Jaipur, also known as the Pink City of India, is a remarkably beautiful city filled with diverse attractions. Most buildings and shops here are painted in shades of pink, consistent with its moniker. On one side, there are forts perched on the Aravalli Range mountains, while on the other side, there are exquisite palaces and buildings.
The delicious cuisine of Jaipur is noteworthy, catering to all tastes with its rich flavors. We are all familiar with Jaipur’s puppet dances, folk arts, and folk dances. Since childhood, we have been hearing stories of Rajasthan’s valor in the tales of Haldi Ghati.
I have visited Jaipur twice. Both times were to attend weddings of my college friends. During these occasions, we also got the opportunity to closely appreciate Jaipur’s beauty. While words may fall short to describe Jaipur, based on my experiences, here are details about some of Jaipur’s special places:
➥ Amber or Amer Fort
Situated on the Aravalli Range, Amber Fort is one of the main attractions of Jaipur. It is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The fort is located 11 kilometers away from Jaipur city. It was constructed in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I. The craftsmanship of the temple is exceptional, using marble and red sandstone. There is also a Hall of Public Audience (Diwan-e-Aam) built to listen to the grievances of the common people inside the fort.
Inside Amber Fort, there is a Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) which is constructed with mirrors. Additionally, there is a temple of Shila Mata, Hall of Private Audience (Diwan-e-Khas), Sukh Niwas, and gardens that further enhance the beauty of the fort. To experience the grandeur and splendor of this fort, you can also enjoy a ride on beautifully decorated elephants.
➥ Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal is renowned worldwide for its exquisite architecture. It was constructed in the year 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Made of red and pink sandstone, Hawa Mahal boasts more than 950 windows (Jharokhas) which keep the entire palace airy and cool. These windows were used by women to observe royal processions on the street without being seen by anyone. The walls of Hawa Mahal are adorned with beautiful floral motifs. It is best to visit here during morning and evening times. Don’t forget to take photos here!
➥ City Palace
Located in the heart of Jaipur city, this palace was once the royal residence of the Maharajas. It was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the year 1732. In modern times, this palace has been converted into a museum where a display of royal costumes, weapons such as swords, guns, armors, and various objects made from elephant tusks can be seen.
Within the palace, there are large silver vessels placed, which are appreciated for their size and are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Part of the palace also serves as the residence for the descendants of the Maharajas. City Palace is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily, and visitors need to purchase tickets to enter. It is advisable to avail the services of a guide to explore this palace effectively.
➥ Jantar Mantar
This is an astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh between the years 1727 and 1734. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Jantar Mantar complex houses 14 astronomical instruments used for measuring time, positions of celestial bodies, eclipse timings, and other astronomical events. I really enjoyed visiting here. All the instruments are still in good condition. Observing this structure made me realize the high level of expertise in astronomy that our country had since ancient times.
➥ Chokhi Dhani
‘Chokhi Dhani’, meaning ‘a good village’, is a center of attraction for people visiting Jaipur. This place showcases the essence of Rajasthani culture and is a luxury resort designed in the style of a Rajasthani village. Spread over approximately 10 acres, it offers Rajasthani handicrafts, arts, puppet dances, folk songs, traditional dances, and delicious cuisine. By visiting here, you can experience and understand the ancient heritage of Rajasthan. Local artists here portray scenes from the battles of Haldi Ghati, which everyone finds very enjoyable. Additionally, you can participate in various sports, magic shows, and other activities for entertainment. This place is also very suitable for shopping. Visit here with your entire family for a wonderful time.
➥ Jal Mahal
Located in Mansagar Lake amidst the city of Jaipur, this is a historic palace. Maharaja Jai Singh II constructed this palace in the year 1799. Surrounded by water on all sides, the palace was built for the purpose of his queens to enjoy bathing after the completion of an Ashwamedha Yagna. The palace was used by the king to spend time with his queens. It was strategically built in the middle of the lake to ensure cooler temperatures during the summer season. Earlier, boats were used to reach Jal Mahal, but now access to it has been restricted. The lake is being developed into a bird sanctuary. The atmosphere around Jal Mahal during the evening is quite pleasant.
➥ Birla Mandir
This is an incredibly beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Lakshminarayan. Birla Mandir is constructed from white marble, blending ancient Hindu architecture with modern design elements. It was built in 1988 by the Birla Foundation. The land for this temple was donated by the Maharaja for a nominal fee of 1 rupee. The exterior and interior design of the temple are highly picturesque.
Inside the temple, the walls are adorned with beautiful images of gods and goddesses, verses from the Upanishads and Puranas. During Janmashtami, many religious events are held at Birla Mandir, making it even more delightful to visit. Surrounding the temple are beautiful gardens adorned with attractive plants and flowers.
Apart from these, Jaipur also offers other places to visit such as Rajmandir Cinema, Kanak Garden, Nahargarh Fort, where you can explore. Jaipur is a wonderful tourist destination where numerous forts, palaces, buildings, temples, and palaces showcase the rich culture of the region. It’s a must-have on any tourist lover’s wish list to experience Jaipur.
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➜ Don’t forget to do in Jaipur: Take an elephant ride at Amer Fort, visit Chokhi Dhani, enjoy Dal Baati Churma, explore City Palace, and hire a guide for photography.
➜ How to reach Jaipur: Jaipur has an international airport. It is well-connected by rail to major cities across the country. Additionally, Jaipur is easily accessible via road from all major cities in India.
➜ Best time to visit Jaipur: Although tourists visit Jaipur throughout the year, the best time to visit is from October to March. Avoid visiting during summers as the forts on the Aravalli hills can become very hot.
➜ Recommended duration for a trip to Jaipur: 3 days / 2 nights
