o
a certain extent the city of Jaipur represents the complete essence of
India. It is a city that embraces modernity with great ease, yet it never
loses its grip over its traditions. It is a common sight to come across the
striking contrasts of this city's behavior in many ways everyday. Jaipur has
a place for everything, such is the unique character of this city that
anybody can find something of his own interest some way or the other. This
'Heritage city' of India has a definite timeless appeal. Its countless
festivals just every other day witness the participation of the people in
full spirits.
This unique character has been carefully nurtured by its founders. The Pink
City as it is popular known was not always pink. Its main thoroughfares and
buildings were painted earthy pink in honor of the visiting Prince of Wales
in 1905. Much earlier to this,
this amazingly symmetrical and
thoroughly proportioned city came into existence in 1727 at one go. It was
perhaps the only city in India of those times, which was conceptualized and
conceived on such a grand scale. Through the great vision and
scholarly skills of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and extensive works by his
Chief Architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharji, Jaipur rose to the fame of becoming
among the most beautiful, most planned and most convenient places to live.
Liberal, protective and secular policies of the rulers attracted a wide
range of artisans, artists and businessmen alike, which till today makes
this city a great art, crafts, trade and cultural center. Responsible
governance resulted in growth of faiths, fairs, festivals, entertainment,
cleanliness and community welfares making it a promising city of the future.
Architecturally, the city proved to be a milestone when even other great
kings like Sawai Ram Singh and Sawai Mansingh II added a whole lot of public
buildings and institutions to an already masterpiece Jaipur.
Jaipur,
even today retains its old world charm. It is a city always surging forward
with its roots in the past.
The
older part known as Pink City is interesting enough to explore on foot or
cycle rickshaw. Get in any of the lanes leading from the main streets and
each one will unfold several interesting facets of Jaipur's traditional
lifestyle, architecture, arts, crafts, community living, havelis and
temples. Different lanes still largely represent the centers of making of
different crafts and recipes. It is exciting to watch everything live. The
massive gates in all directions of the city and broad streets of uniform
width, shape, size and design bring out the ability of Jaipur's planners in
full splendor. The three choupers (squares) make highly interesting study of
community and traffic centers.
The
City Palace complex is a huge central part of the city. It has a big Palace
museum that houses a rare collection of weapons, costumes, miniatures,
antiques and ancient manuscripts. Of particular interest are the two silver
urns (largest silver objects in the world) and the giant pajamas of Maharaja
Madho Singh. Jantar Mantar is a strange looking astronomical observatory of
the times of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.
Overlooking the main
street is Hawa Mahal, which actually is just a façade that enabled
royal ladies to watch processions without themselves being seen.
Nevertheless the façade has a beautiful architecture having several
windows in beehive shape. The temple of Govind Devji is the place
where Jaipur is at its devotional best.
Lord Krishna is treated as
a child here and there are several schedules fixed during the day when the
Lord is dressed in different costumes showing different stages of the Lord's
daily routine!
8kms
towards the north is Amber fort, which was the older capital of Jaipur. The
hill top fort ascended on elephant back is highly impressive for its
beautiful blend of Rajput and Muslim architecture. The Ganesh Pol gate is
breathtaking. Further up is another fort Jaigarh, which was made for defence
purposes. The fort has water tanks, gardens and a huge cannon.
Nahargarh
is another hill top fort. The views of Jaipur from here in the evening are
just spectacular! Jalmahal - the water palace falls on the way
back, a slight diversion towards west leads to Gaitor, the royal cenotaphs.
The city has some beautiful gardens such as the Sisodia Rani ka Bagh and
Vidyadhar Ji Ka Bagh. The Ramniwas Garden, which also houses the beautiful
Albert hall now running as the Central Museum. Newer attractions of Jaipur
include the huge Birla temple, opulent Rajmandir theatre and many cultural
centers such as the Jawahar Kala Kendra and Birla Auditorium.
There is simply much much more to see in Jaipur, so much that it can take
weeks together. One can wander through its streets and colorful bazaars
endlessly like most others do or appreciate it in ultimate royal style while
staying in its opulent palace hotels like Rambagh Palace and Rajvilas.
Jaipur is definitely a place for all classes, masses, every season
and every reason.
;)
;)
This unique character has been carefully nurtured by its founders. The Pink
City as it is popular known was not always pink. Its main thoroughfares and
buildings were painted earthy pink in honor of the visiting Prince of Wales
in 1905. Much earlier to this, this amazingly symmetrical and
thoroughly proportioned city came into existence in 1727 at one go. It was
perhaps the only city in India of those times, which was conceptualized and
conceived on such a grand scale. Through the great vision and
scholarly skills of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and extensive works by his
Chief Architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharji, Jaipur rose to the fame of becoming
among the most beautiful, most planned and most convenient places to live. ;)
The
older part known as Pink City is interesting enough to explore on foot or
cycle rickshaw. Get in any of the lanes leading from the main streets and
each one will unfold several interesting facets of Jaipur's traditional
lifestyle, architecture, arts, crafts, community living, havelis and
temples. Different lanes still largely represent the centers of making of
different crafts and recipes. It is exciting to watch everything live. The
massive gates in all directions of the city and broad streets of uniform
width, shape, size and design bring out the ability of Jaipur's planners in
full splendor. The three choupers (squares) make highly interesting study of
community and traffic centers. ;)
The
City Palace complex is a huge central part of the city. It has a big Palace
museum that houses a rare collection of weapons, costumes, miniatures,
antiques and ancient manuscripts. Of particular interest are the two silver
urns (largest silver objects in the world) and the giant pajamas of Maharaja
Madho Singh. Jantar Mantar is a strange looking astronomical observatory of
the times of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Overlooking the main
street is Hawa Mahal, which actually is just a façade that enabled
royal ladies to watch processions without themselves being seen.
Nevertheless the façade has a beautiful architecture having several
windows in beehive shape. The temple of Govind Devji is the place
where Jaipur is at its devotional best. Lord Krishna is treated as
a child here and there are several schedules fixed during the day when the
Lord is dressed in different costumes showing different stages of the Lord's
daily routine!;)
8kms
towards the north is Amber fort, which was the older capital of Jaipur. The
hill top fort ascended on elephant back is highly impressive for its
beautiful blend of Rajput and Muslim architecture. The Ganesh Pol gate is
breathtaking. Further up is another fort Jaigarh, which was made for defence
purposes. The fort has water tanks, gardens and a huge cannon. Nahargarh
is another hill top fort. The views of Jaipur from here in the evening are
just spectacular! Jalmahal - the water palace falls on the way
back, a slight diversion towards west leads to Gaitor, the royal cenotaphs.;)
The city has some beautiful gardens such as the Sisodia Rani ka Bagh and
Vidyadhar Ji Ka Bagh. The Ramniwas Garden, which also houses the beautiful
Albert hall now running as the Central Museum. Newer attractions of Jaipur
include the huge Birla temple, opulent Rajmandir theatre and many cultural
centers such as the Jawahar Kala Kendra and Birla Auditorium. 
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