Located in northwest India, Rajasthan borders Punjab in the north, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in the northeast, Madhya Pradesh in the east andGujarat in the south. On the western side it shares a long stretch of border with the neighboring country Pakistan. Situated on the Thar Desert, Rajasthan protects the western border of the country standing as the sentinel who never tires. The art of Rajasthan ensures that people visit the desert.
Rajasthan is diagonally divided into the hilly and rugged southeastern region and the barren Thar Desert, which extends across the border into Pakistan. Within these divisions however, it is a storehouse of varied physical feature or topographical diversity. The arid Thar also boasts of Mount Abu the only hill station in the state famous for its flora and fauna. While the Aravali hills provide the much-needed relief to this arid land, the wide spread sand dunes of the desert and arid region make it one of the toughest terrains in the world. Jodhpur (the second biggest city of the state) is the edge of the dry and shifting desert land from where on the not so arid but cultivable land starts. It is a store house of the art of Rajasthan. Moreover, the rocky range of Amber, hilly range of Mewar, river basin of Bharatpur and fertile Aravali range gives the topography of the state a unique look.
Popular Tourist Attractions in Jaipur
Amer Fort : Located in Amer town, at a distance of 11 km. from Jaipur, the ‘Amer Fort’ is one of the most impressive forts of Rajasthan and is visited by an umpteen number of tourists every year. Overlooking the beautiful Maota Lake, the fort is a masterpiece of the Rajputana architecture. Built by Raja Man Singh I in 16th century, the fort is a brilliant specimen boasting of a unique blend of Hindu and Rajput elements. Be it the ornamented pillars and delicate mosaic work of the ‘Diwaan-e-Khaas’, splendid ivory and sandalwood work of the ‘Sukh Niwas’, elegant frescoes and fascinating latticed work of the ‘Ganesh Pol’ or a spell binding work of glass in the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ – Amer Fort is incomparable as far as the artistic skills of the artisans and designers of the Rajput era are concerned. Besides the artistic brilliance, the fort also offers you breath-taking views of the surrounding hills and cities. Many famous Bollywood movies such as ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, ‘Jodha Akbar’ and ‘Veer’ have been shot at this enchanting fort. A tourist guide is a must to get an in-depth knowledge of the fort’s minutest details. A visit to the ‘Amer Fort’ is incomplete without an elephant ride that is a unique experience in itself. Make sure to reach the fort early in the morning as the rides are available only in mornings to protect these creatures from harsh sun during the noon time.
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.
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.
Jantar Mantar Observatory :
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.
Albert Hall Museum :
Acclaimed to be the oldest museum of Rajasthan, the ‘Albert Hall Museum’ is located inside the ‘Ram Niwas Garden’ and was opened to public in the year 1887. Foundation stone of the museum was laid in 1876 by the then Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, after whom the museum is named. Beautifully carved arches and domes of the museum constructed with pink sandstone can be noticed from even a far-off distance. A rare collection of ancient artefacts including paintings, weapons, metal and wood craft items, musical instruments, carpets, and costumes and jewellery belonging to different tribes of Rajasthan, can be seen in the museum. What interests more to visitors are the sections exhibiting Rajasthan’s unique henna artwork and puppet collection. The museum is a ‘must-visit’ place in Jaipur for explorers, historians and researchers studying art and culture of Rajasthan.
Jal Mahal :
Also known as the ‘Water Palace’, ‘Jal Mahal’ is situated right in the heart of the ‘Man Sagar Lake’, flanked by the majestic Nahargarh Hills. Unique location and charming beauty of the palace makes it one of the best photographic sites in Jaipur. Originally, believed to be built by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh some 300 years back, as a lodge for his duck hunting parties, the palace was renovated by his son later on to beautify its exteriors with courtyards and gardens built in typical Mughal style. Tourists can book boat rides to visit the palace; only the terrace garden is allowed to be accessed by the visitors. Stunning views of the hills adorned with forts and temples from the terrace of the palace leaves you mesmerized for some time. If you have keen interest in bird watching, the palace gives you ample opportunities to spot flamingos and various other species of migratory birds. In the evenings, when the palace gets illuminated with thousands of flood lights reflecting on the waters of the lake, the sight really captivates your hearts and souls.
