Are you planning to visit Jaipur? There are so many places to visit in Jaipur. This historical city is one of the major tourist attraction of India. So pack your bag and visit Jaipur. Jaipur, named after it’s founder King Jai Singh II of Amer, is the largest city in Rajasthan. This beautiful city lies 280 Km from New Delhi. Jaipur, the capital city of Rajsthan is tenth most populous city of India. I had visited Jaipur only once before marriage and was astounded by the greenry every where. I had seen very few places that time. Though Rajasthan is the desert state of India, Jaipur is lush green with trees and plants all around. Jaipur is also known as the ‘Pink City of India’ because of the pink walls and buildings of the old city.

After my marriage, I moved to Jaipur and I had been touring the city a bit. I have been to many places now and thought of writing about it. Jaipur is a very famous tourist destination and has lot of heritage to offer. Among many things to visit are beautiful palaces, gardens and museums. Jaipur is also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Jantar Mantar and the Amer Fort.

Jaipur serves as a gateway to other tourist destinations in Rajasthan such as Jodhpur (348 km), Jaisalmer (571 km), Udaipur (421 km) and Mount Abu (520 km).

Here are few places you shouldn’t miss if you are in Jaipur

1. City Palace

Visit to the City Palace is a must if you are in Jaipur. The City Palace was built between 1729 and 1732, initially by Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. He planned and built the outer walls, and later additions were made by successive rulers continuing up to the 20th century.

Visiting Hours: 9.30am-5pm
Tickets: For Indian INR 130 while for foreigner INR 500.

The architects had used a fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal style in the construction of the buildings, courtyards and the gardens. This mesmerizing monument has lot to offer to a tourist in terms of heritage. There is the Mubarak Mahal which was built in 19th Centuary and was the reception centre for welcoming dignitaries. Then there are Diwan -i- Khas (Hall of Private Audience) and Diwan -i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience). The Pitam Niwas Chowk, consists of four beautiful gates each depicting a season- the Lotus Gate refers to Summer, the Green Gate depicts Spring, the Peacock Gate represents Autumn and the Rose Gate symbolizes Winter.

Beyond the Pitam chowk is the the Chandra Mahal, which is still the residence of the descendants of the royal family of Jaipur.

2. Nahargarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, overlooking Jaipur . Along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh once formed a strong defense ring for the city. The fort was originally named Sudarshangarh, but it became known as Nahargarh, which means ‘abode of tigers’. 

Visiting Hours: 10am-5pm
Tickets: For Indian INR 50 while for foreigner INR 200.

You can see the city of Jaipur from the Nahargarh Fort and the view is breathtaking. The cityscape during sunset and the sun rise are a view to behold from Nahargarh. The fort looks extremely attractive at night when it’s lit up.

Some scenes of the movie Rang De Basanti and Shuddh Desi Romance and Bengali Cinema Sonar Kella were shot at Nahargarh fort.

3. Amber Palace and Jaigarh Fort

Amber Palace is located in Amer, a town, which is 11Km from Jaipur. The Amber palace, along with Jaigarh Fort, is located immediately above on the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) of the same Aravalli range of hills. The palace and Jaigarh Fort are considered one complex, as the two are connected by a subterranean passage. This passage was meant as an escape route in times of war to enable the royal family members and others in the Amer Fort to shift to the more redoubtable Jaigarh Fort.

Visiting Hours of Amber Palace: 8am-6pm, last entry 5.30pm
Visiting Hours of Jaigarh Fort: 9am-4.30pm

Tickets for Amber Palace: For Indian INR 100 while for foreigner INR 500.
Tickets for Jaigarh Fort: For Indian INR 35 while for foreigner INR 85.

Constructed of red sandstone and marble, the attractive, opulent palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. It consists of the Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), the Diwan-i-Khas (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.

The Jaigarh Fort is built about 400 m above the Amber Fort. It provides an excellent of view of Aravalli hills and the Amber Fort down below.

4. Hawa Mahal 

Hawa Mahal is one of the beautiful palaces in Jaipur. It is also known as “Palace of Winds” or “Palace of the Breeze” . It was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Made of red and pink sandstone, sitting at the edge of the City Palace , Hawa Mahal looks quite majaestic.

Visiting Hours: 9am-5.30pm
Tickets: For Indian INR 50 while for foreigner INR 200.

Its unique five-storey exterior is akin to the honeycomb of a beehive with its 953 small windows called jharokhas decorated with intricate latticework. The original intent of the lattice design was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life and festivals celebrated in the street below without being seen, since they had to obey the strict rules of “purdah”, which forbade them from appearing in public without face coverings. Many people see the Hawa Mahal from the street view and think it is the front of the palace, but in reality it is the back of that structure.

5. Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal or the “Water Palace” is a palace in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur. The palace and the lake around it were renovated and enlarged in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber. This low-rise symmetrical palace, that once was a shooting lodge for the Maharajah, appears to float in the center of Sagar Lake.

The Jal Mahal was declared as a protected area by the government after which the entry has been restricted. Earlier there were boat rides all around the palace.

The Jal Mahal palace is an architectural showcase of the Rajput style of architecture (common in Rajasthan) on a grand scale. The building has a picturesque view of the lake itself but owing to its seclusion from land is equally the focus of a viewpoint from the Man Sagar Dam on the eastern side of the lake in front of the backdrop of the surrounding Nahargarh hills. The palace, built in red sandstone, is a five storied building, of which four floors remain underwater when the lake is full and the top floor is exposed.

You can drive till the lake side in the evening and witness the beautiful sunset and the many birds flying around.

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