Nahargarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort is located on the sheer rugged ridge of Aravali Hills and it forms an impressive northern backdrop of Jaipur. It looks most classy when floodlit at night. The fort overlooks the city and presents a glittering view of the city lights. It was built in 1734 and extended in 1868. Nahargarh meaning abode of the tigers was built by Jai Singh to bolster the defense of Amber. The legend also have it that it was named Nahargarh after Nahar Singh a prince whose spirit would destroy the construction and not allow its progress further. So after a tantrik prayer to the spirit it agreed to leave on condition that the fort is named after him. The Madhavendra Bhawan, built by Sawai Ram Singh II has uniquely a cluster of 12 identical suits for queens and at the head is a suit for the king himself. The rooms are linked by corridors and retain some delicate frescos as well as toilets and kitchen hearths. It was used by members of the royal family for excursion in summers and is now even a favoured picnic spot. Durg Cafeteria just above the entrance sells meals and refreshments, while Padao Restaurant on the west sells drinks around sunset.

Amber

Amber (pronounced Amer) is situated about 11 kilometres from Jaipur and was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber, before the capital was shifted in the plains to present day Jaipur. The Amber Fort set in picturesque and rugged hills is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Sawai Jai Singh I the fort is made in red sand stone and white marble. The rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise with a beautiful fusion of art and architecture. Amber is the classic and romantic fort- palace with a magnificent aura. The interior wall of the palace depicts expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings. In the foreground is the Maota Lake providing a breathtaking look. Built mainly for the warring enemies as a safe place, the heavily structured walls could defend the residents within the ramparts of the fort. All the means of survival & luxuries for the royal families and the people who were concerned with the functioning of this small kingdom of the Kachhawas were well provided. The Rajputs who had apparently won a small structure passed on by Meena tribes, later on renovated it into the grand Amber Fort. Holding a history so old as 7 centuries, this place vibrates with its legendry past, in the archaeological history. Although many of the early structures have been literally ruined but at the same time, those dating from the 16th century on are remarkably preserved by sincere efforts. The fort has 4 sections; each with the premises and one has to climb up through the imposing stairway or else the broad aisle, where one can ride on the elephant back for royal feel. The main gate Surajpol that leads to the Jaleb chowk, which is the main courtyard from where one can walk up the stairway, that leads to the palace. Jaleb Chowk was also the area where returning armies were welcome and they would display their war earnings to the population at large. Before you enter the palace just towards the right is a sleep aisle and a narrow staircase reaching up to Kali Temple also called Shila Devi Temple famous for its mysterious history and the huge silver lions. It is a gorgeous temple featuring silver doors with raised relief. According to a legend, Maharaja Man Singh I had worshiped the Goddess for a victory over the rulers of Bengal. The Goddess appeared in the Maharaja's dream and ordered him to recover her statue lying under sea near Jessore (now in Bangladesh) and install it in a befitting Temple. True enough, after subjugating the enemies the Maharaja recovered the statute from the bed of the sea. The temple is called after Shila Devi, "shila" meaning stone slab. Like all temples this too has an image of Ganesha on the doorway, but carved from a single piece of coral. Getting back from the temple the main stairways lead to the second courtyard of the fort. Here situated is the imposing Diwan-I-Aam, the hall of public audiences where the Maharaja received the populace and their petitions. This is a pavilion of double row of columns each capped by an elephant shape. There is a lattice gallery also. Behind the exquisite and fabulous Ganesh Pol, "pol" meaning gate are located in the residential apartments of the Maharaja. The Jai Mandir, the Hall of Victory is famous for its inlaid panel and dazzling mirror ceiling. Much of it had deteriorated with neglect and is under restoration. On the other side is Sukh Niwas, the residence of pleasure or pleasurable residence. The palace has an ivory inlaid sandalwood door. A channeled laid for flow of water is an inventive system of cooling. The water flowing from the channel wasn't wasted as it was allowed to flow in the garden. From there you can also take pleasure in viewing of the fort rampart and its reflection in the Moata Lake. The Zenana or the palace of the women are in the forth courtyard. The rooms are though connected through a common corridor are cleverly designed to give each room privacy.

Zoological Garden (Jaipur Zoo), Jaipur

A lively city adorned with abundant natural beauty, Jaipur is always a fascinating attraction to the tourists. Its verdant greenery coupled with the effervescent gardens and parks are so charming that one could not forget at all. Among the various parks in Jaipur, Zoological Garden is regarded as one among the best sanctuaries in Jaipur. It is also called as the Jaipur Zoo. 

Jaipur Zoo is located in the vibrancy of the lustrous Ram Niwas garden. A zoo in the midst of magnificient floral arcades and verdant landscapes, proffers an enthralling scenario to the spectator. Famed as the best crocodile-breeding center in India, the zoological park is a hub of exotic varieties of flora and Fauna. It is a natural asylum for so many endangered species of both the animal and plant kingdom. The bird flock in the zoo is a special wing that arrests the vision of the tourists.

Jaipur Zoo with its museum, greenhouse, an aviary, a herbarium, and the sports ground offers a perfect holidaying for those who like to be in the lap of a beautiful ambiance. The zoo is working all the days of a week except on Tuesday and the time schedule is fixed at 8:30 am to 5:30 pm in summers and 9 am to 5 pm in winters.

Jaipur Excursions

There are numerous tourist attractions to see near Jaipur, Rajasthan. Know more on Jaipur excursions.

Jaipur is one of the most alluring cities of Rajasthan, India. Every year, people from all over the world come to explore the majestic city of Jaipur. There are numerous tourist attractions in Jaipur; still the city offers many other places in the suburbs to satisfy the appetite of tourists. You can visit Abhaneri, a small town, popular for its astonishing step wells and Harshad Mata Temple. On the other hand, Sanganer is famous for manufacturing the quality hand-made paper in India.
Rajasthan is famous for its traditions and culture. Keeping the traditions, Bagru is a small village, where you can see the traditional block-printing without any modern adulterations in its process. For adventurous people, Ranthambore National Park and Sariska National Park would be the best options to surf. Sambhar Lake is another destination where you can observe the salt-making process. Continuing the excursion list, Samode is alluring with its Heritage Palace.
Art lovers would definitely love the Persian and Arabian manuscripts at Tonk. Bairath with its remnants of medieval Indian architecture attracts the tourists from far and near. Ramgarh Lake is a huge artificial lake, the other attractions being the hunting lodge and polo grounds in Ramgarh. All these beautiful destinations offer swift excursion from Jaipur
.Abhaneri
Abhaneri is a small town village, situated at a distance of 95 km from Jaipur, on Jaipur-Agra road. The place is popular for the amazing 'Baoris' (step wells) and Harshat Mata Temple. The village of Abhaneri is believed to be established by the King Raja Chand.
Bagru
Bagru is a small village, located at a distance of 30 kms from Jaipur, on Jaipur-Ajmer Road. The village town of Bagru is not popular for any palace or fort, but for its typical wooden prints. These prints of Bagru are acclaimed all over India and are particularly known as Bagru prints.
Bairath
Bairath is a place of historical significance, located at a distance of 86 kms from Jaipur, on Shahpura-Alwar Road. Bairath is said to have existed from the times of Mahabharata. In that period, Bairath was known as Virata Nagar. It used to be the capital of Abhimanyu's (Arjuna's son) father-in-law.
Karauli
Karauli is a small village, situated at a distance of 182 km from Jaipur. Founded in 1348, Karauli is well-known for its Madan Mohanji Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Initially, the town was known as Kalyanpuri, which was named after the local deity Kalyanji.
Ramgarh
Ramgarh is located at a distance of 25kms from the city of Jaipur. In the present day, this primeval spot is eminent for its huge artificial lake. This lake has been shaped by raising a high bund amidst the hills covered with trees.
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is located in the eastern part of Rajasthan at a comfortable distance of 130kms from Jaipur. Nestled between the Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges, Ranthambore National Park used to be the hunting ground of Maharajas of Jaipur. The Park is an eye treat for the lovers of wild-life. Various natural rivers and man-made lakes flow through the National Park of Ranthambore.
Sanganer
Sanganer is located at a distance of 16 kms from Jaipur on the Tonk road. Sanganer is renowned for its crafts and hand-printed textiles. Sanganer forms a major part of excursion from Jaipur.
Samode
Samode is a great place of tourist interest, located at a distance of 42kms from Jaipur, on the way to Shekhawati in Rajasthan. Samode is renowned for its stunning havelis and forts. Samod makes a perfect destination to enjoy one's holidays.
Sambhar
Sambhar is a small town, located at a distance of 60kms in the west of Jaipur, on Jaipur-Ajmer Highway. Sambhar is famous for the largest saline lake in India. Due to this fact, Sambhar is also known as Salt Lake City. Literally, Sambhar means salt and the lake has been providing salt for over a thousand years.
Sariska National Park
Sariska National Park is a wildlife sanctuary, located at a distance of 107 km from Jaipur. The Park possesses historic monuments and temples, which depicts the legacy of the Maharajas of Alwar. The Park is bigger than Ranthambore but has a similar topography.
Tonk
Tonk is a small town, located at a distance of 96 kms from Jaipur. This little town of Tonk is also known as the "Lucknow of Rajasthan" due to its elegance. Tonk is popular among tourists for its magnificent mosques, mansions and havelis.

Fairs & Festivals of Jaipur

Fairs and festivals provide a magical charm to the royal city of Jaipur. Know more about fairs and festivals in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Festivals are the occasions that add color to life. When it comes to Jaipur, the royal city celebrates each and every festival with full gusto and zeal. The colorful city gets brighter during the celebration of special festivals. There are numerous festivals which the city observes like any other part of the country. But the city celebrates some unusual and interesting fairs & festivals in their own style. The fairs and festivals which are worth mentioning are Elephant festival, Diwali, Teej festival, Kite festival and Gangaur festival.

Jaipur Fairs and Festivals are inseparable element of the cultural identity of the city. The vivacious city looks more vibrant during the festivity; people enjoy these festivals keeping aside all their tensions and worries. Different fairs and festivals have their own significance and offer a pleasurable break from the tight schedules of life. If you want to explore the customs and traditions of Jaipur, festive season is the right time to visit the city. In this article, we will explore some of the major festivals of Jaipur.

The Elephant Festival is one of the most popular festivals of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Elephant festival has its own charm and is celebrated every year in March on the occasion of Holi, the festival of colors. The festival has a unique concept of its own kind. The colorful festival of Holi is celebrated throughout India, but the festival gets some more spice added to it, when it combines with the Elephant festival of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Elephants become the major attraction of this festival in their classy attires.

Gangaur Festival

Gangaur is a significant festival of Jaipur, especially meant for the women. Gangaur festival is widely acclaimed and celebrated throughout the state of Rajasthan. The word Gangaur is derived from two words, 'Gan' and 'Gauri' which are synonyms of 'Siva' and his consort 'Parvati' respectively.

Kite Festival

Kite Festival is a popular festival of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Kite flying is enjoyed by people of all age-groups. However, 14 January, the day of Makar Sankranti, makes the official day for flying kites in Jaipur. People make most out of the festival by flying kites for the whole day.

Teej Festival

Teej Festival is one of the most popular festivals of India. Festival of Teej is widely celebrated, but its real charm can be found only in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Teej celebrates the arrival of monsoon, after the scorching sun of summers. Teej is celebrated in the month of 'Shravan' (July-August), according to the Hindu calendar.

Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal (meaning "Water Palace") is a palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, India. The palace and the lake around it were renovated and enlarged in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber.

The urban lake gets filled up during the rainy season; over the years, once the reservoir became full during rainy season, it got covered with Hyacinth. During this period the red stoned palace became approachable only by boat and through a causeway, and presented a spectacle on the way to Jaipur city from Delhi.

