Jaipur

Jaipur City - Every year thousands of tourists who come to India travel to Jaipur, which is one of India's most popular tourist destinations. Kerala Rajasthan India offers tours to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. A city of palaces, gardens, forts and history, Jaipur is a tourist's delight.

Located almost 260 Km from Delhi, Jaipur is a short journey from Delhi. A brief flight, a leisurely drive or a scenic journey by train will take you to Jaipur, also known as the Pink City of India. Jaipur was founded by Sawai Jai Singh II (1700 - 1747 A.D.), an enlightened ruler, who built a planned city for his subjects. The City of Jaipur was designed by the architect Vidyadhar in 1728. He planned the city according to principles laid down in an ancient Indian architectural text, the Shilpa Shastra. Jaipur city is laid out in 9 blocks with broad streets, criss-crossing in a compact grid. Tourists will find exploring Jaipur an enjoyable experience because the city abounds in historic monuments, markets and colorful tourist attractions, all of which are easily accessible.

The city of Jaipur is called the Pink City because of its many beautiful buildings made of pink sandstone and the fact that many buildings are painted pink. This is because Jaipur city was cleaned up and given a fresh coat of paint, when the Prince of Wales visited the city early in the 20th century. Only pink paint was provided and thus many buildings acquired a uniform pink hue. This has led to Jaipur's unique charm.

Hawa Mahal:
The beautiful façade of the Hawa Mahal is a landmark in Jaipur. Shaped like a pyramid and rising five stories high, the Hawa Mahal, which is adjacent to the wall of the City Palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799. The carved screens that cover its windows and balconies are an example of the skilled craftsmanship of the artisans of Rajasthan. The Hawa Mahal was built so the women of the royal family of Jaipur, could watch processions and events on the streets below, without being observed by onlookers from the street.

City Palace of Jaipur: The City Palace in Jaipur was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, and extended by later rulers of Jaipur. It includes elements of both Rajput and Mughal architecture in its design. There are many beautiful structures within the City Palace, including the Badal Mahal, Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal. The City Palace also houses the Shri Govind Temple and the City Palace Museum, which is open to the public. A trip to the City Palace Museum will reveal many insights into the life of royalty in Jaipur.

Jantar Mantar:
The Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur, who was a keen astronomer. He built 5 such astronomical observatories across North India. The large masonry structures the Jaiprakash Yantra, Samrat Yantra, Ram Yantra and the Composite instrument are used to accurately measure the movement of planets, the sun and the stars. Their geometric shapes and arcs and curves are a fascinating sight. The name Jantar Mantar is derived from the Sanskrit 'Yantra Mantra' which means instruments and formulae.

Amer Fort:
Amer Fort, located 11 Km from Jaipur, was previously the capital of the Kachwaha rulers of this region, before they moved to Jaipur. The Amer Fort was begun by Man Singh I in 1592 and was extended by later rulers. The Amer Fort is made of red sandstone and white marble and is perched on a hill overlooking the Maota Lake. You can ride up to the entrance of Amer Fort on elephant back. This regal ride is a very popular tourist attraction.

Shopping in Jaipur:
Jaipur is a great place to shop for handicraft and ethnic items. The master craftsmen of Jaipur are descendants of the skilled artisans who were patronized by the courts of Rajput Kings. You can shop for an amazing range of handcrafted items including Jaipur Blue Pottery, clothes and textiles decorated with mirror-work and embroidery. Furniture, miniature paintings, decorative chess sets, gemstones, jewellery and artifacts made of camel bone, camel leather, wood stone, and terracotta are made in Jaipur. Lightweight quilts called Jaipuris are another product popular with tourists. The block printed and tie and dyed fabrics colored with natural vegetable dyes made in Rajasthan are very popular and ideal to wear in summer. Have a great time shopping for souvenirs of your trip to Jaipur, when you travel to Rajasthan, India, with Kerala Rajasthan India.