Travel! Capture! Compose!: Jaipur - A walk through the rich heritage

When we talk about rich history of India, the state of Rajasthan takes the prime place in the list. Ruled by many great Rajputana emperors over the period, the state is home to a priceless heritage. Tourism is one of the major sources of income for the state.

Entrance Arch

Jaipur is the largest City and capital of the state of Rajasthan. It is also known by the name “The Pink City” as majority of the buildings in the city are painted in pink color. It goes back to 1876, when the whole Jaipur city was painted pink by Maharaja Ram Singh to welcome the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria. The city is home to incredible blend of Rajputana and Mughal architectures. Around 280 kilometers from the National Capital New Delhi, Jaipur is a must visit place for all the travel enthusiasts.

Apart from the rich heritage, Jaipur also is home to some of the delicious food you will find in India. Right from dal bhati churma to ghevar you are going to love the mouth-watering cuisines cooked in nutritious desi ghee and butter.

After witnessing the magnificence of Kerala ( Kerala - A Nature's Masterclass ) , it is time to walk through the rich heritage of Jaipur in the north zone of incredible India .

City Palace:

Located in the heart of the pink city, City palace is one of the major attractions of Jaipur. It was built initially by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Amer and the later additions were made by successive rulers. The royal palace complex is a treat for architecture and art lovers. The complex has several palaces, gardens and temples. The most famous are Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Diwan-I-Khas, Maharani’s Palace and the City Palace Museum.

Diwan-I-Khas, the hall of private audience, as the name suggests was used by royal family gatherings. There are two huge sterling silver vessels. They hold the Guinness World Record as the world's largest sterling silver vessels.Mubarak Mahal is a museum with a an amazing collection of royal family costumes, block prints, embroidered shawls etc. Most of the Chandra Mahal is the residence of the descendants of the former rulers of Jaipur.

Jantar Mantar:

In this time of highly efficient instruments and tools, have you ever wondered how astronomical positions were observed way back in the 18th century? Jantar Mantar located near to the city palace is the collection of nineteen astronomical instruments which help to observe astronomical positions. It has world's largest sundial and is also a UNESCO heritage. You will definitely need a guide if you want to understand how these instruments work and are interpreted but it's definitely going to enrich your knowledge store 😊

Hawa Mahal:

Situated in the south of the pink city with a unique architecture, Hawa mahal (Palace of Wind) is surely going to catch your eyes.

Constructed in red and pink sandstone, the palace is as beautiful from inside as it appears from outside. You can find an artistic colored glass work in the windows which glorifies with the sunlight.

Do give a visit in the early morning to enjoy the amazing view of the palace lit with golden light of sunrise.

Albert Hall Museum:

Are you a lover of cultural and historical artifacts? Well Albert Hall Museum is the place to be then. It is the oldest museum in the state of Rajasthan and was constructed way back in 1876 as a concert hall. It is also known by the name "Government Central Museum". With stunning 19th century architecture and an amazing collection of artifacts right from the metal sculptures, carpets, weapons, stone, crystal work and many more, it's a must visit when you are in Jaipur.

Birla Mandir:

Birla Mandir in Jaipur is one of the many Birla Mandirs located across the country. Also known by the name Laxmi Narayan Mandir, is a one of the prime attractions of Jaipur. The temple was constructed by the Birla Group of industries, a business tycoon of India. Constructed with white marble, the temple has an amazing architecture. If you have had an tiring tour of city in the day, do spend some time here in the evening. The temple looks stunning when lit in the night.

Jal Mahal:

Surrounded by beautiful hills & located in middle of Man Sagar lake, Jal Mahal (Water Palace) is another jewel in the rich history of Rajasthan. The uniqueness of this palace is that four out of five stories are under water when the lake is full. There is a garden on the terrace as well. Palace is not open to the visitors though but surrounded by hills the view is mesmerizing. It is located on the Amer road and a must stop when you are going to visit Amer fort from Jaipur city.

Amer Fort:

If you are in Jaipur, you can't miss the magnificent Amer fort also known by the name Amber fort. Around 11 kilometers from the city of Jaipur, Amer fort is a blend of Rajputana and Mughal architecture. One can enjoy a jeep ride or an elephant ride here. The palace is constructed of red stone and has various segments similar to the city palace including Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of public audience), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of private audience), sheesh mahal, jai mandir and sukh niwas.

The ticket to enter the fort is very cheap & easily affordable. You can also hire a guide who can take you through the fort & the historical events related to the place. The beauty of the place is enhanced by the view of Maota lake from the top. There is a tunnel connecting Amer fort to Jaigarh fort which was built to protect the Amer fort & at the times of the war royal family made use of the tunnel to move to Jaigarh fort from Amer.

Rani Garden:

The royal garden built by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh for his queen Sisodia Rani is a collection of beautiful flora, fountains, flowerbeds, galleries and beautifully constructed structures. Around 6 kilometers from Jaipur city, it is easily approachable and a must visit to be away from the busy city life. You can enjoy the natural beauty and have a relaxing time here. You can also enjoy a photo shoot in the garden as photography is allowed for free.

Chokhi Dhani:

A must visit resort if you are in Jaipur. You will experience whole of Rajasthan at this place. The place is given the makeover of a village where you can enjoy the traditional Rajasthan dance ,fire acts and many other activities. And not to forget the delicious food and the amazing hospitality. Even if you are on a diet plan, you will struggle to resist the appetizing dal bhati churma along with delectable ghevar made in pure desi ghee.

Best Time to Visit & Transportation:

Best time to visit Jaipur is in the winters from October to March as the weather is pleasant. In summers it gets hot and dry. All the tourist places in Jaipur are connected & transportation is easily available making it very convenient for the tourists.

Well, history was never my favorite subject during my school days, but the trip to Jaipur has made me interested in it. Each architecture be it Amer fort, City palace, Hawa mahal, Jal mahal or Albert Hall Museum is unique in their own way and not just the repetition of each other. So if you haven't been to the Pink City, do plan a trip and witness an incredible blend of heritage and gracious hospitality.

As usual leaving you with few captures from the pink city: