Jaipur-Tourist Place

                                                              Google Image- Albert Hall

A city known for its vibrant colours, narrow streets bustling with life and to top it all, the city’s historic monuments that boast of its glorious past, chivalry and valour of Rajput kings – welcome to the historic city of ‘Jaipur’. Also known as the ‘Pink City’ owing to its structures built in pink sandstone, the charisma of this cultural city of India continues to lure travellers, history buffs and researchers from different corners of the world. With its array of monuments soaked in the glory of opulence and grandeur of the Rajput rulers, Jaipur offers a spectacular journey in its rich past. Let us uncover some of its best places and attractions on this memorable journey.

                                         
                                                                Google Image- City Palace    

The ‘City Palace’ is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Jaipur, located in the heart of the city. Dating back to the 19th century, the palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. Showcasing a unique combination of Rajput, Mughal and European styles of architecture with an array of courtyards, gardens and special structures built inside the palace complex, the City Palace gives you a deep insight into the excellent architectural skills of the designers and engineers of the bygone era. Many parts of the palace complex except the ‘Chandra Mahal’, have today been transformed into art galleries and museums displaying the antique collection of armours, costumes, carriages and memorabilia belonging to the erstwhile Maharajas and Maharanis; the ‘Chandra Mahal’ inside the palace complex still serves as the home to the royal family of Jaipur. One of the major attractions inside the palace complex are the 4 gateways or ‘pols’ each designed in a unique way symbolizing the four seasons. The beauty of these gates with intricate carvings and floral designs is a visual treat to eyes. A visit to this palace is a must during the Jaipur trip to catch a glimpse at the royal lifestyle of the past kings and queens of this historic city.

                                                               Google Image- Hawa Mahal

One of the most prominent landmarks of the pink city, ‘Hawa Mahal’ is located very near to the ‘City Palace’. Rajput customs used to be very stringent for the royal ladies in the past. Ladies were bound by a strict ‘Purdah System’ and were not allowed to go in public and interact with strangers. In order to enable ladies of the royal family observe the day to day life and carnivals celebrated in the streets of the city, without being seen by the common man, Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, in the year 1799 gave the orders to construct this special monument. Constructed with red and pink sandstone and symbolizing the shape of Lord Krishna’s crown, ‘Hawa Mahal’ is an architectural masterpiece with over 900 intricately carved ‘Jharokhas’ or small windows. These Jharokhas are designed in such a way that they allow proper ventilation of the air in the palace, keeping it cool and airy even during peak summers. Brilliant design of this palace makes it one of the ‘Must-Visit’ tourist attractions in Jaipur. When visiting this monument, make sure to go up to the topmost floor that offers panoramic views of the Jaipur city with ‘City Palace’ at one end and ‘Siredeori Bazaar’ at the other end.

                           
                                                              Google Image- Jantar Mantar

‘Jantar Mantar’ in Jaipur, is another most famous tourist attraction of the city. Hundreds of historians, astronomers and curious travellers visit this place to get a picture of the astronomical skills of an Indian king during an era when these scientific concepts were very new to the Indian society. Holding the status of UNESCO World Heritage site, the monument was built in 1738 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, who is believed to have a keen interest in astronomy. The monument houses a unique and impressive collection of astronomical instruments made of stone and brass based on the astronomical design principles of Hindu texts of astrology and modern science; some of the instruments are largest ever built in their particular categories. Through these instruments, which are fixed on the ground, you can observe various astronomical positions with naked eye. The ‘Samrat Yantra’ in the observatory is the world’s largest sundial and needs a special mention. Boasting of the brilliant architectural, astronomical and cosmological concepts of Sawai Jai Singh, the observatory is indeed an astronomical heritage of the city.



                                                         

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