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Indian Sub-Continent

City Guide

Jaipur

Fact File

  • Area 200.4 sq. km
  • Population 1,458,483 (1991)
  • Altitude 431 m above sea level
  • Languages Hindi, Rajasthani, English
  • Best time to visit October to March
  • STD code 0141
Introduction

Jaipur is a city where royalty still lives in the grandeur of its palaces, where fighting for the honour of the clan has never been a need but a way of life, and where treating guests as gods has been a tradition from time immemorial. The city is located at a distance of around 258 km from Delhi and 232 km from Agra, making it a part of the famed Golden Triangle tourist circuit of North India. Jaipur got its name from its founder Sawai Jai Singh (1693-1743), who had the vision to create a meticulously planned city as his capital. All the houses in the old city are painted pink, including the famous Hawa Mahal, thereby giving the city its alternative name, the Pink City.

Sightseeing

Jaipur offers a plethora of touristic attractions to the traveller. The City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum with its large collection of woodwork, jewellery, costumes, brassware, and pottery. Another monument near the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen. Amber Fort, situated just outside the city, is perhaps the most beautiful example of Rajasthani forts and gives a grand view of the city down below. Other attractions include the Jaigarh Fort, Birla Mandir, and Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh.

  • THE CITY PALACE
    The City Palace is now converted into a museum, except a small portion that is still used by the royal family of Jaipur. Built in the fortified campus style, the palace covers almost one-seventh part of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion that is devoted to the arms and ammunition used by the royal family in the past. Other important attractions are the Textile and Costume Museum, Art Gallery, Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, and Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Am.
  • CENTRAL MUSEUM
    Located in the Ram Niwas Garden, the Central Museum or Albert Hall is a mixture of pillars, arches, and courtyards adorned with murals. There is a huge collection of objects displaying different facets of Rajasthani culture and history. There are miniature paintings, ivory carvings, costumed mannequins, and shields depicting scenes from the Hindu epics, among others.
  • HAWA MAHAL
    Strange though it may seem, this most famous landmark of Jaipur is not actually a palace but a series of sandstone screens. This pink structure was constructed so that the ladies of the palace could watch the royal processions without being seen by any outsider. This sandstone edifice was named Palace of Winds after the many brass wind vanes that adorned it until 1960s.
  • JANTAR MANTAR
    This largest stone observatory in the world has a very interesting story behind its construction. Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of five observatories in India including this one, was a great admirer of developments in science and technology, especially astronomy. Before constructing this observatory, he sent his emissaries to all corners to the world, who returned with many manuals of cutting-edge technology including a copy of La Hire/’s Tables. He built the structures following every details given in the manual, but at the end, he found to his astonishment that the observatory was 20 seconds more accurate than that given by La Hire. Situated near the gate of the City Palace, the observatory has 18 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.
  • AMBER FORT
    Standing tall over a small hillock overlooking the Pink City, Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthan fort-palace. Amber today is nothing but a reflection of the glorious past of the fierce Kachwaha Dynasty that ruled over this region from 12th to 18th century. Man Singh I started the construction of this fort in 1592 and, perhaps, it was the defence that topped his priorities before constructing this fort. The rugged walls of this fort may not look beautiful from outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise and painted scenes of hunting and wars adorn the walls along with precious stones and mirrors set into the plaster. Half the fun at Amber Fort is the walk from the road to the fort with majestic views of the surrounding valley. An elephant ride up to the fort is also an unforgettable experience.
  • JAIGARH FORT
