The
city is bursting at its seams due to the pressure of population.
Pollution in the city has reached alarming levels. Yet,
Jaipur today epitomises the spirit of Rajputana in its
fusion of yesteryears and modernity.
History
Jaipur dates back to the reign of Jai Singh
II, who ascended the throne of Amber in 1699. Capitalising
on the good relations of his ancestors with the Mughals,
whose power was on the decline, Jai Singh abandoned the
rugged hills of Amber and set about laying a perfect palace-city
in the adjoining plains naming it Jaipur after himself.
The
only planned city of its time, Jaipur is encircled by
a formidable wall. A young Bengali architect, Vidyadhar
Bhattacharya formalised the city's plans according to
a grid system in accordance with the principles of town
planning set down in the Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Hindu
treatise on architecture.
Jai
Singh who was also an enthusiastic astronomer spent much
time and money on building the Jantar Mantar, a solar
observatory, which is still one of Jaipur's main attractions.
People and culture
Lifestyle in the walled Pink City still
has the flavour and ambience of old times. Except for
increased crowds and motorised vehicles, nothing seems
to have changed here. Right from the beginning it earned
a reputation of being a leading trade city in India, which
is still evident.
| Jai Singh, who was also an
enthusiastic astronomer,
spent much time
and money on building
the Jantar Mantar,
a solar observatory,
which is still one
of Jaipur's main
attractions. |
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The royal
sport of polo and Jaipur go hand in hand. A number
of international polo tournaments are hosted here
and are enjoyed equally by one and all. Prince
Charles and the late Princess Diana have visited
Jaipur during the annual Jaipur polo matches.
The last Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Man Singh II
breathed his last while playing polo in England
during the Ascot week tournaments in June 1970.
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Speaking of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II,
his wife, still known as the Rajmata or Queen Mother of
Jaipur, the gracious and charming Maharani Gayatri Devi,
was once considered one of the most beautiful women in
the world by Vogue.
Despite its
size and the pressures of modern living, Jaipur has not
suffered the traumas of city living as far as socialising
goes. Life for the common people here is full of colour,
joy and celebration. The year is marked with dozens of festivals
and rituals, celebrated with music, dance and culinary delights.
There is a joyous enthusiasm displayed in the celebration
of varied events.
Landmarks
Amber Fort
The Fort is
a classic, romantic Rajasthan fort-palace. Its construction
was started by Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by his
descendant Jai Singh I, and is a beautiful blend of Mughal
and Hindu styles. Painted scenes of wars and hunting expeditions
adorn the walls which are set with precious stones and mirrors.
The main attractions are the Sukh Mandir or Temple of Contentment,
cooled by a stunning water cascade and the Sheesh Mahal
or Mirror palace. In a tiny pitch dark room with mirrors
all over the ceiling, an attendant lights up candles and
holds them for you creating a marvellous sight - twinkling
stars on a clear night! In the foreground is the Maota Lake
with stunning reflections of the splendid Amber Fort-Palace.
The fort can be reached through snaking pathways on elephant
back giving the visitor a truly royal experience.
Jaigarh Fort
Within walking distance of Amber, it is
one of the few military structures of medieval India. Named
after Jai Singh II, the fort offers a great view of the
plains from the Diwa Burj watchtower. Perched on a cliff
and surrounded by huge battlements with inside walkways,
the fort has retained its ancient splendour in palaces,
gardens, reservoirs, a granary, an armoury, a well planned
cannon foundry, several temples, a tall tower and the world's
biggest cannon on wheels, Jai Ban, which was made in the
fort's foundries. Used only once for a test firing, the
cannonball, weighing 150 kgs landed 40 kms away, allegedly
making "the brave tremble and aborting pregnant women."
Another of Jaigarh's attractions is the elaborate water
filtering and storage system which, within its watery depths,
also housed the royal treasury.
Nahargarh Fort
Built by Jai Singh II in 1734 and extended
in 1868, the fort is like a tiger standing on the crest
of a hill overlooking the city below. The panoramic view
of the sprawling city of Jaipur from here, especially after
nightfall, is simply breathtaking. Along the ridge road
it provides magnificent views down to the Man Sagar Lake.
In the midst of this lake is a palatial duck blind, which
was used by the erstwhile royal family to host shooting
parties.
The City Palace
A delightful
blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture,
the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in
the walled city. The carved arches are supported by ornate
grey-white marble columns with floral motifs in gold and
coloured stones. Two carved elephants in marble guard the
entrance. The retainers, whose families served generations
of rulers, are now guides here. The palace houses a museum
with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and the
armoury of Mughals and Rajputs, including swords, some of
which are inlaid with enamel and adorned with jewels. The
art gallery has an excellent collection of miniature paintings,
carpets, royal accoutrements and rare astronomical works
in different languages.
