Jaipur Information
Travel to
Jaipur to experience the royal legacy of Rajasthan. As a tourist you
will get observe many tourist destination worth exploring. Jaipur, the
capital of Rajasthan surrounded by an ancient 20ft high wall and eight
gates is also known as 'Pink City'. Beautifully laid Jaipur city
shocases the houses made of pink sandstones and is located 261 kms away
from Delhi. Jaipur is also the main tourist and transport hub of
Rajasthan tourist circuit. You can easily venture out to places like
Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Pushkar, and many more such
tourist destinations of Rajasthan from Jaipur. Plan your tour to Jaipur
and understand the culture of Rajasthan.
The Legacy of the Jaipur Past
The city of Jaipur was amongst the first planned cities in India. The
astronomer-King Sawai Jai Singh II, one of the greatest rulers of the
Kachhawaha clan established his new capital in Jaipur in 1727, when he
decided to shift his seat of power from Amer, 11 km northeast of the new
city. Designed by a young Bengali architect, Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya,
the city was a marvel of town planning with separate sectors being
earmarked for craftsmen and merchants. A formidable protective wall with
seven gates girdled the entire city. The city was planned to conform to
a geometric grid representing the nine divisions of the universe.
The history and times of Jaipur are deeply entwined with
the stories of royal princes and princesses, with grand Mughals and
later with visiting dignitaries from the British Royal family or 20th
century royalty like the US Presidential families.
Climate of Jaipur
Climate of Jaipur is extreme with hot and humid summers and chilly
winters. Maximum temperature during the summers (from April to July)
reaches a high of around 45ºC. On the other hand winters have sunny
and pleasant days and bitterly cold nights. Temperature can touch a low
of around 5ºC, mostly during the nights.
Reaching Jaipur
Jaipur By Air
Jaipur is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad,
Calcutta and Varanasi by domestic flights.
Jaipur By Bus
Jaipur can be accessed from all the major places in Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Delhi and Mumbai by bus.
Jaipur By Train
The train service to Jaipur is available from all the major parts of
the country. The train services to Jaipur are slower, because of the
metre gauge line.
Accommodations in Jaipur
Heritage hotels in Jaipur
» Ram garh Lodge
» Royal Castle Kanota
» Narayan Niwas Palace
» Raj Mahal Palace
» Samode Haveli
» Hotel Alsisar Haveli
» Hotel Samode Palace
» Bissau Palace
5 Star Deluxe Hotels in Jaipur
» Hotel Raj Vilas
» RamBagh Palace Hotel
» Jai Mahal Palace
» Sheraton Welcome Hotel Rajputana Palace
» Hotel Le Meridien
Budget Hotels in Jaipur
» Hotel K.K. Royal Days
» The Gold Palace & Resorts
» Hotel Park Plaza
» Hotel Arya Niwas
» Hotel Gangaur
» Hotel Teej
» Hotel Swagatam
» Hotel Jaipur Inn
The Myriad Attractions of Jaipur
The City Palace
In the heart of the old city is the former royal residence built in a
blend of the Rajasthani And Mughal styles , The Carved arches are
supported by grey -white marble columns ornate with floral motifs in
gold and colored stones . Two carved elephants in marble guard the
entrance . The retainers whose families have served generations of
rulers serve as guides . the Palaces houses a museum with a superb
collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs
including swords of different shapes and sizes with chased handles ,
some of them inlaid with enamel and embellished with jewels and encased
in magnificent scabbards .
The palace also has a n art gallery with an excellent collection of
miniature paintings , carpets , royal paraphernalia and rare
astronomical works in Arabic , Persian , Latin and Sanskrit , acquired
by Sawai Jai Singh – II to study astronomy in detail .
Nahargarh
Fort
Nahargarh or the Tiger fort is the first of the three forts built by
the kings of Jaipur. Built mainly in 1734 by Jai Singh II, it lies 6 km
north west of city Palace and provides some stunning views of Jaipur
down below to the Man Sagar Lake. The imposing fort harbors many legends
and three kings have added their stamp at different times to the
structures within the fort. In the midst of this lake, is a palatial
duck blind, which was used for shooting parties by the erstwhile royal
family. A royal retreat for the Maharanis, it was also used as a
personal treasury for many years.
