My friends and I are planning a trip to Jaipur from Delhi. We easily get a chance like this to be together as we are all heading off for our further studies and we all will be in different parts of India, and it would be a very long time until we would be able to meet up again. We want to make this a memorable holiday totally explore Jaipur. I need some suggestions from people who have knowledge about Jaipur to provide me with a list of places to visit in Jaipur. Some information which may help you with providing the list is: - The duration of our holiday is going to be for ten days - We are a group of 4 girls and five boys - We won't have our own transport and would rely on public transport, which is not an issue for us
Hello, @Dhristi, welcome to the forum! (Images from Krishan, Diego, Delso and Antoine) Overview The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, is also its most popular tourist destination. From its pink-washed walls, to its majestic forts, grand palaces and overall royal vibe, it stands as witness to the old Rajput rule. But it is also able to withstand the times, keeping up with the modernities and technologies that we all have now. As such, Jaipur offers a unique blend of the past and the present, making a tour in the city quite easy and comfortable. So if you want to have that glimpse of the past, specifically the royal past of Rajasthan, Jaipur, is one of the best places you should include in your itinerary. In this guide, we would highlight the very best places that one can explore while in Jaipur. Places to Visit in Jaipur Historical Amber Fort - The Amber Fort is about 14 kilometres away from the city centre of Jaipur. A magnificent fort slash palace built by Raja Man Singh I during the early 17th century stands upon a hillock in Amer, overlooking the Maota Lake. In itself though, the city of Amer was established centuries earlier, first by the Meenas and thereafter by the Rajputs. The Amber Fort is a grand fortress comprised of various royal structures inside. It served as the capital of the Rajputs before the shifting of the capital from Amer to Jaipur during the early 18th century. There are four main gateways to the fort but the most majestic of these is the Ganesh Pol. This gateway has very ornate exteriors, filled with murals of various shapes and floral designs, created by using natural dyes. Latticeworks in the windows at the top are very intricate as well. There are different structures worth exploring inside the fort like the Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khaas. You also can't miss the Sheesh Mahal, which has exquisite mirror works that reflect even just a light from a single candle. Sukh Niwas is the recreation palace of the royals and interestingly, it has its own garden with open channels of water. These channels of water provide some cooling effect as they flow directly into the palace. The Raja Man Singh Palace is the king's quarters which also has the rooms for his 12 wives. Yes, Raja Man Singh I has had 12 wives and they each had their own designated rooms in the palace, with private pathways as well to the king's bedroom. Overall, the Amber Fort is a can't be missed attraction in the city. It has this unique blend of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles that are sure to fascinate you. But more than that, the stories behind each wall, mural or building are enough to keep you entertained for the duration of the tour. Amber Fort (Image from Firoze) Jaigarh Fort - About seven kilometres away from the Amber Fort is the Jaigarh Fort. This fort is in fact connected to the Amber Fort via this secret tunnel, which served as an emergency escape for the royals back then. You can see the tunnel from the Amber Fort though reaching the Jaigarh Fort from it isn't allowed. This fort was built in the early 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh III, as a means of protection for the Amber Fort. As such, it is devoid of the ornate palaces or halls and has a more functional design. The walls of the fort are spread around three kilometres long and it has a stark red appearance due to the use of sandstone. The location of the fort is very ideal, at the hillock named Cheel ka Teela, which gives a commanding view of the entire Amer City. There are a few residential palaces in the fort still, like the Laxmi Vilas, Vilas Mandir and Lalit Mandir, but they aren't as exquisite as the ones in Amber Fort. The main star here is the Jaivana, which is considered as the world's largest cannon on wheels. What's interesting is that this fort was never used for battle, it was only tested once and the cannon ball travelled over 35 kilometres during that test! Yet another interesting trivia about the fort is that it has a massive underground water storage system that was believed to hide loots of treasure of the dynasty. However, even after excavating the water storage back then, by the Indian Government, it revealed no signs of these supposed treasures. Nahargarh Fort - The Nahargarh Fort is the closest to the city centre of Jaipur, at around six kilometres away. This fort was also built to protect the Amer Fort, which was the main residence of the royals. It was Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II who initiated for its construction, around the early 18th century. According to local legends, the fort's construction was hindered several times by the spirit of Nahar Singh Bhomia. It was only when the fort was renamed after him and a temple was built for his memory that his spirit finally became peaceful. Legends aside, the Nahargarh Fort is a strategic fort, overlooking the entire Amer City and Jaipur City. In size, the Nahargarh Fort is the smallest out of the three forts of Jaipur. The very ornate Madhavendra Palace was the summer retreat of the royals of Amer. The murals and furnitures of the palace has been well-preserved and it has a collection of nine suites that boast of their own kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Various temples, cannons and even an amphitheatre can also be found within the fort premises. City Palace - When Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II decided to move his capital from Amer to Jaipur, there was a need for a residence for the royals. It was then that the City Palace was built, around the years of 1729 to 1732. Thereafter, rulers of Jaipur added their own structures inside the complex which still seemingly blends with one another despite the varying architectural designs. The palace complex has three main gateways but only two can be used by the public as the third one, the Tripolia Gate, is reserved for the descendants of the royal family who still live in the Chandra Mahal of the complex. While most of the complex is opened for tourists, some parts remain off limits, specifically the