Jaipur Tours in India
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan surrounded by an ancient 20ft high wall and eight gates is also known as 'Pink City'. The Jaipur city features the houses made of pink sandstones and is situated 261 kms away from Delhi. Jaipur is also the main tourist and transport hub of Rajasthan tourist circuit. You can easily venture out to places like Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Pushkar, and many more such tourist destinations of Rajasthan from Jaipur. Jaipur also forms a part of the famed Golden Triangle tourist circuit of India with Delhi and Agra. The best time to visit Jaipur is during winter (mid September to March). The major tourist places at Jaipur are:
Hawa Mahal
This 'Palace of the Wind' (Hawa Mahal), a part of the city palace, is the most famous building in Jaipur. Built for the ladies of the harem by Sawai Pratap Singh it enabled ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions passing through the city without being noticed by the strangers.
The City Palace
The citadel of the Kachchawah Rajput rulers of Jaipur. A palace cum museum with an exclusive collection of costumes and armoury of Rajputs & Mughals. The vast complex occupies one seventh of Jaipur epitomizing a wonderful blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture.
Jantar Mantar (Observatory)
It is literally known as 'Instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens'. It was built between 1728 to 1734 by Jai Singh. The distinguishing feature of this observatory is its instruments; each used for a particular function and their accurate reading.
Albert Hall Museum
It stands in the middle of Ram Niwas Garden of Jaipur. It was built in 1876 to mark the visit of Prince of Wales to the city. Made of sandstone and marble in Indo- saracenic style; it contains a fine collection of sculptures, paintings, decorative art objects, natural history specimens, an Egyptian mummy and a celebrated Persian Garden Carpet.
Jal Mahal
A picturesque palace built amidst the Man Sagar lake by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 A.D. for royal duck shooting parties. The red sandstone palace is located 6.5 kms from Jaipur on the road to Amber. During winter, a large number of migratory birds arrive at the lake.
Jaigarh Fort
One of the few military structures of medieval India built in 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh. Situated in north of Jaipur surrounded by huge battlements and inside walkways, the fort houses the 'Jai Ban' the largest cannon in Asia, supposed to have been test fired only once. The fort also has a museum which displays a collection of weapons and cannons used by the Rajput rulers.
Nahargarh Fort
Located 6kms in north west of Jaipur, on the rugged Aravali Hills. Nahargarh meaning 'abode of the tigers' was built by Jai Singh II in 1734 to bolster the defense of Amer. The fort offers a wonderful view of the Mansagar lake and the Jal Mahal Palace.
Rani Sisodia's Garden and Palace
The terraced garden is located 8 kms from Jaipur on the Agra route. Built by Sawai Jai Singh in 1728 for his Sisodia Queen from Udaipur.
Amber Fort and Palace
Is one of the most spectacular fort in Jaipur located on the hills just 11 kms from Jaipur. Built by Raja Man Singh in 1600 AD, continued by Raja Jai Singh and then completed to its present form by Sawai Jai Singh in the eighteenth century; the fort is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture built in red sandstone and white marble.