Jaigarh Fort :
Overlooking the ‘Amber Fort’ and ‘Maota Lake’, the ‘Jaigarh Fort’ stands tall atop the ‘Cheel Ka Teela’ hill in the Aravali range. Built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II as a shield to protect Amber Fort and Jaipur city from attack of invaders, the magnificent structure of the fort boasts of the opulence of the Rajput rulers. Owing to the fact that the fort never witnessed any defeat, it also came to be called as the ‘Fort of Victory’. It is interesting to note that the temples, water reservoirs, and residential complexes inside the fort are still intact and well-preserved. Spread across 3 km. in length and 1 km. in width, the fort was connected to the Amber Fort through secret passages and served as the place to store ammunitions and armoury required for the wars. World’s biggest cannon, the ‘Jaivana Cannon’ is still housed in the fort complex and many tourists flock to the fort to just have a glimpse of it. This fort is also believed to have served as a treasury to the Kachchwaha rulers and many controversies are related to the seizure of a huge treasure buried under the fort by the Rajasthan Government. One of the best sightseeing places in Jaipur, a visit to this grand fort cannot be missed during your family vacation in this historic city.
Nahargarh Fort :
Overlooking the city of Jaipur, ‘Nahargarh Fort’ is another imposing structure of Jaipur. The scenic Aravali hills serve as a perfect backdrop for this impressive fort. The famous ‘Masti ki Pathshala’ song from the Bollywood movie, ‘Rang De Basanti’, shot at a baori of this fort, has made this place even more popular amongst tourists. Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century, the Nahargarh Fort along with forts of Amer and Jaigarh, served as a strong defence to the Jaipur city in the past. Major attraction inside the fort is the ‘Madhavendra Bhavan’ that speaks volumes of the Rajput taste for exquisite artwork and craftsmanship. The interiors of the bhavan are beautifully decorated with murals and European stucco designs. Interestingly, the bhavan was used by Raja Sawai Madho Singh as a summer retreat for him and his 9 wives. The temple dedicated to Nahar Singh Bhomia is another interesting site to visit inside the fort complex. Splendid vistas of the Jaipur city and a mystic charm of the sunset from the terrace of the Madhavendra Bhavan; makes this fort all the more an interesting place to visit in Jaipur. The skyline above the fort revels in glory when the fort is floodlit in the night; you have to be there yourself to witness this magical scene with your own eyes.
Elefantastic :
A trip to Jaipur is incomplete without taking an elephant ride. ‘Elefantastic’, situated in the Amber town, is an interesting elephant farm where you can get quite close to these mighty creatures. Run by a small family who have been into the elephant riding business since the 16th century, the elephant farm today serves as a great contributor to the wellbeing of the Indian elephants. Besides just getting the elephant rides, you can indulge in a plethora of fun activities with these trained animals. Take a ride on the back of the elephants and go for a jungle tour, indulge into a shower play with these animals, feed them with their favourite food or even paint and decorate them with natural colours; every experience is going to be fun-filling and enriching at Elefantastic. After having all the fun, relish on the lovely home-cooked Rajasthani meal at the farm.
Chand Baori :
Located at a distance of 95 km. from Jaipur, ‘Chand Baori’ is a beautiful stepwell built opposite the ‘Harshat Mata Temple’ in the Abhaneri village. Stepwells are an indigenous concept of India that was invented to fight the scarcity of water during drought seasons. Considered to be one of India’s deepest stepwells, ‘Chand Baori’ also served the same purpose of supplying water to the villagers during the dry seasons of the year. Built between 8th and 9th centuries, ’Chand Baori’ is one of the most beautiful baoris in Rajasthan with 3500 intricately carved steps arranged in a perfect geometrical symmetry. It is also one of the amazing places for photography in and around Jaipur. Often skipped on the conventional tourist map of Jaipur, this attraction is one of the rare gems of Rajasthan. If time permits, a short visit to the ‘Chand Baori’ is a must during your stay in Jaipur.
Fairs and Festivals in Jaipur
Gangaur Festival : The Gangaur festival is the most important local festival of Rajasthan and is observed throughout the state with great fervour and devotion by womenfolk who worship Gauri, the consort of lord Shiva. Gan is a synonym for Shiva and Gauri which stands for Gauri or Parvati who symbolizes saubhagya (Marital Bliss). Gauri is the embodiment of perfection and conjugal love which is why the unmarried women worship her for being blessed with good husbands, while married women do so for welfare, health and long life of their spouses and a happy married life.
Elephant Festival : The elephant festival gets underway in the month of Phalgun (March) on the eve of Holi, the festival of colours. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels, horses and folk dancers.
By Air
Jaipur has its own airport, and is well connected to all other tourist and business centres.
By Rail
The city is well connected by trains with all the major places in India.
