JAIPUR

JAIPUR

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan was founded in 1727 – 1734 by Maharaja of Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh with a contribution of Bengali architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. Red and pink sand stone made this city of palaces is a dreamland or imaginary kingdom to the tourists. Jaipur means “The City of Victory”. It is also known as pink city but the color changes from pink to orange or amber with the change of seasons.

The whole city painted with pink color to welcome Prince of Wales, Albert in 1876. From then it has become a ritual to paint every house of the city with pink color which indicates hospitality in Rajasthani culture. At the time of sunset become wonderful. Jaipur means wide high roads, king size houses and lattice window with artistic works.

CITY PALACE

City Palace was also founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh (1728 – 32) and extended by his heirs. The palace is like a small city and extended through one-seventh portion of the main city. It sis also known as Chandra Mahal. It has two entrances --- Sire ki deuri in the East and Tripolia Darwaja in the South. Entering through Sire ki Deuri, you can see Town hall (Legislative Assembly), various offices, Nakkar Darwaja, Jaleb Chowk and to the right hand side of Jaleb Chowk there are Jantar Mantar, City Palace and Hawa Mahal.


(1) Mubarak Mahal --- This white marble made two storied structure was made by engineer Swinton Jacob(1900) to the south court of the palace in the period of Sawai Madho Singh II. Its walls are full of artistic sculpture.

(2) Sawai Man Singh II Museum --- It was the royal guest house which was made by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II in 1900. You can see the seat made of elephant teeth, foreign carpets, armors, collection of clothes of Royal family (1st floor). Each room is decorated with paintings, sketches, walls covered with glass, half circle arches on the pillars etc. There are galleries of net for the royal women to see the meetings. Jenana Mahal and Anand Mahal are to the North-West and South respectively.

(3) Silekhana --- It is the collection of arms such as sword of Man Singh(5Kg), sword of Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Clock tower and Singh pole are ahead of it.

(4) Sarboto Bhadra --- It is the personal meeting hall of Maharaja and made of sand stone and marble(1730). There are two reservoirs which are the largest silver made reservoir of the world(1.5m). These reservoirs carried 9000L Ganga Water to London in the time of caronation of Kin Edward(7th) in 1901.

(5) Dewan – e – Aam --- Maharaja Pratap Singh founded this. Here is a collection of paintings and rare manuscripts such as Parsi translation of Mahabharat by Abul Fazal, Bengali Mahabharat on the bark of birch tree, portrait of Man Singh, elephant form of 9 babies and 9 ladies, art works of gold and Belgium glass on Arms and weapons bloc etc. ceiling is also painted.

(6) Chandra Mahal --- The royal families still live in this milk white marble made seven storied palace. Pritam Nivas, fountain decorated Jai Nivas Garden, Audience hall in the ground floor. Sukh Nivas is in 1st and 2nd floor. Rang Mandir and Seva Nivas on the next floor. Mirror Palace is in the next two floors. Marble pavilion is on the top most floorfrom where the whole city is visible.
Visiting Time : 9.30a – 4.30pm, Entry fee – Rs.35, Camera charge extra.

(7) Temple of Ld. Govindji --- Its ceiling is made of gold and the shrine is of touchstone. Sawai Jai Singh established by Aoranjeb in 18th century.

(8) Jantar Mantar or ManMandir --- This planetarium was also founded by Sawai Jai Singh who was an astronomer himself. Perfect local time, location of sun, longitude, latitude, stars, Pole star, motion of minor planet, eclipse etc. are ascertained correctly in 18 stone instruments. There is also the largest as well as the highest sun clock whose dial is 30m long and Indian Standard Time can be ascertained by adding 29 minutes with the local time of sun clock. The reflection of hemisphere falls on the stones as a shadow in “Jaiprakash Yantra”.
Time : 9am – 4.30pm, Entry fee – Rs.10, Monday free.

HAWA MAHAL

Foundation : By Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799, Time : 10am – 4.30pm except Friday, Entry Fee : Rs.5, Saturday free.

