Sightseeing In Jaipur, India
The Pink City of Jaipur is a charming place, which dazzles the eye of a tourist with
several architectural landmarks, stylish monuments, palaces, museums, wide avenues and
colorful bazaars. Though less than 300 years old, the city is already full of mysteries
and legends. Jaipur is surrounded by hill top forts such as Amber Fort, Jaigarh and
Nahargarh.
Enjoy your wonderful discovery of the unparallel beauty of Jaipur.
City Palace
Conceived and designed by Jai Singh, the City palace is a fine blend of Rajasthani and
Mughal architecture. One of the most important architectural landmarks in Jaipur, this he
palace complex has numerous buildings, courtyards, impressive gateways and temples. The
palace houses Sawai Jai Singh's seven-storey facade Chandra Mahal ("moon
palace"), solid marble Mubarak Mahal, the Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khas (the Hall of
Private Audience). Chandra Mahal is still the residence of the present royal family.
Hawa Mahal
Arguably Jaipur's most acclaimed landmark, the tapering Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of
Winds" was built in 1799 to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch street
processions while remaining in a strict state of purdah. Its five-storey facade, decked
with no less than 593 finely screened windows and balconies, makes the building seem far
larger than it really is; in fact it is little more than one room thick in most parts.
Though the primary source of its appeal is undoubtedly the fantastic honeycomb pink and
white face, visitors can go inside (enter from the back) to see exactly where the women
sat, and take a close look at the detailed stonework
Amber Fort
Perched on a hill some 11km from Jaipur, and nestling among the Aravalli Hills, is the
historic fort-palace of Amber. Set in a picturesque background, the splendid Amber Fort
(Jaigarh) was built in 1600 by Raja Man Singh, commander-in-chief of the Mughal army
during Akbar's reign and certainly one the greatest general of medieval India. The fort
also made the headlines after Independence when it was supposed to be the most likely
hiding place of the Kuchwahas' famous lost treasure. As India entered into a new dawn
after its independence from the British and as a result, the princely states have to
submit to the Indian Union, there was fear among the rulers that their huge fortunes may
be confiscated by the government. Though the Income tax sleuths scoured the fort with
metal detectors but found nothing. |