JAIPUR

                                                                                                

SHEER SYMPHONY IN PINK

The Picturesque capital of Rajasthan ,jaipur is coloured washed pink-the colour associated with hospitality in Rajput culture.

Built in 1727 A.D by Maharaja sawai Jai Singh II,Jaipur displays a remarkable harmony and architectural splendour .The ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy tales palaces,rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city. The only planned city of its time,Jaipur is encircled by a formidable wall.

A young bengali architect ,Vidyadhar Bhattacharya fomalised the city’s plan s in a grid system.The wide straight avenues,roads,streets,lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of main bazaars were arranged in nine rectangular city sectors(Chokris),in accordance with the principles of town planning set down in the ‘Shilpa Shastra’-an epochal treatise on the Hindu architecture.

There is a timeless appeal to jaipur’s colourful Bazaars where one can shop

for Rajasthani handlooms and trinkets.Beautifully laid out gardens and parks,attractive monuments and marvellous heritage hotels,once the residence of Maharajas,are worth admiration. Not to mention the ambling camels and cheerful people in multi-hued costumes that make your trip to the Pink city a memorable one.

PRIME SITES

The City Palace:In the heart of the old city is the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal system.The carved arches are supported by grey-white marble columns ornate with floral motifs in gold and coloured stones.Two carved elephants in the marble guard the entrance.The retainers whose families have served generations of rulers serve as guides.

The palace houses a mueseum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chased handles,some of them inlaid with enamel and embellished with jewels and encased in magnificent scabbards.

The palace also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings,carpets ,royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic,Persian ,Latin and Sanskrit ,acquired by Sawai Jai Singh II to study astronomy in detail.

Jantar Mantar : A stone observatory. Largest of Jai Singh’s five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments , whose settings and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy.

The most striking of these are the Ram Yantras used for gauging altitudes.

Hawa Mahal : Built in 1799 A.D. , the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds is a major landmark. This five storey building along the main street of the old city is in pink splendour with semioctagonal and delicately honey combed sandstone windows .

The monument was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions of the city.

Govind Devji Temple : The most popular spireless temple of Jaipur 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 , originally installed in a temple of Vrindavan , was reinstalled here by Sawai Jai Singh II as his family deity .

Sargasuli (Isar Ilat): The highest tower dominating the skyline on the western side of the Tripolia Bazaar . It was built by Sawai Ishwari Singh in 1749 A.D. to commemorate a grand victory .

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 A.D. as a famine relief project . The Albert Hall – fine example of IndoSarcenic style of architecture designed by Sir Swinton Jacob , was opened later with an equisite collection of sculptures , paintings , decorative wares , natural history spacemen , an Egyptian mummy and the celebrated Persian carpet.

Recently , the Rabindra Manch with an auditorium , a modern art galley and an open air theatre , has been added to promote cultural events .

Dolls Museum : (Time 1200 hrs to 1900 hrs ) : Pretty dolls from various countries are on display in the compound of the school for deaf and dumb children , near the Police Memorial .

BM Birla Planetarium(Time 1200 hrs to 1900 hrs):The Planetarium offers unique audio-visual education and entertainment with its modern computerised projection system. For school groups concessions are available .Closed on last Wednesday of every month.

Galtaji: An ancient Pilgrimage center,lying beyond the gardens admist the low hills .Temples ,Pavillions and Holy kunds (natural spring and reservoirs) along with lush landscape make it a delightful spot. 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.

Jain Temple: The exquisite Jain Temple on the Agra road has some of the beautiful 19^th century paintings in Jaipur style on its walls.

Moti Doongri and Lakshmi Narayan Temple: Moti Doongri is a privately owned hilltop fort built like a scottish castle. The Ganesh Temple at the foot of the hill and the marvellous Lakshmi Narayan Temple built in marble a few year back is also noteworthy.

Statue Circle: The full length exquisitely carved statue of Sawai Jai Singh in white marble in the center of the circle was erected under the newly planned scheme area to pay homage to the founder of the city Jaipur.

