JAIPUR INFORMATION
The Rose Pink City founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the
capital of Rajasthan. It is a major attraction for the first-time visitor.
Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts &
enclosed by embattled walls. Houses with latticed windows line the streets
with their rose pink colour, lending enchantment to the scene, which is
almost magical at sunset.
The Old City (Known as the Pink City) is a great place to wander around.
The whole city was painted in Pink colour by Maharaja Man Singh II when
Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876 AD. Today, every
home within the city is obliged by law to maintain its facade. It is a very
well planned city laid out in a grid pattern and was designed by a young
Bengali engineer and scholar by the name "Vidyadhar Bhattacharya".
Jaipur was and remains the only city in the world, symbolising the nine
divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors sub-dividing
it. Jaipur is a royal city & this is its most noticeable aspect, small
buildings & festivals testify it.
Jaipur & its surroundings are rather like an endless museum. The city
also offers an endless variety of crafts. Jewellers here still fashion the
beautiful enamel-on-gold pendants, studded on the reverse with precious
stones or pearls & turquoise that one sees in miniature paintings. Jaipur's
lacquer bangles are famous all over the world. This is a city to be visited.
Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh: Has beautiful gardens, fountains, pools &
some magnificent pieces of sculpture
Amer Palace: Th
e
magnificent fort with its huge ramparts & watchtowers, overlooking the
Delhi-Jaipur Highway. It is believed to have been the capital of the "Minas",
the original inhabitants of Rajasthan.
City Palace: Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of the
City Palace guarded by stone elephants, is monumental.
Hawa Mahal: A Pandora's box of wonders, the enchanting Hawa Mahal
is a multi-layered palace, with a profusion of windows and stone screens.
Jai Garh: Built on a peak, Jai Garh overlooks the palace & city
of Amber below. Jal Mahal is Jaipur's lake palace. It is surrounded with
water.
Nahargarh Fort: Originally called Sudarshan Garh, it affords a splendid
view of Jaipur
Jantar Mantar: The amazing astronomical three-storey-high observatory,
of an 18th century Rajasthani king, named Jai Singh
