Planning a trip to India’s Pink City? Here are the top places to visit in Jaipur if you want to get the most out of your holiday. This elegant town gained popularity among tourists thanks to its beautiful architecture, ancient forts, impressive palaces, rich arts and crafts vestiges and delicious food.
This lovely tourist attraction is the capital city of Rajasthan state, located just 280 km from the country’s capital, New Delhi. It is part of the world-renowned Golden Triangle tourist circuit along with New Delhi and Agra. Being such a popular attraction in India, it also serves as a gateway to other tourist destinations in the state of Rajasthan. You can easily get to Jodhpur, Udaipur or as far as Jaisalmer if you want to further broaden your horizons.
The foundation stone of the Pink City was laid by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1728. When planning Jaipur’s layout, Jai Singh consulted several architects before deciding to follow the principles of Shilpa Shastra and Vastu Shastra. The city’s main constructions only took four years to build.
The city’s nickname was gained During Sawai Ram Singh’s rule. The buildings were painted pink to welcome Edward II – the Prince of Wales and remained as such ever since.
Below, you will find the most famous places to visit in Jaipur. Charge your photo camera batteries because you will come back home to your family and friends with amazing pictures to show. Do take comfortable shoes and clothes with you, as you will wonder around for hours through the region’s best kept treasures.
1. Amber Fort and Palace
If there’s a place you should definitely not miss while in Jaipur, the Amber Fort and Palace is it. Set in the picture-perfect Aravalli Hills, the Amber Palace is a red beauty which mesmerizes the viewer through its grandeur.
Just a half an hour drive from Jaipur’s center, the entrance to the Fort is reached by walking, taking an elephant ride or going in a jeep.
At the Palace, do take a walk through the Palace of Mirror, one of the most captivating halls. It is covered in mirror tiles that make even the smallest ray illuminate the entire hall. Truly impressive.
2. Monkey Temple
If you’re a fan of the furry creatures, this temple is as – the name suggests – taken over by monkeys. They are accustomed to people and expect you to share food with them, so come prepared to make some offerings.
Also known as Galtaji Temple, it is an important pilgrimage site situated just 10 km from Jaipur. It was built in the 18th century using pink sandstone, and it has a very palace-look to it. Unfortunately, it is not well maintained, and you will encounter trash and pseudo holy priests who try to scam tourists for money. Still, not an attraction you’d want to skip.
3. City Palace
The City Palace is one of the landmark places to see in Jaipur. This massive complex inhabited by one of the richest families in India is just picture-perfect.
The Palace’s architecture is a combination of Rajput, European and Mughal styles. It features several palaces, temples, pavilions and gardens. The walls and gates are beautifully adorned with murals, mirrors and lattice in Mughal style. The Peacock Gate is an example of exquisite, detailed workmanship.
4. Hawa Mahal
Also known as the Palace of Winds or Palace of the Breeze, the construction is probably Jaipur’s trademark, and probably the most popular of all the places to visit in Jaipur. Its intricate façade makes it the most recognized building in the city. It features 953 small windows. These windows are called jharokas, and have been decorated with elaborate lattice that allows insiders to get a clear picture of the world outside, yet the outsiders cannot even catch a glimpse of what is inside the palace.
The cool breeze that persists through the halls and rooms all year round made it the favorite summer destination of the Rajputs. Today, it is opened to the public, and it became a favorite place to visit in the city.
5. Nahargarh Fort
For a panoramic view of the Pink City, Nahargarh Fort is the best place to visit. Located in Aravalli Hills, just as the Aber Fort and Palace complex, you can easily visit both of them in one day. The fort was built to tighten the security in the area and also served as a shelter for the wives of the Brits during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
The rooms in the fort are decorated with beautiful wall and ceiling paintings, but its reputation was gained by being the perfect spot to observe the city. Do come here at sunset or after dark to see Jaipur light up.
6. Jal Mahal
With a mix of Mughal and Rajput styles of architecture, this palace is located in the Man Sagar Lake. The unique thing about the building is the fact that it’s submerged. Although five-storey high, four stories are underwater when the lake is filled.
Because of its location, it can only be reached by boat. The area is home to rich flora and fauna. The serene scenery around it makes it one of the ideal places to visit around Jaipur. The sand-colored walls of the palace contrast the blue waters of the lake, making it perfect for photography enthusiasts.
7. Jantar Mantar Observatory
This impressive 18th-century astronomical observation site is one of the largest observatories ever built and it includes twenty main fixed instruments. They were built for observations of celestial bodies, and they work in the equatorial system, the horizon-zenith local system, and the ecliptic system.
The most outstanding of the instruments is the Samrat Yantra. The Supreme instrument consists of a massive 70 feet high masonry triangle with a base of 114 feet. On either side of the triangle there is a quadrant with graduations that indicate the time (hours, minutes, and seconds).
The instruments of Jantar Mantar Observatory attract astronomers, stargazing enthusiasts and architects from all parts of the world. But it is a popular attraction among tourist of all interests, so be sure not to miss this unique site as it is one of the best places to visit in Jaipur.
Leave a Reply