My Visit to Jaipur
I went Jaipur on 15th march 2009 along with my 7 friends when I was in Gurgoan.
We started by 6.30 in the morning from Gurgoan by a Tavera vehicle and reached Jaipur by 10.30 am. (around 200kms – in between we take a break of 30 min for breakfast). We catch the NH-2 Delhi- Jaipur Road to reach Jaipur, It was good to travel.
We first went to AMER PALACE. It was on a Small Hills. Our vehicle climbed the top of the palace, otherwise we have to walk or to climb by elephant ride (elephant ride costs Rs.500 per person). The entry fee was Rs.15 and we went inside, we saw remarkable palace was build by Raja Jai singh in 17th century. When we enter inside first we take a darshan of Lord Ganesha and we saw the courtyards, big lawns and then used articles. On that day it was very hot, so we are tired quickly. We try to have something in that place, there is one restaurant is there but everything is very costly.
Then we saw JALMAHAL – it is on the way to Amer, this small palace is set in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. A paved causeway leads upto the beautiful water palace. It was built to stay in the summer to escape the heat climate of Jaipur. When we went there, the water in the lake was very dirty and no one is allowed to go there. So we could not see the mahal inside. A Monument is losing it's fame by lack of maintenance.
Second we went to CITY PALACE. The entry ticket was Rs.40. They are allowing few places in the palace only. 1. Armors section, 2. Royal Costumes section (wear by maharajas) 3. and a hall. Some part of the palace is converted as restaurant, some part is for security persons and the first floor is occupied by the present maharaja of Jaipur.
In city palace, there are two biggest Silver vessels, each 1.6 m tall, which were used for Ganges River water taken to England in 1902. Each holds 9000L, were made from silver and are listed in the Guinness Book of Records. We went to the Armory section and saw the weapons used by the Jaipur Maharajas. And visited the costumes section, dresses weared by royal persons.
Then we visited JANTAR MANTAR (Observatory) built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the huge masonry instruments were used to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. Enormous sun-dial still provides accurate time, which are subject to daily corrections. There are also two Ram Yantras for gauging altitudes. Entry fee was Rs.15.00.
We then visited to Hawa mahal – the palace of wind. Entry fee Rs.10. Hawa Mahal is the most recognizable monument of Jaipur. The 5 storied stunning semi-octagonal monument having 152 windows, stone carved mesh like screens to the palace women for watching the royal processions passing through the bazaar. It was worth visiting. From the top floor we can see the entire Arial view of Jaipur.
We also visited Laxmi Narayan Temple built by Birla (Known as Birla Mandir). It is situated just below the Moti doongri, known for the intricate marble carvings in white marble, popularly known as Birla Temple. Ram-sita, Laxmi-Narayan and Siva-Parvathi statues are carved in a white marble very beautifully in the temple.
The we went for shopping in the Hawa Mahal area Badi Chaupar - the most crowded location in Jaipur. Here, you can shop for Jewelries, handicraft, antiques, Rajasthani furniture, salwar suits and Jaipuri print dress material. Be prepared to bargain. You can also find a variety of traditional and lace bangles too.
And finally we left Jaipur by 6.30 pm and reached back to Gurgoan by 10.00 pm.
Information about Jaipur from other sources
JAIPUR - The Pink city
This famous city is the capital of Rajasthan and has earned universal renown as the " Pink City ", and pink it is, with beautiful constructed palaces, havelis and forts. Tall, rugged men with handle-bar whiskers sport bright pink turbans. Jaipur which means the city of victory was built exactly 273 years back and is 262 km by road from Delhi ( Capital of India ). A strong wall encircles the old city and even today has a suggestion of formidable strength, its function of protecting all within is obvious.
The plains of Rajasthan of which Jaipur is the capital once thundered and echoed with clash of swords and the drums of wars.Built in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh-II, Jaipur was the first planned city of its time ( the earlier planned city in northern India having been built near Taxila sometime in the 2nd century BC ).
Jaipur was planned by Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, a Bengali architect, in a grid system with wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of the main bazaars, all arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (chokris). The city itself is an attractive creation worthy of universal admiration.
