The City Palace is a
historic landmark. The carved arches are supported by grey-white marble
columns studded with floral motifs in gold and coloured stones. Two
elephants carved in marble guard the entrance, where retainers whose
families have served generations of rulers are at hand to serve as guides.
The palace interior houses a Museum containing select collection of
various types of Rajasthani dresses, a fascinating armoury of Mughal and
Rajput weapons; swords of all shapes and sizes, with chased handles, some
of them inlaid, enamelled, encrusted with jewels and encased in bold and
magnificent scabbards.
It also has an art gallery with a fine collection of paintings, carpets,
royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin
and Sanskrit, acquired by Sawai Jai Singh-II for his study of planets and
their movements.
Jantar mantar is one of Jai Singh's
five remarkable observatories. Constructed with stone and marble its
complex instruments whose settings and shapes are precisely and
scientifically designed represent the high points of Medieval Indian
astronomy. The Ram Yantras used for gauging altitudes are unique in their
isolation. this is the largest of the five observatories founded by Sawai
Jai Singh-II in various parts of the country.
Major Yantras or instruments that you
can watch moving clockwise are: Small 'Samrat', 'Dhruva', 'Narivalya',
The Observer's Seat, Small 'Kranti', 'Raj'
'Unnathamsa', 'Disha', 'Dakshina', Large 'Samrat', 'Rashivalayas',
'Jai Prakash', Small 'Ram', Large 'Ram Yantra', 'Diganta', Large 'Kranti'
Built by the poet king Sawai Pratap
Singh, the Hawa Mahal is the most strikingly designed monument in Jaipur.
What is seen from the Sireh Deorhi Bazaar is the multiniched five storey
high backside of the complex ( see it in photo gallery ). It was conceived
to provide adequate vantage position behind delicate stone carved jali
screens to the palace women for watching the royal processions passing
through the bazaar below.
It is situated in the beautiful garden
of Jaipur city, Ram Niwas Bagh. It was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Ram
Singh in the year 1886 under the drought relief work of Rs 4 Lacs.
The design of the building was done
by Sir Swinton Jaicob. Presently the hall is used for museum purpose.
A tiny palace romantically located in
the middle of a small lake, this was supposed to be a hunting lodge for
the royal family. It can only be viewed from the banks of the lake.
For seven long centuries before Jaipur
was built, Amer served as the capital as Kachhwaha rulers of the old state
of Dhundhar.
Amer Fort is the complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and
temples, which were built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and
Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about two centuries.
The palace complex rising from the
placid waters of the Mootha lake is approached through a steep path, now
often traversed by tourists on elephant-back, to Singh palace and Jaleb
Chowk. Two flights of stairs rise from one end to the chowk, one leading
to the elegant temple of Shila Mata and other to the palace complex. The
image of the Mother Goddess worshipped with reverence by thousands of
devotees every day was brought from Jessore in East Bengal ( now in
Bangladesh ) by raja Man Singh and installed here.
The front courtyard of the palace complex is dominated by the spectacular
pillared hall of the Diwan-e-Aam and the double storeyed painted gateway
Ganesh Pole. Beyond the corridors and galleries on the either side of a
small elegant Charbagh style garden are Sukh Niwas to its right and Jas
Mandir to its left. The Jas Mandir in the upper floor combines the finest
elements od mughal architecture and interior decoration in a Rajput
setting with intricately carved jali screens, delicate mirror and stucco
works and painted and carved dadodes. The older and simpler structures at
the far end were built by Raja Man Singh in the later year of the 16th
century.
The well proportioned Mohan Bari or Kesar Kyari in the centre of the
Mootha lake and the Dilaram Bagh at its north end provide a spectacular
view from the palaces above.
Equipped with modern computerized
projection system, the planetarium offers unique audio-visual educational
entertainment. A Science Museum is also a part of this one of the most
modern planetarium in India.
Beyond the gardens amidst the low
hills guarding the city lies the old pilgrim centre of Galtaji. Temples,
pavilions and holy kunds ( natural springs and reservoirs ) do the serene
green landscape. The small temple of the Sun God, built by Diwan Kriparam
on the top of the highest peak, is visible from all parts of the city.
In the southern horizon is a privately
owned hilltop fort of Moti Doongari shaped like a scotish castle. At the
foot of the hill, Laxmi Narayan Temple, beautifully built in sparking
white marble, is located.
Beyond the hills of Jaigarh stand the
Fort of Nahargarh like a watchful sentinel guarding Sawai Jai Singh's
beautiful city. Much of the original structures are now in ruins, but the
lovely building added by sawai Ram Singh II and Sawai Madho Singh II still
survive.
Sargasuli :
Also known as Isar Lat, this tower was erected in the mid-18th
century by Maharaja Ishwari Singh to commemorate a battle victory.
Ironically, Ishwari Singh was ostracized for his love of a common girl,
and he is the only Kachchawaha maharaja who has not been commemorated at
Gaitore.The tower dominating the skyline on the western side of Tripolia
Bazaar is the highest structure in Jaipur.
Govind
Devji Temple : In the central pavilion of the sprawling Jai
Niwas Garden to the north of the Chandra Mahal is the spire less temple of
Lord Krishna. the image in the form of Govind Devji, originally installed
in a temple of Vrindavan, was reinstalled here by Sawai Jai Singh-II as
his family deity. this is the most famous and popular temple in Pink City
attracting devotees from all over the country.
Sisodia
Rani Ka Bagh : Along the road to Agra through a narrow garge in
the southern eastern corner of the walled city, several landscaped gardens
were constructed by the Kings and important courtiers in the 18th and 19th
centuries. The largest and the most famous ia a garden built by sawai jai
Singh II for his Sisodia queen-the Sisodai Rani Ka Bagh. It consists of
tiered multilevel gardens with fountains, watercourses and painted
pavillions.