Amber
Fort
The Amber Fort in Rajasthan contructed in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, is
one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Perched high on a
barren ridge, it commands extensive views over a deep narrow valley and
the wider plains beyond. The building was finally completed in the
early18th century when the threat of Mughal domination was receding.
Amber was once, the capital of the Mina tribes, believed to be the
original inhabitants of this region. Located up on the hills that
surround Jaipur, the fort, sprawled along the Maotha Lake, boasts of a
massive complex gateways, courts, stairways and pillared pavilions, and
palaces that recall the glory and wealth, of Amber's association with
the Mughals. This complex was built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai
Singh and Sawai Jai Singh, over a period of about two centuries.
Jantar
Mantar
Jantar Mantar is the most famous and elaborate observatory of its time.
It was constructed in the year 1724 A.D. by Sawai Jai Singh II, even
before the city of Jaipur was built, and has been described as the most
surrealistic and logical landscape instone. It was built to measure the
local time, the sun's declination, altitude, the declination of stars,
planets and to determine eclipses .
Across the road from the palaces is the famous Jantar Mantar one of the
five observatories in India Built by Sawai Jai Singh, this is one of the
largest and the best preserved. A passionate hobby of the king in the
field of Astronomy, numerology, insighted him to execute this
observatory and with the help of skilled labourers, they managed to
create a collection of complex astronomical instruments chiselled out of
stone and most of which continues to provide accurate information to
this day.
Excusions from Jaipur
Gaitor
Located 15 kms from Jaipur, it is here that the Chhatris of Jaipur's
rulers stand amidst reverential silence.The cenotaph of Maharaja Sawai
Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur, is the finest.
Sanganer
Sanganer, 16km south of Jaipur, is the busiest centre for handmade
textiles in the region, and the best place to watch traditional block
printers in action. There are a couple of large factories here, but most
of the printing is done in family homes as a cottage industry. This is
also a great place to shop for traditional textiles; prices are much
lower than in Jaipur.
Sanganeri craftsmen and women also decorate pottery in Rajasthan's
distinctive style; graceful floral designs in white or deep sea-green
are painted over a traditional inky-blue glaze. Within the town itself,
there are ruined palaces and a handful of elegant Jain temples , most
notably the Shri Digamber temple near the Tirpolia Gate. Minibuses and
tempos (Rs6) leave for Sanganer from Chand Pole, or you can take city
bus #113 from Ajmeri Gate.
Galta
twenty Kilometers from Jaipur, Galta is a famous for natural
Springs.The natural springs here are said to have curative
properties.There are also several temples in the area, major one amongst
them is the temple of the Sun God. Galta is particularly lovely after
the rains when the surrounding landscape is clothed in a carpet of
green. Enroute to Galta from Jaipur, is Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh , a
enchanting palace with a fine garden; a temple dedicated to Vishnu and
one dedicated to Hanuman.
Bagru
Twenty eight Kilometers from Jaipur, Bagru is a famous town for block
printing.
Samode
Samode is an perfect desert tourist destination. During the day, a
camel ride through the Samode village and the surrounding countryside is
a good idea. Riding this gentle animal with its rocking gait is the best
way to relax on a sunny morning. A real visit to Samode cannot be
considered complete without a musical evening of folk dances and songs.
Rajasthani bards and musicians with their colorful dresses and unusual
musical instruments provide one of the best evenings one can have in
India.
Festivals of Jaipur
The Gangaur Festival
Held in honour of Goddess Parvati, this festival is held a few days
after Holi, and is celebrated in Jaipur on a grand scale.The Gangaur
Festival is the most important local festival of Rajasthan and is
observed throughout the state with great fervour and devotion by
womenfolk who worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva.Gan is a synonym
for Shiva and Gaur, which stands for Gauri or Parvati who symbolises
'saubhagya' (marital bliss). Gauri is the embodiment of perfection and
conjugal love, which is why the unmarried women worship her for being
blessed with good husbands, while married women do so for the welfare,
health and long life of their spouses and a happy married and long life
of their life.
The Elephants Festival
Also held at the time of Holi in the month of Mar-Aprail. Elephants are
taken in procession at this time.
The Teej Festival
A major event in Jaipur during the month of July/Aug. This festival is
celebrated for Parvati the beginning of the monsoon.
