The buzzing and the bustling, the city life of Rajasthan’s capital – Jaipur is hard to define. The hilltop forts and majestic palaces are fitted in and around the city like the footprints of a royal era. Located in a somewhat arid landscape, Jaipur is the gateway to the deserted state of Rajasthan. In this lively city, one can easily witness a wild contrast between the old and the new worlds, the rustic and the urban lifestyles, and the classic and the modern universes. Unlike other metropolises, Jaipur has beautifully restored its traditional lifestyle even in this fast paced 21st century.
Jaipur owes its name to its founder, Maharajas Sawai Jai Singh II. Established in 1727, Jaipur is the first planned city in India. The city boasts of several attractions such as City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jal Mahal, Birla Temple, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort etc. Just few kilometers away from the city center is situated the honey colored Amber Fort, better known as ‘the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan’. Other than these captivating attractions, Jaipur displays exquisite handicrafts and spectacular jewelry. The fairs and festivals of the city are immensely famous worldwide for their colorful appeal. The local people celebrate Teej, Diwali, Gangaur, Kite Festival, Elephant Festival and Camel Festival with great joy and fervor. The city has a semi-arid climate and the temperature remains relatively highly throughout the year. Thus the best time to visit Jaipur is between October and March.
In & Around Jaipur
Jaipur is one of the prime tourist destinations in Northern India and the Rajasthan Government generates a good amount of revenue every year from tourism in Jaipur. Dressed in pink, Jaipur is an apt blend of heritage, culture, art and architecture and the flamboyance of this place only can be experienced by visiting it.
City Palace- Guarded by two marble carved elephants, the City Palace is standing like a historic landmark in the heart of the old city. The former seat of the rulers of Jaipur, City Palace is divided into a number of courtyards, gardens and buildings. The palace building displays a beautiful blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. Inside the palace complex there is Maharaja Sawai Mansingh II Museum where royal apparels are on display. One can also see a great collection of vintage wagons and a display of war weapons inside the palace complex. The City Palace remains open between 9.30 AM and 4.45 PM every day.
Hawa Mahal- The signature building of Jaipur, Hawa Mahal is a unique piece of architecture in itself. This five storey building of 953 honeycombed sandstone windows was built mainly for the ladies of the royal family to watch the day to day activities and procession of the city. One can climb to the top of the building from where an excellent view of the city can be savored.
Jantar Mantar- Maharaja Jai Singh II had a great passion for astronomy and thus constructed a huge observatory near to City Palace. Popularly known as ‘Jantar Mantar’, this astronomical observatory is one of the finest and largest of its kind in India built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. Each sculpture and structure inside this observatory has a specific purpose; some were constructed to measure the position of stars, altitudes and azimuths, while others for calculating eclipses etc.
Amber Fort- While in Jaipur, a visit to the Amber Fort is a must for all the travelers. Before Jaipur, Amber used to serve as the capital of the Kachhwaha rulers. The fort is situated on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, just 11 kilometers away from the main city. It is the only fort in India where guests can climb from the foothills to the top riding a decorated elephant. The fort complex has four different parts with a separate entrance for each. Both Mughal and Rajputana form of art and architecture can be well witnessed in this honey-colored fort. One of the special attractions of the fort is the Son-et-lumiere or sound & light show that has been showcased every evening to revive the pride of Amber and to bring forth the traditions that colored the lives of its people.
Jaigarh Fort- Near to the Amber Fort is situated the gigantic Jaigarh Fort. In the cliff top of Aravalli Hills, this fort is standing like a guardian to the Amber Fort. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh III had built the fort to protect the Amber Fort and the palace complex within it. Jaigarh Fort used to serve as the center of artillery production for the Rajputs. ‘Jaivana’, huge cannon on wheels is now housed at Jaigarh Fort. It was manufactured in the year 1720 and was the world’s largest cannon on wheels at that time. From the top of the Jaigarh Fort, one can savor the panoramic view of the Amber Fort and its surrounding areas.
Jal Mahal- If you are driving from Jaipur to the Amber Fort, a vision that would surely catch your attention is of Jal Mahal. The palace is situated amid Man Sagar Lake. Surrounded by tranquil lake water with a backdrop of Aravallis, Jal Mahal is a wonder in itself. The unique craftsmanship and the inclination of Rajputs towards architecture can be clearly seen in this water fenced palace.
Apart from the above mentioned destinations, the temples and havelis add to the many architectural marvels of the city, all scattered amid manicured gardens and sprinkling lakes.
How to Reach
Apparently the first planned city of India, Jaipur is one of the prime tourist attractions in the country. The city has a well developed transportation system - rail, road and air.
By Air- Sanganer Airport, located approximately 10 kilometers from the main city is the only international airport in the state of Rajasthan. The airport connects the city to all major parts if India as well as some of the major overseas countries. It was established as a domestic airport and later approved as an international airport in the year 2005.
By Rail- Jaipur is connected to almost all major cities of the country through the means of Indian Railways. There are three main rail junctions – Jaipur, Gandhinagar and Durgapara. There are both inter-state and intra-state rail services available. Four of the major Indian luxury trains – Palace on Wheels, Maharajas’ Express, Indian Maharaja and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels have Jaipur included in their itineraries.
By Road- If you want to take the delights of some of the most dramatic vistas of Rajasthan, you can also opt for a road drive to Jaipur. Both government and private bus services are available. Moreover, you can also hire private taxis or cabs to reach the city.
For the local transportation, auto rickshaws are available; but you have to bargain with the auto drivers before hiring them. For the first timers in Jaipur, it is always advisable to hire a cab so that a safe transportation can be enjoyed.
If you are worried about accommodation in Jaipur, I must tell you that the heritage hotels of the city are worth spending the money. The earlier residents of the royal families, these are now turned into beautiful five star hotels. If you are willing to experience the extravaganza of Indian royalty, there can be no better choice than these hotels. Moreover, four star, three star and budget hotels are also available that offer comfortable accommodation in a comparatively low cost.
In Jaipur, there is a feast in store for every tourist. On the one hand beautiful monuments breathe the fragrance of history, and on the other modern developments speak of its contemporary outlook.
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