Jaipur

India isn’t called the cultural plethora across the globe for nothing. If the enthralling city of Jaipur is anything to go by, one would for sure second this thought. A rich amalgamation of art, architecture and sand dunes, the city in many ways is exemplary of the royal dynasty of Rajputs. The Pink City (called so because of its wall stone color), has a charm characteristic to its own. In which other place would one get to go beyond sedentary life and enjoy an elephant festival and kite festivals?

Ethnic, earthy and surreal: these three words best describe Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Amidst the great sand dunes of Rajasthan, Jaipur offers a distinct flavor and an essence truly of its own.

Orientation

Jaipur has an average altitude of 1417 feet above sea level. It is located in the eastern part of Rajasthan. Banas and Bangana rivers pass through the Pink city. Jaipur is among one of the major tourist attraction centers in India. It is connected via National Highways 8 and 11.

Weather

The climate of Jaipur is hot and semi arid because of its location in the heart of a desert area. It wouldn’t be advisable going to the city during the sweltering season of summer, lest you’d want to be screaming feeling hot, hot hot! Jaipur does not receive much rainfall. The ideal time to visit the imperial city of handicrafts, festivity and monuments would be during winter, that is, from October to mid March. However, during winters; temperatures fall up to 5°C, hence it is advisable to carry enough warm clothes.

Best time to visit:

From October to mid March.

Getting there / Route Information

By Bus

National Highway 8 which connects Delhi to Mumbai pass link to Jaipur. Also, National Highway 11 linking Bikaner to Agra passes through Jaipur. There is no dearth of Volvo buses (a/c and non a/c) which ply to Jaipur from most metros. Being one of the most well planned cities of India, one does not encounter grave problems while traveling through road. However, if you’ve unfortunately landed in the city during summer, the sun can get harshly vile on your skin.

By Train

Often considered the plushest trains of India, The Palace on Wheels makes a stop to Jaipur. The railway station of the Pink city is the headquarters of the North Western Railway zone of India. One can always get a number of options to travel to Jaipur via rail as the network is well spread out.

By Air

The Jaipur International Airport is well allied with most of the domestic cities of India like Mumbai, Kolkata, Goa, Chennai, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Jabalpur, Surat, Bangalore and so on.

Pictures of Jaipur

Major attractions

Hawa Mahal: Synonymous with Jaipur, this semi octagonal monument built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh is five storied. It has about 152 windows, which stands testimony to the rich architectural abundance of the Rajput dynasty. It was originally designed for the Rajput ladies to watch the festivals on the street which runs below. There is a new feature added in this museum called “Jaipur past and present”. They have a nominal entry fee.

Jantar Mantar: Whoever said Indians have a rich tradition in astronomy and numbers would’ve surely visit this place. Standing tall since the 18^th century, built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the instruments kept in this place were used to study the movement of constellations and stars. You will also find ancient sun dials which show the time accurately till today.

City Palace: Centrally located in the old Jaipur city, this palace is symbolic of Rajput and Mughal architecture. It has some fine gardens and collections of textiles and royal costumes. Watch out for the fine and delicate architecture.

Dolls Museum: This museum is a house to many dolls from all over the world and is situated at the Jawahar Lal marg.

Galta: Located about ten kilometers away from the city, this place is one of its kinds. It has a Sun temple. As a legend goes, a sage Galav performed a penance here.

Laxmi Narayan Mandir: Popularly known as the Birla Mandir, this peaceful and serene temple has some fine-looking marble carvings.

Amer Fort: Atop a range of wrinkled hills, this place is a combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Built by Maharaja Mirja Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh, this place is best known for its majestic architecture and exquisiteness.

Vital Tourist Information

Do carry your stock of winter wear, cold creams and the like during winter, which is the best time to travel to this place.

Hotel availability

Being a popular tourist place there is no dearth of hotels in Jaipur. They range from heritage to economy. In the seasons, its always better to book the hotels in advance.

Local Transport

Cycle-rickshaw

The most preferred mode of transport for short distances inside the city is a cycle-rikshaws. Peddled by the driver, its a different experience.

Auto-Rickshaw

There are many auto rickshaws available for short to moderate distance transport. Preferred when you have some luggage to carry and want to reach faster.

Taxis

In Jaipur, one can hire private taxis/ cabs, which are easily available. There is a wide range of private taxis to choose from. People can always hire taxi according to their preference, comfort and luxury. Taxis can be hired for day or days for sightseeing purposes and excursions as well.