Jaipur is most chosen tourism golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Location: 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra.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. 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.
► Attractions of the Jaipur City
■Government/ Albert Hall Museum
This museum is supposed to be the oldest museum of the state. Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob designed it in 1876 to greet King Edward VII as Prince of Wales on his visit to India. It was opened to public ten years later. Positioned amidst the gardens of Ram Niwas Bagh in Jaipur, this museum has an assortment of rare articles on its display including textiles, carpets, paintings, metal and wood crafts, pottery, arms and weapons, flora and fauna of the state, toys, dolls and even an Egyptian mummy that belongs to the Ptolemaic Epoch.It is also known for housing the famous carpet, which portrays the scene of a Persian garden carpet with running water streams that was bought at a dear price from Shah Abbas of Persia
■ Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh
Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh is a beautiful garden, located at a distance of 10 kms from Jaipur, on Jaipur-Agra Highway. Sisodia Bagh gets a prime attraction in the charming city of Jaipur. The Garden appeals more to the beholder, since it stands as a symbol of love. In 1728, Sisodia Rani Garden was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, with an intention to gift the garden, to his Sisodia Queen from Udaipur. As the name suggests, the Garden was named after the queen, who was adorable to the King. Sisodia Rani Garden served as a natural sanctum and a getaway for the Maharani of Jaipur. Here, the queen used to spend time in the lap of nature, away from the political machinations of the royal palace.
■ Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is the largest stone observatory in the World and this feature makes it, a special destination for a traveler. Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. During the period between 1727 and 1733, Jantar Mantar took its form and structure. Initially Jantar Mantar was named as Yantra Mantra, which means instruments and formulae, but due to mispronunciation of the term, it is changed to the recognized name. Jantar Mantar has a remarkable collection of architectural astronomical instruments. It portrays noteworthy attempt of the ancestors, who were interested in astronomy and knowledge of celestial bodies.
■Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal
Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh,
Hawa Mahal
is the most stunning sight in the city of Jaipur. The palace, part of a huge complex, overlooks one of Jaipur's main streets and was originally constructed to offer women of the court a vantage point, behind stone-carved screens, from which to watch the activities taking place in the bazaar and the surrounding streets.
Hawa Mahal Jaipur
five-story, pyramid-shaped structure is made up of small casements, each with tiny windows and arched roofs with hanging cornices, exquisitely modeled and carved. Its façade makes Hawa Mahal look more like a screen than a palace. Its top three stories are just a single room thick but at the base are two courtyards.
■City Palace
The City Palace was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs, but a lot of changes and additions were made to the original structure by his successors. The architecture of the City Palace is a synthesis of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The Complex comprises of many structures, courtyards, gardens and buildings. There are many splendid small palaces and halls in the complex, such as the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal and Badal Mahal. There is also a famous temple called the Shri Govind Temple and a museum inside, named the City Palace Museum. As one moves on, one sees the Chandra Mahal, which many consider being the highlight of the whole tour of City Palace.
■Jal Mahal
Built to be a pleasure palace for the royal family in 1799, Jal Mahal Palace (translated as Water Palace) of Jaipur is an extremely romantic place with its red sandstone intricate architecture casting beautiful reflections in the calm waters of the Man Sagar Lake, full of hyacinths. Surrounded by Nahargarh Hills, Jal Mahal is known for its majestic architecture and sophisticated design. It was once used for the royal duck shooting parties. It has also been home to one of the prime ministers of Jaipur estate. Though abandoned, it is very well-preserved and provides a picturesque view from Nahargarh Fort. Set opposite the cenotaphs of the royal family, the first four floors of Jal Mahal is under water and only the top floor is above the water level.
► Accessibility
Air : Jaipur is well joined with Delhi, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Aurangabad and Kolkatta. The main airport is just at the distance of 20 km from the center of the city.
Rail : From Delhi, you can catch Shatabdi Express, Intercity Express and The Pink City Express while the Super Fast Express links Jaipur with Mumbai. There are also trains having a royal ambience like 'Palace On Wheels' and 'The Royal Orient'.
Road : Frequent deluxe and air-conditioned buses run from Delhi, Agra, and all cities of Rajasthan to Jaipur. The central bus stand, Sindhi Camp, is situated in the heart of the city. Agra- 235 kms from Jaipur and from Delhi- 258 kms. Tourist taxis and RTDC buses also run from Delhi.
► Jaipr City Info
Location
:
240 km from Agra
Built In
:
1727 AD
Significance
:
Capital City of Rajasthan State
Best Season
:
October To March
Local Transport
:
Tourist taxis and RTDC buses are available.
Art emporia and galleries
:
Art Fair, U-2, Chameliwala Market, Opp. G.P.O., M.I. Road. Maharaja Art Emporium, Hawa Mahal Bazar.
Boutiques
:
Nayika, Thalia Building, M.I.Road, Crafts Impression, 17 Civil Lines. Information offices: Foreigners Registration Office, Behind Hawa Mahal; Govt. of Rajasthan Tourist Office, Railway Station
