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Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, was founded in 1727 AD by one of the greatest rulers of the Kachhawaha clan, the astronomer king Sawai Jai Singh.
The city is surrounded by thick wall 20 feet high and 9 feet wide with eight gates. Ajmeri gate and the Sanganeri gate in the south, Chand Pole gate in west and the Ghat Darwaja in the east are the main gates.
The city is surrounded by the hills except in the southwest. Fort and the temples can be seen on the hills.
Jaipur is barely 262 kilometers from New Delhi, and is well connected by road, rail and air.
The rectangular shape of the pink city of Jaipur divides it into nine blocks on the basis of principles laid down in the"Shilpa Shastra", the ancient Indian treatise on architecture.
Built on the pattern of a grid, the city has wide straight avenues, roads, streets, and lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side at the main bazaar, all arranged in nine rectangular city sectors.
The Palace area and the city palace form important areas with the principal monuments of Jaipur. The city was a marvel of town planning with separate sectors being earmarked for craftsmen and merchants.
A formidable protective wall with seven gates girdled the entire city. The city was planned to conform to a geometric grid representing the nine divisions of the universe
PLACES OF INTEREST
City Palace
Sawai Jai Singh's Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace), better known as the City Palace, is the official residence of the royal family. The royal family still lives in a portion of this palace, while the outer courtyards and the ground floor halls have been converted into the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum that is open to public.
The museum houses an extensive collection of rare manuscripts, Mughal and rajasthani miniatures, mughal carpets, costumes and textiles, arms and weapons and royal paraphernalia.
The carved arches are supported by grey-white marble columns studded with floral motifs in gold and coloured stones.
Two elephants carved in marble guard the entrance, where retainers whose families have served generations of rulers are at hand to serve as guides.
Hawa Mahal
This impressive Palace Hawa Mahal is standing in the middle of the city. It was built by Maharaja Pratap Singh in the year 1798 AD.
The architecture of this building is unique. It is pyramid shaped five storied building with semi octagonal overhanging balconies placed symmetrically one over the other with small domes and curvilinear roofs.
In the not-too-distant past, ladies of the court found it convenient to watch the activities on the streets below without being observed themselves.
Albert Hall
It is situated in the beautiful garden of Jaipur city, Ram Niwas Bagh. It was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh in the year 1886 under the drought relief work of Rs 4 Lacs. The design of the building was done by Sir Swinton Jaicob. Presently the hall is used for museum purpose.
Lakshmi Narayan Temple
The important landmarks dotting the southern horizon of the city inlcude the small privately- owned hilltop fort of Moti Doongari, shaped like a Scottish Castle; the Ganesh Temple at the foot of the hill and the Lakshmi Narayan Temple built from white marble, a few years back by the B.M. Birla foundation.
Galta
This holy pilgrimage centre has a temple dedicated to the Sun God (Which is the only one of its kind in this part of the country) and natural spring. It crests the ridge over a picturesque gorge and provides an impressive view of the city. As the legend goes, sage Galav performed a difficult penance here.
Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal was built by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 A.D. in the midst of the Man Sagar lake as a pleasure spot. The lake was formed by construcing a dam between the two hills by Sawai Man Singh I. During the winter months one can see a large number of migratory birds at the lake.
Nahargarh
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.
HOW TO GET THERE
Road
A convenient mode of travel to Jaipur is by road, through a network of comfortable tourist buses. Rajasthan Roadways runs excellent regular service of AC and Deluxe Coaches from Delhi (From Bikaner House, Pandara road and ISBT, Kashmeri Gate) Some Road distances are Delhi 259 km, Udaipur 405 km, Jodhpur 336 km, Ahmedabad 657 km.
Air
There are flight connections to Delhi, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Bombay and Ahmedabad.
Rail
An excellent connection from Delhi is Shatabdi Express which provides a fast, air-conditioned of vestibuled, rail service. Other connections to Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad, Agra, Lucknow, Bombay and Calcutta.
There is also a special luxury train, the Palace on Wheels, which starts from Delhi on a round trip of Rajasthan, firt stop being of Jaipur |
