JAIPUR - Pink City OR Paris of India OR City of Palaces

DISTANCE

• 258 KM From Delhi
• 131 KM From Ajmer
• 331 KM From Jodhpur.

 
CONNECTION
 
By Air : Jaipur has its own airport, and is well connected to all other tourist and business centers.

By Rail : An excellent connection to Delhi by Shatabdi Express and the Pink City Express. Other connections to Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahemadabad, Secunderabad and Lucknow.

By Road : A network of reasonably comfortable tourist buses, run by road corporations of Rajasthan, Haryana and others.
 
ABOUT JAIPUR
 
Jaipur is known by Pink city. 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 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 & 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.
 
PLACES OF INTERESTS IN JAIPUR
 
The City Palace : In the heart of the old city is the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The carved arches are supported by grey-white marble columns ornate with floral motifs in gold and coloured stones. Two carved elephants in marble guard the entrance. The retainers whose families have served generations of rulers serve as guides.

Jantar Mantar : A stone observatory. Largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments, whose settings and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy.

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 semioctagonal and delicately honey combed sandstone windows.

Swargasuli (Isar Lat) : The highest tower dominating the skyline on the western side of the Tripolia Bazaar. It was built Sawai Ishwari Singh in 1749 A.D. to commemorate a grand victory.

Ram Niwas Bagh : A lush spacious garden with a zoo, an aviary, a greenhouse, a herbarium, a museum and popular sports ground.It was built by Sawai Ram Singh II in 1868 A.D. as a famine relief project. The Albert Hall - fine example of Indo-Sarcenic style of architecture designed by Sir Swinton Jacob, was opened later with an exauisite collection of sculotures, paintings, decorative wares, natural history specimen, an Egyptian mummy and the celebrated Persian carpet.

Statue Circle : The full-length exquisitely carved statue of Sawai 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.

Amer Palace : The 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.

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.

Nahargarh : A sentinel to the Pink City is Nahargarh Fort. situated beyond the hills of Jaigarh. Although much of it is in ruins, the lovely building added by Sawai Ram Singh II and Sawai Madho Singh II provides interest to the fort.

Government Central Museum : This is the oldest museum in the state. The buiding, designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob is located in the centre of the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh, built in 1876 AD. When King Edward VII visited India as the Prince of Wales, it was opened to public in 1886.
 
RELIGIOUS PLACES IN JAIPUR
 
Birla Mandir : Birla Mandir or the Lakshmi - Narayan Temple, situated just below the Mooti Doongari, which is a replica of a Scottish castle, is one of the most revered Hindu temples, dedicated to Shri Lakshmi-Narayan. Built on raised ground, it is surrounded by large lush green gardens. The temple has been constructed in white marble and has three domes, each portraying the different approaches to religion.

Bairath : An important historical place with the excavated remains of a circular Buddhist temple - unique in Rajasthan and the earliest known temple in India. Bairath also has relics of the Mauryan, Mughal and Rajput periods. A mint constructed by Akbar, a beautiful Mughal garden and a remarkable monument with painted 'chhatris' and wall built by Jahangir, are other attractions.
 
WHEN TO GO JAIPUR
 
The best time to visit the incredible Jaipur is between the months of October to March.
 
WEATHER FORECAST
 
The climate and weather of Jaipur is usually hot. The summer season persists from Mid-March to June reaching to the maximum temperature of 45o C. The showers of Monsoons come usually in the month of July preceded by dust and thunderstorms. The city doesn't receive much rain. During the post-monsoon season in September, Jaipur gets hot spell once again. In winters, the city of Jaipur observes bright and pleasant sunny days, though the temperature can reach a low of around 5o C during the nights.
 
