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The Pink City (since all the buildings are painted a hue of pink), the capital of Rajasthan, was founded by Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727 A.D. He was not only a great ruler but also a renowned mathematician and astrologer. His various talents are clearly exhibited in the city. Jaipur can also be called as the first planned city of the country. It was designed by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya as per the Hindu Treatise, Shilpa Shastra. The entire city was divided into rectangular blocks and surrounded by a peripheral wall with huge gates guarding it. The market places were named after the commodity which was predominantly sold or manufactured there. Major monuments of the city are located in the Chokri Sarhad or the palace sector, the area in and around the City Palace. The important places to see are the City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace), Rambagh Palace, Jantar Mantar (astronomical place), Central Museum, Dolls Museum, and Laxmi Narayan Temple, etc. Jaipur is also a shopper's paradise with its rich treasure of bewitching jewellery, beautiful gems, semi precious stones, Kundan and Minakari work (enamel on gold). It also has a range of beautiful cotton fabrics including Sanganeri prints, tie-and-dye and fine Kota doria saris. Jaipur is also famous for the exotic blue pottery, enamel and brass ware, embroidered leather foot wear known as jutis, woolen carpets and cotton rugs. Jaipur is also known for its fairs and festivals. The important festivals of the city are Gangaur (March-April), Elephant Festival (March), and Teej (July-August).
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The train arrived at Jaipur during the night. We left the train for sightseeing at 0900, after having breakfast on the train. |
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Yes, that's an elephant greeting our arrival. |
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This was to become a familiar pattern throughout the trip. Arrive at destination and be greeted with flower garland and "kumkum" (the red spots you see on our foreheads in some of the pictures). |
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This is Hawa Mahal, "The Wind Palace." This is actually a facade. During the time of the moghul rulers, women would remain behind the screens so they could observe goings on without being observed. |
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Yes, more elephants. We rode these pachyderms for twenty minutes up to the Amber Palace, located on top of a hill. |
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Sowmya, inside the Amber Palace walls. |
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A detail of some beautiful inlay work. |
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I don't honestly remember what we are looking up at here. |
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Detail of some exquisite marble etching. |
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Looking down at the palace gardens. |
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This is the road we took up to the palace. |
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A bit difficult to see, but there is a defensive wall on the next hill. |