State : Rajasthan
Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the ' Pink City ' because of the pink-coloured buildings in its old city. It sits on a dry lake bed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by forts and crenellated walls. This buzzing metropolis is certainly a place of wild contrasts and a feast for the eyes. Jaipur has massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and marvellous gardens. All through, Jaipur has retained its strong Rajputana flavour tempered by several influences - the mughal being the most prominent. The region's strong cultural heritage is distinctly evident even today. The city is a visitor's delight. From the intricate, delicate looking Hawa Mahal to the graphic forms of the Jantar Mantar - an open air observatory of outsized astronomical instruments, the Badi Chaupar lined with shopsand business establishments on both sides to the majestic fort-palace at Amber; from the colorful fountains of life to the sublime Birla Temple; from the architectural delight of the City Palace to the serene Jal Mahal. The principal shopping centre in the old city is Johari Bazaar, The jewellers' market. Unlike most other shopping centres in narrow alleys in India and elsewhere in Asia, this one is broad and open. There are three main interconnecting roads in the new part of town - Mirza Ismail road (MI road), Station road and Sansar Chandra Marg.

HISTORY OF JAIPUR....
The royal city of Jaipur owes its name to the founder of the city. It was the great warrior king Sawai Jai Singh II (1693–1743) who laid the foundation of the city in 1627. He was one of the few kings of his time having a keen eye for details and a very good scientific temper. The city was well planned, structured, and had one of the best drinking water systems in the medieval world.

The truism that the old order changeth yielding place to the new is reflected in the modern-day city of Jaipur. Being capital to the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, the city is mirror to every thing that Rajasthan signifies, be its culture, tradition, society, and, most important, the people.


Place to See
Amber Fort
High on the rugged hills outside of town sits ancient forts, including Amer (often called the Amber Fort), where the Jaipur royal house held court for seven centuries. Visitors ridding painted elephants can ascend to the fort to see magnificent gateways, courtyards, pavalions, and a gliterring chamber of inlaid mirrors

Hawa Mahal
Jaipur's most famous landmark is the Palace of the Winds or Hawa Mahal, a fantasia of 1953 ornate of windows set in a rose-colored five storey facade. The palace , tier upon tier of curved arch surmounting fairy casements with "jali", lattice work screens. From here the ladies of the court could look out at festive processions without jeopardizing their modest seclusion.

The City Palace
A pride of peacocks adorn an ornate doorway in Jaipur's City Palace. Palace retainers stand at attention as in the past when Jaipur Court was headquartered here. The palace is now a fine museum. It houses a remarkable collection of textiles, paintings, manuscripts, and extraordinary weapons. On display there are two huge urns of silver, said to be the largest silver vessels in the world. Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of the City Palace guarded by stone elephants, is monumental.

Jantar Mantar
The architectural astronomical instruments of 18th century Rajasthani king named Jai Singh contained in an amazing, three-storey-high complex known as Jantar Mantar.

Jal Mahal
A picturesque palace admist the Man Sagar Lake. It is Jaipur's lake palace surrounded with water. It is built for royal duck shooting parties.

Jaigarh Fort
The imposing fort, built in 1726 by Jai Singh was opened tot he public in mid - 1983 and offers a great view over the plains from the Diwa Burj watchtower. The fort served as the treasury of the Kachcawas. It is a remarkable feat of military architecture in a fine state of preservation, with water reservoirs, residential areas, a puppet theatre and world largest wheeled cannon, Jaya Vana.

Nahargarh Fort
Built in 1734, the Nahargarh Fort lies north-west of City Palace and provides some stunning views of the city down below both during daytime and night

Albert Hall Museum
It exhibits include a natural history collection, models of yogis adopting various positions, tribal ware, dioramas depicting Rajasthani dances and sections on decorative arts, costumes, drawings and musical instruments.

SHOPPING IN JAIPUR....
Jaipur is famous for semi-precious stones and the best place to buy them is off Jauhari Bazaar. Miniatures, handicrafts, clothes, jewelry of silver and lac are other items to be bought in Jaipur


Fairs & Festivals
Gangur Festivals
A festival devoted to Goddess Parvati. It is time for young girls to dress up in their finery and pray for grooms of their choice while the married women pray for the well-being of their husbands.

Elephant Festivals
The elephant festival as the name implies, is their day. This festival is held just before the summer turns harsh, usually falling towards the end of March or early April. Rows and rows of elephants come parading on the grounds, run races, play tug of wars, and also the regal game of polo.

Teej Festival
A festival to mark the advent of monsoon. Essentially a women's festival, it is interesting to watch them enjoying in groups and at various bazaars where they turn up to shop in all their finery.

Kite Festival
A festival with a difference - as kites take to the sky all over Jaipur. In the evening, kites with lights in them and fireworks brighten the skies above. If you like kite flying, you should be here.


How To Reach
Air : Jaipur is well connected to all the major cities which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Jodhpur, Udaipur. Recently, flights to Dubai has also started from Jaipur by Indian Airlines.

Rail : Jaipur is on the Broad Gauge and hence connected to all the metro cities of India. There are daily trains from Delhi in morning (Shatabdhi Exp) and evening (Intercity Exp.).

Road : Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe & air conditioned buses from Delhi (Bikaner House, Nr. India Gate) to Jaipur. The roads are very good, and it takes around 5-6 hrs from Delhi. You can also come by taxi.