 

OTHERS

Beautiful memorials to the queens , Maharani –ki-chhatri are near to the Rambagh road crossing on the amer road. The island Palace,Jal Mahal built by Sawai Jai Singh I, is a facinating spot in the center of the Man Sagar Lake.

The Kanak Vrindavan Complex of fine temples and gardens has been recently renovated to their pristine perfection . To the west of this road is the Royal Crematorium at gaitore in the narrow valley with some spectacular cenotaphs of all the Jaipur rulers expect Sawai Ishwari Singh who was cremated outside Jai Niwas garden.Most imposing is the ‘chhatri’ of Sawai Jai Singh II with intricate carvings and a graceful shape.

Ghat ki Guni: Beautifully landscaped gardens , laid out in the 18^th and the 19^th century by kings and courtiers dot the narrow gorge in the south eastern corner of the walled city,along the road of Agra.

Sisodia Rani Garden has tiered multilevel gardens with fountains, water channels and painted pavilions and suites of living rooms.

Amongst others,Vidyadhar-Ka-Bagh is the best preserved one ,with standby trees ,flowing water,an open pavilion . It was built by the planner of the city,Vidyadhar.

Amer : Former capital of the Kachhwaha rulers of the old state of Dhundhar for seven centuries . Very little of the early structure survive now .

Amer Palace and Shila Devi temple : A beautiful complex of palaces , halls , pavilions , gardens , and temples built by Raja Man Singh , Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about two centuries still in magnificent state .

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 the elephant back to the Singh Pol and Jaleb Chowk. Two flights of stairs rise from one end of the chowk , one leading to Shila Mata Temple and other to the palace complex.

The image of the patron goddess, worshipped by thousands of devotees, was brought from Jessore in East Bengal (now in Bangladesh) by Raja Man Singh , to be installed here .

A spectacular pillared hall – Diwan-e-Aam and a double storeyed painting gateway , Ganesh Pole dominate the front courtyard . An elegant tiny garden in Charbag style beyond the corridors , has Sukh Niwas to its right and Jas Mandir to its left. The latter combines the Mughal and Rajput architecture , seen in its beautiful interior with intricately carved Jali screens , delicate mirror and stucco work and painted and carved dadoes . The well 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 .

Old City : Once a settlement of nobles , craftsmen and common folks , the city of Amer is now in ruins .

The remnants of its rich past are the beautifully carved and planned Jagat Shiromani Temple , a Krishna Temple associated with Meerabai , an ancient temple of Narsinghji and a magnificent step-well , Panna Mian-ka-kund .

 

Jaigarh : One of the few military structures of medieval India , retaining its ancient splendour in palaces , gardens, reservoirs, a granary, an armoury, a well planned cannon foundry , several temples , a tall tower and a giant mounted cannon – the Jai Ban , one of the largest in the country are preserved here .

The extensive parkotas (walls) , watch tower and gateways of Jaigarh dominate the western skyline.

Nahargarh: A sentinel to the Pink city is Nahargarh Fort,situated beyond the hills of Jaigarh.

Although much of it is in ruins,the lovely building added by Sawai Madho Singh II provides interest to the fort.

EXCURSIONS

Sanganer(12 km): Located on the Tonk road .In addition to its ruined palaces,Sanganer has exquisitely carved Jain Temples. The town is entered through the ruins of two tripolians(Triple gateways).

The town is an important center for crafts industry and produces some of the finest hand printed textiles from units of block and screen printers. This textile is popular all over the country and abroad.

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 using simple techniques. The designs of these handlooms are less complicated and are in earthy hues.

Ramgarh Lake (32 km 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 antiques , its beautiful landscape , especially during monsoons , makes it an idyllic picnic spot .

Samod (40 km north west): The beautiful Samod Palace , has been rebuilt and renovated and provides a fine example of the Rajput haveli architecture and is an ideal spot for outing .

Bairath (86 km on the Shahpura – Alwar road) : An important historical place with the excavated remains of a circular Buddhist Temple – unique in Rajasthan and the earliest known temples 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 chattris and walls built by Jahangir are other attractions .

