Attractions & Places to Visit in Jaipur Amber Fort - Is one of the most magnificent destinations in Jaipur located on the hills just outside Jaipur. It was commenced by Raja Man Singh in 1600 AD and then completed by Sawai Jai Singh in the eighteenth century. The fort is an example of fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture built in red sandstone and white marble. The highlight of the fort is the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), a palace known for its craftsmanship in mirrors. It also locates in itself large ramparts, terraces and pavilions. Gardens like Dilaram Garden & Mohan Bari, which draw a leaf from the gardens that Mughals laid, are also sights to behold. An elegant temple of Shila Mata is situated inside the palace complex. The image of the Mother Goddess worshipped with reverence by thousands of devotees every day was brought from Jessore in Lower Bengal (Now in Bangladesh) by Raja Man Singh and installed here. City Palace - Is the citadel of the Kachchawah Rajput rulers of Jaipur. It occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur and is wonderful blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Largely Sawai Jai Singh had constructed the walls of the Palace. Constructions and additions to the palace continued till twentieth century. The museum houses an extensive collection of rare manuscripts, Mughal and Rajasthani miniatures, Mughal carpets, costumes and textiles, arms and weapons, objects of art and royal paraphernalia. The pair of giant silver Gangajalis displayed in the open Sarvatobhadra, building were fabricated in the court workshops for Sawai Madho Singh ji to carry holy water of Ganges to England. These are mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest silver objects in the world. Hawa Mahal - A Pandora's box of wonders, the enchanting Hawa Mahal, the palace of winds, tier upon tier of curved arch surmounting fairy casements with "jali", lattice work screens. Jaigarh -Is an impregnable and un-approachable fort. The fort was cleverly built to give its archers an advantage over their targets. It is said that Raja Man Singh has buried huge treasures in this bastion. The fort also houses the Jai Ban, the largest cannon in Asia, which is supposed to have been test fired only once. Built on a peak, overlooks the palace & city of Amber below. Jal Mahal - Is Jaipur's lake palace. Surrounded with water. Mooti Doongri and Lakshmi Narayan Temple - Moti Doongri is a privately owned hilltop fort built like a Scottish castle. The Ganesh Temple at the foot of the hill and the marvelous Lakshmi Narayan Temple built in marble a few years back, are also noteworthy. Jantar Mantar - Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories (the others being in Delhi, Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura ), built in 1718 by Sawai Jai Singh an avid astronomer, to study the movements of stars. This one is the largest and the best preserved observatory. It has a collection of complex astronomical instruments chiseled out of stone, most of which continue to provide fairly accurate information to this day. Constructed with stone and marble, its complex instruments whose settings and shapes are precisely and scientifically designed represent the high -points of Medieval Indian astronomy. The observatory contains a large number of structures called 'yantras' to determine position of stars and the stellar movements. The two Ram yantras used for gauging altitudes are unique. Swargasuli(Isar Lat) - Credit to have been built by Ishwar Singh in 1747 to commemorate his victories when he acceded to throne defeating other pretenders in the court. This minaret towers any thing else in Jaipur was also a watchtower of sorts. Albert Hall Museum - It is erected in the middle of Ram Niwas Garden of Jaipur . It was built in 1876 to mark the visit of Prince of Wales to the city. The beautiful Indo - sarcenic structure of the Albert designed by Sir Swinton Jacob was opened in 1887 as a public museum. It contains a fine collection of sculptures, paintings, decorative art objects, natural history specimens, an Egyptian mummy and a celebrated Persian Garden Carpet. Govindeoji Temple - The presiding deity of Jaipur is Govindeoji, Lord Krishna, who came from Vrindavan, before the city of Jaipur was built. The temple is located between the Chandra Mahal and the Badal Mahal, so that the rulers of the state could view the temple from their residences. The temple attracts large number of devotees specially on the Janamashtmi, the day of Lord Krishna's birth. Jal Mahal - Is Jaipur's lake palace. Surrounded with water. Statue Circle - The full length exquisitely carved statue of