Jaipur

Traveler’s Facts

About Jaipur: Also know as “Pink City”. The capital and largest city of Rajasthan.
Famous for: Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, Teej Festival, Handicrafts, Jewelry and Gems.
Should I Visit: Yes, if you are interested in Indian architecture, Historical Sites, Textiles and Handicrafts.
Location: North-Eastern part of Rajasthan and about 258kms from Delhi
Built by: Raja Sawai Jai Singh II
Built in: 1727

About Jaipur

Capital city of Rajasthan also known as “Pink City” is about 258 km from Delhi, and your starting point for Rajasthan. Founded by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727 is famous for Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, city palace & Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh. Also for the textile block prints, semi precious jewelry, handicraft items and Raj Mandhir (Movie theater). Jaipur was colored pink to create an impression of red sandstone buildings of Mughal cities of that time. Jaipur city offers great opportunities for shopping. Bazaars chock a block with all kinds of goods from exquisite jewellery to dainty Jootis (traditional leather slip-on shoes, decorated with colorful embroidery). Jaipur is surrounded by the Aravali hills.

Amber Fort of Jaipur

History

Jaipur, the pink city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, a Kachhwaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744. Initially his capital was Amber, which lies at a distance of 11kms from Jaipur. He felt the need of shifting his capital city with the increase in population and growing scarcity of water. Jaipur is the first planned city of India and the King took great interest while designing this city of victory. He consulted several books on architecture and architects before making the lay out of Jaipur.

The Majestic City Palace of Jaipur

Tourist Places

Amber Fort
City Palace
Hawa Mahal
Jantar Mantar

Getting Around

In the city you can travel by un-metered auto-rickshaws, buses, cycle-rickshaws or you can also use car cabs and car-taxi. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation operates regular bus service for local city tour.

Fairs and Festivals

Elephant Festival
Gangaur Festival
Teej Festival
Kite Festival

Shopping

Jaipur shopping is great fun and a matter of delight. There are a number of good markets in Jaipur that flocks with ethnic handicrafts with beaded works and mirrors on it, potteries, local jewelry and textile materials. Also the markets overflow with colorful carpets and kota doria mats.

The most attractive work that one won’t be able to avoid while shopping in Jaipur is the Bagru prints and the Bandhni textiles. The well-known Jaipur shopping markets are Jauhari Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar, MI Road, Tripolia Bazaar and Chaura Rasta.

Jauhari bazaar glitters with jeweleries embedded with precious stones and gems. Infact one can also get ethnic saris and dress materials from this shopping market. Bapu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar is ideal for shopping special shoes made out of camel skin. Others include textiles, local scents and perfumes besides bags and belts. MI Road market provides you with ethnic kundan jeweleries, earthen potteries, brass made articles and other kinds of excellent wood made items. If you are looking for beautiful and cheap ornaments like colorful bangles, then step into the Tripolia Bazaar and Chaura Rasta market place.

Some of the shops that is ideal for shopping in Jaipur are Rajasthan government emporium named Rajasthali, Handloom House etc.

How to reach

By Air:
Jaipur is well connected to all the major cities, which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. Recently, a flight to Dubai has also started from Jaipur by Indian Airlines.

By Rail:
Jaipur is on the Broad Gauge and hence connected to all the metro cities of India. There are daily trains from Delhi in morning (Shatabdhi Exp) and evening (Intercity Exp).

By Road:
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe and air-conditioned buses from Delhi (Bikaner House, Nr. India Gate) to Jaipur. The roads are very good, and it takes around 5-6 hrs from Delhi. You can also come by taxi.