Places of Interest - India

"Jaipur"




introduction


Jaipur, the city of victory, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. The chaotic city is a major tourist attraction with its fort on the hill, busy bazaars and famous palaces. Jaipur is known as the pink city because of the many pink colored buildings that can be found there in the centre. Founded in the 18th century, the city is regarded as the gateway to the state of Rajasthan and can seem overwhelming. In March, the "Holi" day, the grand "Elephant Festival" is organized here at the Chaughan stadium.


highlights


The historic city center

The entire pink-colored inner city is encircled with a high thick old city wall. This includes three important gates; the "Chandpol", the "Ajmer" and the "Sanganeri" gate which have all been renovated. There are a number of bazaars within the walls. A number of indispensable sights are present in the walled city;

 

 "Hawa Mahal":

Jaipur's most eye-catching city symbol "Hawa Mahal" is also sometimes called the "Palace of Winds". This pink sandstone five-storey building was built in 1799 by Maharaja "Sawai Pratap Singh". It is a narrow building, which consists of many small windows at the front. These windows provided a cool wind for the women of the Maharaja. This palace was built to give the women the opportunity to look at the streets and processions without being seen (the purdah system) themselves.

"Iswari Minar Swarga Sal"

Near the "Tripolia" gate you will find the "minaret" of “Iswari Minar Swarga Sal” pointing out in the sky. This was built by the son of "Jai Singh's" son who preferred to choose death rather than waiting for the advancing armies of the "Maratha". You can climb the top of the minaret and enjoy the beautiful views of the old city. 

 

Jantar Mantar:

The “Janta Mantar” suppose the be the largest stone observatory in the world. It was founded by Sawai Jai Singh, and is one of five observatories in India. Sawai Jai Singh was very interested in science and technology, especially in astronomy. The observatory is located near the entrance of the City Palace. There are 18 instruments, most of which are still working. You can get an interesting tour here. 

 

City Palace:

The Royal Palace is a large complex with buildings, courtyards and gardens. The outer walls were once built by "Jai Singh" although the rest is more recent, some even of the 20th century. It is built in a mix of "Rajasthani" and "Mogol" architecture and has two entrances. It consists of the "Mubarak Mahal", the welcome palace which is a reception area for visitors. Other attractions are the "Maharaja Sawai Mansingh" museum (including many “Royal” costumes), the weapons-museum and "Diwan-i-Am". Behind the large courtyard is the seven storey floor "Chandra Mahal" where the Maharaja lived - unfortunately it is not open to the public. 

 

Other attractions:

The "Central" Museum, the "Nahargarh" (the tiger fort), the Royal "Gaitor" (tombs of ao Maharaja "Jai Singh II"), "Galta" (the Temple of God or monkey) and the "Laxmi Naryan" temple ( Birla Mandir) which is one of the most beautiful temples in Jaipur.  

 

At about 15 km from the center is the "Jaigarh" fort (in the fortress is the world's largest cannon on wheels).



history


The city was founded in 1727 by maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), to whom Jaipur owes his name. Jai Singh II was maharaja over the eponymous kingdom of Jaipur (in various periods also called Dhundhar, Kachwaha or Amber). He moved his court from neighboring Amber, which is located 11 kilometers from Jaipur. Jaipur was to serve as a new, more prestigious capital, because the hill town of Amber could no longer accommodate the growing population. The Maharaja consulted various books and engaged the Bengali city planner Vidyadhar Bhattacharya to build the city. As a result, the inner city has a tight street pattern with relatively wide traffic routes. Bhattacharya also helped Maharaja Jai Singh II in the construction of the royal palace in the center of the city, and the nowadays world-famous observatory (the Jantar Mantar). In the middle of the 19th century the inner city had become too small for the growing population. Under Maharaja Ram Singh II, the construction of districts outside the city wall was started. On the occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876 the city was painted pink, traditionally the color of hospitality among the Rajputs. The Albert Hall in the new city was built on the occasion of the same visit.



tips & advice (2004)


The Jaipur airport is located 12 km south of the center. Centrally located, just south-west of the old center is the train station. The train reservation office is also present here. If you need tickets for the same day, you better walk to the counter at the train station. More than a kilometer north of the train station is the bus station of Jaipur. There is also a

reservation office here.

 

Jaipur - Ranthambore NP: several trains a day go to the "Ranthambore NP". There is certainly a train at 10:45 that arrives in Sawai Madhopur at 13:30.


  • Name: "Karni Niwas"

Address: C5 Motilal Atal Marg

Price: 200Rs (single)

Phone nr. : 2365433

Email: karniniwas@hotmail.com

 

Content:

This friendly hostel is located behind the "Neelam" hotel and is perhaps the nicest, best hostel in this price range. The terraces are full of flowers and plants and you can bargain here if it is not too/so busy. It is perfectly centrally located between the train station and the old walled city.

 

TIP:

You can also sleep in the train station if you really have to leave very early (or late).



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