Home ::
Jaipur
Tourism :: Places to Visit in Jaipur
Places to Visit in Jaipur
The
City Palace
In the heart of the old city is the former royal residence
built in a blend of the Rajasthani And Mughal styles , The Carved arches are supported
by grey -white marble columns ornate with floral motifs in gold and colored stones
. Two carved elephants in marble guard the entrance . The retainers whose families
have served generations of rulers serve as guides . the Palaces houses a museum
with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs
including swords of different shapes and sizes with chased handles , some of them
inlaid with enamel and embellished with jewels and encased in magnificent scabbards
.
The palace also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of
miniature paintings , carpets , royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works
in Arabic , Persian , Latin and Sanskrit , acquired by Sawai Jai Singh –
II to study astronomy in detail .
Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh or the Tiger fort is the first of the three forts built by the kings
of Jaipur. Built mainly in 1734 by Jai Singh II, it lies 6 km north west of city
Palace and provides some stunning views of Jaipur down below to the Man Sagar
Lake. The imposing fort harbors many legends and three kings have added their
stamp at different times to the structures within the fort. In the midst of this
lake, is a palatial duck blind, which was used for shooting parties by the erstwhile
royal family. A royal retreat for the Maharanis, it was also used as a personal
treasury for many years.
Amber
Fort
The Amber Fort in Rajasthan contructed in 1592 by Raja Man Singh,
is one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Perched high on a barren
ridge, it commands extensive views over a deep narrow valley and the wider plains
beyond. The building was finally completed in the early18th century when the threat
of Mughal domination was receding. Amber was once, the capital of the Mina tribes,
believed to be the original inhabitants of this region. Located up on the hills
that surround Jaipur, the fort, sprawled along the Maotha Lake, boasts of a massive
complex gateways, courts, stairways and pillared pavilions, and palaces that recall
the glory and wealth, of Amber's association with the Mughals. This complex was
built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh, over a period
of about two centuries.
Jantar Mantar Jantar Mantar
is the most famous and elaborate observatory of its time. It was constructed in
the year 1724 A.D. by Sawai Jai Singh II, even before the city of Jaipur was built,
and has been described as the most surrealistic and logical landscape instone.
It was built to measure the local time, the sun's declination, altitude, the declination
of stars, planets and to determine eclipses .
Across the road from the
palaces is the famous Jantar Mantar one of the five observatories in India Built
by Sawai Jai Singh, this is one of the largest and the best preserved. A passionate
hobby of the king in the field of Astronomy, numerology, insighted him to execute
this observatory and with the help of skilled labourers, they managed to create
a collection of complex astronomical instruments chiselled out of stone and most
of which continues to provide accurate information to this day.
Festivals of Jaipur
The
Gangaur Festival
Held in honour of Goddess Parvati, this festival
is held a few days after Holi, and is celebrated in Jaipur on a grand scale.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 Gaur, which stands
for Gauri or Parvati who symbolises '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 the welfare,
health and long life of their spouses and a happy married and long life of their
life.
The Elephants Festival Also held at the time
of Holi in the month of Mar-Aprail. Elephants are taken in procession at this
time.
The Teej Festival A major event in Jaipur during
the month of July/Aug. This festival is celebrated for Parvati the beginning of
the monsoon.
