A visit to India is not complete without a stop in Jaipur. Jaipur is a regal paradise of culture and legacy, rich with architectural jewels, and is affectionately dubbed “The Pink City” for the pink color of its old structures. It’s also a major stop on India’s well-known Golden Triangle tourism circuit. Prepare to be enchanted by the splendor of Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital. City Palace provides you a sense of the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by Jaipur’s royal family. The astronomy equipment of the Jantar Mantar observatory, located just next door, bring the wonders of space to Earth. Planning a trip to the city then you must book the Jaipur tour package from Mumbai.
City Palace
For over three centuries, City Palace has stood in the center of Jaipur’s Old City, shortly after Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II decided to transfer his court from Amber. The fairy-tale-like palace, which is still the residence of Jaipur’s modern-day royal family and is more opulent and lovely than you may expect, is protected by towering guard walls. City Palace is a large complex of buildings built around a succession of manicured garden courtyards overlooking Jaipur and Lake Palace, and it’s more than a sand-colored regal dwelling. The house as a whole is a superb example of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.
Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar may appear to be nothing more than a collection of larger-than-life abstract sculptures at first glance. But this isn’t an art gallery–a unique collection of astronomy instruments begun over 300 years ago by Rajput monarch Jai Singh II to survey the stars. Each of the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s 20 or more buildings has a distinct role. The gigantic sundial at the observatory, known as Samrat Yantra, is particularly impressive. It generates a massive shadow that precisely counts time down to two seconds at a height of 27 meters.
Hawa Mahal
If you have any preconceived views about how Jaipur’s buildings should look, they most likely stem from the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Breeze). From the salmon-pink, honeycombed front, meant to imitate the Hindu god Krishna’s crown, to the geometric accents and rows of small windows, it has all of the distinguishing architectural traits that show in postcards of the city. The structure was constructed in 1799 to allow royal women to observe events on the street without being observed by the general population. Its 953 windows let in a lot of natural light, making it an excellent summer mansion.
Amer Fort
Amber Fort, one of India’s most visited forts, is located in Jaipur. The sandstone and marble monolith, which was built in 1592, sits atop a tiny hill about 20 minutes’ drive northeast of Jaipur’s city centre. It is most famous for being a perfect example of Rajasthani architecture. Amber Fort is usually reached by a short uphill trek that is well worth the effort. It’s covered with exquisite inlaid marble patterns in practically every hue of the rainbow. The fort is divided into four pieces, each with a beautiful garden courtyard on the outside. While you wouldn’t know it from above, the fort’s underground tunnels, some of which have been rebuilt, may be explored.
Albert Hall
The Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur was a “rebuke to all other museums in India from Calcutta downwards,” according to English writer Rudyard Kipling. That’s great praise from the son of a curator, and it’s appropriate for this illustrious institution. The Albert Hall Museum is Rajasthan’s oldest museum, and it has a large collection of art and historically significant objects. Come for the Egyptian mummy, but stay for the beautiful permanent exhibitions of miniature paintings, 18th-century clothing worn by people of various classes, and a strange collection of 19th-century clay figurines doing all of the yoga positions.
Birla Mandir
The striking white marble Birla Mandir sticks out–big time–in a city that seems to be steeped in pink from top to bottom. The Hindu temple honours Lakshmi, the goddess of riches and cleanliness, as well as Vishnu, one of the religion’s most important deities. The magnificent edifice emits a calm, serene environment, providing the ideal setting for admiring superb marble sculptures, deity shrines, and breathtaking sunset vistas. While it won’t take you more than 30 minutes to gain a flavour of the place, it will be a welcome respite following a day of touring.
Nahargarh Fort
When it comes to sightseeing in Jaipur, it doesn’t get much better than the vistas from Nahargarh Fort. The approximately 300-year-old fort, also known as Tiger Fort, sits atop the Aravalli Hills, overlooking the whole city–a ideal site for the construction to protect Jaipur against foes many years ago. This fort is more than simply a strong barrier; it also houses Madhavendra Bhawan, a royal summer retreat. The opulent Rajasthani structure houses a dozen similar boudoirs for the queens, all of which are linked to the king’s suite via mural-adorned passageways.
Galtaji
In the arid state of Rajasthan, water sources are few and far between. It’s little surprise, therefore, that when locals found a natural spring in the Aravalli Hills, they built the Hindu temple Galta Ji to commemorate it. The temple, which is nestled between cliffs, has a few sacred water tanks, some with little fountains, as well as artwork depicting Hindu god Krishna.
While the actual name for this location is Galta Ji, the hundreds of macaques and langurs who call it home are better known as the Monkey Temple. Tourists who are daring may purchase a handful of peanuts at the gate to attract the monkeys, but you’re best off simply viewing the rowdy critters from a distance.
Conclusion
Jaipur is the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Even though the notion of planned cities did not exist in the country at the time, the city was designed in an urban grid in the 18th century. The city was painted pink to welcome the British aristocrat and became known as the “Pink City” across the world. Contrasting yet synchronising with the contemporary world, Jaipur is one of the few cities remaining that has managed to keep its heritage, legacy, and old-world beauty while modernising. Culture, legacy, art, and architecture abound in every nook and cranny of the city. Calculate the delhi to jaipur trip cost for your budget and enjoy your trip.