The royal women used to watch outside through its 953 half octave hanging windows made of net work and lattice decorated with artwork. Its 152 backside airy windows kept this mahal cool without any air conditioner. It is pink sand stone made, pyramid shaped and looks like honey comb.

RAMNIVAS GARDEN

It is on 36 acres area. Albert hall, Indology museum, Zoo, Crocodile breeding firm, Art gallery are situated here.

(1) Albert Hall --- Foundation : By Sawai Madho Singh in 1881, Architect : Sir Samuel Jacob, Cost : 494544, Time : 10am – 4.30pm, Entry fee : Rs.5, Monday free.

Beside archeological objects you can see oil painting of Maharajas, Royal dresses, Model of more than hundred saints, stuffed animals, the oldest carpet of the world(1632), objects of brass and elephant teeth etc. in this well sculptured old museum.

(2) Indology Museum --- Foundation : 1868, Art Collector : Novelist Acharya Vyakul, Time : 10am – 5pm, Entry Fee : Rs.30.
 Art Collection : Objects of folk culture of Rajasthan, Indian map on a single rice, letter written on hair, manuscripts, dresses, ornaments, fossils, clocks and coins.

(3) Zoo --- Time : 8am – 5.30pm, except Tuesday.

You can also see dolls museum (12noon – 7pm), Birla Temple (Foundation : 1985), Birla Planetarium (12noon – 7pm), Science Centre, Statue Circle, Statue of Sawai Jai Singh.

NAHARGARH OR TIGER FORT

Foundation : By Jai Singh II in 1734, Height : 600foot. It was made for royal women. It was a four storied building out of which 2 stories were under ground. It is a nice picnic spot.

GAITAR

Foundation : By Maharaja Jai Singh II. This sepulcher of maharajas are standing on 20 pillars and has nice curving as usual. Many royal family members have lying here.

JAL MAHAL

Foundation : By Pratap Singh in 1799. This five storied summer palace is on Man Sagar lake linked with a bridge with the bank of the lake surrounded by temples.

JAIGARH FORT

 It used to guard the city. There is the largest cannon of the world having 20 foot long pipe with 9 foot diameter and its weight is 250 tons. It requires 100kg gun powder for each firing. Its barrel is 8m long. But it was never used. Its range is 35km. Jaigarh fort was the watch tower from where the movements of enemies were observed. The other attraction of this fort are ordinance factory, camp of Rajput army, armory, water reservoir, Ram Harihar (10th century), Kal Bhairab (12th century) and treasury of Sawai Jai Singh.
Time : 10am -4.30pm, Entry Fee : Rs.15.

SISODIA RANI KA BAGH

Foundation : By Sawai Jai Singh in1774. It is the two storied palace of Sisodia queen in well kept garden decorated with fountain. Its walls are full of mural painting of stories of Ld. Srikrishna and hunting.

VIDYADHARJI KA BAGH

This garden is made in the memory of Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, the main architect of Jaipur city and City Palace.



Chokhi Dhani is a complex to entertain tourists. Ramgarh lake, Sun Temple of Galta, Moti Dungri, Sanganer Jain Temple, Samcdh Palace also attracts tourists towards the ancient history of Jaipur Maharajas. Place of Hindu pilgrimage, Balaji is just1.5km from Jaipur.

FESTIVALS OF JAIPUR :

GANGUR --- It starts on the day after Holi and continues for 18 days. Married women seek blessings from God for welfare of their husbands and unmarried girls. A procession starts from Tripolia Gate. Women draped in bright dresses, clown of Ld. Shiva and goddess Parvati take part in to sing and dance. It is believed that Ld. Shiva comes to take Parvati to home in this occasion.

ELEPHANT FESTIVAL --- It starts in Holi in Chaugan Stadium. More than 50 elephants prepared with bright accessories take part in it to play Holi and practice body arts.

TEEJ --- Teej is celebrated to welcome the monsoon with the procession of elephants, horses and camels.

The Birth day of Pink City is celebrated on 27th November. The colorful Kites Festival starts in Makar Sankranti. Elephant Polo starts in February – March.