By Road
An excellent connection to Delhi by Shatabdi Express and the Pink City Express. Other connections to Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahemadabad, Secunderabad and Lucknow. Road A network of reasonably comfortable tourist buses, run by road corporations of Rajasthan, Haryana and others.
Best Time to Visit Jaipur
Winters (November - March) is the best time to visit Jaipur and other parts of Rajasthan. Summers are extremely hot, and sightseeing isn't a very joyful experience. Monsoons, on the other hand, are quite hot and humid which isn't an ideal time to visit too. January is an excellent time to visit Jaipur because of the Kite Festival and also the Jaipur Literature Festival that's held around this time. Sometime in the month of March, Jaipur witnesses the Elephant festival, just a day before Holi. Apart from these, there's Diwali, Teej, Ganesh Chaturthi, and the Gangaur Festivals celebrated with extreme zeal and vigour.
Jaipur in Winter (October - March)
Winter Season (October - March) is the best time to visit the city as this is the one season in town which does not directly relate to the tremendous amount of heat waves. The temperature during this comparatively pleasant time ranges anywhere from 8 degree celcius during the cooler nights to 32 degree celcius in the day. The cold evening temperatures may even dip to a startling 5 degree celcius so make sure to carry warm clothing. However, since Winters are a preferred time to visit Jaipur, the city maybe be extremely crowded with tourists flocking from different parts of the country. Apart from this, Jaipur is fully fledged during winters, as the city witnesses a range of festivals and events that one must catch if it aligns with their interests. The kite flying festival in January, is one such festival that Jaipur locals take immense pride in hosting. The Jaipur Literature festival also brings in a diverse range of artists to the city.
Tips For Visiting Rajasthan
For travel to any destination, there are certain precautions that one needs to take before starting the exciting journey. There are certain tips that the travelers should follow while traveling to Rajasthan which include:
Check the itinerary: Every trip has an itinerary which the tourists follow during the travel. By checking the itinerary, you will get an idea about the duration of stay. This will help to pack enough clothes for the stay. Rajasthan is hot during the day and temperatures drop down in the night. So, take the suitable types of clothes.
Weather updates: Before packing for the trip it is better to check the weather forecast for the stipulated time duration. This will help during the travel and for selecting the types of clothes. If the climate is hot during the stay, then visitors should select the light-colored clothes. Also, if the trip is during the winter season carry winter wears.
Make a checklist: Make a list of all the things that you need during the trip. It helps to check it while packing the luggage and this way you do not miss out any of the necessary things. Strike off the item from the list once included in the luggage. Do not forget to pack important documents like identity proof, hotel and travel reservation documents, etc. in the checklist.
Pack only necessary things: It is important to take only the things that are really needed during the trip. Carry an extra set of clothes but avoid overpacking with unnecessary things.
Save some packing space: A trip to Rajasthan is incomplete without shopping. Every person who visits this beautiful land does some shopping. There’s a lot to shop from the Rajasthani markets which include clothes, artifacts or souvenirs. Anything that you purchase will be a part of the luggage. If you are traveling by air route, the luggage limit can be a problem. Hence, it is better to save some space while packing for accommodating the shopping items on the return journey.
Cash: As Rajasthan is a part of the golden triangle, many shops here accept the card for the payment purpose. But it is also necessary to carry some cash during the travel. Some small shops or exhibitions may not have the facility for card payment. At such places, the cash may become useful. Take precaution while handling cash. Do not keep all the money at single place. This will help to ensure that some money is safe even in case of theft or robbery.
Accommodation: Rajasthan is a major tourist center, it has many hotels and lodges to accommodate many crowds. But it will be better to do the prior booking. This will help to select the hotel as well as the type of room as per your needs and wish. The advance booking also helps to get the rooms at an economic rate as the last-minute bookings become more expensive.
Separate packing: Keep the toiletries and makeup material separately. If you are on medication, then pack of medicines and keep them handy so that the medication box is easily accessible in case of emergency. If you are on specific medication, carry those in sufficient amount. Being a tourist place, you will find a chemist shop but not necessarily all the medicines are available. Thus, it is necessary to carry all the important medicines along with the proper prescription.
First-Aid box: The first-aid comes handy if anyone gets hurt during the trip. Due to the change in the climate, you may suffer from cold or dehydration. The box should contain the disinfectant, bandages and common medicines for a cough, cold, etc.
Safety and Precautions: Rajasthan has hot and dry climate and thus, it is necessary that the visitors should carry proper protective gears like a cap, goggles, scarf, jacket, etc. Wear sunscreen lotion to protect them from the scorching heat.