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General
Information
Location:
336-km From Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Built In:1727 AD
Significance: Capital City of Rajasthan
State
Best Season: October To March
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
JAIPUR
- THE
PINCK CITY TOURS
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, symbolising 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. Jewellers 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.
RAJASTHAN
TRAIN TRAVEL
PALACE
ON WHEELS
Ever wondered what luxury in the royal times was all about! Welcome
to Palace On Wheels, a luxury train that carries with it an ambience
of the Rajputana era and an exciting fairytale journey, which takes
the visitor to the imperial cities of Rajasthan every single day.
The coaches also carry out an image of the Rajput states with
beautiful interiors. Last but not the least the "Royal
Treat" for the passengers on board include saloons, bar lounges
& libraries in every coach as well as restaurant and organized
shopping facilites.
PRIME
ATTRACTIONS
FORTS
AND 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.
City Palace: Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of
the City Palace guarded by stone elephants, is monumental.
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.
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.
Nahargarh Fort: Originally called Sudarshan Garh, it affords
a splendid view of Jaipur.
MONUMENTS
 Jantar
Mantar: The amazing astronomical three-storey-high observatory,
of an 18th century Rajasthani king, named Jai Singh.
GARDENS
Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh: Has beautiful gardens, fountains, pools
& some magnificent pieces of sculpture.
MUSEUMS
Government Central Museum: This is the oldest museum in the
state. The buiding, designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob is located
in the centre of the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh, built in 1876 AD.
When King Edward VII visited India as the Prince of Wales, it was
opened to public in 1886.
EXCURSIONS
TEMPLES
 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.
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.
LAKES
 Ramgarh
Lake (32-km north-east): A 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.
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.
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.
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.
OTHERS
 Gaitor
(6.5-km on the road to Amer): There are memorials to the queens
in the Maharani-ki-Chhatri complex near the Ramgarh road crossing.
The white marble cenotaph of Maharajah Jai Singh II is the most
impressive and is decorated with carved peacocks. Next to it is the
cenotaph of his son. The island palace-Jal Mahal built by Sawai
Madho Singh as a pleasure spot at the centre of the Man Sagar Lake,
and the Kanak Vrindavan complex of temples and gardens recently
renovated add to its pristine glory.
To the west of this road, in a narrow valley, is the royal cremation
ground at Gaitor. The cenotaphs of all Jaipur rulers, with the
exception of Sawai Ishwari Singh, who was cremated outside the Jai
Niwas Garden, were built at this place. The imposing cenotaph of
Sawai Jai Singh stands out for its delicate carvings and beautiful
shape.
HOW
TO GET THERE
Air:
Jaipur has its own airport, and is well connected to all other
tourist and business centres.
Rail: An excellent connection to Delhi by Shatabdi Express
and the Pink City Express. Other connections to Jaipur are from
Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahemadabad, Secunderabad and Lucknow.
Road: A network of reasonably comfortable tourist buses, run
by road corporations of Rajasthan, Haryana and others.
PLACES
TO STAY
There
are several budget hotels and paying guest accommodations available
in Jaipur.
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
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