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Jaipur Tourism
| Area |
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11,588 Sq.Km. |
| Population |
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38,87,895 |
| Rain Fall |
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89cm ( June to Sept ) |
| Temperature |
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Max: 41 O C Min: 25.8 O C in Summer |
| Tourist Seasons |
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Max: 22 O C Min :8.3.8 O C in Winter |
| STD Code |
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October to march |
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Jaipur was built in 1727 by king Jai Singh, after whom it was named. Its most striking feature is the pink wash applied to the buildings, giving Jaipur its universal title, the 'Pink City'.
Jaipur, a royal city with its fairy - tale palaces, rugged fortresses display remarkable harmony in architectural splendor. Jaipur's craft, especially lacquer bangles are famous all over the world. Some of the palaces, once the residence of Maharajas have been converted to heritage hotels. |
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Amber Fort and Palace
Amber palace is situated in Amber, the former capital of the Kachhwaha Rajputs on a hillside overlooking Maotha lake, 11 km from Jaipur on the Delhi - Jaipur road. Its construction was started by Raja Man Singh I, army commander of Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1592 and was completed by Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh, over a period of about two centuries. It is a classic fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture, built in red sandstone and white marble.
The palace or the royal apartments lies inside the massive Amber fort complex with gateways, gardens, halls, stairways, pillared pavilions, temples and palaces. Some of the noteworthy architectural marvels in the complex are the 'Diwan-E-Khas', the 'Sheesh Mahal' and the 'Jai Mandir' with exquisite mirror work, the 'Diwan-E-Aam', the 'Sukh Niwas', the Shila Mata Temple and Kali temple and the well laid out garden the 'Kesar Kyari'.
The fort is entered through the 'Dil-e-Aaram' Garden, laid out in the traditional Mughal style. An imposing flight of stairs leads to the 'Diwan-E-Am' (hall of public audience) which has latticed galleries and double row of columns each having a capital in the shape of elephants on the top. To the right are steps that lead to the small Kali Temple. Maharaja Man Singh was a great devotee of Goddess Kali and prayed to the goddess for victory during battles. The temple has huge doors made of silver. The larger white marble
Sheetla Mata temple, has the image of Goddess Kali, brought by Raja Man Singh from Jessore in East Bengal (now Bangladesh).
The emperors apartments lies on a higher terrace beyond a two tiered decorative Sheesh mahal mirror work gateway, 'Ganesh Pol, covered with elegant frescoes and pavilions having fascinating jali (Lattice worked) screens. The 'Jai Mandir' (hall of victory) has a glittering ceiling with mirror pieces on stucco and elegant inlaid panels. The 'Diwan- E- Khas', hall of private audience is similar in ornamentation to Jai Mandir and the 'Seesh Mahal', hall of Mirrors known for its craftsmanship in mirrors, is the most spectacular of the lot. Thousands of mirror pieces adorn the walls and the ceiling that, any streak of light makes them sparkle and illuminates the entire room. In front of the Jai Mandir is the 'Sukh Niwas' (hall of pleasure) with a door made of sandalwood, inlaid with ivory with a channel running through, which formerly carried cool water acting as an air cooler.
The zenana or the women's apartments and frescoes depicting Krishna Leela scenes surround a spectacular courtyard. There are private chambers from where the royal women could watch the proceedings of the royal court in privacy. The well-proportioned garden, Kesar Kyari in the center of Maotha lake and the Dilaram Bagh at its north end provide a spectacular view of the palaces.
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The City Palace
Jaipur city palace Located in the capital of Rajasthan, the City Palace of Jaipur or the main palace is an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The vast palace complex occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur. Originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs, additions have been made to the palace complex by many of his successors.
The complex is divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens and buildings. It is home to several palatial structures like the
Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
In the first courtyard is the 'Mubarak Mahal', built by Maharaja Madho Singh II in the late 19th century. The Mubarak Mahal, or the Auspicious Palace, contains the textile section of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. There is a magnificent gateway with a grand door in brass opening to a stately courtyard. There lies the Diwan-I-Khas or 'Hall of Private Audience'- an open hall with a double row of columns with scalloped arches. On display are the two largest silver vessels in the world figured in the Guinness Book of World Records. These were used for carrying water from the holy Ganges for personal use, by Madho Singh II on his journey to England. Across the paved square, with its intricate decorations in deep red and gold, Afghan and Persian carpets, miniature paintings, astronomical manuscripts in Persian and Sanskrit lies the 'Diwan-E-Aam' or the 'Hall of Public Audience'. At the other corner is the gateway Ridhi Sidhi Pol, with four small doorways decorated with motifs depicting the four seasons.
Sobha Nivas- Chandra MahalTo the north-west is the graceful seven storeyed
'Chandra Mahal', or the Moon Palace, home to the present Maharaja of Jaipur; Bhavani Singh, providing a fine view of the gardens and the city. Paintings, floral decorations, mirror walls and ceilings in the traditional style adorn the palace. Each storey has a distinctive name and is a place of sheer beauty and luxury. The ground and first floor of the Chandra Mahal, form the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. The museum has an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamelware and 15th century weapons. The paintings include miniatures of Rajasthani, Persian and Mughal schools. A section of museum also contains dresses and costumes of the former Maharajas and Maharanis of Jaipur.
