The Pink City of Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and has been ruled by the Rajput kings for many centuries. As part of the Golden Triangle along with Delhi and Agra, this city is frequented by travelers all year round.
Jaipur is home to many forts and palaces and some of the most famous ones include Hawa Mahal, the City Palace, Jal Mahal, the Amber Fort, and the Nahargarh Fort.
In Jaipur, you can also find the Jantar Mantar which is the largest of five astronomical observatories in India.
Highlights
- Hawa Mahal is built in the shape of a honeycomb and resembles the crown of Lord Krishna.
- The Jantar Mantar contains 19 large stone instruments, one of which is India's largest sundial, the Samrat Yantra.
- Jal Mahal is a low-rise symmetrical palace that floats in the center of the Sagar Lake.
- Elefantastic is an elephant sanctuary dedicated to taking care of the domesticated elephants of Jaipur while giving jobs to low-income marginalized families.
- Jaigarh Fort contains Jaivana, the world's largest cannon on wheels.
1. Hawa Mahal
Also known as the 'Palace of Winds', Hawa Mahal is a beautiful five-story palace located in the heart of the Pink City. This building was made in the shape of a honeycomb and resembles the crown that is often worn by Lord Krishna in religious depictions.
The Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the ruler of Jaipur from 1778 to 1803. He built it as an extension of the zenana or women's quarters in the City Palace. This building is made of pink and red sandstone and has a blend of Hindu Rajput and Mughal architecture styles.
The 953 jharokhas or curved windows of the palace were once used by the women of the royal family to watch the city below without being seen.
When exploring Hawa Mahal, travelers can also visit the palace's museum with its collection of weapons and antiques that were used in the past by Jaipur's royal families.
- Location: Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Choupad, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur
- Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
2. The City Palace and Museum
The City Palace is a vast complex that comprises of several buildings, courtyards, and gardens. The palace was built between 1729 and 1732 by Sawai Jai Singh II and was once the seat from which the Jaipuri kings ruled.
When exploring the City Palace complex, you will find a sequence of gardens, opulent palaces, courtyards, and temples. Some of the most famous structures include Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal.
The palace complex also includes a museum containing a unique collection of the clothes, ornaments, paintings, and weapons of Kachwaha rulers.
The architecture of the City Palace was influenced by Islamic, Rajput, and European styles. It is a seven-story building and is made from red and pink sandstone with decorated gateways which add elegance and beauty to the impressive structure.
- Location: Tulsi Marg, Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur
- Hours: 9:30 am to 5 pm
3. Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is the largest of five astronomical observatories in India and was used to measure the distances and positions of celestial objects. This UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts architects, mathematicians, geographers, and historians from all around the world.
At this observatory, you will find 19 large stone instruments, each serving a very specific purpose. Among them, the most famous is the Samrat Yantra which is the largest sundial in the country. To ensure accuracy, the structures were first made out of wood and the measurements were adjusted to provide perfect precision.
Jantar Mantar is one of the five astronomical observatories constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The other four are located in Mathura, Delhi, Ujjain, and Varanasi. Sawai Jai Singh II was a brilliant astrologer who also loved to study philosophy and architecture. He built these instruments to determine the position of planetary bodies and measure time.
- Location: Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur
- Hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm
4. Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal, also known as the Water Palace, is a low-rise palace that floats in the center of Sagar Lake. Formerly a shooting lodge for the maharajas, the palace is now a major tourist attraction drawing visitors from all over the world.
Jal Mahal was built by Maharaja Madho Singh I in 1750. It served as a lodge for his duck hunting parties and is a testament to the bond that was formed between the Rajput rulers and Mughal Empire. In the 18th century, a courtyard was added to the palace by Madho Singh II.
The Jal Mahal has five floors in total, four of which are submerged underwater. The architecture of this structure is a combination of Rajput and Mughal styles and the palace is lit up in the evenings creating a beautiful view of the structure and its reflection upon the lake.
- Location: Amer Rd, Jal Mahal, Amer, Jaipur
- Hours: 6 am to 5 pm
5. The Amber Fort
Located in the town of Amer and 11 kilometers from Jaipur, the Amber Fort is one of the most-visited forts in India. This UNESCO World Heritage site was constructed in 1592 by Raja Man Singh and served as the residence of the royal family.
The Amber Fort is an extensive palace complex and is divided into four courtyards. The main courtyard, Jaleb Chowk, can be accessed through the Suraj Pol (Sun Gate) or Chand Pol (Moon Gate).
Heading up the staircase from Jaleb Chowk will lead you to the second courtyard, which houses the famous Hall of Public Audience.
To access the third courtyard, you will need to pass through the ornate Ganesh Pol, where the king's private quarters were once located. Here, visitors can take in the fort's most exquisite structure, the Hall of Private Audiences, with its walls covered in intricate mirror work.
The fourth courtyard houses the zenana (women's quarters). This is where the king kept each of his wives and visited them when he wished.
- Location: Devisinghpura, Amer, Jaipur
- Hours: 8 am to 5:30 pm
6. Elefantastic
Elefantastic is an elephant sanctuary that makes ethically taking care of elephants its mission. It is dedicated to helping the domesticated elephants of Jaipur while also employing low-income and marginalized families. Elefantastic's main goals are to provide welfare services to Jaipuri locals and to raise awareness on the ethical treatment of Asian elephants.
