The Capital city of Rajasthan is Jaipur. It showcases the pride of ancient India even today. It is called Pink city due to the pink colors of the city buildings. It is said that the Maharaja of Jaipur Sawai Ram Singh colored the buildings pink to welcome the Prince of Wales in 1876. Prince Albert was pleased to see the hospitality and termed it the Pink City. A lot of time has passed since then but the color has stuck. Today government buildings are officially painted pink by the government. People also like to paint their houses pink with the trend.
Jaipur is one of the most famous tourist destinations. The city attracts an array of visitors from all over the globe with its stunning paintings, artifacts, dance, history festivals, temples, palaces, Havelis with royal scent, etc. Jaipur city has many valleys, magnificent structures, with a warm ambiance from people.
Architectural Marvels
Whether it be Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jal Mahal, or Jaigarh Fort, this city has an abundance of structures waiting to steal your breath.
Each place states the history and vital tales of past times.
Places To Visit in Jaipur
Jaipur is the first planned city in the country. The northern states in India, especially Rajasthan, have a very colorful culture and, it reflects in the things they make.
Hawa Mahal
Built from pink and red sandstone this edifice, stands tall at the edge of the city, greeting us with elegance.
Its five-floor exterior resembles a honeycomb and has a jaw-dropping number of windows or Jharokhas. That is 953 jharokhas. The whole architecture fills up with intricate designs and carvings. It’s an amalgamation of Hindu Rajput and Islamic Mughal architecture.
Jal Mahal
Jal means water, Mahal means palace. Jal Mahal, situated in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. Influenced by the Rajput style of architecture, the Jal Mahal is composed of five floors, of which four remain underwater when the lake is full, exposing the top floor. The lake is 15 ft. deep. No visitors are allowed inside as it houses the collections of the royal family. The night view of this Jal Mahal Palace is other-worldly!
Jaigarh Fort
Predominantly resting atop the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles), this structure is approximately three kilometers long and one km wide. Jaigarh Fort translates as the Victory Fort.
It is a defensive structure and encompasses the Amer Fort that is similar in architecture. It acted as the central artillery production center for the Rajputs.
A mammoth cannon named “Jaivana” is preserved here for tourist display. The fort is home to an armory, a museum that contains various artifacts with the hand-drawn ancient blueprint of the Jaigarh Fort.
City Palace Of Jaipur
Established at the same time as Hawa Mahal, this architecture lies at the heart of the city. The city palace belongs to the royal family still residing there.
It was the focal point of a flurry of activities ranging from administrational to arts.
City Palace acted as a location for cultural and religious activities.
It covers a vast area that encloses galleries, museums, courtyards, restaurants, and buildings.
The most visited places within the City Palace are Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, City Palace Museum, and Shri Govind Dev Temple.
Albert Hall Museum
The oldest museum in the state, influenced by the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Albert Hall Museum embraces an old Egyptian Mummy and a massive coin collection. The collection consists of Guota, Kushan, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal, and others. Other things stored here include paintings, ivory, jewelry, metal sculptures.
Jaipur Handicrafts
Rajasthan state itself is home to a rich culture, and Jaipur being the largest city in Rajasthan, is no exception. From eye-catching jewelry to quirky mojris to mesmerizing blue pottery and magnificent architectures, Jaipur has a lot to offer.
All the handicrafts made in this city are intrinsic to their culture and history.
Jewelry and Accessories
Jaipur is one of the famous hubs to shop for ornaments and jewels in India. Jaipur bestows us with a lot of equally varied options at an affordable cost. A myriad of gems is sold and used in making jewelry and accessories. Whether it be rubies, diamonds, gold, silver, or emeralds. You name it. You get it!
Lac Bangles are one of the famous accessories of Jaipur. Shop-artists, goldsmiths make rings, pendants, anklets, chains, earrings, etc.. with vibrant colors and designs that are hard to resist. You can purchase different types of silverware for auspicious occasions.
Carpets
Hand-woven woolen carpets made up of different colors, designs, styles are world-famous and are the most popular sovereign among tourists.
Rajasthani Puppets
These miniature figurines of kings and queens are eye-pleasing and are inexpensive. Puppets are sold in most market places so that visitors can set it up at their homes.
The puppets or dolls are made of wood parts, then painted and draped with old fabrics. They are a hallmark of the Rajasthani culture.
Festivals celebrated
Jaipur Literature Festival
The literature festival started in 2006 and gained attention as being the largest festival in the Asian continent. The book fetish, visitors get a chance to have a photo and autograph from a famous writer. The evening has dance, music performances with food stalls for enjoying the night.
Kite Festival
The kite festival is held on January 14th to honor and mark the harvester’s day. At dusk, you can see numerous colors of kites coloring the sky. Kite flying competition takes place. Many enthusiasts from different parts come to compete. Famously known as the International Kite Festival.
Jaipur Population
Jaipur city has a whopping population of 3 million (as per the 2011 census) is the 10th most populous place of India. The Jaipur city, founded in 1727, was called Old city now, known as Pink City. With beautiful history and mesmerizing jewelry Jaipur is fondly called Paris of India.
Economy and Infrastructure
The prime source of income is the revenue obtained from tourists. The pink city attracts many people for various reasons. From architecture, palaces, culture, astronomy, tradition, arts, paintings, scenic beauty, Jaipur has a lot to offer.
When To Visit
Jaipur has a semi-arid atmosphere. Temperature varies throughout the year. From April to June, one can experience hot air with the temperature reaching 35 Celcius.
May and June are the hottest months as temperature soars to 34-40 Celcius. The pink city receives an average rainfall of 50 mm from June to September.