Jaipur - Rajasthan

Tourism

The City Palace

The City Palace is located in the heart of the old city. The city palace is former royal residence established in a Rajasthani and mughal style. The beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign. At the entrance there are two carved elephants of marble play the role of guides and rulers. The palace includes a museum with a wide collection of Rajasthani costumes and Mughals and Rajputs armory. The palace also having an art gallery with a great collection of paintings, colored carpets, royal paraphernalia and wonderful astronomical works in Arabic, Latin, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit, obtained by Sawai Jai Singh II to study astronomy in City Palace forms one of the most famous tourist attractions and a major landmark in Jaipur. Among the various forts and palaces of Jaipur, City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture. City Palace complex covers a huge area, which is divided into a series of gardens, courtyards and buildings. Initially, Raja Jai Singh built the outer wall occupying a huge area. The additional grand buildings were constructed later by the succeeding rulers. A part of the exquisite Palace still makes home for the former Maharaja/King. The premises consists several buildings like Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Mukut Mahal, Maharani's Palace, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. One would come across the Mubarak Mahal, as one enters the first square. Mubarak Mahal was built by Sawai Madho Singh in the 19th century to entertain his guests. Now, it is converted into a costume gallery, which displays royal attires of the Kings. After crossing the first square, a beautiful gateway welcomes to Diwan-I-Khas, a hall meant for private audience. It has two sterling silver vessels on display and they are acclaimed to be the world's largest silver vessel. These vessels were made for Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II to carry water from River Ganga to drink on his trip to England. Diwan-I-Aam, which was meant for public audience, forms the other attraction of this courtyard. At present, it makes an art gallery showcasing enthralling painted ceilings and rare ancient handwritten original manuscripts of Hindu scriptures. In the series, Maharani's Palace, which was meant for royal queens, has been converted into a museum, showcasing weapons dated back to 15th century. Chandra Mahal is essentially regarded as the best part, out of the whole tour to City Palace. It has seven stories and each story is known by a different name. The topmost story is known as Mukut Mahal. The wonderful architecture of this Palace with delicate paintings, mirror work on walls and floral decorations, makes it a "must-see" for every visitor. In the present day, this palace serves as the residence of ex-ruler. Badal Mahal stands opposite to Chandra Mahal and while crossing the path, one would find Govind Dev Ji Temple between them. Above all these, the Palace also offers delicacies in its multi cuisine restaurant. All these features of City Palace leave the tourists with no other option, but to visit it again.

Jantar Mantar

Largest of Jai Singh’s five remarkable observatories. Jantar Mantar was completed in seven years from 1728 to 1734, by Jai Singh. It literally means the ‘instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens’. Jai Singh, the brain behind the grand project, chose stone with marble facing. This was the biggest of all his observatories and the only one built of stone. He used it daily, often with his astronomy gurus Pandit Jagannath and Kewal Ram. In all there are 17 instruments in the Jantar Mantar complex. The function of each instrument is rather complex but serves a particular function where time plays the main theme. One of the most surrealistic landscapes in stone, the Jantar Mantar was built to measure the local time, the Sun's declination, altitude, the declination of stars, planets and to determine eclipses. The observatories, or 'Jantar Mantars' as they are commonly known, incorporate multiple buildings of unique form, each with a specialised function for astronomical measurement. Jai Singh was a great admirer of progresses and researches made in the fields of science and technology, but he was also passionate about astronomy. Before the commencement of construction he sent scholars abroad to study the foreign observatories. The emissaries returned with many manuals on astronomy, containing cutting-edge technological information. One of these manuals contained a copy of La Hire's Tables. The king ordered the observatory to be built according to the details contained in the manual and when the construction got over, to the astonishment of the king and others, the observatory was 20 seconds more accurate than the one mentioned in the Table. Pandit Jagannnath Samrat and Pandit Keval Ramji were the two main persons who supported and guided the whole process of constructing the Jantar Mantar. A visit to the Jantar Mantar is sure to fill you with wonder and amazement at the unique shapes of the structures, and will also provide an insight into early scientific and astronomical research in India.

Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal also known as Palace of Winds is a major Rajput landmark established in 1799 A.D. by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. This five storied building along with main street of old pink city with semi octagonal and surrounded with sandstone windows. It has now become one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. The palace is shaped like a pyramid, with number of small windows and screens, with arched roofs. Since the Hawa Mahal was built at a time when women of the royal families had to observe strict purdah, many believe that the Hawa Mahal was built, so these ladies could watch the processions and various activities taking place on the streets. This does explain why Hawa Mahal has such tiny windows and many screened balconies. The royal ladies could look below at the people without showing themselves and thus enjoy a sense of freedom. The Hawa Mahal is a great example of the Rajputana architecture, which was strongly influenced by Mughal style of architecture. This particular style of building that we observe in Hawa Mahal uses the best features of Mughal architecture with other features that could better adapt to the inhospitable weather conditions of Rajasthan. The Hawa Mahal is a popular place among visitors to Rajasthan because of the amazing view it offers of the city and particularly Jantar Mantar (another tourist attraction). Many insist that the best time to visit Hawa Mahal is in the early morning, right when the sun is rising. As the palace bathes in the golden light of the sun, it looks like a fantastic image conjured up by the mind in a trance. The palace glows like an impalpable dream, which makes you feel that even if you dare blink your eyes, it will quickly dissolve into thin air. If you want to see this beautiful palace up close, then pack your bags and come to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and spend your holidays visiting Hawa Mahal and other numerous tourist attractions in an around the city.

Govind Dev ji Temple

Govind Dev ji Temple is the most famous temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in Jaipur. It is established in the north side of Chandra Mahal in the middle location of the Jai Niwas Garden. Govind Dev Ji Temple is one of the major tourist destination of Jaipur. The Temple shows the royal history of Jaipur. Govind Dev Ji is the god of Amber's Kachawaha Dynasty. It is believed that Govind Dev Ji saw in the dream of Raja Sawai Jai Singh and told him to bring idols from Vrindavan to Jaipur. After that Raja Sawai Jai Singh found the idols and built the City Palace in Jaipur. After the sad circumstance of Jai Singh, Raja Man Singh took the decision to establish the temple in 1890. The beautiful image of Radha-Krishna attracts all devotees. Aartis and parshad are offered to the god daily at seven times per day. A large number of devotees and tourists visit this temple of great importance. the birth day of Lord Krishna Ji is celebrated with the name of Janmashtmi, is a famous event and is celebrated with full happiness.

Ram Niwas Bagh

It was established by Sawai Ram Singh II in the 1868 A.D. as a misery relief project. This extensive park consists of a zoo, aviary, herbarium, museum and sports complex. An added attraction is the Albert Hall, decorated by Sir Swinton Jacob, a British architect who created palaces for many rulers in Rajasthan. The Hall is home to large collection of sculptures, paintings, objects d’art, natural history specimens, an Egyptian mummy and a beautiful Persian carpet. This is a famous museum where you can get to see a large number of ancient articles and artifacts. This building is named after the Prince of Wales, Price Albert, who laid the foundation stone of this structure in the year 1876. Amidst the beautiful Ram Niwas Garden, surrounded by pools, fountains and rows of flowerbeds stands the exquisite Albert Hall, built on 1886 A.D. Designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob who has crafted other Palaces of Rajasthan, built the Albert hall in honor of the King Edward VII visit to Jaipur, in Indo-Saracenic style. The basic purpose of building this park was to give relief to the people from the drought that had hit the city during that time. It is one of the greener areas of the city. Located amidst a concrete jungle, it is a relief for the eyes. As per historical records, it took nearly four lakhs of rupees to build this garden. Here you can get to see a large number of animals, birds and reptiles. You can come to the Ram Niwas Bagh, Jaipur and enjoy the peaceful and calm atmosphere that surrounds the garden. The natural beauty of the park is simply alluring and will make you visit this place again and again. You can find a large number of flowering as well as non-flowering trees in the Ram Niwas Bagh in Jaipur. Recently, the Rabindra Manch includes auditorium, an open air theatre and a modern art gallery has been built to promote cultural events.

Dolls Museum

Dolls Museum situated about 4 km from the city center; Dolls Museum was built in 1974 with the purpose of providing an insight into the different cultures that were present all over the world. Dolls Museum in Jaipur is perhaps the most famous among all other museums of 'Pink City' and is largely visited by tourists from all over the globe. The museum is home to a large number of lovely dolls representing different cultures across the world. One is sure to be mesmerized with the striking beauty of these dolls clad in the traditional attires of various countries at the Dolls Museum in Jaipur. From various countries, Pretty dolls are displayed near the Police Memorial in the school of deaf and dumb children. There are a large number of Indian dolls depicting the traditional costumes of different states across India. One can see the local attire of Gujarat, Bengal, Assam, Kashmir, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Punjab and several other Indian states at the Dolls Museum in Jaipur. The most striking are bridal dresses of different states like Mysore, Kerala, Gujarat, Bengal and Punjab. The particular costumes of different classical dance forms in India like Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Odissi and Kuchipudi have also been beautifully put on display at the Dolls Museum of Jaipur. There is an equally splendid variety of dolls portraying the culture of both developed nations as well as the Third World. The national dresses of USA, Britain, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Ghana, Uganda, Lebanon and Afghanistan are particularly striking. Beautiful dolls dressed up in the bridal wear of Japan, Malaysia, Burma, China and New Zealand look absolutely stunning and add to the beauty of the already magnificent costumes.

