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Jaipur - The Pink City
The Capital of the modern state of Rajasthan,
Jaipur is a modern city built according to the
specifications laid down in ancient architectural
texts. Known as the pink city on account of
the flush colour of its sandstone palaces, it
is a major centre for handicrafts. Its former
capital, Amber, consists of fortifications with
an interesting rang of highly decorated public
and private apartments. Jaipur has much to offer
visitors- everything from pageants and festivals
to extraordinarily clad people, a wealth of
handicrafts, a royal legacy of palaces, and
sightseeing- that will occupy their time.
However, should the visitors simply choose to
walk around the streets of the old city instead,
they will not regret it. All of Jaipur is an
architectural gem, and no scheduled sightseeing
can even hope to do justice to this rare city.
Quick Facts
When to visit Jaipur : Septmber To
March
Distance from major cities :
Delhi - 265 km, Ahmedabad - 625 km,
Chandigarh - 510 km, Mumbai - 1,176 km, Agra
- 246 km
Places To Visit In Jaipur
Hawa Mahal : Located to one side,
but a part of the City Palace complex, Hawa
Mahal is best viewed from the street outside.
If it were not for the bustling bazaar all around,
it would have been easy to mistake it for a
film set, so exqusitely is it proportioned,
and so incongruous is its delicacy. Hawa Mahal
consists of five tiers of corridors on the inside,
with pierced screen windows that overlook the
street below. it is believed the women of the
royal zenana would sit concealed behind these
screens to see life in the city beyond the walls
of the palace.
Amber Fort : Beyond the ramparts,
the old city, once the abode of the aristrocracy,
has a wonderfully medieval flavour, though it
has few buildings of majestic proportion that
are still extant. However, a walk through the
rambling lanes will reap rich rewards for the
curious. Besides a large number of temples,
there are also stepwells, memorials and townhouses.
Jaigarh : One of the few military
structures of medieval India, retaining its
ancient splendour in palaces, garden, reservoirs,
a granary, an armoury, a well planned cannon
foundry, several temples, a tall tower and a
giant mounted cannon the Jai Ban, one of the
largest in the country are preserved here. The
extensive parkotas (walls), watch tower and
gateways of Jaigarh dominate the western skyline.
Jal Mahal : Jal Mahal was built by
Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 AD in the midst of
the Man Sagar Lake as a pleasure spot. The was
formed by constructing dam between the two hills
by Sawai Man Singh I. During winter months once
can see a large number of migratory as well
as residents birds at the lake.
City Palace : As may be expected,
the City Palace complex lies at the heart of
the city. Getting in is simpler than it once
was. Though the erstwhile maharaja and his family
and close friends use the triple-arched Tripolia
Gate to enter their section of the palace, most
visitors are ushered in through Atish Pol which
is located close to the royal stables, cross
from here to Chandni Chowk or Moonlit Square
and then on to Gainda ki Deorhi. At the heart
of the complex is seven-tiered Chandra Mahal
where the erstwhile royal family is still in
residence, though only a small part of the apartments
are occupied.
Jantar Mantar : A stone observatory,
part of the city palace complex, Jantar Mantar
is one of several other astronomical observatories
created by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh 2nd (other
are in Delhi, Banaras, Ujjain). These concrete
masonry instruments were used to measure everything
from altitude to time, and map the movement
of the planets and the stars. Jai Singh 2nd
had a passion for astronomy and used astronomical
inventions from different of these observatories,
the largest of which in is Jaipur.
Govind Dev Ji Temple : The most popular
spireless temple of Jaipur dedicated to Lord
Krishna. It is located in the central pavilion
of the Jai Niwas Garden to the north of Chandra Mahal. The image of the patron deity Govind
Devji, originally installed in a temple of Vrindavan,
was reinstalled here by Sawai Jai Singh 2nd
as his family deity.
Sargasuli : Also known as
Isar Lat, this tower was erected in the mid-18th
century by Maharaja Ishwari Singh to commemorate
a battle victory. Ironically, Ishwari Singh
was ostracized for his lover of a common girl,
and he is the only Kachhawaha Maharaja who has
not been commemorated at Gaitor.
Galtaji : An
ancient pilgrimage centre, lying beyond the
gardens amidst low hills. Temples, pavilions
and holy kunds (natural spring and reservoirs)
along with lush landscape make it a delightful
spot. The small temple of the sun god, built
by Diwan Kriparam on the top of the highest
peak is visible from all parts of the city.
Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh : In the 18th and 19th centuries,
the royals and the nobles laid out summer gardens
at Ghati ki guni, a valley at beginning of the
Jaipur-Agra road which traps the breezes and
wafts it through pleasantly. Sisodia Rani ka
Bagh was laid for one of the queens from the
lake city of Udaipur, to cure her of her homesickness.
It consists of pavilions with water channels
that run down in tiered gardens.
Ram Niwas Bagh : A lush spacious garden with a zoo,
an aviary, a greenhouse, a herbarium, a museum
and popular sports ground. It was built by Sawai
Ram Singh 2nd in 1868 A.D. as a famine relief
project. The Albert hall, fine example of Indo
Sarcenic style of architecture designed by Sir
Swinton Jecob, was opened later with an exquisite
collection of sculptures, paintings, decorative
wares, natural history specimen, an Egyptian
mummy & celebrated Persian carpet. Recently,
the Rabindra Manch with an auditorium, a modern
art gallery and an open air theatre, has been
added to promote cultural events.
Laxmi Narayan
Temple : A new temple, built entirely of marble,
this is a showcase of the continuing skill of
the mason and the sculptor.
Moti Doongari : A
small palace, this is a replica of a Scottish
castle, and perched on a hilltop. Once occupied
by Maharaja Madho Singh's son who was confined
here, it was also for a while home to Maharani
Gayatri Devi.
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