Wonderful architecture Indian monuments 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-April. 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.