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS IN JAIPUR
 
Camel Festival : The Camel Festival is organized by the Department of Tourism of the Rajasthan Government in January every year in Bikaner. The festival begins with a colorful procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort. Held is a tug-of-war contest, best breed competition, camel dance and acrobatics among other things. The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the directions of their trainers. Bridal bridles, be jeweled necks, jingling anklets and camel shadows, cast a spell on the audience. In the evenings, is held a traditional rendezvous of renowned artistes and folk performers.

Beneshwar Fair : Dungarpur is the spot for this fair held at the time of Shivratri in January - February. It is a tribal fair held on the banks of the Mahi and Som rivers in the forested area around the border of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Bhil tribals come to the place to worship Lord Shiva. The fair resounds to the gaiety of songs, folk dances, magic shows, animal shows and acrobatic feats.

Nagaur Fair : The fair held every year in January - February in Nagaur, is a trading fair for cattle and camels and gives one an opportunity to catch up with rural life a owners from all over the state camp on the outskirts of the town while they buy and sell animals. The hides of the animals, cut into wonderful patterns, are particularly attractive.

Desert Festival : This festival is also held in January- February in Jaisalmer. For three days, the otherwise barren land of Jaisalmer comes to life and is clustered with hordes of colorfully dressed people. Some chosen moments of the past and affluent culture are on display backed by high pitched music and folk dances. The turban tying competition and Mr. Desert contest as also the camel races, add to the excitement of the celebrations.

Elephant Festival : The festival is held on the eve of Holi in Jaipur and has several interesting attractions like elephant polo. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels, horses and folk dancers. The elephants are decorated to the full with bright colours, saddle cloth and heavy jewellery. Female elephant are made to wear anklets and a prize is given for the most well-decorated elephant. Playing Holi on elephant back is one of the major attractions.

Mewar Festival : This 18 day festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring and coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur. It is significant for the women of the state as it is time for them to dress in their best. The women gather to dress the images of Issar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ceremonial procession through different parts of the city. The procession ends up at Pichhola Lake where the images are transferred to special boats amidst singing and festivity. Cultural events are held at the end of the festivities and they include songs, dances and a display of fireworks.

Gogaji Fair : The fair is held at Gogamedi in Ganganagar district in August in memory of a popular hero of the area known as Goga Veer among the Hindus and Jahar Peer among the Muslums. The Kayam Khani Muslums claim to be descendants of his. Gogaji is popular as a snake god and almost every village in Rajasthan has a sacred place dedicated to him. Staunch followers of Gogaji believe that by invoking his name, a snake bite and other diseases can be cured. It is said that Gogaji went into samadhi at Goga Medi and thousands of devotees garther there to pay homage at his memorial every day during the Fair which lasts three days. The samadhi is a marble structure with two minarets fortified by a boundary wall. The idol of Gogaji is seated on a blue horse with a snake coiled around the neck.

Kaliteej : Though Kaliteej is celebrated all over the state, the one in Bundi is different in the sense that it is held on different dates from the rest of the state. The festival starts with the procession of goddess Teej in a decorated palanquin from the imposing Naval Sagar and passes through the main bazaars. The procession comprises decorated elephants, camels, bands, performing artists and colourfully dressed people. Though the main function is held for only two days, the celebrations continue into Janamashtami, which marks the birth of Lord Krishna.

Ramdevra Fair : The Ramdevra Fair is held in Ramdevra village in Jaisalmer in August or September. The village has got its name after Baba Ramdev, a Tanwar Rajput, who took samadhi in 1458. He had miraculous powers and legend goes that five peers from Mecca came to test his powers. After being convinced, they paid homage to him.

Marwar Festival : Held in October in Jodhpur, this annual two day event attempts to showcase the art and culture of the Jodhpur region. It is devoted mainly to singing and dancing. Originally known as the Maand festival, the folk dancers provide a glimpse of the days of yore, of battles and valiant and valiant heroes who still live on in their songs.

