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About Pink City
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JAIPUR -
THE CITY OF VICTORY: The Rose Pink City founded by
Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the capital of
Rajasthan. It is a major attraction for the first-time
visitor. Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by rugged
hills, crowned with forts & enclosed by embattled walls.
Houses with latticed window line the streets with their
rose pink colour, lending enchantment to the scene,
which is almost magical at sunset. The Old City (Known
as the Pink City) is a great place to wander around. The
whole city was painted in Pink colour by Maharaja Man
Singh II when Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited
Jaipur in 1876 AD. Today, every home within the city is
obliged by law to maintain its facade. It is a very well
planned city laid out in a grid pattern and was designed
by a young Bengali engineer and scholar by the name "Vidyadhar
Bhattacharya". Jaipur was and remains the only city in
the world, symbolizing the nine divisions of the
universe, through nine rectangular sectors sub-dividing
it. Jaipur is a royal city & this is its most noticeable
aspect, small buildings & festivals testify it. Jaipur &
its surroundings are rather like an endless museum. The
city also offers an endless variety of crafts. Jewellers
here still fashion the beautiful enamel-on-gold
pendants, studded on the reverse with precious stones or
pearls & turquoise that one sees in miniature paintings.
Jaipur's lacquer bangles are famous all over the world.
This is a city to be visited. |
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Location: 336-km From
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Built In: 1727 AD
Significance: Capital City of Rajasthan State
Best Season: October To March India Guide
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 NEARBY
CITIES
Samode: 40-km
Bairath: 86-km
Pushkar: 146-km
Sawai Madhopur: 165-km
Jodhpur: 336-km
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Amer Palace:
The magnificent fort with its huge ramparts &
watchtowers, overlooking the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. It is
believed to have been the capital of the "Minas", the
original inhabitants of Rajasthan.
City Palace:
Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of the City
Palace guarded by stone elephants, is monumental.
Hawa Mahal:
A Pandora's box of wonders, the enchanting Hawa Mahal is
a multi-layered palace, with a profusion of windows and
stone screens.
Jai Garh:
Built on a peak, Jai Garh overlooks the palace & city of
Amber below. Jal Mahal is Jaipur's lake palace. It is
surrounded with water.
Nahargarh Fort:
Originally called Sudarshan Garh, it affords a splendid
view of Jaipur.
MONUMENTS
Jantar Mantar:
The amazing astronomical three-storey-high observatory,
of an 18th century Rajasthani king, named Jai Singh.
GARDENS
Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh:
Has beautiful gardens, fountains, pools & some
magnificent pieces of sculpture.
MUSEUMS
Government Central Museum:
This is the oldest museum in the state. The buiding,
designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob is located in the
centre of the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh, built in 1876
AD. When King Edward VII visited India as the Prince of
Wales, it was opened to public in 1886.
EXCURSIONS
Bairath (86-km on the Shahpura-Alwar Road):
An important historical place with the excavated remains
of a circular Buddhist temple - unique in Rajasthan and
the earliest known temple in India. Bairath also has
relics of the Mauryan, Mughal and Rajput periods. A mint
constructed by Akbar, a beautiful Mughal garden and a
remarkable monument with painted 'chhatris' and wall
built by Jahangir, are other attractions.
Galta (2.5-km):
Beyond the gardens amidst the low hill guarding the city
lies the old pilgrim centre of Galtaji. Temples,
pavilions and holy 'kunds' (natural springs and
reservoirs) dot the serene green landscape. The small
temple of the Sun god, built by Diwan Kriparam on top of
the highest peak, is visible form all parts of the city.
LAKES
Ramgarh Lake (32-km north-east):
A huge artificial lake created by constructing a high
dam amidst tree-covered hills. While the temple of Jamwa
Mata and the ruins of the old fort are some of its
antiquities, its beautiful landscape makes it an idyllic
picnic spot.
PALACE
Samode (40-km north-west):
The beautiful Samode Palace, has been rebuilt and
renovated and provides a fine example of the Rajput
haveli architecture. It is an ideal spot for outings
CITIES
Sanganer (16-km):
Located on the Tonk Road. This small town is entered
through the ruins of two 'Tripolias' or triple-gateways.
The town has a ruined palace and a group of Jain temples
with fine carvings. Entry to the temples is restricted.
The town is an important centre for craft, 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. On the Ajmer
Road, the ground level fort is still in good shape. It
is noted for its hand printed handloom industry using
simple techniques.
GARDENS
Vidyadhar's Garden:
Nestled in a narrow valley, this beautiful garden was
built in honour of Jai Singh's chief architect and town
planner.
OTHERS
Gaitor (6.5-km on the road to Amer):
There are memorials to the queens in the Maharani-ki-Chhatri
complex near the Ramgarh road crossing. The white marble
cenotaph of Maharajah Jai Singh II is the most
impressive and is decorated with carved peacocks. Next
to it is the cenotaph of his son. The island palace-Jal
Mahal built by Sawai Madho Singh as a pleasure spot at
the centre of the Man Sagar Lake, and the Kanak
Vrindavan complex of temples and gardens recently
renovated add to its pristine glory. To the west of this
road, in a narrow valley, is the royal cremation ground
at Gaitor. The cenotaphs of all Jaipur rulers, with the
exception of Sawai Ishwari Singh, who was cremated
outside the Jai Niwas Garden, were built at this place.
The imposing cenotaph of Sawai Jai Singh stands out for
its delicate carvings and beautiful shape.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Jaipur has its own airport, and is well connected
to all other tourist and business centers.
Rail: An excellent connection to Delhi by Shatabdi
Express and the Pink City Express. Other connections to
Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahemadabad,
Secunderabad and Lucknow.
Road: A network of reasonably comfortable tourist buses,
run by road corporations of Rajasthan, Haryana and
others.
PLACES TO STAY
There are several budget hotels and paying guest
accommodations available in Jaipur.
SHOPPING
A major gem and jewellery centre, Jaipur is famous for
Kundan work (enamel work on gold). Also there are
woollen carpets, cotton rugs, marble statuary, enamelled
wares, brass ware, hand-block printed Sanganeri and
Bagru Cotton fabrics, exotic blue pottery made from
crushed quartz, leather footwear and more.
GENERAL INFORMATION
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.
Hospitals: Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Soni Hospital,
J.K.Mother & Child Health Institute. |
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