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.
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.
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
