Jaipur,
also known as the Pink City, was founded in 1727 AD by one of the greatest
kings of Kachhawaha clan Sawai Jai Singh. The most chosen city among the
golden triangle in the tourist map of India, the city was built of pink
colour in imitation of sandstone, and is remarkable among pre-modern Indian
cities for the width and regularity of its streets.
Jaipur, the culture of which is as colourful as its monuments, hosts many
renowned fairs and festivals. Elephant festival (during holi- the Hindu
festival of colours), Sitla mata fair and Chaksu fair are well get together
of all sects of people and a chance to see the real colours of Jaipur.
It was repainted in 1876, during the visit of the Prince of Wales. Best to
explore on foot, the adventurous visitor who wishes to go to inner places
can discover a new meaning of tour not available to the general tourist.
Tourist Attractions in Jaipur
Hawa Mahal:
This Mahal was basically used as a veil by the royal women folk to watch
the proceedings on the road below. It is one of the most common, popular and
most visited tourist attractions in Jaipur.
City Palace :
The City Palace is one of the finest examples of combination of Mughal and
Rajput architecture. A part of the palace is nowadays used as a museum that
has a huge collection of, weapons, Mughal carpets and costumes, and
Rajasthani miniatures and rare manuscripts of that age.
Jantar
Mantar :
Built in 1718 by Sawai Jai Singh, Jantar Mantar is another wonderful sight
to visit. Jantar Mantar Observatory is one of the five observatories that
was built by the king who himself was an astronomer. The observatory was
built in stone and marble to study the stellar movements.
Amber Fort :
One of the most popular tourists sites in the city, the Amber Fort and
Palace complex that houses an artificial lake is one of the most popular
tourist sites in the city. Situated in the South of Amber town the fort is
famous for its mixture of Hindu and Muslim architecture, and offering
elephant rides from the town up to the palace.
Jaigarh Fort :
The Jaigarh Fort offers stunning views of the foothills of the Aravalli
range, as well as attractions such as immense underground water-storage
tanks. This fort is situated on the hills above the Amber Palace complex and
houses what is reputed to be the world's largest cannon.
There are numerous other tourists' destinations like Nahargarh Fort, Govind
Deoji Mandir, Rambagh Palace, Kanak Valley and Laxmi Naryan Temple.
Shopping destinations
Jaipur is a shopping paradise with a huge variety of precious and
semi-precious stones, bandhej (tie and dye), and block-printed textiles,
stone carving, antiques and pseudo-antiques, quilts (famous for less
weight), bangles, blue-potteries, durries, carpets, brassware, traditional
chappals and jutis and other items of handicrafts.
Jauhari Bazaar, Badi Chaupar and M.I. Road are the major shopping
destinations for any kind of shopping. Maniharon-ka-Rasta in the Tripolia
Bazaar area (specializing in lac bangles) and Ramganj Bazaar (in traditional
chappals and jutis) are also well known shopping destinations.
How
to go there?
By air: Jaipur is well connected to the major airports
such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Udaipur etc. Flights to Dubai have been
recently started by Indian airlines.
By Train: Jaipur is connected by broad gauge to all major
cities in India.
By Bus: Comfortable Journey by A/C buses from Delhi
operated by The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation
