Top Sightseeing Places In Jaipur, Rajasthan

Jaipur – the pink city, the capital city, the royal city or the heritage city. Just like the names define it, Jaipur has many sides to it. Each name holds a different face, culture or community for the city.

The development of the city goes back to 1727 when the King of Amber, Jai Singh II shifted from Amber to the city because of its growing population and then established Jaipur. Being the very first planned city of India and the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur has its own privileges from being traveler’s itinerary to being a peculiar mixture of modern and ancient culture.

Now turning into one of the metropolis, Jaipur has an eccentric fusion of rural and urban natives. The city has it all, from ancient forts to modernized buildings, from bustling streets to tranquil towns, from fast-paced life to ease up on living, from use of no technology to ‘say hello’ to the latest inventions.

The origin of the name Pink city for Jaipur date back to 1876, when Prince of Wales came to visit India for a tour. As the pink color symbolizes hospitality, the king of Jaipur, Ram Singh painted the whole city pink. Since then the pink that colors the city have became a sight to behold and turned into a identity for Jaipur.

Jaipur is known to be the royal city because of the monarch or sovereign who had been reigning in Jaipur since 1574 till now. The current head of the erstwhile Jaipur state is Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh.

The forts and old temples – likes Nahargarh Fort, Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Garh Ganesh Temple – that backdrop our city are one of the means that give a sense of reality and existence to the city’s royal history.

Top 8 Sightseeing Places In Jaipur

 

1. Kanak Ghati/ Vrindavan:

Situated at the bay of Nahargarh hills and surrounded by Aravali hills, Kanak Ghati/Vrindavan are the most liked and enjoyable picnic spot for tourists as its on the way to Amber Fort. Kanak Ghati is famous for its Radha-Krishna temple which was the first house to the idol ‘Govindevji’ but now the idol is shifted to the temple now called as Govindevji temple, near City Palace. Kanak Vrindavan is the garden at the backside of Kanak Ghati, which is a perfect resemblance of Vrindavan – a place where Lord Krishna enjoyed the Maharaas with Gopis.
The Kanak Vrindavan Valley was built for entertainment and recreation of Maharani and the Maharaja. According to what some people said, Maharaja had planned for an Ashvamedha Yagna and wanted to collect waters from sacred river here.
Because of its beauty and fascinated attraction, it is a famous shooting spot too for movies with many Bollywood songs and movies filmed here.

2. Nahargarh/ Jaigarh:

There’s nothing more magnificent than seeing a sunset at Nahargarh Fort with a perfect full view city lights in front of your eyes. Nahargarh means residence of tigers, the fort is located at the ridge of Aravali hills, being a backdrop to the city.

It was built as a barrier to defend Jaipur against attacking enemies. The palace has 12 chamber for queens and at the head of it is a suite for the king. All rooms connected by with corridors. The fort has a Madhavendra Bhawan, which is the summer destination for the members of royal family. Even the natives of Jaipur city love this place for a picnic spot or for a fun outing.

Jaigarh is another fort and can be visit on the way to Nahargarh as they are on same route and very close to each other. Despite its ancient construction, it still retains most of its imposing citadel appearance. Visitors can see the world’s largest cannon – Jaiban at the fort.

3. Amber Fort:

Now a part among other wonderful heritage sites, Amber (pronounced Amer) fort is the prime tourist spot or attraction that even the natives love to visit. From elephant rides, to a breathtaking site of Maota lake in front.

It consists of the Diwan-e-Aam, or “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-e-Khas, or “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace.

A lit bit far from Amber fort is Dera elephant, an elephant camp where you can feed, play, and enjoy many other activites with elephants. It’s a relaxing between the lap of nature with its inhibits (elephants), place for tourists and visitors to enjoy and fun time.

4. Panna Meena Ka Kund:

An unknown spot for most of the tourists, behind and at the bottom of the very well known Amber fort, is this unbelievable symmetric step well. It was originally constructed to collect water for the people of Amer city, Jaipur and then was used for temples.

Its main attraction is the adjourning symmetric stair on all four sides of the wall and a room on the northern wall. It is not one of the largest step wells in Rajasthan but is worth watching for Jaipur, that’s why many visitors come here for a nice shot.

5. City palace:

Located at the heart of walled city, near Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar, is the beautifully architected City Palace, built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The palace is still a residence for the last ruling royal family. They live in the private section of the palace.

The palace can be visited by tourists and visitors except the private quarters of the royal family. Though there are extra charges if you want to visit the private quarters but photography is not allowed. The City Palace Complex includes the Mubarak Mahal (the palace of reception) and the Maharani’s Palace (the palace of the queen).

An attractive mixture of Mughal and Rajput architecture. Mubarak Mahal is now a museum showcasing vast and unique collection royal costumes and dresses like Pashmina shawl, Sanganeri prints and Benaras silk.

Next to it attached is the famous Govindevji temple, a part of private quarters of city palace can be seen from the temple, as door separates the palace from main temple. The deity, worshipped by the erstwhile royal family, is also revered by the locals in the area.

6. Jantar mantar:

One of the five largest astronomical observatories, now a UNESCO world heritage site. Jantar Mantar comprises of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It is located at the exit of the City Palace and near Govindevji temple.

The best experience of this heritage site can be enjoyed by a light and sound show at night. It contains sixteen geometric devices, designed to measure time, track celestial bodies and observe the orbits of the planets around the sun. For the tourists and visitors, there is a interpretation unit centre to help them understand the principles and chronology of the observatory.

7. Hawa Mahal:

The palace of winds was built by the grandson, Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, found of the Jaipur city. Red and pink stone architecture and latticed windows exterior – resembles the crown of Lord Krishna – attracts the tourists the most.

The exterior of windows can been seen from outside of the Mahal as it stands along the road towards the way to City palace and Govindevji temple. Nowadays, the Mahal is handled by the Archaeological Department of the Government of Rajasthan and also have an archaeological museum in the courtyard.

The top of the latticed windows give a wonderful view and also these windows were used by the ladies of the royal household to observe the outside everyday life without being noticed and seen through. The Mahal is surrounded by markets too for all varieties of traditional and Jaipur specialties items – like Jaipuriya rajai, embroidered umbrellas, etc. Janta market, Ram Ganj market, Pandey market are some of the famous market among locals.

8. Jal Mahal :

One of the magnificent and fascinating attractions of Jaipur is Jal Mahal or the Lake Palace, surrounded by greenery and hills. The palace is situated in middle of Man Sagar Lake and appears to be floating. The sand color exteriors and textures of the Palace make a striking contrast with the deep blueness of the Lake.

In early days, people could boat in the lake and have a wonderful view of the interiors of the Palace but now due to safety and cleanness purposes the activities are stopped. Tourist can now enjoy the view by strolling around the sidewalk at the coastline of lake, having the Lake palace as a front view.