Your Guide To Jaipur, A Land Which Defines History

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Rajasthan has been in my favourite list for a long time now. In some sense, Rajasthan is my new Kerala. Ask me how many days I have spent there and the reply is less than two weeks. Now you may ask, “such short time and a favourite”? Yes, in such short span and having explored only few places, I would love to go back as often as possible. Even if this means two days, I’ll pack and leave.

Culture in Jaipur

A place which is vibrant with colours, has many beautiful palaces and structures which in a matter of few seconds takes you back in time, a street filled with yummilicious food to treat your tastebuds, listen to musicians who need no microphone or speakers to swoon you towards them. Man, I can go on and on with just minimal exposure to this state.

Statue located in the center of the city
King Man Singh Statue – Ruler of Jaipur

We have been to Jaipur, Ajmer, Pushkar and Udaipur in Rajasthan and I cant seem to stop myself from going back to those pictures I clicked again and again. And so let me tempt you now with Jaipur – the capital city of Rajasthan.

Pink City of India

Jaipur is amazing in many ways and one thing that stands out for me is the location. Using Jaipur as a hub, you can visit many small villages as well as major cities. The connectivity from here is just the thing a backpacker or any traveler would look out for and enjoy.

Pink City

Public transport is in plenty to explore the old city, the ruins and learn life. The airport and the railway station are close to the city centre, roads are fantastic, the hotels options are great, people are super friendly and you can eat dal baati churma all day long without a big fat hole in your wallet. Call it old and dirty, a hippie place, a crowded city or anything that may push you away from visiting a place like this – but there is nothing close to the CHARM this city offers.

Things To Do In And Around Jaipur

Pan view of Jaipur

Don’t just think all this city will offer is just palaces and forts. Take your time in this city and you will have so many stories to tell, that is if you have the heart to leave from there.

Entry Tickets

Every place you visit requires you to buy a ticket. The best thing you can do is to buy a two day ticket and save money if your plan is to visit all the attractions.

Entry ticket prices

Forts in Jaipur

I agree that I am one among those who loves to visit forts and palaces, just to imagine and experience life before telephones, internet, etc. Also, this is a nice way to go understand how modernisation has taken over most of the creativity of people.

There are three main forts that I would recommend you to visit.

Nahargarh Fort (pronouned as Nahargad)

Information about Nahargarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort

Just explore the beauty of this fort and do not miss the terrace as that’s the highlight. You need a vehicle to get to this place as it is quite a drive from the old city. Don’t miss the windows that are omnipresent in Nahargarh Fort. The art on it is simple and leads you to panoramic views of Jaipur.

The Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur

This fort gives you a pan view of Jaipur and is a great sunset point. The breeze on that day was amazing, was getting cloudy by the minute and we had no heart to leave from there.

The view from Nahargarh Fort

Keys things to know about this fort are

  • Was built by the founder of Jaipur – Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II
  • This fort has never been attacked
  • Housed Europeans during the Indian Mutiny (1857)

Jaigarh Fort (pronounced as Jaigad).

Terrace in Jaigarh Fort

This was my most favourite of forts in Jaipur. The Jaigarh Fort is connected to Nahargarh Fort and is a private property. The views made me go in trance and the stories about this place made me go wow.

Aravills Hill view from Jaigarh Fort

Situated on the Aravalli Hills, this was built by Raja Jai Singh II. This is also called as the Victory Fort. PSST: Apparently there is a lot of treasure here that even made Indira Gandhi attack the family for amassing it. Now that’s interesting isn’t it? Key things to know about this fort are

  • Houses a beautiful terrace that overlooks the old capital Amber
  • Gets rented out for weddings even today
  • Connects to Amber Fort
  • Was built to safeguard the Amber Fort and houses one of the largest cannons in the world – JaivanaJaivana - an 18th Century cannon

Amber Fort (do use a guide)

Amer Fort at night

Situated beautifully along the Maota Lake, this is a beauty that one needs to explore. Amber or Amer Fort is one of the most crowded places in Jaipur, so plan accordingly and if possible, let this be the first place you visit for the day as it opens at 0800 AM.

Key things to know about this fort are

  • on the way to fort , don’t miss the mini step wellStep Well in Jaipur
  • there is a Goddess temple that many visit and photographs cannot be taken
  • this fort is also called a palace as it was the house of the Royal familyInside the Amer Fort
  • there are so many beautiful rooms and views – especially the Sheesh Mahal.

Other interesting places that takes you back in time are

Jal Mahal

The Jal Mahal

Situated in a Man Sagar Lake, this was the Summer Palace in the olden days, built by Jai Singh II. This can only be seen from the banks as there is no commute to explore this Mahal. The interesting part about this place is that three or four floors are under water while what we see in only one level of the Mahal.

Hawa Mahal

This is again a beauty from the outside and is underrated as its location is on the main road.

One of the most beautiful and simple Mahals in Jaipur

People therefore suggest not to venture into the Mahal and I beg to differ from them. Yes, I agree the beauty is the road-facing side, but the reason for exploring such places to is know the lives of our ancestors and what they did etc.

Hawa Mahal

So go inside, walk all the way up and see how they lived in those golden days.

Gaitore

These are the resting places / cremation grounds of the royal families. The Kings and the Queens have separate ones so don’t miss to visit both. Each of the Kings and Queens have a Cenotaph built for them in their memory.

Queen’s

The Queen's resting place

King’s

City Palace

The city palace visit

In my opinion, this is one place that you can skip if you are feeling too bored visiting huge forts and palaces. There is one beautifully decorated hall and other than that, this palace does not offer anything great. The one thing that caught my eye was the photograph exhibition.

The City Palace in Jaipur

Story is that the Jaipur kings were one among the few who photographed events, occasions, people etc. To see those photographs today was pretty interesting. And don’t miss the pigeon parade.

Jantar Mantar (use a guide)

Jantar Mantar

The reason why I say people were way more creative those days are places like these. How they were accurate about time, weather, stars prediction etc will leave you spell bound. Science buffs, this place is for you and other people like me who don’t understand tangents, quadrants, hemispheres etc in scientific terms, this place will still leave you speechless.

Galtaji Temple

Galtaji Temple in Jaipur

You would have never seen so many monkeys in one place, happily lazing around. Galtaji is a Hindu Temple nestled beautifully among the hills with pavilions making it look like a small palace than a temple. There are two ways to reach here, one is a long walk all the way up or take the auto/car/bike to the top and visit the temple.

Gaitore Temple in Jaipur

This is not maintained well, so please do not expect anything great, Nonetheless, I am glad I visited it.

There are so many other places that you can visit other than these. Sisodiya Rani Bagh which is on the way to Galtaji Temple,  Birla Mandir, Wax Museum, Vidhyadhar Park etc.

A small drive out of Jaipur can lead you to one of the oldest stepwells in the country – Chand Baori.

Don’t miss the peacocks and peahens that can be causally spotted around the city other than monkeys. Found a gem in Jaipur? Please do let us know in the comments section.

 


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3 thoughts on “Your Guide To Jaipur, A Land Which Defines History”

  1. Superb article. You have covered almost all places of tourist interest. Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum adjoining the City Palace is a must see for any tourist. You get to know of the royals, their belongings, cannons, heritage cars, the gigantic vessels used to carry water when the king went on a voyage to England, etc, etc,

    Reply
    • Hi George. Yes we did see that as it was right in the entrance. Thanks so much for your kind words. I love Jaipur and can’t wait to go back and spend more time here.

      Reply

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