Jantar Mantar
This is the largest and best preserved
of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different
parts of the country. The complex instruments, whose setting
as well as shape was scientifically designed, is a tribute
to medieval Indian astronomy. The most striking instrument
is the sundial. The shadow this casts moves upto 4 m an
hour. The Ram Yantras are used for gauging altitudes.
Hawa
Mahal
Entrance to the Hawa Mahal is from
the rear end of the building. The ornamental
facade of this "Palace of Winds" is an important
landmark of Jaipur. The five-storey structure
of pink sandstone has 953 niches and windows.
It was built in 1799 by Pratap Singh and was
a royal grandstand for palace women to watch
the every-day life and processions of the city.
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| Jaipur was established with
a vision of making
it a leading centre
of art, culture
and craft. |
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Ram Niwas Bagh
A lush spacious garden with a zoo, an aviary,
a greenhouse, a herbarlum, a museum and popular sports ground.
It was built by Sawai Ram Singh II in 1868 AD as a famine
relief project. The Albert Hall has an exquisite collection
of sculptures, paintings and decorative ware. In the twilight
it looks even more impressive with its subdued illumination.
Especially noteworthy is the beautiful 16th century Persian
carpet and Egyptian mummy. Recently, the Rabindra Manch,
with an auditorium, a modern art gallery and an open-air
theatre, has been added, to promote cultural events.
Tonk
Built in the seventeenth century 100 km
from Jaipur, Tonk is a colourful medley of painted mosques,
mansions and colonial buildings. The Sunehri Kothi or Golden
Mansion, is particularly lovely and is noted for its mirror
work.
Govind Devji Temple
This
spireless temple of Jaipur is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
It is located in the central pavilion of the Jai Niwas
Garden to the north of Chandra Mahal. The image of the
patron deity, Govind Devji, was originally installed in
a temple of Vrindavan, and reinstalled here by Sawai Jai
Singh II as his family deity.
Swargasuli (Isar Lat)
The
highest tower dominating the skyline of the western side
of the Tripolia Bazaar. It was built by Sawai Ishwari
Singh in 1749 AD to commemorate a grand victory.
Dolls' Museum
Pretty dolls from various countries are
on display at the museum in the compound of a school,
near the Police Memorial.
BM Birla Planetarium
The
Planetarium offers unique audio-visual education and entertainment
with its modern computerised projection system. For school
groups concessions are available. Closed on the last Wednesday
of every month.
Birla Temple
In
milky white marble, the temple has intricate carvings
and is fully air-conditioned!
Jain Temple
The
exquisite Jain temple on the Agra Road has some of the
most beautiful 19th century paintings in Jaipur style.
Moti Doongari and Lakshmi Narayan Temple Moti Doongari
is a privately owned hilltop fort built like a Scottish
castle. The Ganesh Temple at the foot of the hill and
the marvellous marble Lakshmi Narayan Temple built a few
years back are noteworthy.
Statue Circle
The
full-length exquisitely carved statue of Swai Jai Singh
in white marble in the centre of the circle was erected
under the newly planned scheme to pay homage to the founder
of Jaipur.
Ghat ki Guni
Beautifully landscaped gardens laid out
in the 18th and 19th century dot the narrow gorge in the
south-eastern corner of the walled city, along the road
to Agra.
Sisodia Rani Garden
It has tiered multi-level gardens with
fountains, water channels and painted pavilions and suites
of living rooms. Amongst others, Vidhyadhar-ka-Bagh is
the best preserved, with shady trees, flowing water, and
an open pavilion.
Galtaji (20 km)
An
ancient pilgrimage centre, lying beyond the gardens amidst
low hills. Temples and pavilions amidst lush landscapes
make it a delightful spot. The natural springs here are
said to have curative properties. The small temple of
the Sun god, built by Diwan Kriparam on the top of the
highest peak is visible from all parts of the city.
Sanganer (16km)
The
town is entered through the ruins of two tripolias or
triple gateways. Sanganer is famed for textile block printing,
papermaking and Jaipur blue pottery. So the shopper likes
to visit here. In addition to its ruined palaces, Sanganer
has exquisitely carved Jain temples.
Gaitor (15 km)
It
is here that the Chhatris of Jaipur's rulers stand in
an ambience of respectful tranquillity. The cenotaph of
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in white marble is the finest.
Cenotaphs of Pratap Singh and Madho Singh II are noteworthy.
The cenotaphs of the Maharanis of Jaipur are on Amber
Road. Nearby is the Jal Mahal, a lake palace, which was
the summer resort of the royal Rajput family.
Amer
It
was the former capital of the Kachhwaha rulers of the
old state of Dhundhar for seven centuries. Very little
of the early structures survive now.
