JAIPUR TRAVEL GUIDE

The city is located at a distance of around 258 km from Delhi and 232 km from Agra, making it a part of the famed Golden Triangle tourist circuit of North India. Jaipur got its name from its founder Sawai Jai Singh (1693-1743), who had the vision to create a meticulously planned city as his capital. All the houses in the old city are painted pink, including the famous Hawa Mahal, thereby giving the city its alternative name, the Pink City. Jaipur offers a plethora of touristic attractions to the traveller. The City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum with its large collection of woodwork, jewellery, costumes, brassware, and pottery. Another monument near the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen. Amber Fort, situated just outside the city, is perhaps the most beautiful example of Rajasthani forts and gives a grand view of the city down below. Jaipur is also the base for exploring some nearby towns and cities of Rajasthan. Ajmer, situated around 130 km south-west of Jaipur, is a pilgrim town renowned for the tomb of Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. Ramnagar About 15 km away from Jabalpur is Ramnagar. Rookhad A wildlife sanctuary adjacent to the Pench National Park, Rookhad is situated at a distance of 101 km from Nagpur on the National Highway No. 7. A charming retreat in bison country, Rookhad is worth a visit.

The City Palace

The City Palace is now converted into a museum, except a small portion that is still used by the royal family of Jaipur. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion that is devoted to the arms and ammunition used by the royal family in the past. Other important attractions are the Textile and Costume Museum, Art Gallery, Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, and Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Am.

Central Museum

Located in the Ram Niwas Garden, the Central Museum or Albert Hall is a mixture of pillars, arches, and courtyards adorned with murals. There is a huge collection of objects displaying different facets of Rajasthani culture and history.

Jantar Mantar

This largest stone observatory in the world Founded by Sawai Jai Singh, , was a great admirer of developments in science and technology, especially astronomy. He built the structures following every detail given in the manual, but at the end, he found to his astonishment that the observatory was 20 seconds more accurate than that given by La Hire. Situated near the gate of the City Palace, the observatory has 18 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.

Amber Fort

Standing tall over a small hillock overlooking the Pink City, Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthan fort-palace. Man Singh I started the construction of this fort in 1592 and, perhaps, it was the defense that topped his priorities before constructing this fort. The rugged walls of this fort may not look beautiful from outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. An elephant ride up to the fort is also an unforgettable experience.

Jaigarh Fort

Situated in the north of Jaipur, the Jaigarh Fort is structurally similar to the Amber Fort. The only exception is that it houses the mighty Jaivana, the largest wheeled canon in the world.

Birla Madir

Also known as the Laxmi Narayan Mandir, the Birla Mandir, situated in the south of Jaipur, has been built by wealthy Birla family, one of the largest industrial dynasties in India.

Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh

The terraced Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh (the Garden of Sisodia Queen) is situated on the Jaipur-Agra road at a distance of 6 km from Jaipur. The garden was created by the queen of Jai Singh II as an escape from the court intrigues.