The picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is colour washed pink-the colour associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. This Beautiful city along with Agra and Delhi form what is known as the Golden Triangle of Indian tourist circuit. Built in 1727 A.D. by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur displays a remarkable harmony and architectural splendour. The ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy-tale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city. The only planned city of its time, Jaipur is encircled by a formidable wall. The wide straight avenues, roads, streets, lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of main bazaars were arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (Chokris), in accordance with the principles of town planning set down in the 'Shilpa Shastra'- and epochal treatise on the Hindu architecture. Not to mention the ambling camels and cheerful people in multi-hued costumes that makes your Jaipur tours a memorable one.

General Information

Climate: Semi-arid climate
Weather: Maximum temperatures range from 29.1° C to 33.3° C and the lowest is 7.4° C
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Suggested Clothing: Cotton and light woolens for wintry nights

Places to visit

• The City Palace:
  In the heart of the old city is former royal residence built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The palace houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit.
• Jantar Mantar:
  A stone observatory. Its complex instruments, whose setting and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy. The most striking of these are the Ram Yantras used for gauging altitudes.
• Govind Devji Temple:
  The most popular temple of Jaipur dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is located in the central pavilion of the Jai Niwas Garden to the north of Chandra Mahal. The image of the patron deity-Govind Devji, originally installed in a temple of Vrindavan, was reinstalled here by Sawai Jai Singh II as his family deity.
• Hawa Mahal:
  Built in 1799 A.D. the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds is a major Rajput landmark. This five storey building along the main street of the old city is in pink splendour with semi octagonal and delicately honey combed sandstone windows. A must visit on all Jaipur tour packages, the monument was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions of the city.
• BM Birla Planetarium (Time 12.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs):
  The Planetarium offers unique audio-visual education and entertainment with its modern computerized projection system. For school groups concessions are available. Closed on last Wednesday of every week.
• Galtaji:
  An ancient pilgrimage centre, lying beyond the gardens amidst low hills. Temples, pavilions and holy kunds (natural spring and reservoirs) along with lush landscape make it a delightful spot. The small temple of the Sun god, built by Diwan Kriparam on the top of the highest peak is visible from all parts of the city.
• Old City:
  Once a settlement of nobles, craftsmen and common folks, the city of Amer is now in ruins. The remanants of its rich past are the beautifully carved and planned Jagat Shiromani Temple, a Krishna temple associated with Meerabai, an ancient temple of Narsinghji and a magnificent step-well, Panna Mian-ka-kund.
• Jaigarh:
  One of the few military structures of medieval India, retaining its ancient splendour in palaces, gardens, reservoirs, a granary, an armoury, a well planned cannon foundry, several temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted cannon-the Jai Ban, one of the largest in the country are preserved here.
• Amer Palace:
  A beautiful complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about two centuries still stand in magnificent state. The palace complex emerges dramatically from the placid waters of the Maotha Lake and is approachable only through a steep path. Tourists on Jaipur tours often ride on the elephant back to the Singh pole and the Jalebi Chowk. The Mughal and Rajput architecture seen in its beautiful interior with intricately carved Jali screens, delicate mirror and stucco work and painted and carved dadoes.
• Jain Temple:
  The exquisite Jain temple on the Agra road has some of the most beautiful 19th century paintings in Jaipur style on its walls.
• Moti Doongari and Lakshmi Narayan Temple:
  Moti Doongari is a privately owned hilltop fort built like a Scottish castle. The Ganesh Temple at the foot of the hill and the marvellous Lakshmi Narayan Temple built in marbles a few years back, are also noteworthy.
• Statue Circle:
  The full-length exquisitely carve statue of Swai Jai Singh in white marble in the centre of the circle was erected under the newly planned scheme area to pay homage to the founder of Jaipur. The Kanak Vrindavan Complex of fine temples and gardens has been recently renovated to their pristine perfection. To the west of this road is the royal crematorium at Gaitore in a narrow valley with some spectacular cenotaphs of all the Jaipur rulers except Swai Ishwari Singh who was cremated outside the Jai Niwas Garden.
• Ghat ki Guni:
  Beautifully landscaped gardens, laid out in the 18th and 19th century by king and courtiers dot the narrow gorge in the south eastern corner of the walled city, along the road to Agra.

Highlights of Jaipur Tourism

Food

Do try local delicacies like Dal Bati Choorma (Veg) and others at following restaurants:

• Angan: Holiday Inn for continental and Mughalai cuisine
• Aravali: Jaipur Ashok for vegetarian Indian and continental dishes
• Chankya: MI Road, for north Indian as well as continental dishes
• Chandralok: MI Road famous for Rajasthani cuisine.
• Chandravanshi Pavillion: Multi cuisine
• Bake Hut: Famous for its sweet treats, very reasonable price.
• Venus Bakery: Subhash Marg, do try its pastries.
• Hot Breads: MI Road for fresh bread and pastries
• Niro's: MI Road, multi cuisine.
• Lassiwala: Opposite Niro's on MI Road, Creamy lassi for Rs 15-25.
• Gulab Mahal: Jal Mahal Palace. Multi cuisine.
• Jal Mahal: Rajputana Palace Sheraton. Multi cuisine
• Mahal: Jaipur Palace. Multi cuisine.
• Gauri: Gangas Tourist Bungalow for south Indian and Chinese dishes.
• LMB: Johari Bazaar for sweets and vegetarian dishes without onion and garlic.
• Swaad: MI Road for Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine.
• Four Seasons: Subhash Marg, multi cuisine vegetarian restaurant with moderate prices.
• Indian Coffee House: MI Road for cheap south Indian food.
• Polo Bar: Rambagh Palace. For beer and good cocktails with snacks.
• Shivir: Hotel Man Singh for vegetarian, Mughalai and tandoori cuisine.