Amer Palace and Shila Mata Temple
Built over a period of two centuries the
palace complex emerges dramatically from the placid waters
of the Maotha Lake and is approachable only through a
steep path. Tourists often ride on elephant back to Singh
Pol and Jaleb Chowk. Two flights of stairs rise from one
end of the chowk, one leading to the Shila Mata Temple
and the other to the palace complex. Raja Man Singh brought
the image of the patron goddess, worshipped by thousands
of devotees, from Jessore in East Bengal, now in Bangladesh,
to be installed here.
Diwan-e-Aam has a spectacular pillared
hall and a double storied painted gateway. Ganesh Pol
dominates the courtyard. An elegant tiny garden in Charbagh
style beyond the corridors has Sukh Niwas to its right
and Jas Mandir to its left. The latter combines Mughal
and Rajput architecture seen in its beautiful interiors.
There are intricately carved Jali screens, delicate mirror
and stuccowork and painted and carved dadoes. The proportioned
Mohan Bari or Kesar Kyari in the centre of the Maotha
Lake and the Dilaram Bagh at its north end provides a
spectacular view of the palaces above.
Samode (50 km)
It
is known for its palace, which is now a heritage hotel
and is about 40 kms from Jaipur. The highlight of the
building is the exquisite Diwan-i-Khas, which is covered
with original paintings and mirrorwork.
Bagru (35 km)
On
the Ajmer Road, the ground level fort is still in good
shape. It is noted for its hand-printed handloom industry
which uses simple, basic techniques. The designs of these
handlooms are in earthy colours.
Ramgarh Lake (32 km on the North east)
A
huge artificial lake created by constructing a high bund
amidst tree-covered hills. While the temple of Jamwa Mata
and the ruins of the old fort are some of its antiquities,
its beautiful landscape, especially during monsoons, makes
it an idyllic picnic spot. now.
Bairath (86 km on the Shahpura-Alwar Road)
An
important historical site with the excavated remains of
a circular Buddhist temple, unique in Rajasthan. It is
the earliest known temple in India. Bairath also has relics
of the Mauryan, Mughal and Rajput periods. A mint constructed
by Akbar, a beautiful Mughal garden and a remarkable monument
with painted chhatris and walls built by Jahangir, along
with other attractions.
Abhaneri (128 km north east off the Agra road near
Bandikui)
A
famous 7th-8th century AD temple of Harshad Mata and the
stepwell known as Chanda Baodi are of interest. Two Jain
temples are also present, which were built at a later
period.
Sambhar (94 km)
The
largest inland salt lake of India known for the holy Devayani
Tank, the palace and the nearby Naliasar.
Jaisinghpura Khor (12 km off the Amer Road)
One
of the settlements of the Meena tribe, it has a formidable
fort, a Jain temple and a stepwell amid lush surroundings.
Madhogarh-Tunga (40 km On the Bassi-Lalsot Agra Road)
Tunga was witness to a historic battle fought between
the Jaipur forces and Marathas. The fort is nestled amidst
beautiful mango orchards.
Art and Entertainment
Jaipur was established with a vision of
making it a leading centre of art, culture and craft.
The Ghoomar is a popular dance. The `Dagar Bandhu' singers
of Vedic origin and the famous 'Dhrupad Gahrana' are based
in Jaipur. It is also a leading centre for the learning
of Sanskrit, astrology, naturopathy, ayurveda and herbal
treatment of all kinds. Jaipur has given to the world
a number of poets and writers. There is a separate school
of Rajput style of miniature paintings. The Gallery of
Modern Art at Ravindra Rangshala is also worth a visit.
The Jaipur Kathak Kendra or Centre for classical dance
and Sangeet Sansthan or Institute of music, are important
centres which impart dance and music lessons.
Festivals
Fairs are marked by grand processions with
a strong local flavour, the most popular being Gangaur
and Teej.
Gangaur Festival
Held
in honour of goddess Parvati, this festival is held a
few days after Holi and is celebrated in Jaipur on a grand
scale. Primarily a festival for women, at this time married
women pray for the welfare of their husbands and unmarried
girls pray for a good husband. Festive processions are
taken out, women draw water from wells, pick flowers and
chant hymns to the goddess Parvati.
Teej Festival
A
major event in Jaipur, this festival is celebrated during
the months of July/August and dedicated to goddess Parvati.
The festival celebrates the beginning of the monsoon.
Although every festival is celebrated enthusiastically,
three festivals - Holi, Makar Sakranti and Diwali - stand
out for the unique style with which Jaipur celebrates
them.
Holi
Jaipur's Chauhan Stadium comes alive during
the Elephant Festival on Holi, the festival of colours.
Playing polo atop bedecked elephants is an experience
in itself.
Makar Sakranti
Kite
flying is a major event every Makar Sakranti with the
skies dotted with kites, and people of all ages participating
in the youthful festivities.
