Jaipur, India Hotels and City Guide

Jaipur - Attractions

Jaipur Attractions

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, is a tourist's paradise. Initiated nearly 300 years ago, the city was designed, conforming to traditional architecture, by a famous Bengal architect. Renowned as the Pink City for its distinctly coloured buildings, Jaipur, over the years, has lured many tourists and locals alike, to witness its grandeur.

Located about 258 kilometres from Delhi, the capital of India, Jaipur, along with Delhi and Agra, forms the well-known Golden Triangle tourist circuit. The city's magnificent monuments, impressive infrastructure and colourful shops are complemented by some of the best hotels in India.

Today, the city unfolds a proud story of the rich architecture and the cultural heritage of Rajasthan and Mughal Empire. Apart from the fascinating buildings, Jaipur is also home to beautiful works of art, handcrafted items, which are perfect for souvenirs, and semi-precious gems. Those who visit during the festive season can also witness some of the colourful carnivals of Jaipur.

Hawa Mahal
One of the most visited tourist attractions of Jaipur, Hawa Mahal, is a monumental landmark of the city. Constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, Hawa Mahal is a five storey construction, in the shape of a pyramid. Its small windows and screened balconies have led to the belief that the palace served as a private viewpoint, where the royal ladies watched the streets and proceedings below. The Hawa Mahal is a classic example of the Rajputana architecture, complimented by the influence of Mughal style of architecture.

Jantar Mantar
Built in 1718 by Sawai Jai Singh, Jantar Mantar is the most famous of the five observatories built by the king. Located near the gate of the famous City Palace, this stone and marble structure stands as a proud reminder of the wisdom of the ancestors, and their thirst for knowledge of the universe. The observatory also features the Jaiprakash Yantra, Samrat Yantra, Ram Yantra and the Composite instrument, which comprises of a sundial and a huge hemisphere.

Amber Fort
Located 11 kilometres from Jaipur, Amber Fort was the former fort of the Kachhwaha clan of Amber. This majestic white marble and red sandstone construction reflects on the clear waters of the Maota Lake, located in front, and creates a magical ambience. The impressive exterior of the fort contrast with the pleasant and welcoming Hindu and Muslim interior. Beautiful paintings, elaborate carvings and the variety of miniature mirror work add to the opulence of this not-to-be-missed attraction.

Central Museum – Jaipur
The Government Central Museum or the Albert Museum is located in the Ramnivas Gardens and it is the oldest museum in Jaipur. It houses an extensive collection of portraits of the Jaipur Maharajas, an assortment of jewellery, sculpture, handcrafted objects of brass and wood, and paintings from the Udaipur, Jaipur, Bundi, Kota and Kishangarh schools of art.

Jaigarh Fort – Jaipur
The magnificent Jaigarh Fort, also known as the Victory Fort, is located 15 kilometres from the city of Jaipur. Built for the defence of Amer, the fort is simple in design and consists of all the features of a fortress. From the steep road leading to the main gate, Dungar Darwaza, the Jaigarh Fort offers spectacular views of the city

City Palace – Jaipur
Yet another commonly visited tourist attraction in Jaipur is the City Palace. Built by Kachchwah Rajput rulers of Jaipur, the palace is a paragon of Mughal and Rajput architecture. The City Palace complex is home to several smaller palaces, such as the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal and Badal Mahal and the renowned Shri Govind Temple.

Kanak Valley
The picturesque Kanak Valley, formed by the Aravalli ranges, stretches from Amber town to Jaipur. Further down the valley, sightseers are treated to cascading waterfalls, creeks and lush foliage. Surrounded by this scenic landscape is the 300-year-old temple complex, which houses a shrine dedicated to Govind deoji and Natawarji, and the Kanak Bagh garden.

Nahargarh Fort
The Nahargarh Fort, also known as Tiger Fort, was built by Sawai Raja Jai Singh in 1734, to strengthen the defence of Amer. Additional construction on the fort was done by Sawai Ram Singh II and Sawai Madho Singh II in the 19th century. Although some of the older sections of the fort have deteriorated, the sections added later, make it a must-see attraction in Jaipur.

Hotels in Jaipur, India