A city that talks about Culture and Legacy

Jaipur is one of the first planned cities in India. It was planned according to Indian Vastu Shastra by a Bengali architect named Vidyadhar Bhattacharya in 1727. The directions of each street and market are East to West and North to South. Founded in AD 1727 by Sawai Jaisingh II, Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the Pink City, steeped in history and culture. Every lane talks about the rich Culture and Heritage of the town. It is known as the Pink City because of the color of the stone used exclusively in the walled city. This fascinating city with its extravagant charm takes you to an era of royalty and tradition. It holds a rich history, culture, and immense natural beauty. 

Jaipur is known as Heritage City because of its rich heritage culture, customs, traditions, fairs and festivals, civilization, and hundreds of years old forts and monuments. The glorious architecture of Jaipur the Pink City is renowned across the world. Wonderful Forts and Monuments garland the entire city in a planned manner. It is the land where one can feel the essence of a royal era. The city looks vibrant and colorful with its unique architecture and natural surroundings that make it the most explored destination of India.

Take an Off-beat tour of Jaipur in E-Rickshaw(old city, markets, food)

If you are visiting Jaipur and looking for an offbeat tour, instead of a regular Jaipur sightseeing tour, you can opt for an E- rickshaw tour that will sum up your Jaipur sightseeing in style and a great experience. It is an open-air-three-wheeler that can dodge and roll through the never-ending traffic of Jaipur. It is the most convenient, cleanest and inexpensive method of travel in the city. Exploring the Pink City from within an air-conditioned car wouldn’t be the same as when you do it the way the locals do in an e-rickshaw.

Have an encounter with Royalty(City Palace)

City Palace is one of the most famous tourist attractions and a major landmark in Jaipur. This royal palace is situated in the center of the city. Constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II between 1729-1732, City Palace reflects the blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture. It was also a residence of former Maharaja of Jaipur. 

City Palace comprises a sequence of gardens, buildings, courtyards, temples, and museums. The outer boundaries and other structures add charm to it. It is a paradise for art and history lovers. There is a section dedicated to the artisans of Jaipur where you can purchase souvenirs.  They have traditional paintings made from organic colors and wooden models of the monuments. A perfect way to take a memory back home!

Go behind the Exemplary Wind Palace(Hawa Mahal)

Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, who was a devotee of Krishna, the Hindu god, constructed Hawa Mahal in 1799. It is a pink-painted, extraordinary, five-storeyed structure built in the shape of Lord Krishna’s crown. There are 953 windows with beautifully decorated frontage resembling a honeycomb of a beehive. The windows allow the breeze to flow through and help to keep the palace cool. That is why it is called the "Palace of Wind".  This beautiful creation was erected by the King to facilitate the women of the Royal household, who strictly followed the ritual of veils, to get an eyeful of the street festivals and busy city life while remaining out of the view of the public. This way they could enjoy their sense of freedom while maintaining their customs. 

Hawa Mahal is the tallest building in the world without a foundation.  The five-storeyed building managed to maintain upright because of its curved shape.  Just another masterpiece of Rajput and Mughal architecture.

Learn about Astronomy(Jantar Mantar)

The term "Jantar Mantar" literally means "instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens". Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur was a brilliant star and great scholar of his subjects like astronomy and Indian politics. Between 1724 and 1730, he constructed five astronomical observatories in north India - New Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura, and Varanasi, the largest of which is in Jaipur. 

Jantar Mantar has a collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments, which in ancient times were used to measure the distances and positions of celestial objects. The main aim to built this observatory was to to measure the exact hour at continuously and to define the calendar precisely. Another aim held astrological prediction. These structures with their striking combinations of geometric forms at large scale have captivated the attention of architects, artists, and art historians worldwide. 

Explore Amber Fort

When you are in Jaipur, you really can’t miss visiting this magnificent Fort. Amber fort was once the capital of royal Jaipur state and the residence of its Rajput rulers. Maharaja Man Singh I, who led Mughal Emperor Akbar's army, commenced its construction in 1592 on the remains of an 11th-century fort. Raja Jai Singh I expanded and renovated it before moving the capital to Jaipur in 1727. 

Clad in pink and yellow sandstone, Amber fort's majestic appearance makes it a scenic marvel. Its architecture is a noteworthy fusion of Rajput (Hindu) and Mughal (Islamic) styles. Amber fort was declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site along with many other forts of India.

See the World's largest cannon on wheels(Jaigarh)

One of the three hill-top forts in Jaipur, Jaigarh fort was built in 1726 AD by Sawai Jai Singh II. This fort is located at a height of 500 feet above sea level and offers panoramic views of the surrounding.  

