Place to Visit: Jaipur

Discover the Delights of The Pink City of Jaipur

Rajasthan, India

Nestled in the rugged Aravalli Hills, Jaipur is the pristine jewel in the crown of the desert state of Rajasthan. Visit and discover that Jaipur is as remarkable for its marvellous architecture of rose-pink buildings as it is for the friendliness of the people who inhabit it.

Great Reasons To Visit

  • The City Palace and Palace of the Winds are unmissable for any visitor to the city
  • Take an elephant through the gates of towering Amber Fort
  • Enjoy some of the outlying sights then retreat to a luxury hotel for a cool drink on the lawn

Background

Once inside the bastions of the old walls of amazing Jaipur the richness and splendour of this travellers’ favourite is immediately apparent. Laid out on a grid pattern the walls of the buildings with their ornate design are painted a deep pink, giving the city its obvious tag.

The city was founded in 1727 by one of the greatest rulers Jai Singh II and is surrounded by hills on three sides being crowned by formidable forts and majestic palaces, mansions and gardens. Jaipur is the only city in the world planned in accordance with 'Shilpa Shastra' - epochal treatise of Hindu architecture, and which is divided into nine rectangular sectors symbolizing nine divisions of universe.

Jaipur is the first. The lovely colourwash we see today was first applied to welcome Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria who visited India in 1883.

Relaxing

The sumptuous hotels of Jaipur are world-famous, beautiful places in which to luxuriate after a hard day’s sightseeing. Visit if only to enjoy a meal or a drink on their manicured lawns. If you have more time why not take a yoga or meditation course or learn to play a traditional musical instrument – all are on offer in the city.

Jaipur

Jaipur has many former palaces now renovated and saved from crumbling into ruin by being turned into hotels, and they provide the perfect base from which to explore the town and its environs. The major attractions are the City Palace, a wonderful repository of all things regal, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds – symbol of Jaipur – and the Jantar Mantar, Singhji’s superb astronomical observatory.

Outside the city don’t miss exploring the palace at Amber where you can ride an elephants up the long path and through the palace gates to discover the superb interiors of the many rooms and a view to remember, looking down on the tank, or reservoir, below.

Other nearby attractions that should be included on any visit include the royal cenotaphs at Gaitor, Jaigarh and Nahargarh Forts, Galta – a famous pilgrimage spot with temples and Sisodia Palace and Gardens. The nearby towns of Sanganer and Bagru are well known for their superb hand printed fabrics and make for an interesting visit even for the visitor with no interest in textiles.

Jaipur - Bagru

Woodblock carvers

Rajasthan, India

Bagru is known for its block printing, a technique that uses wooden blocks onto which has been carved the pattern to be reproduced. This process is most effective on ethnic floral patterns and for pri...

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Jaipur - Gaitor

Gaitor

Rajasthan, India

The cenotaphs at Gaitor are the final resting place of the Maharajas of Jaipur, located in a narrow valley just beyond the city walls. Not at all morbid the superb, umbrella-shaped chhatris are in cha...

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Jaipur - Galta

Galta

Rajasthan, India

Known as the ‘monkey temple’ Galta is a place of pilgrimage made up of temples, pavilions and holy kunds (natural spring and water tanks). There is a small temple of the Sun God, Surya, built by Diwan...

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Jaipur - Jaigarh Fort

Jaigarh

Rajasthan, India

Jaigarh or ‘Victory Fort’ is the most spectacular of the three that overlook Jaipur. Lacking the delicate lines of its better-known neighbour at Amber this is a formidable defensive structure. Built b...

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Jaipur - Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal

Rajasthan, India

Also known as Water Palace the Jal Mahal is passed on the way to or from Amber and deserves a brief pause to enjoy its location. Built in the mid 18th century by Madho Singh I the Palace was developed...

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Jaipur - Nahargarh

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Rajasthan, India

Nahargarh Fort forms an impressive northern backdrop of Jaipur as it looks out from its sheer ridge in the Aravalli Hills, looking most beautiful when illuminated at night. Nahargarh means ‘the abode ...

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Jaipur - Sanganer

Woodblock carvers

Rajasthan, India

Sanganer is a small town some 16kms from Jaipur, famous for its printing and beautiful Jain temples. The most beautiful temple in Sanganer is the Sri Digamber Jain temple which has fine carvings simil...

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Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar

Jaipur - the Jantar Mantar

Rajasthan, India

Close to the palaces is Jaipur’s famous Jantar Mantar one of five such astronomical observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in India and one of the largest and best preserved. A passionate astronomer a...

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Sisodia Rani ka Bagh

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Rajasthan, India

Built in 1728 by Sawai Jai Singh Sisodia, Sisodia Rani ka Bagh, is a palace and garden complex built for his Sisodia Queen from Udaipur. Laid in Mughal style with 4 quadrants the gardens are pleasant ...

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