Jaipur, the colorful capital of a richly colorful state, is highly thistintic planned city, made all the more attractive by the pink wash that most buildings are periodically given. It is deservedly included on the popular tourist Golden Triangle of delhi-Jaipur-Agra. It has some fine museums in the atmospheric old city with its bazaars, palaces and havelis, as well as a couple of food and Amber near by which are well worth exploring. Its down side includes traffic jams, terrible pollutions, over zealous rickshaw drivers and persistent hotel touts.

Jaipur, (city of victory) was founded on 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, a kachhawaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744. He had inherited a kingdom under threat not only from the last great Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb but also from the Maratha armies of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

SIGHTS

City Palace
The magnificent City Palace is in the centre of the Pink City of Jaipur, enclosed by high walls and set amidst fine gardens and courtyards. Since it was built by Jai Singh in 1728 it has been the principal residence for the Maharajas of Jaipur and the successive rulers have each added to it. The major attractions in the palace are - Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Diwan-I-Khas, Dilkusha Mahal, Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Krishna Mahal, all of which are adorned with exquisite colours and paintings.

Amber Fort
Situated on the crest of a hill seven miles north of Jaipur is Amber, capital of the Kuchwaha Rajputs from 1037 to 1728. The city-palace is protected by towering outer walls, a further wall runs for miles along the hills surrounding the palace. For many, the most memorable part of a trip to Jaipur is the journey up the palace ramparts, through a succession of vast gates, on the back of a painted elephant – Maharaja style. Inside are the ruins of a once great palace, a wonderful example of Rajput architecture, with Mogul influences.

Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
Hawa is Jaipur’s most remarkable attraction. Built in 1799, it is situated on the edge of the City Palace complex overlooking one of the city’s main streets and was constructed to offer the women of the court a vantage point, behind stone-carved screens, from which to watch the activity in the bazaars below. The five-storey building is shaped like a crown adorning Lord Krishna’s head and contains over 900 finely screened windows and balconies.

IMPORTANT FACTS

Accessibility Local Transport – Taxis, Buses.

By Air It has direct flights from New Delhi.

By Rail Well Connected.

By Road Well Connected.

STD Code 0141

Population 2,324,319

Climate Summer max. 44O c min. 35O c Winter max. 30O c and min 3O c.

Best season Oct - Ma