Jaipur

Jaipur, also known as Pink City due to the dominant colour scheme of its buildings, is the capital city of Indian state of Rajasthan in norther India. A beautiful city where you can hear the songs and music of the time of Maharajas and Maharanis. Founded by Jai Singh II in 1727 AD, Jaipur offers breathtaking views from the magnificent Amber Fort, beautiful buildings and gardens, colourful markets full of life. A city, colorful and intense that is worth living with the same passion.

Jaipur, an amalgamation of glorious past and vibrant today. Jaipur is home to magnificent forts, palaces, temples, museums along with colourful bazars ( markets ) along with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Amer Fort and Jantar Mantar ( Observatory ).

Today Jaipur is an important city of famous Golden Triangle Tour along with Delhi and Agra. Jaipur is also the gateway to other historic towns of Rajasthan like Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Kota, Bundi, Jodhpur, Udaipur. Due to its connectivity with these cities in Rajasthan along with cities like Mumbai , Chennai , Cochin and Varanasi makes it a perfect tourist destination.

Amer was the capital of erstwhile rulers of Kachwaha Rajputs till Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II shifted the capital to Jaipur. Amer Fort set on top of a hill in Aravali mountain range is a perfect blend of Rajasthani architecture.

The fort is constructed in pink and yellow sandstone and marble. The opulent palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. It consists of the Diwan-e-Aam, or “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-e-Khas, or “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace. The walls are beautifully pained using vegetable colours.

More traditional way to reach to the outstanding monumental complex is to go on the back of an elephant. A unique experience that will allow you to calmly observe all the area surrounding this extraordinary fortress-palace. The descent from the fortress can be done in a jeep.

City Palace in Jaipur is a fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The palace continues to  be the home of the royal family of Jaipur and was constructed in 1727 by Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II when he shifted his capital from Amer to Jaipur. The palace complex today has several buildings, courtyards and museum. Exquisite carpets, bright rajput weapons and delicate clothes, ornamented palanquins will remind you of the grandeur of this princely era of India. Royal family including present maharajah of Jaipur still live in one of the wings of this complex.

Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal is one of the most emblematic buildings of Jaipur in Rajasthan. Constructed in 1799 as an extension to City Palace is an exquisite building with 953 small windows,called Jharokas, decorated by intricate lattice work ( jali or screen ). The original reason of the lattice design was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life and festivals celebrated in the street below without being seen as was the custom of those days which forbade them from appearing in public without face coverings. Also the architectural feature of lattice work allowed cool air to pass through, thus making the whole area more pleasant during the high temperatures in summer.

Jantar Mantar or Observatory is the largest stone astronomical observatory in the world and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nineteen instruments built in stone could calculate the exact time and position of the Pole Star, predict eclipses or check the incidence of the sun at a certain time on an astrological sign. Even today one will be surprised by its accuracy.

Birla Mandir Or Birla Temple built in white marble at the base of Moti Dungri hill in Jaipur is one of the many Birla Temples all around India. However, Birla Mandir in Jaipur is a special one due to its intricate lattice work in white marble. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (One of the Trinity of GODS  and preserver of the universe) and being at the temple during the arti ( puja ) in the evening is an experience.

Galta Ji or Temple of Monkeys built in 15th century is another historical site in Jaipur. Galta Ji is ancient Hindu pilgrimage site and consists of a series of temples built in a ring in hills that surrounds Jaipur. A natural spring emerges high on the hill and flows downward, filling a series of sacred kunds (water tanks) in which pilgrims bathe. Because of the presence of lot of monkeys ( friendly ) , it is also called as Monkey Temple.