahmedabad.
By rail, Jaipur is the main railhead and has excellent connection with
Delhi, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad, Agra, Lucknow,
Mumbai and Kolkata. By road, Jaipur is on National Highway No. 8 connecting
Delhi to Mumbai via Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur and Ahmedabad. Jaipur has a
thorough network of comfortable deluxe tourist buses. Rajasthan Roadways
runs excellent regular services of AC and Deluxe coaches from Delhi. Some
road distances are Delhi 259 km, Udaipur 405 km, Jodhpur 336 km, Ahmedabad
657 km.
Tourist
Places
Samod
40 km north-west of Jaipur. The beautiful Samode Palace, has been rebuilt
and renovated and provides a fine example of the Rajput haveli architecture
and is an ideal spot for outgoings.
Ramgarh Lake
At 32 km north-east of Jaipur. A huge artificial lake, was created, by
constructing a high bund admist tree covered hills. While the temple of
Jamwa Mata and the ruins of the old fort, are some of its antiquities,
its beautiful landscape, especially during monsoons, makes it an idyllic
picnic spot.
Nahargarh

A sentinel to the Pink City, is Nahargarh Fort, situated beyond the hills
of Jaigarh. Although much of it is in ruins, the lovely building, added
by Sawai Ram Singh II and Sawai Madho Singh II provides interest to the
fort.
Sanganer
At a distance of 12 km away from Jaipur city,Sanganer is located on the
Tonk road. In addition to its ruined palaces, Sanganer ,has exquisitely
carved Jain temples. The town is entered though the ruins of two tripolias
(Triple gateways). The town is an important centre for the crafts 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. It is well connected by roads from Jaipur, apart from other cities.
Amer Palace
A beautiful complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples
built by Raja Man Singh, over a period of about two centuries, still stand
in a magnificent state. The palace complex, emerges dramatically from
the placid waters of the Maotha Lake and is approachable only through
a steep path. Tourists often ride on the elephant back to the Singh Pol
and the Jaleb Chowk. Two flights of stairs rise from one end of the chowk,
one leading to the Shila Mata Temple and other to the palace complex.
The image of the patron goddess, worshipped by thousands of devotees,
was brought from Jessore in East Bengal (now in Bangladesh) by Raja Man
Singh, to be installed here. A spectacular pillared hall-- Diwan-e-Aam
and a double storeyed painted gateway, Ganesh Pole, dominate the front
courtyard. An elegant tiny garden in Charbag style, beyond the corridors,
has Sukh Niwas to its right and Jas Mandir to its left. The latter combines
the Mughal and Rajput architecture, seen in its beautiful interior with
intricately carved Jali screens, delicate mirror and stucco work and painted
and carved dadoes. The well proportioned Mohan Bari or Kesar Kyari in
the centre of the Maotha Lake and the Dilaram Bagh at its north end provides
a spectacular view of the palaces above.
Sisodia Rani Garden
Beautifully landscaped gardens, laid out in the 18th and 19th century,
by kings and courtiers, dot the narrow gorge in the south-eastern corner
of the walled city, along the road to Agra. Sisodia Rani Garden, has tiered
multilevel gardens with fountains, water channel and painted pavilions
and suites of living rooms. Amongst others, Vidyadhar-ka-Bagh, is the
best preserved one, with shady trees, flowing water, and an open pavilion.
It was built by the planner of the city, Vidyadhar.
Amer
Amer or Amber, was the former capital of the Kachhwaha Rajputs, of the
old state of Dhundhar, for seven centuries. In the high season, this is
one of India's most popular tourist sites, with a continous train of colourfully
decorated elephants, walking up and down the ramp. From the side of the
main road, one can catch a dramatic view of the hilltop palace. The Palace
and the Jaigarh fort shows distinct Mughal influence.
The City Palace
In the heart of the old city, is the 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 coloured
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 armoury, 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.
The palace is within city limits and accessible by road.
Jantar Mantar
This stone observatory, is the largest of Jai Singhs five remarkable observatories.
Its complex instruments, whose settings and shapes are scientifically
designed, represent the high points of medievial Indian astronomy. The
most striking of these, are the Ram Yantras used for guaging 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 splendour, 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.
Govind Devji Temple
This is the most popular spireless temple of Jaipur, and is dedicated
to Lord Krishna. It is located in the central pavilion of the Jai Niwas
Garden to the north of Chandra Mahal. The image of the patron Deity-Govind
Devji, originally installed in a temple at Vrindavan, was reinstalled
here by Sawai Jai Singh as his family deity.
Albert Hall Museum
A lush spacious garden with a zoo, an aviary, a greenhouse, a herbarlum,
a museum and a popular sports ground. It was built by Sawai Ram Singh
II in 1868 A.D. as a famine relief project. The Albert Hall, a fine example
of Indo-Sarcenic style of architecture, designed by Sir Swinton Jacob,
was opened later with an exquisite collection of sculptures, paintings,
decorative wares, natural history specimen, an Egyptian mummy and the
celebrated Persian carpet. Recently, the Rabindranath Manch, with an auditorium,
a modern art gallery and an open air theatre, has been added to promote
cultural events.
Galtaji
An ancient pilgrimage centre, lying beyond the gardens, amidst low hills,temples.
pavilions and holy kunds (natural spring and reserviors) along with lush
landscape, make it a delightful spot. The small temple of the Sun God,
built by Diwan Kriparam, on the top of the highest peak is visible from
all parts of the city.
BM Birla Planetarium
The Planetarium offers unique audio-visual education and entertainment,
with its modern computerised projection system. For school groups, concessions
are available. It is closed on the last Wednesday of every month.
Other
DOLLS MUSEUM - Pretty dolls, from various countries, are on display,
in the compound of the school for deaf and dumb children, near the Police
Memorial. (Time : 1200 hrs to 1900 hrs).
JAIGARH - One of the few military structures of medieval India, retaining
its ancient splendour in palaces, gardens, reservoirs, a granary, an armoury,
a well planned cannon foundry, several temples, a tall tower and a giant
mounted cannon.
JAIN TEMPLE - The exquisite Jain temple, on the Agra road, has some of
the most beautiful 19th century paintings, in Jaipur style, on its walls.
Being on the Agra road, the temple is easily accessible.
JAISINGHPURA KHOR - 12 km off Amer Road. One of the settlements of the
Meena tribe, it has a formidable fort, a Jain temple and a steep well,
amid lush surroundings.
MADOGARH -TUNGA - At a distance of 40 km, on the Bassi-Lalsot Agra Road,
Tunga was witness to a historic battle, fought between the Jaipur forces
and the Marathas. The fort is nestled amidst beautiful mango orchards.
MOTI DOONGRI AND LAKSHMI NARAYAN TEMPLE - Moti Doongri, is a privately
owned hilltop fort, built like a Scottish castle. The Ganesh Temple at
the foot of the hill and the marvellous Lakshmi Narayan Temple, built
in marble, a few years back, are also noteworthy.
OLD CITY - Once a settlement of nobles, craftsmen and common folks, the
city of Amer is now in ruins. The remnants of its rich past, are the beautifully
carved and planned Jagar Shiromani Temple, a Krishna temple, associated
with Meerabai, and an ancient temple of Narsing.
STATUE CIRCLE - The full-length exquisitely carved statue, of Sawai Jai
Singh in white marble, in the centre of the circle, was erected under
the newly planned scheme area, to pay homage to the founder of Jaipur.
SWARGASULI (ISAR LAT )- The highest tower dominating the skyline on the
western side of the Tripolia Bazaar. It was built by Sawai Ishwari Singh
in 1749 A.D. to commemorate a grand victory.