Jaipur, ‘The Pink City’, the entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the capital of Rajasthan and a popular tourist destination in India. Jaipur gets its nickname from the salmon-pink color that paints much of the city. In 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh ordered the entire city to be painted pink to welcome Prince Edward of Wales. Still, the tradition continues, with many houses and buildings maintaining the rosy hue. In this article we will talk about the most popular places to visit in Jaipur.
Jaipur is the First Planned City of India: Unlike many sprawling Indian cities, Jaipur was designed with a specific layout. Jai Singh II, the city’s founder, employed a Shilpi (architect) to create a grid-based city plan divided into nine sectors. Each sector has its own purpose, with some dedicated to specific communities or the royal court. This city boasts a rich history, beautiful palaces, forts, and a vibrant culture.
Here are some of the best places to see in Jaipur, catering to a vast range of interests.
Heritage Lovers
– Amer Fort
A sprawling fort complex located on a hill outside of Jaipur. Amer Fort was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas for centuries and is known for its beautiful architecture, including the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors). Explore the fort’s chambers, courtyards, and temples to peek into the royal Rajput life.
– Jaigarh Fort
A massive fort located on a hill overlooking Amer Fort. Jai Singh II built the Jaigarh Fort in the 17th century and is known for its impressive fortifications and large cannons. Get a glimpse of medieval warfare strategies and marvel at the engineering marvel of the Jaigarh Cannon, the world’s largest cannon at the time of its construction.
– City Palace
A large palace complex in the heart of Jaipur was the former royal residence of the Jaipur royal family. The City Palace is a beautiful example of Rajput architecture and houses many museums, including the Mubarak Mahal, the Chandra Mahal, and the Maharani Mahal. Learn about the opulent lifestyle of the royals and explore the intricacies of Rajput art and artifacts.
Architectural Wonder
– Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)
An iconic structure in Jaipur with a unique pink facade featuring 953 small windows. The windows allowed for air circulation throughout the palace, keeping it cool during the hot summers. Admire the intricate honeycomb design of the facade and understand the ingenious passive cooling technique employed centuries ago.
– City Palace
As mentioned earlier, the City Palace complex showcases Rajput architecture at its finest. Explore the Chandra Mahal, a seven-storied palace with stunning views of the city, or visit the Mubarak Mahal, an art lover’s paradise adorned with beautiful murals and pietra dura (inlay) work.
– Albert Hall Museum
This museum houses a vast collection of artifacts, including sculptures, paintings, textiles, and archaeological finds. Explore different sections dedicated to Indian history, art, and cultural heritage.
Astronomical Knowledge
– Jantar Mantar
Jaipur is home to Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the early 18th century.
It is one of the five observatories built by him, with others being in Ujjain, Mathura, Varanasi, and Delhi.
Jantar Mantar means “instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens”.
Jantar Mantar is one of the largest observatories in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The observatory consists of some large instruments that were used to measure the time, and position of stars, and other celestial phenomena. Be amazed by these architectural marvels and their scientific ingenuity.
These are some major tourist destinations in Jaipur. But apart from this, there are many more places to visit in Jaipur.