Dusshera : Dusshera is celebrated all over the country in different ways as also in Rajasthan. it celebrates the triumph of good over evil the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. The tale of Rama and Sita and the battle fought between Lord Rama and Ravana are enacted on stae and it is called Ramlila. On the tenth day of the festival, huge effigies of the tenheaded Ravana and his brother Kumbakaran, stuffed with thousands of fire crackers, are set afire and the people then begin to rejoice.

Pushkar Fair : Easily the most identifiable of all the fairs of the state, the Pushkar fair is held in November in Pushkar in Ajmer, where an eighth century temple of Brahma, draws the faithful. The place has about 400 shrines and temples around the lake. Legend has it that Lord Brahma, in search of a place to hold his yagna (religious ritual), dropped the lotus from his hand and the three spots touched by the flower were turned into lakes. These are today known as the Jyeshtha Pushkar, Madhyam Pushkar and Kanishtha Pushkar.

Kolyat Fair : Bikaner is the venue for this fair which lasts 10 days and the place is the sacred site where Kapil Muni is supposed to have meditated. The place has a lake with 52 ghats shaded by banyan trees. Devotees take a dip in the lake and pray in the temples. Aarti is performed twice a day and bhog is offered. People float lighted lamps in the sacred lake as part of the rituals. A cattle fair is also held where buffaloes, camels, horses and cattle are sold. Certificates and prizes are given away to the best breeders at the fair.

Gangaur Fair : Geld all over Rajasthan, it is the most important fair of the state and is observed with fervour and devotion. The idols of Issar and gangaur, manifestations of Shiva and Parvati, are worshipped by women, particularly by those who are unmarred and pray for a consort. Women take out procession through the streets carrying images of the divine couple. The festival is especially colorful in Jaipur, Udaipur and Mandawa.

Kaila Devi Fair : The fair is held in March or April in Kaila village in Karauli district and it holds an important place among the celebrated fairs of the state. The fortnight long fair is held on the banks of the river Kalisil in the hills of Trikut about 2 kilometres from Kaila village. It houses the images of Mahalakshmi and Chamunda.

Mahavir Ji Fair : This fair is held at Mahavir Ji between March and April to commemorate Shri Mahavir Swami, the 24th tirthankara of the Jain. The temple is located in an enclosure known as Katala" where devotees come to pay homage.

Summer Festival Mt.Abu (June) : Organized in the only hill station of Rajasthan, this is the coldest place at this time of the year. Folk dances and a general atmosphere of gaiety prevails in this tiny hill resort and the tourist has ample time to relax and enjoy himself.

Teej Festival : Held during the monsoons, July-August Teej is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati and this time it is married women who pray for a happy and long married life. Though celebrations are held all over the state, it is particularly colourful in Jaipur where a procesion winds its way for days through the Old City. It is the festival of swings which are decorated with flowers and hung from trees.

Kite Festival (held on 14th Jan of every year) : A festival with a difference - as kites take to the sky all over Rajasthan. In the evening, kites with lights in them and fireworks brighten the skies above. The main celebrations are in Jaipur and Jodhpur. If you like kite flying, you should be here.

Baneshwar Fair(Jan-Feb.) : A religious festival with simple and traditional rituals. This fair is the centre of attraction of a large number of tribal from the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat who join their brethren from Rajasthan in offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
 
FOOD AND RESTURANTS IN JAIPUR
 
The place is provided with a great lot of amusement and entertainment. The maharajas of Jaipur are believed to be great food lovers and for that reason the royal chefs were employed. The chefs were quite skilled and used to prepare dishes the knowledge of which was passed only to those who were next in line. Some of these recipes have been preserved and are served in branded hotels. But that's not the entire thing. The royal dishes are as much relishing as the rest of Rajasthani recipes served all over. The popular Rajasthani food consists of dal, bati and churma. The non vegetarian dishes include red meat, hot spiced dish annd white meat garnished with cashew nuts and coconut. Various breads like bati, lachhedar paratha and bessan ki missipuri are equally popular. The sweet dishes served in Jaipur are malpuas, dil jani, ladoos and ghevar.