Major Site Seeing Places
CITY PALACE - One of the most magnificent marvels or Jaipur is the City Palace Complex which has a rare combination of the finest blends of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the heart of the old city, it has vast area. The outer wall was built by Jai Singh and additions made up to the 20th century. Many buildings, well-planned gardens and huge courtyards are a part of the complex. For visiting dignitaries, Sawai Madho Singh II, constructed Mubarak Mahal (welcome palace) as a reception centre. The mahal comes before the main complex, though it now forms a part of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. The museum has an array of royal costumes, shawls, embroideries, Benares silk sarees, the maharaja's pyjamas, chogas and pyjamas of other rulers, jamawars, kamarbands, musical instruments like the giant sized tanpura and sarangis and a set of the clothes of Sawai Madho Singh I who was just over seven feet tall, over four feet wide and supported a Goliathic weight of 250 kilograms.
A delight is the Maharani's Palace, now the armory with arms to the 15th century which include the deadly Rajput scissor-action daggers which have a unique working action (after the dagger entered the body, the handles were released and the blades spread. during withdrawal, killing the victim). The guns include the ones that also served as walking sticks, one of the size of a small canon fired from a camel's back, double-barrel guns, early handguns, matchlocks and percussion cap guns, swords with pistols attached to the blades, daggers with handles of crystal and invory, katars, chhuris, peak-kubz jambhiya, Persian and Rajput swords. Deccan hand, bows and arrows, battle axes, shields, maces, breast and shoulder plate gutzis and the ruby and emerald encrusted sword presented by Queen Vicoria to Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh (1835-1880). On display are a big range of shields of rhino, crocodile and turtle skin, the shield of Sawai Pratap Singh and Raja Man Singh' sword weighing about 5 kilograms.
Diwan-e-Khas (hall of private audience) is housed between the art gallery (once the diwan-e-aam-hall of public audience) and the armoury. The most attractive feature are the two sterling silver vessels (in the marble-paved gallery) in which Maharaja Madho Singh II, a devout Hindu, took holy Ganga water during a visit to Europe. The two vessels are massive standing 160 cm and have a capacity of 9000 litres each. They are listed in the Guinness book of Records as the biggest silver vessels in the world. From the ceiling of the hall hang a number of chandeliers which are covered with plastic to prevent dust and bird droppings falling on them.
The art gallery in the erstwhile Diwan-e-aam has a well preserved painted ceiling on which the original semi-precious stones still retain their lustre. Suspended from the ceiling is a massive chandelier made of crystal. The art gallery also has miniature paintings of the Rajasthani, Mughal and Persian schools featuring religious them mainly scenes from the Ramayana. The other exhibits include an unbraided, handwritten version of the Bhagaved Gita, miniature copies of other holy Hindu scriptures, handwritten books in Persian and Sanskrit and early manuscripts on palmleaes There are among the 20,000 manuscripts that the museum boasts of. Howdahs (elephant saddles), palanquins, the swing of Lord Krishna and paper cuttings cut with the thumbnails are among the several other exhibits in the gallery. One can also see the finest carpets from Herat in Afghanistan and Lahore.
Chandra Mahal is the only part of the complex that is inhabited and is occupied by the royal family. The ground floor of the palace, open to visitors, has some exhibits. In the courtyard outside is the elegantly designed Peacock Gate. Entry Fee for Indians Rs.40.00 and for Foreigners Rs.150.00. Timings - 9.30 am to 5.00pm.
JANTAR MANTAR (Observatory) - built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the huge masonary instruments were used to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. Enormous sun-dial still provide accurate time, which are subject to daily corrections. There are also two Ram Yantras for gauging altitudes. Timing 9.00am to 04.30 pm, Entry Fee Rs. 15.00.
HAWA MAHAL (The palace of winds) - The palace of winds a fascinating landmark of Rajasthan, was built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, is the most recognizable monument of Jaipur. The 5 storied stunning semi-octagonal monument having 152 windows with over hanging latticed balconies is a fine piece of Rajput architecture. Originally designed for the royal ladies to watch and enjoy the processions and other activities, on the street below. What is seen from the Sireh Deorhi Bazar is the Multi-niched five storey high backside of the complex. it was conceived to provide adequate vantage position behind stone carved mesh like screens to the palace women for watching the royal processions passing through the bazaar.Now it houses a well laid out museum. The display “Jaipur past and present” is the special feature of this newly setup museum. Timing 10.00 am to 04.30 pm, Entry Fee Rs. 10.00.
