Jaipur: The Best Place to begin your India Sojourn
Rajasthan, a name synonymous with opulence, palaces, forts, rich Indian weddings, razzmatazz, rich culture, colour and delicious food is popular the world over. In all probability, it is one of the one of the first locations from where foreign travelers begin their India journey. And what better place to start this India sojourn than Jaipur, the Pink city and the capital of the state of Rajasthan where glitterati, rich culture, luxury palace hotels, mighty forts and much more roll into one.
Named after Maharaja Jai Singh ji, Jaipur was established in the year 1762. More or less equidistant from both Delhi and Agra, Jaipur is hot on the tourist map. It’s low cost international airport hub, excellent rail and road connectivity gives it great access. This excellent access also serves as a great getaway to other attractions of Rajasthan, such as Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Pushkar, Bikaner, Ranakpur and may more. It is here in Jaipur that tourists from all over the world flock to witness the beauty of the landscapes where the forts stand tall depicting the glory and valor of Indian Maharajas. As for the hotels in Jaipur, they offer world-class accommodation that fits every class of traveler.
Places to Visit in Jaipur
City Palace
Maharaja Jai Singh consulted renowned architects and considered architecture textbooks before laying out the plan of this vast city. The lavishness of the royal families is clearly visible in the City Palace, which includes the premises of Mubarak Mahal and Chandra Mahal inside its boundary. Its museum depicts the opulence of the 18thcentury rulers of this golden land and the constructions reflect the effect of Mughal architecture.
Hawa Mahal
This iconic structure is one of the most admired tourist locations in Jaipur. The main feature of the Mahal are the high-screen walls specially designed for the royal ladies to watch the market proceedings without being spotted by the men.
Amber Fort
It comprises an elegant example of a hill fort. While it construction depicts the Hindu architecture, the cobblestoned paths and huge ramparts follow the Maota Lake. The beautiful views of the highland along with the fort beside a lake are priceless.
Jantar Mantar
This architecture marvel is the conglomeration of 19 astronomical erections constructed according to the celestial coordinate system. This UNESCO heritage site has the largest sundial in the world. The then highly advanced patrons of astronomy measured time predicted eclipses and tracked locations of famous stars in the galaxy.
Nahargarh Fort
Situated right on the brim of the Aravalli Hills it is among the most visited sites in Jaipur. If you want to witness the beauty of the entire city from an admirable height, then this fort is the right place to go.
Jal Mahal
Another world-famous site to visit in this city is Jal Mahal. The iconic fort is situated right at the center of the Man Sagar Lake. The palace is made of red stones and the majority of its construction is under water. The entire structure along with the renovation of the water body was done in the 18th century.
Man Sagar Lake
It is a great example of artificial lakes in India. The panoramic views of the dam built across the Dharbawati River will be an ultimate experience for the tourists.
Mesmeric Museums
The Jaigarh Fort, which was built to safeguard Amber Fort, stretches up to 3 km and features a museum. It displays the contemporary artefacts used by the royal families. For the history and art buffs, Albert Hall Museum is another ideal place to visit and enjoy the displays. Jawahar Kala Kendra also displays art, architecture and culture-related collections. It was built by the government to preserve the age-old Rajasthani arts.
Temples
If you are looking for a religious tour, then you must visit Govind Dev Ji Temple, Birla Mandir, and Moti Doongri Ganesh Temple. The hotels in Jaipur that are situated near the locations will be convenient options for accommodation to stay and enjoy all the nearest tourist locations at once.
Gardens and Zoo
The flora and fauna admirers will enjoy the glimpse of varieties of animals in the Jaipur Zoo. Ram Niwas Garden, on the other hand, is a great place to enjoy the serene environment in the lap of nature. Central Park, on the other hand, is the largest green space in Jaipur that has stone statues and jogging paths. Big trees in the lush green sprawling lawns offer ecstatic natural views. If you want an all-in-one package of a palace in a garden surrounded by hills, then Sisodiya Rani Bagh is the place. Kanak Vrindavan is a garden on a valley that leads to Amer Fort and is surrounded by Aravalli Hills.
The charisma of the city compels the tourists to come back and enjoy the elegant forts and natural landscapes all over again. The royal architecture and the rich artistic culture will surely provide a never before experience, while you ensure a comfortable stay in any of the friendly hotel properties in Jaipur that span a whole range of genres and budgets.