| Jaipur
Jaipur
the capital city of the northern Indian state of Rajasthan is one
of the most vibrant and colourful cities of India. Famous for its
colourful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes the city basks in the
glory of a rich and eventful past. Jaipur is a planned city which
is made all the more attractive by the pink wash that most buildings
are periodically given. Besides, it remains the only city in the
world that symbolises the nine divisions of the universe, through
nine rectangular sectors. It is for these reasons that Jaipur has
been included on the popular tourist "Golden Triangle"
of Delhi-Jaipur-Agra.
Jaipur,
(City of Victory) was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II,
a Kachhwaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744. Being a brainchild
of the maharaja, he took special interest in the designing planning
and execution works of Jaipur. The city has been divided into nine
blocks of which two are kept for the City Palace Complex and other
state buildings, whereas the other seven blocks were earmarked for
the public. The city was encircled by the city wall, which opened
at seven gates or darwazas. In 1728 maharaja jai Singh II built
the remarkable observatory, which is still one of Jaipur's main
attractions.
The
old city of Jaipur has neat and broadly laid-out avenues; all painted
pink that gives a magical glow to the city, especially in the evenings.
Jaipur therefore is blessed with the opulence of cultural and architectural
beauty that surpasses most other regions of India. All of this can
be easily seen in the various sites of historical and aesthetic
significance that dot the city. Amongst the most striking monuments
in Jaipur, is the famous Hawa Mahal. As against the popular belief,
it is not really a palace. It is a sandstone screen from behind
which the ladies of the court could watch the proceedings on the
road below without being seen.
City
Palace In the heart of the city is situated the City Palace, a blend
of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The place is now a museum
except for one section where the erstwhile royal family still lives.
The city palace has an exclusive part devoted to the arms and ammunitions
used by the royal family in the past.
This
besides, Jaipur is home to the Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories
constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh, and the exclusive Central Museum.
Not
all the history books in the world can recreate the past as vividly
as a visit to the hilltop forts of Nahargarh, Jaigarh, and Amber.
For each of them embodies royal traditions of splendour and military
one-upmanship.
Nahargarh
Fort built by Jai Singh II in 1734, near Jaipur provides magnificent
view down to the Man Sagar Lake. In the midst of this lake is a
palatial duck blind, which was used for shooting parties by the
erstwhile royal family.
Named
after Jai Singh II, the Jaigarh Fort is perched on a cliff and is
surrounded by huge battlements with inside walkways offering stunning
views on all sides.
Amber
is the classic romantic Rajasthan fort-palace. Built in 1592 by
Man Singh its walls depict painted scenes of hunting with precious
stones and mirrors set into the plaster. In the foreground is the
Maota Lake with breathtaking reflections of the magnificent Amber
Fort-Palace.
Laxmi
Narayan Temple The other places of interest are Jaipur Museum, Albert
Museum, Birla Mandir Planetarium, Sisodia Rani Park, Lakshmi Narain
Temple, Kanak Vrindavan, the Raj Mahal Palace and Rambagh Palace
(now a Luxury hotel).
These
beside, there are quite a few important tourist destinations around
Jaipur which gives the tourist more than one reason to visit this
city. One such location is Gaitor. Located 15 km from Jaipur it
is the place where chhatris of Jaipur's rulers stand amidst reverential
silence. Twenty carved pillars support its elegant dome, which is
a dazzling structure in white marble.
At
a distance of 40 kilometres from Jaipur, is located Sanganer, a
place known for its textile block printing, papermaking and Jaipur
blue pottery, besides several temples and an old palace.
Tonk,
situated 100 kilometres from Jaipur, is an old town dating to the
middle of the 17th century. The new town, which resurrects a forgotten
era, is a colourful medley of painted mosques, mansions and colonial
buildings. The Sunehri Kothi (or Golden Mansion) is of special mention
because of its mirror work.
Other
important tourist places around Jaipur are Ramgarh, Abhaneri, Balaji,
and Karauli.
The
people of Jaipur like any other part of Rajasthan are known for
their colourful attires. Though the patches of modernity are clearly
visible in Jaipur, the city is still the commercial centre for most
rural regions of Rajasthan. The streets and market places of Jaipur
still witnesses scenes of turbaned Rajasthani men, moving around
with their women, who are dressed in swirling skirts and flashing
Meenakari (enamel) jewellery that bring to life all the colours
of the desert.
Shopping
in Jaipur Jaipur is also famous for semi-precious stones and the
best place to buy them is off Johari Bazaar. Miniatures, handicrafts,
clothes, jewellery of silver and lac are other items to be bought
in Jaipur.
The
cultural prosperity of Rajasthan is evident in its local festivals
some of which attract international attention. Jaipur also witnesses
some of these; the most important being the Elephant Festival gets
underway in the month of Phalgun (March) on the eve of Holi, the
festival of colours. It is famous for its procession of elephants,
camels, horses and folk dancers. The sight of mighty jumbos striding
majestically is a treat to watch.
Other
interesting events at the festival include, a polo match, the Elephant
race, the tug-of-war between an elephant and nineteen men.
Gangaur
festival is a unique festival held annually in honour of goddess
Gauri, few days after Holi Primarily a festival for women, married
women pray for their husbands and unmarried girls pray for getting
a good husband. Festive processions are taken out, women draw water
from wells, pick flowers, and chant hymns to the goddess Parvati.
Teej
is a major event in Jaipur. The festival is celebrated during the
months of July/August and dedicated to goddess Parvati. The festival
celebrates the beginning of the monsoon.
Being
the capital city of Rajasthan and an international tourist destination
Jaipur is well connected to major parts of India by road, rail and
air.
Jaipur
airport, also known as Sanganer Airport, is directly connected to
Delhi, Bombay, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ahmedabad. The Pink City Express,
Chetak Express and few other Jaipur-Delhi trains leave from the
Old Delhi Railway Station in Delhi. However, if one has money and
leisure, there is no better option than the Palace-on-Wheels, which
leaves Delhi every Saturday.
Besides,
Jaipur is well connected by road to various parts of India. Delhi-Jaipur
national highway is one of the finest roads in India. A normal journey
takes about five hours. There are also good bus services from Delhi
and other important north Indian cities to Jaipur.
Jaipur
therefore firmly holds its position on the world tourist map. A
status, which has been bestowed on it due to its vibrant lifestyle,
colourful people and a history that is full of stories, reflecting
the bravery of those who occupied this region in the past.
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