AMER PALACE(AMBER FORT) - The old capital of the Kachhwahas stands atop a range of craggy hills. The fort is remarkable as much for the majestic grandeur of its surroundings as for its sturdy battlements and beautiful palaces. It is a fine blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The solemn dignity of it red sandstone and white marble pavilions, when reflected in the lake at the foot hill, is a sight to behold. The original palace was built by Raja Man Singh, the additional extensions were built by Maharaja Mirja Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh lIthe last Maharaja of Amer, who built a new city called Jaipur, where he shfted his capital in 1727.
The palace complex is lavishly ornamented and displays the riches of Amer. Sheesh Mahal chamber of Mirrors. Diwan-e-Am or the Hall of Public Audience is a beautifully proportioned hall open on three sides and stands on two rows of ornamented pillars. Diwan e-Khas or the Hall of Private Audience has delicate mosaic work in glass. Sukh mandir is guarded by sandalwood doors inlaid with ivory. Throughout the massive fort finely carved lattice windows, exquisitely painted doorways, halls and finely sculptured pillars crave for attention.
The old city of Amer was the seat of power and bustling with life and prosperity. Other worth seeing sites are Jagat Shiromani Temple, Narsinghji temple, the stepwell of Panna Meena and fine carved royal cenotaphs on the road to Delhi. Timing: 9.00 am to 04.30 pm. Entry Fee For Indians Rs. 15.00 and for Foreigners Rs.50.00. Phone: 2530293, Elephant ride charge Rs. 500.00 (inclusive of all taxes) Timing : 8.00 am to 04.00 pm.
JALMAHAL - is 6 kms on the way to Amer, this small palace is set in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. A paved causeway leads upto the beautiful water palace. When we went there, the water in the lake was very dirty and no one is allowed to go there. so we could not see the mahal. A Monument is losing it's fame by lack of maintenace.
JAIGARH FORT - The western skyline is dominated by the extensive parkotas (walls), watch towers and gateways of Jaigarh. Standing on a hilltop, overlooking the palaces and city of Amer. It is one of the few military structures of mediaeval India preserved almost intact containing palaces, gardens, open and covered reservoirs, a granary, an armory, a well planned cannon foundry, several temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted cannon the Jai Ban one of the biggest in the World(built during reign of Maharaja Sawai Jaisingh). It has a twenty feet long barrel and pumped in the cannon for a single shot. Timing 10.00 am to 04.45 pm, Entry Fee for Indians Rs. 20.00.
NAHARGARH FORT - cresting a hill about 600 ft. above the city, the fort was built in 1734. The walls of the fort run along the ridge and within are architectural beauties like Hawa Mandir and Madhvendra Bhawan. Timing 10.00 am to 04.00 pm, Entry Fee Rs. 10.00.
LAXMI NARAYAN TEMPLE - is situated just below the Moti doongri, known for the intricate marble carvings in white marble, popularly known as Birla Temple. Ram-sita, Laxmi-Narayan and Siva-Parvathi statues are carved in a white marble very beautifully in the temple.
CENTRAL MUSEUM - situated in the Ram Niwas Garden. This graceful building was founded in 1876 by Prince Albert (also known as Albert Hall). It has a rare collection of archaeological and handicraft pieces. Timing 10.00 am to 04.30 pm, Entry Fee for Indians Rs. 10.00.
What to Buy
Lace Work, Meenakari, Metal Work, Marble Work, Paintings, Leather Work, Gemstones, Carpets, Wood Work, Jewellery are the famous things in jaipur. you can buy these things here for cheap and best.
Where to Buy
M.I. Road - Mirza Ismail Road or M I Road is an ideal a place to shop for jewellery and branded readymade garments. Johri Bazar - famous for sarees and lehangas in colourful bhandhej, or glittering gemstone jewellery. Bapu Bazar - is a treasure trove of typical Jaipuri stuff like salwar suits, bedsheets, Jaipuri jutis, cushions and readymade suits. Chaura Rasta - Chaura Rasta is famous for books and stationery. Nehru Bazar is near Ajmeri Gate, the so-called centre of Jaipur. Not a very upmarket place, Nehru Bazar has shops for readymade garments, footwear, gifts and household items. You can haggle over the prices of locally-produced goods here. Badi Chaupar - Adjacent to the famous Hawa Mahal is Badi Chaupar, a square crossing that is probably the most crowded location in Jaipur. Here, you can shop for mojaris, handicraft, antiques, Rajasthani furniture, salwar suits and Jaipuri print dress material. Be prepared to bargain. You can also find a variety of traditional and lace bangles too.
Darasuram Temple Front View