The sanctuary boasts great hospitality, a kaleidoscopic culture, deep-rooted spirituality, great photo opportunities, and a love for animals. Here, visitors can go for an elephant ride and talk with the mahout or rider about the elephants. You can also wash, feed, and decorate the elephants with nontoxic chalk.
Elefantastic was created by Rahul Choudhary, who was also a former mahout or elephant rider himself. He built this sanctuary as a rehabilitation center for elephants and to provide stable employment to mahouts who generally come from low-income families.
- Location: 90, Delhi - Jaipur Expy, Chandra Mahal Colony, Amer, Jaipur
- Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
7. The Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort, originally named Sudarshangarh Fort, is one of three forts in Jaipur that is located along the Aravalli Hills overlooking Maota Lake. The name of the fort means 'the Abode of Tigers' and was given because in the past the fort was frequently visited by these endangered creatures.
The main attraction of the fort is the Madhavendra Bhavan palace complex with its nine decadent apartments where the king's wives used to live. The apartments are connected to the king's quarters by a corridor that enabled the king to secretly visit each wife.
Another main attraction in the fort is the Sheesh Mahal which is a beautiful palace with its interior decorated with thousands of pieces of glass.
- Location: Krishna Nagar, Brahampuri, Jaipur
- Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
8. The Jaigarh Fort
Perched on the top of the Cheel ka Teela Hills, the Jaigarh Fort is a grand structure that was built by Sawai Jai Singh II in 1726 to protect the Amber Fort. This fort is connected to the Amber Fort through underground passages.
The main attraction of the fort is the Jaivana which is the world's largest cannon on wheels. The fort also contains an armory that displays swords and other weapons used in previous wars.
The fort complex is protected by thick red sandstone walls that spread over an area of 3 kilometers. The Jaigarh Fort was never conquered in battle and was the strongest of the three forts in Jaipur earning it the nickname 'Fort of Victory'.
- Location: Devisinghpura, Amer
- Hours: 9:30 am to 4:45 pm
9. The Albert Hall Museum
The Albert Hall Museum, also known as the Government Central Museum, is the oldest museum in Jaipur. Originally a concert hall, it was built to ensure that Prince Albert of England would visit Jaipur during his tour of India.
The museum collection is divided into sixteen categories with exhibits including paintings, weapons, sculptures, tribal art, textiles, jewelry, musical instruments, and clocks. In the evening, the museum takes on a glowing appearance as the entire building is lit up with yellow lights.
The building was made with Indo-Saracenic architecture and unique stone ornamentation. The museum was named after the Victoria and Albert Museum of London, because of the similarity in architecture between the two.
- Location: Museum Road, Ram Niwas Garden, Kailash Puri, Adarsh Nagar, Jaipur
- Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
10. Rambagh Palace
Once the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Rambagh Palace has been converted into a lavish and luxurious hotel. It was originally built in 1835 as a garden house for Ram Singh II's wet nurse, Kesar Badaran, and was then refurbished as a hunting lodge.
The palace covers an area of 47 acres and the five-star hotel inside the palace is filled with numerous facilities and amenities ranging from steam rooms to a golf course. The well-maintained gardens, which mix Mughal and Rajasthani styles, also add beauty to the palace.
Under the reign of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh, the garden house and surroundings were modified and made into a royal hunting lodge. The garden house was then converted into a guest house and hunting lodge by Sir Swinton Jacob.
Today the palace can only be accessed by those who stay in the hotel, but staying here for a night is an incredible experience.
- Location: Bhawani Singh Rd, Rambagh, Jaipur
- Hours: Only open to clients that stay there
11. Samode Palace
Located in a hillside village in Rajasthan's Aravalli Mountain Range, Samode Palace is a heritage monument that was built 175 years ago as a residence of the rulers of Samode. The palace is still owned by the original family who has converted the palace into a luxury hotel.
Samode Palace was initially built in the 16th century as a Rajput fort but was then converted into an exquisitely designed palace in the early 19th century under the nobleman Rawal Berisal. The palace was then further expanded with the addition of the Darbar Hall and the Sheesh Mahal.
The hotel has 43 rooms featuring elaborate marble work and woodwork with cotton dhurrie rugs covering mosaic-patterned floors. They also have an outdoor pool, a spa and health club, and free Wi-Fi access in public areas and the business center.
- Location: Jorawar Singh Gate, Gangapole Road Near, Gangapole, Jaipur
- Hours: Only open to clients who stay there
12. The Bazaars of the Old City
Jaipur is the home of many shopping centers and bazaars. From famous international brands to locally-made goods, you can find it all in this city.
Located in the heart of Jaipur, Kishanpole Bazaar specializes in exotic ornamental items, wooden furniture, and textiles. Wooden furniture is the major seller here and the most popular items include wooden puppets, animals, ornamented jewelry boxes, tables, and chairs. The bazaar is also known for its shops that sell rose saffron, almond, and vetiver flavored ice cream.
Johri Bazaar, located at the junction of Haldion Ka Rasta and Gopalji Ka Rasta, is another famous bazaar in Jaipur. Here, you can find shops selling a variety of jewelry items such as anklets, bangles, rings, and earrings. When walking through the market, you'll also see handicrafts, clothes, footwear, and decorative pieces.
Kishanpole Bazaar
- Location: Kishanpole Bazaar Road, Jaipur
- Hours: Kishanpole Bazaar – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Johri Bazaar
- Location: Johri Bazaar, Gangori Bazaar, Jaipur
- Hours: Johri Bazaar - 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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