Travel
India, the land offering diverse travel opportunities, ranging from
travelling through the
Himalayas to the
Kanyakumari. Taj Mahal,
Khajuraho and
Kerala Backwaters are some favourite rendezvous
for travelling in India.
Founded in AD 1727 by Sawai Jaisingh
II, Jaipur the capital of
Rajasthan is popularly known as the Pink
City with broad avenues and spacious gardens.
The capital
of Rajasthan, Jaipur is steeped in history and culture. Here the
past comes alive in magnificent forts and palaces, blushed pink, where once
lived the maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, famous for Rajasthani
jewellery, fabric and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are surely a
treasure-trove for the shoppers. This fascinating city with its romantic
charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and tradition..
The
imperial city, replete with amazing legends of romance and heroism.
A land where the past thrives still. This is the fortified city of Jodhpur,
standing a wary sentinel to the great Thar Desert. Beckoning you to the
wilderness of fascinating dunes, rocky terrain and thorny vegetation.
Once
the capital city of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodhaji
- chief of the Rathore Clan of Rajputs who claimed descent from Lord Rama. A
major trade centre of 16th century, the city, today, has grown to become the
second largest city of Rajasthan, retaining the medieval splendour.
The
city is encompassed by a high wall, 10 km. long with eight gates. Within the
city, atop a rocky hill, stands the massive fort, 120 mtrs. above the
plains. Packed with history, art and culture, this princely state is a
treasure - trove of some exquisite palaces, forts, temples and havelis -
standing a testimony to the imperial grandeur. But what entices the most in
Jodhpur is the traditional lifestyle, festivity and smiling people.
 Major
Attractions of Jaipur |
 |
The City Palace : In the heart of the old
city is former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal
styles. The carved arches are supported by grey-white marble columns ornate
with floral motifs in gold and colored stones. Two carved elephants in
marble guard the entrance. The retainers whose families have served
generations of rulers serve as guides. The palace houses a museum with a
superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armory of Mughals and Rajputs.
The palace also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature
paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in
Arabic,Persian,Latin and Sanskrit, acquired by Sawai Jai Singh II to study
astronomy in detail.
Amer
Fort : At a short distance of 11 kms . from Jaipur, the Amer Fort
complex stands amidst wooded hills overlooking the Delhi-Jaipur highway,
with its forbidding ramparts reflected in the still waters of the Maota Lake
below. One of the finest examples of Rajput architecture, it was the ancient
capital of the Kachhawah rulers.
The original palace was built by
Raja Man Singh and additions were made later by Sawai Jai Singh. Within the
palace are the Diwan-e-Aam or the "Hall of Public Audience", the
Diwan-e-Khas or the "Hall of Private Audience" and the Sukh Niws
where a cool breeze blows across channels of water for the purpose of
air-conditioning.
Govind Devji Temple : To the north of Chandra
Mahal in the midst of the sprawling Jai Niwas Garden is the spireless temple
of Lord Krishna. The idol wsa brought from Vrindavan and installed here by
Sawai Jai Singh II as the tutelary deity. Today, the temple attracts
devotees, from all over the country.
A delightful system of
fountains is placed in the middle of the paved path between the Chandra
Mahal and the Badal Mahal. The palace has extensive and sprawling gardens.
Hawa
Mahal : The Hawa Mahal, or the "Palace of Wind" built by
Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 A.D. is characterised by elaborate and
fanciful architecture. The broad pyramidical facade comprises five storeys
of semi octagonal overhanging windows with perforated screens, domes and
spires.
Ram Niwas Garden Central Museum (or Albert
Hall Museum) : Situated in the spacious and beautiful Ram Niwas
Garden, the museum has a rare collection of art facts and craft items such
as metalwork, ivory carvings, cane wood articles and exquisite pieces of
jewellery, textile, pottery and paintings. It is particularly rich in
specimen of embossed, hammered and chiselled brass wares.
The
building was designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob in the modern
Indo-Saracenic style and was built in 1886 A.D. when King Edward VII visited
as the Prince of Wales.
| Shopping |
|
The builders of Jaipur took special care to provide ample space
and facilities for the production and marketing of hadicarfts which made the
place famous throughout India and abroad. An entire street and several city
sectors were earmarked for artisans and traders. The mainmarkets are along
Jauhari Bazar, Bapu Bazar, Nehru Bazar, Chaura Rasta, Tripolia Bazar and
M.I. Raod.
| How
to Get there |
|
Air : Indian Airlines connect Jaipur with
Delhi, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Bombay, Varanasi, Calcutta, Ahmedabad.
Rail : Jaipur is connected by rail with Delhi,
Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Abu Road (Mount Abu), Udaipur, Bombay and Sawai
Madhopur.
Road : Good motorable roads connect
Jaipur with Delhi 258 km, Agra 236 km, Bikaner 321 km, Udaipur 405 km, Ajmer
131 km, Jodhpur 316 km, Bharatpur 176 km, Jaisalmer 638 km and Bombay 1202
km
Local Transport : Regular buses from Jaipur
to the above places and Alwar, Kota, Sariska, Mathura, Indore, Chittorgarh
and Barmer.
| General
Information |
|
»
Area : 64.75
sq. km.
»
Altitude :
431 metres
»
Climate
: Summer :Max. - 45°C Min. - 25.8°C
Winter
: Max. - 22.0°C Min. - 8.3°C
»
Clothing
: Summer - Light Tropical
Winter:
Woolen
»
Languages :
Rajasthani, Hindi, English
Destinations