Shopping

Jaipur is famed for its handicrafts, gems and jewellery, exquisitely carved furniture and precious and semi precious stores. There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur's colourful bazaars where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms and trinkets. On your shopping tours to Jaipur do not miss to bargain. Following points are worth attempting:

• Rajastha Emporium: MI Road for handicrafts
• Rajasthan Handloom House: MI Road for textile
• Anokhi Showroom: Tilak Marg for textiles, especially block printed fabrics, table cloths, bed covers etc.
• Kripal Kumbh: Shiva Marg, Bani Park. For Jaipur's blue pottery
• Neeraj: Bhawani Singh Road for blue pottery.
• Charmica: MI Road for good quality jootis (traditional Rajasthani shoes)
• Juneja Art Gallery: MI Road for contemporary paintings.

Jewellery

• Bhuramal Rajmal Surana - Johari Bazar
• Gem Palace - MI Road
• Jewels Emporium - MI Road

Excursions

• Samode (40 km, North West): The beautiful Samode Palace has been rebuilt and renovated and provides a fine example of the Rajput haveli architecture and is an ideal spot for outings.
• Bagru (35 km): On the Ajmer Road, the ground level fort is still in good shape. It is noted for its hand printed handloom industry using simple techniques. The designs of these handlooms are less complicated and are in earth hues.
• Sanganer (12 km): Located on the Tonk Road. In addition to its ruined palaces, Sanganer has exquisitely carved Jain temples. The town is an important centre for crafts industry and produces some of the finest hand printed textiles from units of block and screen printers.
• Samoda: Located about 50 km north of Jaipur. It's a small village famous for its palace with its exquisite Diwan-i-khas. Daily bus service (Fare Rs 15) from Jaipur. Tented accommodation at Samoda Bagh, about 3 km away.
• Ramgarh Lake (32 km north east): A huge artificial lake created by constructing a high bund amidst tree covered hills. White the temple of Jamwa Mata and the ruins of the old fort are some of its antiquities, its beautiful landscape, especially during monsoons, makes it an idyllic picnic spot.
• Jaisinghpura Khor (12 km off the Amer Raod): One of the settlement of the Meena tribe, it has a formidable fort, a Jain temple and a step-well amid lush surroundings.
• Madhogarh-Tunga (40 km on the Bassi-Lalsot Agra Road): Tunga was witness to a historic battle fought between the Jaipur forces and Marathas. The fort is nestled amidst beautiful mango orchards.
• Nahargarh - Tiger Fort (Around 10 km from Jaipur): Stay at the fort costs around Rs 500. Contact Tourist Reception Centre, Jaipur
• Kishangarh: Located on Jaipur-Ajmer Road. This place is famous for its miniature paintings. Not much accommodation facility. Stay at Ajmer instead, which is just around an hour drive - about 30 km.
• Roopangarh: Lies on NH8, about 25 km from Ajmer. Its fort has been converted into a heritage hotel. Staying option available.
• Karauli: Famous for its Krishna Temples, the place is about 185 km South East of Jaipur. Daily bus service (Fare Rs 50) from Jaipur.
• Bharatpur: Renowned for its World Heritage - listed bird sanctuary, the kedadeo Ghana National Park. Favourite with bird watchers.

Access

Jaipur is 262 kms from Delhi and is well connected by road, rail and air. A big fleet of deluxe and air conditioned buses is operated by the Rajasthan Roadways between Delhi and Jaipur. A special luxury train, the Palace on Wheels starts from Delhi on a round trip of Rajasthan

Airways

Air service is available from quite a number of centres in India. Some of them along with flight duration's (approx) are:

• Delhi - 45 minutes
• Udaipur- 1 hr 45 minutes
• Jodhpur - 45 minutes
• Aurangabad - 2 hr 15 minutes
• Mumbai - 1 hr 3 minutes

Railways

Shatabdi Express and Pink City Express are two very good trains from Delhi. Trains are available to and from following places as well: Ahmedabad, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Lucknow, Secunderabad and Udaipur, along with big centres like Mumbai and Calcutta.

Roadways

The Pink City forms the third tip of the golden tourist triangle with Agra and Delhi. Located on NH 11 (Agra-Bikaner).

Bus
State Transport Corporations of Rajasthan and adjoining states (viz, Delhi, Gujarat, UP) run buses to and from various centres. Some important road distances (about) are as follows:

• Agra 230 km
• Ajmer 130 km
• Alwar 145 km
• Bharatpur 175 km
• Bikaner 320 km
• Delhi 260 km
• Jaisalmer 655 km
• Jodhpur 335 km
• Nathdwara 355 km
• Sariska 110 km
• Udaipur 375 km

Taxi

Taxi Service provided by many travel agencies including Sita World Travel, Station Road (0141 203626)