Ah Jaipur! The land of forts and citadels atop steep hills, palaces, kings and queens and ballads and legends galore. A city with a glorious past that lives on through its handsome people-the regal Rajputs who in their chivalry and valor, far outclass the European knights of yore. If you drive down the 280 odd kilometres that separate Delhi from Jaipur, you will feel that you have left a noisy metropolis for a medieval fairyland that you never thought could still exist.
The better way to enter Jaipur by road (there are two) is to drive past the magnificent Amer fort, which is situated on top of a hill. As you drive on the curvaceous hill road that winds between the tall walls of a canyon, you know that you have truly left Delhi behind. The very first glimpse of the sand colored Amer fort, situated high, above the Maota lake, reminds you that you are in a land where history makes its presence felt at every step.
Amer was home to Raja Man Singh, its 16th century ruler, who is famous, as one of the nav ratnas or nine jewels in Mughal Emperor Akbar's court. The sprawling Amer Fort is a world heritage site and a must-visit on every tourist's top places to see in Jaipur. Its sprawling interiors with the many palaces, courtyards and gardens mark a welcome contrast to its imposing exteriors. Notable buildings are the Diwana Aam, Diwane Khas and the incredibly beautiful Sheesh Mahal whose ceiling studded with many small mirrors reflecting candle light at night, like the twinkling of stars, is a sight to behold.
But then the city of Jaipur known world-wide as The Pink City has so much else to offer to the visitor. For instance, the old parts of the city of Jaipur actually has its buildings, most of which are centuries old, painted a uniform pink, hence the name. This includes old havelis (mansions), palaces and indeed entire market places. The most famous of these has to be the incredibly beautiful, Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds.
This slender palace which really was a viewing gallery for ladies of the royal household to view the proceedings of the bustling market-place below, through the pierced screen facade of the building. The sieve like facade not only gave the royal ladies privacy, but also let in a breeze through the many openings of the facade to make it comfortable for them to lounge, while enjoying the view below. Considering that it was built back in 1799, this is one remarkable palace. In fact it has come to symbolize the city of Jaipur, the way that the Taj Mahal has come to symbolize Agra.
The Hawa Mahal is actually at the edge of the resplendent City Palace and brings up the rear of the women's section of the palace. The grand City Palace itself of course is the seat of the erstwhile Jaipur kingdom and housed the royal family (part of it still does I believe). Built in 1729 by Sawai Jai Singh II, the palace is a vast network of many buildings, large courtyards, long passages and lovely gardens. You really have to visit it to get an idea of how large the place is and how truly grand. One can literally spend hours taking in the beauty of the Diwane Aam, Diwane Khas, the Mubarak Mahal and the Chandar Mahal. These and several other structures deserve separate write ups and indeed many articles must have been written on them.
Jaipur is a city that gives the impression of being a sort of a valley as the Arravili hills seem to kind of surround it. The Rajput rulers of the past took full advantage of the topography and built several imposing forts atop the nearby hills. At night when the lights come on, these structures create a very ethereal aura around the medieval town. Among the hilltop forts that a visitor should definitely visit are the Nahargarh and Jaigarh forts. There are legends and some interesting facts associated with both the forts that will surely intrigue the visitor to these grand structures from the past centuries.
For those who like lakes and water bodies, nothing beats the tranquil beauty of Jal Mahal located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. This amazing structure is five stories tall, of which four are submerged in the waters of the lake. It looks especially spectacular at night when it is all lit up.
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No visit to Jaipur is complete without one's buying a little something at the quaint and very famous Johri Bazar or the Jewelers' Market. In this maze of shops selling traditionally designed jewelry, gems, semi precious stones, handicraft items, and clothes you can pick up the most amazing souvenirs of your visit to Jaipur. You do have to contend with a lot of jostling on the street and some over enthusiastic shopkeepers who will insist that you buy from them, though. It would do well to remember that bargaining hard with them is always a good idea.
The better way to enter Jaipur by road (there are two) is to drive past the magnificent Amer fort, which is situated on top of a hill. As you drive on the curvaceous hill road that winds between the tall walls of a canyon, you know that you have truly left Delhi behind. The very first glimpse of the sand colored Amer fort, situated high, above the Maota lake, reminds you that you are in a land where history makes its presence felt at every step.
Amer was home to Raja Man Singh, its 16th century ruler, who is famous, as one of the nav ratnas or nine jewels in Mughal Emperor Akbar's court. The sprawling Amer Fort is a world heritage site and a must-visit on every tourist's top places to see in Jaipur. Its sprawling interiors with the many palaces, courtyards and gardens mark a welcome contrast to its imposing exteriors. Notable buildings are the Diwana Aam, Diwane Khas and the incredibly beautiful Sheesh Mahal whose ceiling studded with many small mirrors reflecting candle light at night, like the twinkling of stars, is a sight to behold.
But then the city of Jaipur known world-wide as The Pink City has so much else to offer to the visitor. For instance, the old parts of the city of Jaipur actually has its buildings, most of which are centuries old, painted a uniform pink, hence the name. This includes old havelis (mansions), palaces and indeed entire market places. The most famous of these has to be the incredibly beautiful, Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds.
This slender palace which really was a viewing gallery for ladies of the royal household to view the proceedings of the bustling market-place below, through the pierced screen facade of the building. The sieve like facade not only gave the royal ladies privacy, but also let in a breeze through the many openings of the facade to make it comfortable for them to lounge, while enjoying the view below. Considering that it was built back in 1799, this is one remarkable palace. In fact it has come to symbolize the city of Jaipur, the way that the Taj Mahal has come to symbolize Agra.
The Hawa Mahal is actually at the edge of the resplendent City Palace and brings up the rear of the women's section of the palace. The grand City Palace itself of course is the seat of the erstwhile Jaipur kingdom and housed the royal family (part of it still does I believe). Built in 1729 by Sawai Jai Singh II, the palace is a vast network of many buildings, large courtyards, long passages and lovely gardens. You really have to visit it to get an idea of how large the place is and how truly grand. One can literally spend hours taking in the beauty of the Diwane Aam, Diwane Khas, the Mubarak Mahal and the Chandar Mahal. These and several other structures deserve separate write ups and indeed many articles must have been written on them.
Jaipur is a city that gives the impression of being a sort of a valley as the Arravili hills seem to kind of surround it. The Rajput rulers of the past took full advantage of the topography and built several imposing forts atop the nearby hills. At night when the lights come on, these structures create a very ethereal aura around the medieval town. Among the hilltop forts that a visitor should definitely visit are the Nahargarh and Jaigarh forts. There are legends and some interesting facts associated with both the forts that will surely intrigue the visitor to these grand structures from the past centuries.
For those who like lakes and water bodies, nothing beats the tranquil beauty of Jal Mahal located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. This amazing structure is five stories tall, of which four are submerged in the waters of the lake. It looks especially spectacular at night when it is all lit up.
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