Best time to visit: October - March
Jaipur is part of the most popular tourist circuit in India - The Golden Triangle - of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a business centre that has beautifully married its modern day trappings to the flavours of a bygone Rajput past.
Jaipur was founded in 1727 AD by the great Kachhawaha ruler Sawai Jai Singh. The pink colour was used to imitate the red sandstone buildings of Mughal cities. It was repainted in 1876 during the visit of the Prince of Wales. Ever since, it has been known as Pink City.
The city is best explored gradually because each lane and bylane of Jaipur has a story to tell or a ware to sell.
The City Palace is an important landmark with its numerous courtyards, gateways and temples. Across the road is the Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories built by the astronomer king Sawai Jai Singh.
Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) adjoins the palace wall and was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Outside the walled city lies the Ram Niwas Garden and its majestic Albert Hall Museum displaying a rich collection of paintings, carpets, ivory, stone and metal sculptures.
Last but not the least are Jaipur's forts - Amer, Jaigarh and Nahargarh.
The Pink City is also a shopper's paradise where one can pick up great masterpieces of Rajasthani craftsmanship.
HOW TO GET THERE
- By Air: Jaipur is well connected to all major cities in India by air. Its airport is located near Sanganer town, 13 kms from Jaipur. The airport has been granted the status of an international airport and connects to the foreign cities like Sharjah and Muscat too.
- By Road: Jaipur is well connected by road to major cities in India. Deluxe coaches operated by RTDC, ITDC and others run from Delhi, Agra, Udaipur and Jodhpur. Taxi service is available from all destinations at negotiable prices.
- By Rail: The railway station is in the heart of the city. Indian Railways connects Jaipur station with all other cities of India.