'Sukh Nivas' or Hall of rest holds the drawing and dining room of the Maharaja, furnishedSixth floor Chandra Mahal with Mughal miniatures, European silver, glass dining tables and peep holes decorated with gold leafs, for ventilation. On the fourth floor of the 'Chandra Mahal' is the 'Shobha Nivas' or Hall of Beauty with mirror encrusted walls having exquisite blue tiled dadoes and glittering gold leaf and mica decoration. When the room was lit after dark the Maharajas could enjoy a breathtaking spectacle of the room bursting into a thousand flickering images. The Shobha Nivas and the Sukh Nivas is still occupied by the present Maharaja. The fifth floor is the 'Chhavi Nivas' or Hall of Images, the maharajas retreat in the rainy season, with a polished floor of eggshell stucco and blue and white painted walls. The sixth floor with its mirrored ceiling and stucco floor has rows of double columns through which one can have a magnificent view of the rugged hills. The uppermost storey is called the 'Mukut Mahal' or the Crown Building.
Opposite the Chandra Mahal lies the 'Badal Mahal'. The Govind Devji Temple stands in the middle of the Chandra Mahal and the Badal Mahal. A delightful system of fountains is placed in the middle of the paved path between the Chandra Mahal and the Badal Mahal. Another integral part of the palace complex is the Hawa Mahal of unusual architecture, standing away from the main complex.
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Forts & Palaces
Jal Mahal
A picturesque palace amidst the Man Sagar lake. It was built by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 A.D for royal duck shooting parties. During winter, a large number of migratory birds arrive at the lake. The red sandstone palace is located 6.5 kms from Jaipur on the road to Amber. A causeway from the main land, leads to the palace.
Jaigarh Fort
One of the few military structures of medieval India built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh. Situated north of Jaipur, on a cliff and surrounded by huge battlements with inside walkways, the fort houses the 'Jai Ban' the largest cannon in Asia, supposed to have been test fired only once. This fort of Victory has a museum which displays a collection of weapons and cannons used by the Rajput rulers. There are fine views of the Amber fort. Timings : 0900 - 1630 hrs.
Jaigarh Fort
One of the few military structures of medieval India built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh. Situated north of Jaipur, on a cliff and surrounded by huge battlements with inside walkways, the fort houses the 'Jai Ban' the largest cannon in Asia, supposed to have been test fired only once. This fort of Victory has a museum which displays a collection of weapons and cannons used by the Rajput rulers. There are fine views of the Amber fort. Timings : 0900 - 1630 hrs.
Nargarh Fort
Located 6km north west of Jaipur, on the rugged Aravali Hills. Nahargarh meaning 'abode of the tigers' was built by Jai Singh II in 1734 to bolster the defense of Amer. There is a wonderful view of the Mansagar lake and the Jal Mahal Palace from the fort. Timings : 1000 - 1800 hrs.
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Hawa Mahal
Built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh the 'Hawa Mahal', Palace of the Wind, is one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. It is an integral part of the City Palace, an extension of the Zenana standing away from the main complex. This five storey building of unusual architecture designed by Lal Chand Usta, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry made of red and pink sand stone, beautifully outlined with white borders and motif's painted with quick lime. The monument with a spectacular view of Jaipur city with road avenues, intersections and colourful crowds in the market, was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions in the city without being seen by others.
Hawa Mahal from the road side Its facade from the road side makes Hawa Mahal look more like a delicate screen than a palace. This five-story, pyramid-shaped structure has tier after tier of 953 small casements, each with tiny lattice worked (Jali) pink windows, small balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices, exquisitely modeled and carved. These small windows circulate cool air (Hawa) even in hot months. The pyramidal outline is even throughout by cramming and multiplying casements; and uses repetition of motifs to enhance its beauty.
The entrance to Hawa Mahal is from the City Palace side, through a stately door which opens into a spacious courtyard. The courtyard has a double storeyed building on three sides. There is a small archeological museum here. Only the eastern wing has three more storeys above, which are just a single room thick. The building, standing on a high podium, is a fifty-foot high thin shield, less than a foot in thickness, with small intimate chambers , which give this palace its unique facade. There are no regular stairs to reach the upper floors, but only ramps.
Hawa Mahal which is currently under the supervision of the State archeological department provides the visitor with excellent views of the city. The best time to view Hawa Mahal is sunrise when sunlight through the latticed windows gives it a wonderful glow.
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Tourist Attractions
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. The big circle attracts large crowds in the evenings.
Ram Niwas Garden
Was built in 1868 by Swai Ram Singh. It is 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.
Timings : 1000 - 1630 hrs.
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 building is made of sandstone and marble in Indo- saracenic style. It contains a fine collection of sculptures, paintings, decorative art objects, natural history specimens, an Egyptian mummy and a celebrated Persian Garden Carpet.
Timings : 10.30 - 16.30 hrs.
Govinddev Ji ka Mandir
The presiding deity of Jaipur is Govindeoji, Lord Krishna. The temple is located between the Chandra Mahal and the Badal Mahal in the city palace complex, so that the rulers of the state could view the temple from their residences. The temple attracts large number of devotes specially on the 'Janmashtmi', the day of Lord Krishna’s birth.
Galtaji
An ancient pilgrimage centre lying beyond the gardens amidst low hills. Temples pavilions and holy kunds (natural spring and water tanks) along with lush landscape make it a delightful spot. The small temple of the sun god built by Diwan Kriparam on the top of the highest peak is visible from all parts of the city.
Ramgarh
25 Kms from Jaipur. An ancient site now famous for its huge artificial lake created by constructing a high bund amidst tree converted hills where the citizens throng in a large number for picnic in the rainy season.
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