The lake got polluted due to sewage flow from the Jaipur city. The palace remained uninhabited, was not maintained and hence not visited by tourists. To remove the ecological damage caused to the lake due to indiscriminate pollution from the city sewage, restoration measures were undertaken, since 2001, after a detailed study by the Government of Rajasthan. But serious efforts were initiated only in 2004 through a very large restoration project undertaken through a joint-venture company called the Project Development Company Limited (PDCOR Ltd), Jaipur, a private enterprise (a consortium led by KGK Group), in association with the Government of Rajasthan, with institutional support provided by the Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), a parastatal organization of the Government of India, and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOE&F). The basic objective of the project is conservation and management of the lake in regard to ecological development, sustainable fisheries development, and wildlife development. The purpose of the project is also to cater to the tourist industry, because Rajasthan attracts the largest number of tourists every year; 650,000 national and 175,000 international tourists are said to visit the state every year. Tourism in the state of Rajasthan is generally monument-centric, particularly in Jaipur and in this context Jal Mahal has an important role.

Tourist Places Jaipur - City Palace

The City Place of Jaipur is a most tourist attraction in Rajasthan. City Place is located center of the old jaipur; City Palace is a rare combination of the finest blends of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The City palace was originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh ji. This place has several palatial structures like the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev ji temple and the City Palace Museum.

The city palace is divided into two parts- One part Sawai Man Singh museum and other is still the residential palace of the former maharaja.

The excellent museum has an extensive collection of art, carpets, Sanganeri block prints, Kashmiri Pashmina shawls, folk embroideries and Benares silk saris and 15th century weapons.
Most important is pajamas and coat of Sawai Madho Singh, a well-built man 6 ½ feet tall, over 4 feet wide and weighed 250 kg.

Tourist Timings: 9:30hrs- 16:30hrs
Other attractions in City Places: Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal, Sukh Nivas & Shobha Nivas, Shri Govind Dev Ji temple, Chhavi Nivas & Mukut Mahal.
Entry Fee: for Indian: Rs. 35.00, Foreigners Fee: Rs.150.00

Mubark Mahal 
Mubarak mahal is also called Welcome Palace. In the past time it’s as reception for visiting dignitaries. Mubarak Mahal is a building inside the City Palace Complex, built by Maharaja Madho Singh in 19 century. It has a beautifully carved marble gate with heavy brass doors on either side of this gate

Chandra Mahal 
the Chandra Mahal or the Moon Palace is the centre of the palace; it’s occupied by the royal family. Chandra mahal provides a fine view of the gardens and the city. On the 4rt floor of the Chandra Mahal is the 'Shobha Nivas' or "Hall of Beauty" with mirror effects walls having exquisite blue tiled and mica decoration. The Shobha Nivas and the Sukh Nivas is still occupied by the present Maharaja.

Chhavi Nivas
The fifth floor is the 'Chhavi Nivas' or "Hall of Images", with a well polished floor of blue and white painted walls, the maharajas retreat in the rainy season. The sixth floor has rows of double columns with mirrored ceiling through which one can have a magnificent view of the rugged hills.

Mukut Mahal 
The top most floors are called the 'Mukut Mahal' or the Crown Building. Opposite the Chandra Mahal lies the 'Badal Mahal' and the Govind Devji temple stands between the Chandra Mahal and the Badal Mahal. In the middle of Chandra Mahal and the Badal Mahal, a very delightful system of fountains is placed.

Diwan-i-Galleria
Inside the City Place located famous museum. The art gallery is housed in the former Diwan-i-am (Hall of Public Audience). The excellent museum has an extensive collection of art, carpets, Sanganeri block prints, Kashmiri Pashmina shawls, folk embroideries and Benares silk saris and 15th century weapons
The awesome Hawa Mahal is another integral part of the City Palace.

Jantar Mantar

Between 1727 and 1734 Maharajah Jai Singh II of Jaipur constructed five astronomical observatories in west central India. The observatories, or "Jantar Mantars" as they are commonly known, incorporate multiple buildings of unique form, each with a specialized function for astronomical measurement. These structures with their striking combinations of geometric forms at large scale, have captivated the attention of architects, artists, and art historians world wide, yet remain largely unknown to the general public.

Jantar Mantar presents the observatories through a variety of media and information sources, making it possible to explore and learn about these historic sites through interactive panoramic "VR" photographs, time lapse sequences, and 3D models as well as articles, drawings, and historic texts.  It is a comprehensive resource for exploring the observatories in depth. A "VR tour" of the Jaipur Observatory, and current information about the project can be found by following the links below.