Also known by the name of 'Victory Fort', Jaigarh was made to protect Amer Fort. Interestingly, it was never conquered. This place was considered as a storehouse of all the war amours, cannons, arms and ammunitions. It houses the world's largest cannon on the wheels called 'Jaivana Cannon'. The best part about the fort is its windows which are made of frameworks that allow a complete view of the exteriors, but nothing can be observed from the outside. Truly a marvel of engineering!!

Admire the remarkable Water Palace(Jal Mahal)

Sitting quietly right in the center of the Man Sagar Lake on the outskirts of Jaipur is the splendid and serene Jal Mahal. Jal Mahal is a spectacular structure that seems to be floating on the lake’s surface. This masterful creation was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in the year 1799, as a hunting lodge. The most striking feature of this palace is that while only one storey that appears above the water level, there are 4 storeys submerged underneath. It is an epitome of the engineering prowess of the Rajput period. The entry inside the fort is prohibited, but the view from a considerable distance is enough to mesmerize you. Hundreds of migratory birds can be seen swimming in the Man Sagar Lake.

During the evenings, the fort lights up and the reflection of the fort in the lake is gorgeous. The entire complex looks like bathed in floodlights. Possibly the most soothing sight amidst the chaos of Jaipur, Jal Mahal is an amazing place to spend some peaceful time amid beauty and nature.

Spend the evening at Nahargarh Fort

The Fort was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the year 1734 as a retreat. Legend says that the fort was named after the spirit of a Rathore, Nahar Singh. When the further construction of the fort started, a strange phenomenon occurred. This is when Maharaja Jai Singh discovered that the land was haunted. He constructed a shrine in which the spirit could reside and named the fort Nahargarh. Nahargarh means ‘abode of tigers’.

Earlier it was a lonely place with magnificent structures, But now the fort is bustling with noise due to the recent opening of the glass palace and wax museum. Although the structure of the fort is not very massive but it still is an extremely stunning architecture that makes it a must-visit attraction. The serene ambiance and city’s amazing views allure tourists from all around.

Pose inside the most colorful door in the world (Patrika Gate)

Jaipur City was built on the principles of Vaastu Shastra and had a wall surrounding the city with seven gates. Later Sawai Man Singh built a new gate (eighth gate). The Patrika Gate has now become the ninth gate of Jaipur. It derives its name from newspaper and media company-Rajasthan Patrika. 

Patrika Gate, the entrance of the Jawahar Circle garden, is a stunning piece of Rajasthani traditional art. It reminds you of the vibrant culture and state’s art finely depicted on the pillar and walls. The entire history of Jaipur is carved with lively colors that are exciting and enthusiastic. This magnificent building features high on the list of Instagrammers, travelers & fashion bloggers, and one of the most popular places for photo-shoots in Jaipur. The vibrant and elaborate passages serve as a true reflection of Rajasthani culture. 

Right in front of the gate is a huge circular garden surrounding a light fountain offering a musical fountain show every day at 7 PM. It creates 290 effects during one show. Its water height reaches 25 feet and 9 meters wide. 316 different colors spectrum can be seen during the night which is a visual delight. The glory of the pink city and the talent of local artisans can be witnessed in this enormous piece of art.

Shopping spree in the lovely town(Jaipur Bazaars)

Jaipur is known for a lot of things - architecture, culture and traditions, Rajasthani food, royal Rajputs. But one thing that takes the cake is its glorious bazaars. There are undoubtedly some remarkable shopping places in Jaipur which can enrich your total shopping experience tenfold.

You don’t need to wonder about which places to visit for shopping. The open markets are enough to woo you and add some amazing collection to your closet. Some of the popular market places in the city are Johari Bazaar (for various jewelry, Jaipuri suits, and lehengas), Tripolia Bazaar (for laak bangles, brass-ware, and carpets), Bapu Bazaar (for mojari shoes, handicrafts, camel leather products textiles and Rajasthani souvenirs) and Nehru Bazaar (for perfumes and ready-made garments). The unique beauty and the traditional touch on the things will leave you smitten in no time. If you’re a shopaholic, then don’t look anywhere else for a shopper’s paradise! The bustling bazaars of Jaipur are surely a treasure-trove for the shoppers. 

Jaipur has much to offer visitors everything from exhibitions and festivals to extraordinarily clothed people, a wealth of handicrafts, a royal legacy of palaces, and sightseeing that will occupy their time. However, should the visitors simply choose to walk around the streets of the old city instead, they will not regret it. All of Jaipur is an architectural gem, and no scheduled sightseeing can even hope to do justice to this rare city.