Jaigarh Fort : The western skyline is
dominated by the extensive parkotas (walls), watch-towers and gateways of
jaigarh. It is one of the few military structures of the mediaeval India
preserved almost intact containing palaces, gardens, open and covered
reservoirs, a granary, an armoury, a well-planned cannon foundry, several
temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted cannon-the Jai Ban - the largest
in the country.
Gaitore :
Located off the Jaipur-Amber
road, Gaitore is the final resting place for the maharajas of Jaipur. Set
in a narrow valley, the cenotaphs of the former rulers consist of the
somewhat typical chhatri or umbrella-shaped memorials. Of special mention
is Jai Singh IT's chhatri because of the carvings that have been used to
embellish it.
Moti
Doongri : A small palace, this is a replica of a Scottish
castle, and perches on a hilltop. Once occupied by Maharaja Madho Singh's
son who was confined here, it was also for a while home to Maharani
Gayatri Devi.
Ram Niwas Bagh :
A garden planned by
Maharaja Ram Singh in the 19th century as a famine relief project, this
extensive park consists of a zoo, aviary, herbarium museum and sports
complex. An added attraction is Albert Hall, designed by Sir Swinton
Jacob, a British architect who created palaces for many of the rulers of
Rajasthan, and whose experiments with Indo Saracenic architecture combined
elements of English and north- Indian architecture. Albert Hall is a
museum and houses many curiosities.
Vidyadharji ka Bagh : The exquisite, tiered garden laid for the
private pleasure of the architect of the city, it has delicated pavilions
bordered by water channels, and a larger pavilion overlooking the whole
complex. Located at Ghat Ki Guni, it is now let out for private picnics.
12 km on Tonk Road. It has beautiful Jain temples and important craft
industries besides the ruined palaces, broken city walls, triple gateway
and a neglected Mughal garden. Large and small units of block and screen
printers produce some of the finest hand printed textile in the country.
Bagru
35 km south west on Ajmer road. The ground level fort is still in good
shape. Its attraction is hand printed cloth industry. The designs are
simpler here, the techniques less complicated and the colours of more
earthly shades.
Ramgarh Lake
32 km north-east. It is famous for its huge artificial lake created by
constructing a high bund amidst tree covered hills where the citizens
throng in a large number for picnic during the rainy season. The temple
of Jamwa Mata and the ruins of the old fort still reminds of its hoary
antiquity.
Samod
40 km north-west. The old palace renovated and rebuilt provides the most
gorgeously decorated and painted examples of Rajput haveli architecture.
It provides an ideal spot for outing.
Bairath
86 km on the Shahpura-Alwar road. It contains the relics and structures
of Mauranyas, Mugahl and Rajput periods. The excavated remains of a
circular Buddhist temple, unique in Rajasthan and the earliest
structural temple in India, make it an important historical place.
Akabar the great, constructed a mint and his son Jahangir a beautiful
Mughal garden and a remarkable monument with painted chatris and walls.
Abhaneri
128 km north-east off the Agra road near Bandikui. It is famous for the
temple of Harshad Mata built in 7th-8th century and the stepped Chanda
Baodi. Two Jain temples were built at a later period.
Sambhar
94 km west. It is famous for the country's largest inland salt lake. It
is also known for holy Devayani tank, beautiful Shakambhari Devi temple,
the palace and the nearby Naliasar. Sambhar lake is also famous for the
illusion of water ( mirage ) during noon times.
The City Palace is a
historic landmark. The carved arches are supported by grey-white marble
columns studded with floral motifs in gold and coloured stones. Two
elephants carved in marble guard the entrance, where retainers whose
families have served generations of rulers are at hand to serve as guides.
Built by the poet king Sawai Pratap
Singh, the Hawa Mahal is the most strikingly designed monument in Jaipur.
What is seen from the Sireh Deorhi Bazaar is the multiniched five storey
high backside of the complex ( see it in photo gallery ). It was conceived
to provide adequate vantage position behind delicate stone carved jali
screens to the palace women for watching the royal processions passing
through the bazaar below. 
It is situated in the beautiful garden
of Jaipur city, Ram Niwas Bagh. It was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Ram
Singh in the year 1886 under the drought relief work of Rs 4 Lacs.
A tiny palace romantically located in
the middle of a small lake, this was supposed to be a hunting lodge for
the royal family. It can only be viewed from the banks of the lake.
For seven long centuries before Jaipur
was built, Amer served as the capital as Kachhwaha rulers of the old state
of Dhundhar.
Equipped with modern computerized
projection system, the planetarium offers unique audio-visual educational
entertainment. A Science Museum is also a part of this one of the most
modern planetarium in India.
Beyond the gardens amidst the low
hills guarding the city lies the old pilgrim centre of Galtaji. Temples,
pavilions and holy kunds ( natural springs and reservoirs ) do the serene
green landscape. The small temple of the Sun God, built by Diwan Kriparam
on the top of the highest peak, is visible from all parts of the city.
In the southern horizon is a privately
owned hilltop fort of Moti Doongari shaped like a scotish castle. At the
foot of the hill, Laxmi Narayan Temple, beautifully built in sparking
white marble, is located.
Beyond the hills of Jaigarh stand the
Fort of Nahargarh like a watchful sentinel guarding Sawai Jai Singh's
beautiful city. Much of the original structures are now in ruins, but the
lovely building added by sawai Ram Singh II and Sawai Madho Singh II still
survive.