Abhaneri : A famous 7^th-8^th century A.D temple of Harshad Mata and the step well known as Chanda Baodi are of interest. Two Jain temples are also present , which were built a later period.

Sambhar(94 km west): The largest inland salt lake of India known for the holy Devayani Tank,the palace and the Naliasar nearby.

Jaisinghpura(12 km off the Amer road): One of the settlements of the Meena tribe,it has a formidable fort,a Jain temple and a step-well 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 nested admist beautiful mango orchards.

SHOPPING

Jaipur offers one-of-a-kind shopping experience with its rich treasure of bewitching jewellery,beautiful gems,semi precious stones,Kundan and Minakari work(enamel work on gold).

Beautiful cotton fabric including sanganeri prints ,tie and die and fine ‘kota doria’ saris are the best buys for women.

The exotic blue pottery ,enamel ware and brass ware,make excellent souvenirs and gift items.

The city is also famous for woollen carpets and cotton rugs.Equally popular are the leather footwear,especially the embroidered ‘jutis’.

The famous shopping spots are Rajasthali (Govt . Handicrafts shop on MI Road ) , Johri Bazaar, MI Road , Nehru Bazaar , Bapu Bazaar , Chaupar Stalls .

The markets generally remain closed on Sundays.

FESTIVE FUN

Some of the festivals unique to city include :

Gangaur (March-April): The festival of women , dedicated to Goddess Gauri

Elephant Festival (March): Playing holi on the majestic mammals (elephants) is a unique sight during the festival .

Teej (July-August): Another festival exclusively for women and dedicated to Goddess Parvati .

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Air : There are flight connections to Delhi , Kota , Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Rail : An excellent connection from Delhi is Shatabdi Express which provides a fast air-conditioned rail service . Other connections from Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Secundarabad , Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai and Calcutta.

Some important train connections are:

• Marudhar Express( Varanasi-Jaipur-Jodhpur)
• 9770 Express(Jaipur-Purva)
• Gujarat Mail(Mumbai-Jaipur-Delhi Sarai Rohilla)
• Shatabdi Express(New Delhi-Jaipur-Ajmer)
• Superfast Express(Delhi Sarai Rohilla –Jaipur)
• Mandore Express(Delhi Sarai Rohilla –Jaipur-Jodhpur)
• Intercity Express(Jaipur- Delhi Sarai Rohilla)
• Chetak Express(Udaipur- Jaipur- Delhi Sarai Rohilla)
• Ahmedabad Mail(Delhi Sarai Rohilla –Jaipur-Ahmedabad)
• Jodhpur Mail(Marwar- Jaipur- Delhi Sarai Rohilla)

Road: A convenient mode of travel in Jaipur is by road,through a network of comfortable tourist buses.Rajasthan Roadways run excellent regular service of AC and delux Coaches from Delhi(From Bikaner House,Pandara road and ISBT,Kashmeri Gate).

Some road distances are:

• Unmetered Autorickshaws
• Buses

• Cycle-rickshaws

The Rajasthan state roadways operates regular bus service to Amer palace and around the city.

WHERE TO STAY

Deluxe Hotels:

Paying guest accomodation available,Please contact nearest Rajasthan Tourist Information office:

.Dining

Vegetarian:

 

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Western India Automobile Association, Rajendra Bhawan ,F-74 Subhash Marg, C-Scheme.

Approved tourist guides for local sight seeing may be hired through the following sources :

The sightseeing tours are conducted by the following :

Temporary membership available at the following clubs :

• Jaipur Club
• Rajasthan Polo Club
• Lion’s Club
• Rotary Club

Golfers can tee off at Rajasthan Golf Club , Rambagh.

Apart from horse polo , you can watch and play polo on elephant or camel -back or on a bicycle. The prestigious Rajasthan Polo Club in Jaipur has many distinguished polo players as its members. Spring (March) marks the polo season in Jaipur when 5 polo tournaments are held :

• Sawai Madho Singh Gold Vase Cup
• Kota Cup
• Sirmur Cup
• Mysore Cup
• Argentine Cup

GENERAL INFORMATION