Forts & Monuemts
Hawa Mahal
The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-storey structures of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
City Palace
A delightful blend of
Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace
sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses
the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace
Museum.
Jantar Mantar
This is the largest and
the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II
in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of
outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
Amber Fort Palace
Amber is the classic
romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man
Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its
forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful
fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.
The Statue Circle
This is a traffic
roundabout In Jaipur. It is the favourite lounge of Jaipur and a
place for evening out, with 'Meals on Wheels' standing by. Strangely
it acquires its name of statue circle after its figurine rather than
the grand Sawai Jai Singh the founder of modern day Jaipur.
Moti Dungri
In the middle of Jaipur
rises a small hill Moti Dungri meaning pearl hill, because it looks
hill a drop of pearl. An exotic palace is parched which is a replica
of Scottish castle once occupied by Maharaja Madho Singh's son.
Gaitore
It is the final resting place
of the Maharajas of Jaipur and is located just off the Jaipur -
Amber Road. Situated in a narrow valley the cenotaphs of the former
Maharajas are chhatris made in typical Rajput architecture. The
chhatri of Sawai Jai Singh II is of special mention for its carvings
that exaggerate it.
Jal Mahal
Also known as Water Palace,
Built in the mid 18th century by Madho Singh I The Palace was
developed as a pleasure spot and was used for the royal duck
shooting parties. A causeway leads to Jal Mahal Palace situated in
the middle of Man Sagar Lake, opposite the cenotaphs.
Museums
Albert Hall
Situated in the middle of the
Ram Niwas garden, as a centre attraction was the exquisitely built
structure of Albert Hall, which was designed by sir Swinton Jacob, a
British architect who designed many palaces in Rajasthan. Combining
the elements of English and north Indian architecture known as the
pride of the New Jaipur opened in 1887 AD, it is a very well
maintained and impressive building displaying a rich collection of
Art- de- fact like paintings, carpet, ivory, stone and metal
sculptures and colourful crystal works etc.
Birla Planetarium
The Birla Planetarium
is at the BM Birla Science & Technology Centre, near Statue Circle.
The Planetarium offers unique audio-visual educational and
entertainment with its modern computerised projections system
Temples
Govind Dev Ji Temple
A vital part of
the city Palace complex, this Krishna temple has been highly
preserved by the erstwhile royal family. Sawai Jai Singh installed
the image of GOVIND DEV JI (an incarnation of lord Krishna) after it
was brought from Vrindavan.
Birla Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Birla
Mandir or the Lakshmi - Narayan Temple, situated just below the Moti
Dungari. This is a modern temple built of white marble on top of a
hill, dominating the skyline of south Jaipur
Parks & Gardens
Zoo
Just opposite the Albert Hall is
one of the oldest ZOO in the country, harbouring different species
of birds and animals.
Kanak Vrindavan
Not so old but
definitely an exquisitely land scaped gardens with beautifully
carved temple in beige stone, which is a vast complex with terrace
sites all around and intricately carved marble columns and lattices.
Located in the foothills of Nahargarh hills on the way towards Amer,
this complex is a popular spot for picnic and film shoots.
Sisodia Rani ka Bagh
Sawai Jai Singh
built it in 1728. The garden is laid in Mughal style and it depicts
the legends of Radha and Krishna. The garden is located 8 km from
Jaipur - Agra road .It consists of tiered multi-level gardens with
fountains, watercourses and painted pavilions. Sawai Jai Singh built
it for his Sisodia Queen from Udaipur. The palace house has several
galleries, pavilions and beautiful murals depicting scenes from the
life of lord Krishna
Vidhyadhar Gardens
Located near the
Sisodia Gardens,it is a beautiful vineyard, which unfolds itself in
the valley. It is named after Vidyadhar Bhatacharjee the architect
of Jaipur.
Lakes
Galtaji
It is an ancient pilgrimage
centre lying beyond the gardens amidst low hills. Temples, pavilions
and holy kunds (natural spring and water tanks) 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 a visible
city landmark.
Enterainment
Ravindra Rang Manch (theatre)
Another
piece of attraction near the Albert Hall, is the Ravindra Rang Manch
(theatre) with a modern art gallery and a performing art theatre
both indoors and open air. Recently added joints of interest are
streets dotted with food stalls, which promises a delicious variety
of Indian fast food certainly relished by the tourists.
Jaipur Excursions
Jaigarh Fort
The Jaigarh fort is the
most spectacular of the three-hilltop forts that overlook Jaipur. In
Mughal times, the Jaipur region was a major weapon-producing centre
for the Mughal and Rajput rulers, several of which are on display in
the fort's museum.
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 defence of Amber.
Sanganer
16 km - Sanganer is located
16 Kms from Jaipur. It is also known for exquisite Jain temples.
Moreover, it is an important centre for crafts and hand-printed
textiles that is internationally famous.The most beautiful temple in
Sanganer is the ancient Shri Digamber Jain temple.
Samod
The fort is an old fortified
residence of the Nathawat family (hailing from chomu) that served as
the Prime Ministers of the Jaipur Royal Court is located some 40km
from Jaipur and 264 km from Delhi in the range of Aravali