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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 windows 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. Jewelers 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.
Prime Attractions of Jaipur
<-- Forts & Palaces -->
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.
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.
City Palace
Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of the City
Palace guarded by stone elephants, is monumental.
Nahargarh Fort
Originally called Sudarshan Garh, it affords a splendid
view of Jaipur.
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.
Excursions of Jaipur
<-- Temples -->
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.
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.
<-- 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.
<-- Lakes -->
Ramgarh Lake (32-km North East)
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.
<-- 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.
<-- 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.
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 about Jaipur
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.
P & T Offices
G.P.O., M.I. Road; Central Telegraph Office, M.I.Road;
Railway Mail Service, Jaipur Railway Station.
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