A city of castles in the cramped crowds with color-rich cupolas and candid courts of crowned chiefs is the catching Jaipur. Capital of the state of Rajasthan, Jaipur most famously called the Pink City was named aptly for a large part of the city was built in the color pink. Founded by Jai Singh II who was the ruler of Amer in the 18th century, the city was originally planned according to the science of arts and crafts called the Shilpa Shastras and Vastu Shastras i.e. the science of architecture prescribed in the Hindu texts defining principles of designs, layouts, spatial geometry etc. The vibrant bustle of city is well contrasted with royally adorned palaces that portray a fusion of Mughal architecture. The place bears entrances through three major gates i.e. the Eastern gate of Suraj Pol (Sun Gate), the western gate being the Chand Pol (Moon Gate) and the northern gate facing the ancestral capital of Amer. Spread in an area of 467 sq km, the city holds some of the most magnificent monuments with magical tales of bravery and bravado to narrate. Jaipur geographically being a populous city comprises of plain land with a semi arid climate and ochre streets. Opulent in tradition, it is beautified by varied culture brought out by the people residing within it. The Mewar rulers known to be great patrons of art, entertained artisans and craftsmen endearing their talent ranging from pottery to poetry. The city in today holds foisons of different artistic styles like the Bandini and block print techniques used in clothing, ivory carving, the great meenakari kundan jewelry to begin with. Embellished in gems, it has a huge market of handmade exotic silver jewelry and the miniature paintings capture the ancient royal heritage gloriously. Apart from art, the city connects to the soul through classical forms of dance like Kathak namely the Jaipur Gharana of this North-Indian dance style and a more traditional Ghoomar dance performed by women on festivities. A specialty art form of Tamasha which has Kathputli puppet dance shown in play and depicted through mystical stories engages and entertains the mind. Also rich in food, the authentic cuisines incorporate the tongue savoring Dal Baati Churma, Missi Roti, Gatte ki Sabzi, Ker Sangri prepared exclusively. Rich in nutrients exotic breads like Makke ki Ghat, Bajre ki Ghat and Bajre ki Roti are not to be missed. The disc-shaped sweet cake Ghevar is a specialty to be tried earnestly.
Air : Flights come and go from the Jaipur International Airport.
Rail : Trains arrive at the Jaipur Junction Railway Station to depart to almost all major cities of the country.
Road : The city sits on the national highway connecting-Mumbai Delhi with intersecting highways to Kota, Bikaner, Agra and many more.
Summers : April to early July (relatively hot)
Monsons :June and September. (pleasant but humid)
Winters : November to February (chilly and pleasant)
Best time for a visit - The winter season due to no humidity with average temperatures ranging from 10.15 C cold waves leading to temperatures near freezing.
Amer serving as the capital city during Maharana Jai Sngh II’s reign for purpose of protection was fortified into the gigantic Amer Fort having about a hundred steps and built on a hill with red sandstone and marble. The fort overlooking the Maota Lake is constructed beautifully with traditionally corbeled vaults on four levels. Each level consisting of halls for private and public attendance and an artificially created Sukh Niwas that blew cold winds through a cascade of water for Maharajas during extreme heat. A huge wall environing the palace gives it a feel of the royal residence.
A World Heritage Site, The Jantar Mantar is the largest of the five astronomical observatories built throughout the country by the Maharaja. It has about nineteen architectural astronomical instruments that operate in three main classical celestial coordinate systems giving insight on the positions of satellites, planets, stars etc. The sundial that calculates the time of the day through descending rays of the sun was installed at this very place.
A fine specimen of Mughal Architecture, the Hawa Mahal is a red pink congregation of windows atop balconies outlined by piers neatly on either sides, sticking together in squared patterns, surmounted by arches. The symmetrically arrayed palace windows bear a honeycombed structure overlooking the bazaars of the city. The beautiful Mahal is called the Palace of Winds due the surplus windows.
A magnanimous minaret stands a few meters away from the City Palace, crossing past some indigenous shops called the Ishawari Minar. A tall spiraling skyscraper with breath-taking views of the city, it serves as an amazing spot for some candid photography. Lore proclaims that terrified of the Maratha army, Iswari killed himself by letting a snake bite him following which his wives committed Jauhar on his funeral pyre.
Set amidst the old city, the City Palace constitutes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal Palace. A complex of courtyards, gardens and small passages, the Chandra Mahal houses a museum referring to the olden times. The royally furnished building served as hunting grounds to the Maharajas.
The royal cenotaphs of Maharanas are placed in this beautiful site. A place beloved for peace and quiet, it has magnificent sculptures with intricate carvings in the shape of domes corbeled on pillars. These cenotaphs of Maharajas were created primarily to honor them and stand firm against the passage of time.
The stunning Nahargarh Fort was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century on an eastern ridge of Aravalis giving panoramic views of the city. Rumored to be haunted by the spirit of Nahar Singh Bhomia who sabotaged all construction of the day during night, his spirit was mitigated with the construction of a temple within the fort that worships the prince. Holding many picturesque sceneries of the glowing city beneath the fort is a refreshing place to be visited.
The Jal Mahal or the water palace is a palace built on the Man Sagar Lake. Constructed in authentic Rajput style of architecture it has a serene view of the city right in the middle of water. Being away from ground gave it an advantage of gaining a vantage point for the Man Sagar Dam. Built in red sandstone the palace is a five-storey establishment of which the top floor remains above water when the lake is full.
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B-2/283, Rohini Sec-6, Delhi
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