Jaipur, ‘The Pink City’, the entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the capital of Rajasthan and a popular tourist destination in India. Jaipur gets its nickname from the salmon-pink color that paints much of the city. In 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh ordered the entire city to be painted pink to welcome Prince Edward of Wales. Still, the tradition continues, with many houses and buildings maintaining the rosy hue. In this article we will talk about the best places to visit in Jaipur.
Jaipur is the First Planned City of India: Unlike many sprawling Indian cities, Jaipur was designed with a specific layout. Jai Singh II, the city’s founder, employed a Shilpi (architect) to create a grid-based city plan divided into nine sectors. Each sector has its own purpose, with some dedicated to specific communities or the royal court. This city boasts a rich history, beautiful palaces, forts, and a vibrant culture.
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Why is Jaipur called the ‘Pink City’?
Jaipur is called the ‘Pink City’ because of a certain historical event. In 1876, Prince Albert Edward of Wales (later King Edward VII) visited Jaipur during his stay in India. To welcome him, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh of Jaipur had the entire city painted terracotta pink, as pink was considered the colour of hospitality.
This tradition is still largely maintained today, and a large part of the old city is painted in this distinctive pink colour, giving Jaipur its famous nickname. As for other information, some accounts also suggest that the Maharaja’s wife loved the colour pink so much that a law was enacted in 1877 that buildings in the city centre must maintain this colour.
Top 10 Tourist Destinations
Here are some of the most popular places to see in Jaipur, catering to a vast range of interests.
City Palace of Jaipur
This huge palace complex is a beautiful palace located in the old city of Jaipur, which was once the residence of the royal family. Some main things about it are as follows –
- Location: Center of Jaipur’s old city.
- Former Use: Residence of the royal family.
- Architecture: Beautiful example of Rajput architecture with Mughal influences.
- Key Structures/Museums: Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal (with city views), Maharani Mahal.
- Exhibits: Royal clothes, weapons, and artwork.
- Highlight: The beautiful Peacock Gate in Pritam Niwas Chowk.
Jantar Mantar
Jaipur has the Jantar Mantar, which is an astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the early 1700s. He actually built five of these, with the others in Ujjain, Mathura, Varanasi, and Delhi. The name Jantar Mantar means “instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens.” This Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is one of the biggest observatories in the world and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can see many large instruments that were used to measure time and the positions of stars and other things in the sky. You’ll be impressed by these amazing structures and the clever science behind them. It’s also home to the world’s largest stone sundial and has a collection of nineteen big astronomical tools.
Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)
Hawa Mahal, also called the Palace of Winds, is a famous building in Jaipur with a very distinctive pink front that looks like a honeycomb with 953 small windows, known as jharokhas. This five-story structure was built so that the royal women could watch the festivals and life on the street without being seen by the public. You can see its beautiful and unique design from the outside for free, or you can go inside to enjoy the views from the windows. These many windows also helped to keep the palace cool with natural airflow during the hot summer months, showing a smart way of building from centuries ago. It’s a very popular place for anyone visiting Jaipur.
Albert Hall Museum
The Albert Hall Museum, the oldest museum in Rajasthan, is indeed located in the beautiful Ram Niwas Garden. Its impressive design prominently features the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Inside, visitors can explore a rich collection of artifacts, including sculptures, paintings, textiles, and archaeological finds. The museum is organized into various galleries that offer insights into Indian history, art, and culture. Notably, its diverse exhibits also include a collection of pottery, carpets, and a well-preserved Egyptian mummy, making it a significant cultural institution showcasing a wide range of global and regional heritage.
Amer Fort (Amber Palace)
Amber Fort, a large fort on a hill near Jaipur, was home to the Rajput kings for many years. It’s famous for its lovely design, especially the Sheesh Mahal, which is a hall full of mirrors. When you visit, you can walk through its rooms, open areas, and temples to get an idea of how the Rajput royals lived. This impressive fort also mixes Rajput and Mughal styles in its architecture and looks over Maota Lake. Besides the Sheesh Mahal, there’s also a light and sound show in the evening. For a unique experience, you can even ride an elephant up to the fort.
Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort, located on the “Hill of Eagles” (Cheel ka Teela), was built as a military fort. Inside, you can see the Jaivana cannon, which is one of the largest wheeled cannons ever made. From the fort, you also get great views of Amer Fort and the areas around it. This big fort, which looks over Amer Fort, was built by Jai Singh II in the 17th century. It’s known for its strong defenses and large cannons. Visiting Jaigarh Fort lets you learn about how wars were fought in the past and be amazed by the engineering of the Jaigarh Cannon, which was the world’s largest cannon when it was built.
Jal Mahal (Water Palace)
Jal Mahal, meaning “Water Palace,” is a stunning architectural marvel situated in the middle of Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur. This five-story palace, of which typically only the top story is visible above the water, showcases a unique blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. Originally built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, it was intended as a hunting lodge. While visitors cannot currently access the palace interior, the panoramic view of Jal Mahal reflected in the lake’s surface is incredibly picturesque, particularly during the golden hours of sunrise or sunset.
Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort, which means “abode of tigers,” sits impressively on the Aravalli Hills, looking over the Pink City. Built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, it was first meant to protect the city. Now, it’s a favorite spot to see beautiful, wide views of Jaipur and especially stunning sunsets. Inside the fort, you can explore the Madhavendra Bhawan, which is a group of palaces built for the royal ladies. You can also visit the Jaipur Wax Museum and the Sheesh Mahal, which is decorated with detailed mirror work. Nahargarh Fort shows the royal history of Jaipur and gives you a mix of history and beautiful scenery.
Galtaji Temple (Monkey Temple)
Galtaji Temple, also famously known as the “Monkey Temple” because of the many monkeys living there, is an important Hindu pilgrimage spot located in the Aravalli hills near Jaipur. This large area has several temples, open halls, and holy water tanks (kunds) that get water from natural springs. The buildings are made of pink sandstone and blend well with the natural surroundings. Some main things to see here are the Gaumukh, a rock shaped like a cow’s head where water comes out, and the Surya Mandir, which gives you wide views of the area. The special location and spiritual feeling of Galtaji make it a very interesting place to visit.
Birla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan Temple)
Birla Mandir, also known as the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Jaipur, is a modern and beautiful temple built in 1988 using white marble. It’s dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and is famous for its detailed carvings and peaceful atmosphere. The temple has three domes and carvings of many gods, goddesses, and philosophers, which makes it special. Located close to the Moti Dungri hill, the temple looks stunning when it’s lit up. Inside, you can see beautiful statues and a small museum. It’s an important religious place and a remarkable piece of modern architecture in Jaipur.
Where to Shop and Eat in Jaipur?
Bapu Bazaar: Bapu Bazaar, situated right in the busy center of Jaipur, is a lively place for shopping where you can find real Rajasthani things. You’ll see lots of colorful clothes, beautiful handmade items, shiny jewelry, and traditional leather shoes called mojaris. The market is always buzzing with activity, and it’s a good place to try your bargaining skills to get good prices. It’s a great spot to buy souvenirs and get a feel for the local culture through all the different things you can find there. Don’t forget to bargain!
Chokhi Dhani: Chokhi Dhani is like a special village resort where you can really experience the culture of Rajasthan. Here, you can eat traditional Rajasthani food, watch lively folk dances and listen to music, enjoy interesting puppet shows, and even ride a camel. The place is made to look like a real Rajasthani village, so you get a lively feel and a chance to see the local traditions through different fun activities and shows.
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