Jaipur is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It has a population in excess of 3 million. Jaipur is also known as the Pink City due to the dominant color scheme of its buildings in the old city. It was founded in 1727 by Sawal Jai Singh. It is one of the earliest planned cities of modern India. Jaipur is a popular tourist destination in India. The city serves as a gateway to other popular destinations, and has two World Heritage sites of Amber Fort and Jantar Mantar. We visited Jaipur principally to partake in leopard safaris at parks near the city, but we did enjoy a full day of sightseeing.
Jantar Mantar
Located in the heart of Jaipur, Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh between 1728-1734.Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site , it is the largest among the other five similar ones built in northern India. It houses large stone instruments with striking combinations of geometric forms to view celestial bodies through naked eyes. The precision and accuracy of these instruments have been very alluring to scientists and historians.
The observatory also features the world’s largest sundial which calculates local time and manages to entice the interest of tourists. The instruments are most accurate at noon.
City Palace
Located in the heart of the old city, the City Palace comprises magnificent courtyards, gardens, cenotaphs and royal buildings. It was conceived and built by the founder of Jaipur, Rajput King Maharaja Sawaai Jai Singh II, and expanded by subsequent rulers. The most prominent sections of the palace are Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Maharani’s Palace. Maharaja Singh museum and Bhaggi Khana. The museum contains a unique collection of royal costumes, weaponry dating to the 15th century along with prints and embroidery.
Amber Fort
Amer or Amber Fort is located about 11 km from Jaipur and is located high on a hill overlooking Maota Lake. The palace is a great example of Rajput architecture. Constructed of red sandstone and marble, the opulent palace is laid out on four levels each with a courtyard.The palace was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas and their families. This was begun by Raja Man Singh in 1592 and completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh.
Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal was built in 1750 by Maharaja Madho Singh as a lodge and hunting retreat. It is a five story palace set in the middle of an artificial lake known as Man Sagar Lake.
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal is a 200 year old monument in the city. Famous for its unique honeycomb design and Indo-Islamic architecture, the five storeyed palace has 953 lattice windows. It was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as a summer palace. This is actually the back of the palace.
Street Scenes
Like many populated places in India, this city is a bustling beehive of activity. A few scenes:
The Carefree Photographer 