Jaipur Palaces- Rajasthan: The Pink City of India

Jaipur, referred to as the Pink City of India, is one of the most visited tourism destinations in India. Founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693–1743), Jaipur is the capital of the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, Jaipur is ‘crowned’ by imposing forts. This pink city is enclosed within historical walls that have seen many battles.

Jaipur’s romance with pink can be dated back to the year 1876 when the then Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur. In order to welcome the Prince, Maharaja Man Singh II painted the whole city pink. The romance with pink has continued since then, and today the buildings in the old city are mandated by law to maintain the pink coloured façade. Note that Jaipur is also a planned city and is built around a grid pattern. Jaipur was designed by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, by a young Bengali engineer and scholar. In spite of being the state capital, Jaipur retains a royal character. This is the city’s most noticeable aspect, and is amply evidenced by the many small buildings and heritage festivals.

PLACES of VISIT- Jaipur

  • Jaipur is abundant with tourist places. The most prominent tourist spot in Jaipur is the Hawa Mahal, literally Palace of the Winds, a rose-colored five storey ornate masterpiece that has 1953 windows.
  • Another equal popular tourist attraction is the Amer Palace, which is often referred to as Amber Palace. Located on the rugged hills outside the town, it is here that the Rajasthan royalty held its courts for more than seven centuries.
  • Jantar Mantar (an architectural astronomical observatory) and Jal Mahal (a serene palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake) are frequently visited by tourists.
  • Jaipur’s royalty is best visible in the city’s two most prominent museums the Jaipur City Palace (a former palace that is now a museum) and Albert Hall Museum.
  • Jaigarh fort and Nahargarh fort are other tourist attractions.

Jaipur- TRAVEL TIPS

  • Languages: Hindi and English are widely spoken, and as such communication should not be a problem.
  • Cuisine: Jaipur being one of India’s largest cities, cuisine catering to all tastes and stomachs is readily available.
  • Museums: Jaipur has endless museums.
  • Shop Gold: Jaipur is globally known for its enamel-on-gold pendants and lacquer bangles.
  • Handicraft: Jaipur is also one of the premier handicraft centres of India.

Jaipur forms one point of the Golden Triangle (the other two being Delhi and Agra), and is considered to be an apt place to embark on any tour of Rajasthan. Jaipur tours are offered by many tour operators.

BEST WAY to visit Jaipur

Though, Jaipur can be visited any time of the year, the summers here can be scorching hot. The winters are rather better but temperatures here sometimes drop to near zero.  Find Travel Agents suiting your travel on Tripraja.com

BEST WAY to reach Jaipur

  • By Air: Jaipur is one of India’s most prominent international airports, and as such flight connectivity is very good.
  • By Rail: Jaipur railway station is one of the country’s largest railway stations, and is well connected to almost all major Indian cities.
  • By Road: Jaipur is the preferred jump-pad for any Rajasthan tour, and is one of the best connected cities of India

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels, inspection bungalows, private cottages, etc. are available to suit all budgets. Jaipur abounds in family holiday apartments and bungalows. One can obtain excellent discounts on accommodation via Rajasthan tour packages. Many Jaipur resorts have some connections to the erstwhile royalty of the state.