Sawai Jai Singh in white marble in the centre of the circle is a landmark in a newly planned residential area to pay homage to the founder of Jaipur. Nahargarh Fort - Also located on the rugged Aravali Hills, Nahargarh meaning abode of the tigers, was built by Jai Singh to bolster the defence of Amber. The fort has uniquely a cluster of 12 suits for queens and at the head is a suit for the Jai Singh himself. It was named Nahargarh after Nahar Singh a prince whose spirit would destroy the construction and not allow it to progress further. So by a tantrik prayer the spirit agreed to leave on one condition that the fort be named after him. Originally called Sudarshan Garh affords a splendid view of Jaipur. Ram Niwas Garden - Was built in 1868 by Sawai Ram Singh as project to provide famine relief to the draught effected farmer. Located in the center of modern Jaipur it spreads over 33 acres of land. It houses the Albert Hall Museum, the state Zoo, Ravindra Manch Theatre and several cafes and picnic spots in its premises. Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh - Sawai Jai Singh built it in 1728 for his Sisodia Queen from Udaipur. The garden is laid in Mughal style and it depicts the legends of Radha and Krishna. The garden is located 8 kms from Jaipur on the Agra route. Bairath - (86 km on the Shahpura-Alwar Road) : An important historical place with the excavated remains of a circular Buddhist temple - unique in Rajasthani 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. 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 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. 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. Ramgarh Lake - (32 km north east) An ancient site now famous for its huge artificial lake created by constructing a high bund amidst tree convered hills where the citizens throng in a large number for picnic in the rainy season. The old royal hunting lodge has now been converted into a hotel. While the temple of Jamwa Mata and the ruins of the old fort are some of its antiquities, its beautiful landscape, especially during in oils pools, makes it an idyllic picnic spot. Abhaneri - (128 kms from Agra road near Bandikui ) This ancient place is famous for the temple of Harshad Mata built in the 7th - 8th century and the stepped chand baori. Two jain temples were built here at a later period. The harshad mata temple was decorated with delicate sculptures of the highest quality some of which are to be seen in the museums of Jaipur. Samode - (40 km north west ) : The old palace renovated and rebuilt in a very tasteful manner provides the most gorgeously decorated and painted example of Rajput haveli architecture. Set amidst the quiet of protective hills, it provides an ideal spot for outing. The town has its own cloth printers, bangle makers and other artisans. The palace has now been converted as a heritage hotel. 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. The designs of these hand complicated are in earthy hues. Vidyadhar's Garden - Nestled in a narrow valley, this beautiful garden was built in honour of jai Singh's chief architect and town planner. It named after Vidyadhar Bhatacharjee the architect of Jaipur. Weather in Jaipur The climate of Jaipur is extreme and tropical. Summers are extremely hot and the maximum temperature can be as high as 45 degree Celsius, while winters are cold and foggy. Heavy rains and high humidity mark the monsoon season. Jaipur can be visited throughout the year, but one must avoid the extreme hot summers (April-June) and rainy season (July-Sept). The most suitable time to visit Jaipur is in winters. How to Reach Jaipur The nearest International Airport from Jaipur is Delhi, 200 Kms away. Jaipur well connected with rest of indian major cities by train and road network. Hotels & Palaces in Jaipur The Pink city of India, Jaipur is dotted with Five Star Hotels, four-star hotels, three star hotels, Government approved hotels, and other hotels. The various hotels of Jaipur are replete with modern day facilities. The services offered by the hotels in Jaipur are efficient. The luxury hotels of Jaipur promise you a time of your life in Jaipur. Most of the Jaipur Hotels are located close to its landmark the Taj Mahal. The leisure travelers and tourists in Jaipur usually prefer hotels near Taj Mahal. For the business travelers Jaipur Hotels offer well-equipped business centres and meeting rooms. The government approved hotels, and other hotels of Jaipur cater to the accommodation needs of the budget travelers. The honeymoon hotels in Jaipur are heaven on Earth for the honeymooners. The Airport hotels in Jaipur are strategically located near the airport in Jaipur. |