Accommodation
General Information
The
Raj Vilas, run by the Oberoi group, is one of the better
known hotels of Jaipur. The rooms are tastefully decorated.
Tented accommodation and villas are also available inside
the complex. The Trident hotel is also part of the same
group. Rambagh Palace, a former residence of the Maharaja
of Jaipur, is a stylish complex and now a part of the
Taj chain of hotels. One can visit The Polo Bar at the
opulent Rambagh Palace for cocktails. One of the finest
bars - it has a marble fountain in the middle and lots
of polo memorabilia on the walls including the famous
Tatler cartoon. Samode Haveli, a 200 year old building
was the residence of the British during the Raj. The large
pool and restaurant are worth visiting. Other top end
hotels include the Holiday Inn, and the Hotel Jaipur Ashok.
The Madhuban, run by a helpful family offers free pick-ups
from the bus stand and the railway station. Hotel Meghniwas
is a mid range hotel and is in a well-kept condition.
Hotel Bissau Palace with its roof top restaurant
and an interesting library, is another place where you
don't shell out exorbitantly for the services offered.
RTDC runs two hotels in Jaipur, the Hotel Teej and the
Hotel Gangaur, named after the festivals of the region.
The Jaipur Inn, lets you camp on its lawn. This budget
accommodation is ideally suited for groups of travellers.
Atithi Guest House, Hotel Diggi Palace and RTDC's Hotel
Swagatam also offer budget solutions for your stay in
Jaipur.
The
pre-paid autorickshaw stand is the best place to go to
venture into the city looking for accommodation, or else
one is nagged by the auto rickshaw touts whom you land
up paying commission to for taking you to a particular
hotel. The tourist reception Centre has details of Jaipur's
paying Guest Scheme.
Places to Eat
Niro's, which celebrated its Golden Jubilee
recently, offers a wide variety of food ranging from Indian
veg. and non-veg, Chinese and Continental. American Ice
Cream Sodas are available here. The Golden Dragon Restaurant
specialises in Chinese cuisine. The Copper Chimney, The
Indian Coffee House and the Chanakya Restaurant are some
budget places to eat. The Polo Bar at the Rambagh Palace
is a great place to enjoy a drink.
How to Get There
Air
Jaipur is well connected to Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta
by air. Flights to Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Aurangabad in
Gujarat are also operational on a weekly basis. To get
to the city, which is almost 15 kms one has to take an
auto rickshaw or a taxi.
Rail
Most of the railway lines into Jaipur have been converted
to broad gauge, which is not the case for most other cities
in the state. A special luxury train, the Palace on Wheels
starts from Delhi on a round trip of Rajasthan.
Road
From the main bus station on Station Road, buses are
available to every nook and corner of the state. Express
and Deluxe buses are also run by the Rajasthan State Transport
Corporation. A cluster of private run bus operators is
near the Polo Victory Cinema. The pre-paid auto rickshaw
service is the most assured way of getting around the
city. Cycle rickshaws are available. Bicycles are also
available on hire.
Shopping
The Rajasthali Emporium sells an interesting range of
handicrafts from all over the state. The Juneja Art Gallery
has a fabulous range of contemporary paintings by predominantly
Rajasthani artists. Jaipur is known for its semiprecious
gems, marble statues, costume jewellery and textile prints.
There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur's colourful bazaars
where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms, jooties (traditional
shoes), sarees and trinkets. Typical of the medieval times,
almost all kinds of commodities are sold at teeny-weeny
stores. Shopkeepers, hawkers and vendors all vie for space
and the bazaars are as much for gatherings and socialising.
All kinds of displays, advertisements, street dancers
and singers find their place there. This is one of the
few places where shoppers can watch skilled artisans producing
the very articles for sale. The main markets are along
Jauhari Bazar, Badi Chaupar and M. I. Road. Chhoti Chaupar
bursts with life every morning and winds up every evening.
Shops specialising in precious and semi-precious stones,
ornaments and jewellery are to be found on and along Jahauri
Bazar. To see the celebrated minakars, kundan workers,
gem-cutters and ornament-makers at work, you can visit
Jadiyon-ka-Rasta, Gopal ji-ka-Rasta, Haldiyon-ka-Rasta
and the adjoining lanes.
Altitude : 486 meters
Climate : Summer: Mean Max : 45.0 degree C Mean
Min :25.8 degree C
Winter : Mean Max :22.0 degree C Mean Min : 8.3 degree
C
Clothing : Summer: light tropical. Winter: light
woollen
Best Season:: September to March
Languages : Rajasthani, Hindi, Urdu, English,
Sindhi.
Tourist Reception Centre
The
Tourist Reception Centre is in RTDC's Tourist Hotel Compound
on MI Road. Other tourist information centres at the station
and at Hotel Khasa Kothi are of limited use.