Hawa Mahal Hawa Mahal is a major tourist attraction of Jaipur, the capital Rajasthan. Hawa Mahal is also known as Palace of Winds.

Location: 
Next to the entrance of City Palace
Built by: Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh
Built in: 1799
Highlights: Its Rajputana architecture
How to reach: 
One can easily reach Hawa Mahal from the city by taking local Buses, Rickshaws and Taxis

Hawa Mahal is a major landmark and a famous tourist attraction of Jaipur. The Palace offers a beautiful sight to behold. The splendid Rajputana architecture of Hawa Mahal, still speaks the glory of the royal family. However, one can also find a glimpse of Mughal architecture, which is blended perfectly to make it different from others. The literal meaning of Hawa Mahal is Palace of Winds. Hawa Mahal was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799.

Hawa Mahal is a pyramid-shaped facade with five stories. It has 953 small windows decorated with tiny lattice work. These pink sandstone windows commonly known as "Jharokhas" are constructed in such a style, that it looks like a giant honeycomb. The air circulation through windows represents the marvelous touch of Mughal designing, which keeps the Palace always cool. The small screened balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices enhance the beauty of the Palace. The Pyramidal outline and replication of pattern makes it more attractive in appearance.

As a matter of fact, Hawa Mahal is believed to build for the women of the Royal Families, since they had to observe strict "purdah" (cover). The small windows and screened balconies serve the women to watch processions and different activities taking place on the streets. In this manner, the women could enjoy a sense of freedom without showing themselves.

Early morning is considered as the best time to visit the Palace, when it is drenched in the golden light of the Sun. At this time, Hawa Mahal appears incredible. One cannot possibly describe the beauty of the Palace in words. The golden light of the early morning sun floats beautifully through the windows of this palace creating a wonderful sight for one and all. The palace has to be visited to experience the true beauty.

ABOUT JAIPUR

Rajasthan's beautiful Pink City Jaipur, was the stronghold of a clan of rulers whose three hill forts and series of palaces in the city are important attractions. Known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city, Jaipur's bazaars sell embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares. Western Rajasthan itself forms a convenient circuit, in the heart of the Thar desert which has shaped its history, lifestyles and architecture.


 Founded in AD 1727 by Sawai Jaisingh II, Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the Pink City with broad avenues and spacious gardens. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is steeped in history and culture. Here the past comes alive in magnificent forts and palaces, blushed pink, where once lived the maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, famous for Rajasthani jewellery, fabric and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are surely a treasure-trove for the shoppers. This fascinating city with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and tradition.

Jaipur has been laid according to the conventional nine-grid pattern that astrologers believe to be lucky, and which has been recommended in the ancient Indian treatise on architecture. Each grid consists of a square, and these have been planned so that, at the heart of the city is the City Palace. Spread around it, in rows, are public buildings, the residences of noblemen, the living and trading quarters of merchants and artisans. Straight, wide roads run through the city, while a high, crenellated wall that forms its defense is pierced with seven gateways that serve as entry points. Today, these walls may be more difficult to spot since the city has grown far beyond its original plan, but they are still there, proof that though Jaipur saw no great siege, it was more than adequately prepared for it.

Jaipur’s architectural planning may have been ancient, but its execution was definitely modern. Best represented by the City Palace complex, it brought together all that was excellent in Rajput and Mughal architecture, creating a new tradition that found wide currency over much of north India. As in the Mughal tradition, the durbar or court areas became much more open, characterised by a series of arched pavilions held on delicately crafted pillars. Ornamentation had always been a part of the state’s architectural heritage, now it became much more opulent. The private wings of the family also extended their entertainment areas. Since defence was no longer a primary concern, larger, more ornamental windows were built to over look the streets or courtyards outside these wings. Gardens were no longer planned within the internal courtyards only, but were added to the external vistas, and water, a basic feature of Mughal palaces and gardens, was utilised in a similar fashion, in canals and fountains.

Jaipur has much to offer visitors — everything from pageants and festivals to extraordinarily clad 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 sight seeing can even hope to do justice to this rare city.