BM Birla Planetarium

BM Birla Planetarium is situated at the BM Birla Science and Technology Center, near Statue Circle. The Planetarium offers unique audio-visual education and entertainment with its modern computerized projection system. This attractive building houses a state-of-the-art centre of knowledge on the cosmos and a unique science and technology museum with several self-operated models. The planetarium helps to enhance knowledge of planets and cosmic functions and movements and on special occasions like when some rare phenomenon related to stars and planets are about to occur several shows are arranged and concessions are given so as to enable all to come and witness the phenomenon.

Galtaji

Galtaji is a holy pilgrimage of India, located 10 kms away from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The vast complex of Galta Ji has several temples in it. The Temple of Galtaji is famous for its natural water springs. Set amidst the beautiful landscape, Galtaji Temple offers a picturesque view of the city. The Galta temple is dedicated to the monkey-god, Lord Hanuman built by Diwan Kriparam on the top of the highest peak; it is visible from all parts of the city. An ancient pilgrimage site, it lies beyond the gardens surrounded by low hills. It is absolutely delightful with temple pavilions and holy kunds (natural spring and water tanks) along with lush green landscape. The small temple of the sun god here is one of its kinds. Financially supported by the Birla family, the three holy 'kunds' of Galta once had strict reservations. The first pool was only for men, the second only for women, the third one for the holy monkeys. As the legend goes, sage Galina is said to have performed a difficult penance here.

Amer Fort :

Amer fort located at 11km from Jaipur, built by Raja Man Singh in 16th century. It is a mesmerizing blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. It offers charming gardens and magnificent palaces made from marble and precious stones, richly decorated with intricate stonemason works and paintings, which represented royal splendor and luxury. Amer Fort houses Jai Mandir, a famous temple which has Sheesh Mahal. Sheesh Mahal is a beautiful hall of mirrors that are so artistically set that even a tiny ray of light gets reflected in the mirrors and illumines the hall dazzlingly. In 16th century, Rajputs made use of the Amber Fort for defense purpose and for the residential purposes in 1727. Within the palace are the Diwan-e-Aam or the "Hall of Public Audience", the Diwan-e-Khas or the "Hall of Private Audience" and the Sukh Niws where a cool breeze blows across channels of water. Here are the private chambers of the queens with windows having latticed screens so that the ladies could watch the proceedings of the royal court in privacy.

Shri Digamber Jain Temple

The temple has fine carvings as those of the magnificent Delwara temples of Mount Abu. Built in various phases with sky-high shikharas (spires), the temple represents an old style of architecture. The last phase was probably built in the 10th century. The beautiful nij-mandir (inner temple) is a stone shrine with three pinnacles. In the centre is an idol of Parshwanath with 7 serpent hoods. All around it are carvings of lotuses, creepers and elephants pouring water from pitchers held in their trunks.

Moti Doongari and Lakshmi Narayan Temple

Moti Doongari and Lakshmi Narayan Temple are established like a scottish castle. Here the Ganesh Temple situated in the foot of the hills and the marvellous Lakshmi Narayan Temple established before few years. It was dedicated as a home to Maharani Gayatri Devi. Entry is strict. Birla Lakshmi Narayan Temple locatesd at the foot of Moti Dungri fort . It is made up of white marble.There are large of the deities of the Hindus are depicted inside the temple and historical pictures or figures shows on the outside walls including Christ , Socrates, Buddha ,Zarathustra, and Confucius.

How to reach Jaipur

By Air: Jaipur is well connected with major parts of the country and easily accessible.The city has regular air services to different cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, and Udaipur.

By Rail: Regular train services helps to connect Jaipur to major places of the country. Other than luxury train, the palace on wheels, one can reach Jaipur via many trains like Shatabdi Express, the Pink city express, Chetak express, etc.

By Road: A large network of Rajasthan State Transport buses connects the pink city well to other favorite destinations of Rajasthan and adjacent Indian states.