    Situated in the north of Jaipur, the Jaigarh Fort is structurally similar to the Amber Fort. The only exception is that it houses the mighty Jaivana, the largest wheeled canon in the world. Other attractions in the Jaigarh Fort include three water tanks, a museum, and breathtaking views of the city below.
  • BIRLA MANDIR
    Also known as the Laxmi Narayan Mandir, the Birla Mandir, situated in the south of Jaipur, has been built by wealthy Birla family, one of the largest industrial dynasties in India. This white-marble structure has three domes, each styled according to different approaches to religion.
  • SISODIA RANI KA BAGH
    The terraced Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh (the Garden of Sisodia Queen) is situated on the Jaipur-Agra road at a distance of 6 km from Jaipur. The garden was created by the queen of Jai Singh II as an escape from the court intrigues. The landscaped gardens and murals of the life of Lord Krishna, decorating its interiors, are breathtakingly beautiful.
Excursions From Udaipur
  • Dungarpur
    Nestled in the foothills of the Aravallis, around 120 km off Udaipur, Dungarpur has an interesting topography, ranging from wild and rugged terrain in the northeast to fertile plains of alluvial soil in the southwest. The main attractions in the town are the Udai Bilas Palace, Juna Mahal, Gaib Sagar Lake, Vijay Raj Rajeshwar Temple, and Government Archaeological Museum.
  • Eklingji
    Eklingji is a small town famous for its temples. The Eklingji Temple is dedicated to Shiva, who is regarded to be the guardian deity of the Mewar. The deity was regarded as the virtual ruler by the Maharajas of Mewar who considered themselves to be the regents (dewans) under Eklingji.
  • Ghanerao
    With its red sandstone havelis and a number of old temples, baolis, and marble chattris, Ghanerao is an irresistible place. Founded in 1606 by Gopal Das Rathore, Ghanerao is situated just 5 km beyond the Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary.
  • Haldighati
    Haldighati is a historical place that has now become a symbol of courage and bravery. It hosted the legendary war between Rana Pratap and Akbar in 1576. Haldighati is situated at a distance of around 60 km from Udaipur.
  • Jaisamand Lake
    With an area of 15 km by 10 km, it is a vast artificial lake situated at a distance of around 52 km southeast of Udaipur. The lake is surrounded by the summer palaces of the Ranis of Udaipur dating back to 17th centuries. The main attractions here are Hawa Mahal and Ruti Rani palaces.
  • Kumbhalgarh
    Though little known, Kumbhalgarh has one of the finest examples of defensive fortifications in entire Rajasthan. There is a palace and several temples that are worth visiting. In addition, a stroll along the walls of the fort gives great panoramic views. Kumbhalgarh is a must visit for anyone looking forward to experience the best of Rajasthani fort architecture.
    The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated to the west of the fort. The sanctuary has enabled the endangered wolf to breed and support besides providing shelter to the leopard, sloth, chowsingha, sambhar, hyena, flying squirrel, crocodiles, and a good number of bird species. Kumbhalgarh is situated at a distance of around 63 km from Udaipur.
  • Nagda
    Nagda has three the ruined Jain temples—Adbhutji Temple and the Vaishnavite Sas-Bahu Temples—all dating back to the 11th century. Nagda is situated in the vicinity of Eklingi and can be reached by bicycles.
  • Narlai
    Also known as Rawal Narlai, this place is situated 25 km beyond Kumbhalgarh Fort. It is famous for its 17th-century fort. It is also a renowned Hindu and Jain pilgrimage.
  • Nathdwara
    Nathdwara, 48 kilometres from Udaipur, is an important Hindu pilgrim centre. It is also famous for nurturing the glorious tradition of Pichwal paintings
  • Rajsamand Lake
    The lake is situated 56 km north of Udaipur on National highway 8 at Kankroli. A vast expanse of water, the lake was the result of a dam constructed on the Gomati River by Maharana Raj Singh I (1653-6180). There are ornamental arches and pavilions lining the lake.
  • Ranakpur
    Ranakpur, 98 kilometres away, boasts of some of the most exquisite Jain temples in the country.
  • Sardarsamand
    Situated at a distance of around 200 km from Udaipur on the road to Jodhpur, Sardarsamand is named after the great grandfather of Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur. The Sardarsamand Palace (now converted into a hotel) and Balsamand Lake are two other highlights of the place.

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