upper floors of the Chandra Mahal, as this is where the royals reside. Many of the structures of the palace complex has been turned into museums showcasing the opulent lifestyle of the royals back then. For instance, the Sarvato Bhadra, Hall of Public Audiences, has these two humongous silver urns, known as the Gangajalis. These silver urns were specifically made for Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II, as he was believed to only drink water from the Ganges River. So for a trip abroad, these urns were filled with water from the Ganges and brought by the Maharaja during his journey. In itself, the Mubarak Mahal has very captivating exteriors filled with intricate carvings. But wait until you get on the inside and see the royal wardrobes, worn by the Maharajas and Maharanis of Jaipur. The unique feature of the City Palace is that it incorporates architectural styles from the Mughal, Hindu, Rajput and European dynasties which gives one a very contrasting yet varied royal vibe. Hawa Mahal - Next we have the Palace of Winds, the Hawa Mahal, which was built during the year 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Despite the name, this palace isn't a residential mansion of the royals. Instead, it served as a watch palace for the royal women, where they can easily watch the royal processions or everyday living of the locals, without being seen, a practice known as Purdah. Most tourists see the grand palace from the outside and rarely venture inside which is unfortunate, because the palace has quite beautiful interiors too. The entrance to the palace is located opposite the known facade and you need to pass through some alleys to reach it. Comprised of five storeys, there's not much furnitures or intricate work of arts in the palace but this simplicity makes it stand out. Perhaps the most ornate of the floors is the Ratan Mandir, which has stained glass windows that reflect light during day time. The most windy floor is aptly named the Hawa Mandir and from here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Jaipur. Hawa Mahal (Image from Firoze) Jal Mahal - The Jal Mahal was built by the same builder of Hawa Mahal, Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Unfortunately, the palace can only seen from a distance as it stands at the Man Sagar Lake. Boating facilities are not allowed in the lake and access to the palace was restricted even back then. This is not your typical palace on an island attraction because the Jal Mahal is literally built upon the lake grounds. It was built in the area when the lake was completely dried up, hence the construction was initiated normally. To keep the water from getting inside the palace though, the walls were built very strongly and reinforced with lime stone mortars. The palace appears as just a one-storey structure from a distance but it actually has five storeys with the four floors being submerged underwater. It originally served as a duck-hunting reserve for the Maharaja Pratap and as of now, is on a legal dispute, hence the restriction to access it. Royal Gaitor Tumbas - Now the Royal Gaitor Tumbas or the Tombs of the Maharajas, is a little known attraction close to the Nahargarh Fort. It is rarely a part of the usual tourist circuits but can be a nice attraction for those who want to venture away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The tombs are spread around two main courtyards, which can be named as the New Courtyard and the Old Courtyard. In the New Courtyard, you would find the tombs of Maharaja Madho Singh II, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and other more recent rulers of the city. The Old Courtyard houses the tombs of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, Maharaja Jai Singh II and the older rulers of the city. The tombs have the typical canopied appearance and was made using white marble. Intricate carvings flank the exteriors and interiors of the tombs as well. Isar Laat - Last on this section is the Isar Laat, also known as the Swargasuli Tower or Victory Tower. This tower was built by Maharaja Sawai Ishwari Singh during the middle of the 18th century to commemorate his victory over the combined armies of the Mewars and Marathas. Interestingly, this army also included his brother, Madho Singh. Onto the minaret itself, it is comprised of about seven storey, with an average height of 60 feet. There are around 250 steps that one needs to climb to reach the top so if you have elderly with you, it's best to skip this attraction, or at least skip climbing it. From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Jaipur, which includes sights like the Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and City Palace. Religious Birla Mandir - For the devout Hindus, the Birla Group had also built a Birla Mandir in Jaipur, located in Tilak Nagar. A pure white marble construction, this temple is hard to miss in the city. Much like other Birla Group temples, the Birla Mandir in Jaipur has its own green garden that contrasts with the spark white appearance of the temple. The temple is dedicated to Lakshmi Narayan, which is a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, hence the other name of it is the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Most of the temple was built using white marble but there are accents of wooden elements that balances the overall appearance. The main sanctum has a statue of the deity and has mural depictions of various scenes from Hindu mythology as well. Moti Dungari Temple - Next is a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Moti Dungari Temple. It is just a few minutes away from the former temple, located at the Moti Dongri Hill. The temple is mostly frequented by locals, especially those who just moved into the city and need the blessing of Lord Ganesha. As the remover of obstacles, Lord Ganesha is believed to help the newer residents to fit in the city. The temple itself has a simple facade, not as much ornate carvings or murals. However, the huge statue of Lord Ganesha, sitting quite grandly in his throne, is the main attraction of the temple itself. Monkey Temple - The Monkey Temple is also known locally as the Galta Ji Temple. This is actually a large temple complex built by Diwan Rao Kriparam during the 18th century. Held sacred by Hindus because of the tanks surrounding the place that never dries up, this temple complex is flocked to by locals during special festive seasons. It is a bit off the beaten track though and requires a bit of walking to reach, as it is away from the city centre. There are two main kunds, the upper kund is used by men for bathing while the lower kund is used by women for bathing. The third floor is usually where you would find the monkeys residing in the temple premises. Two types of monkeys, the rhesus macaques and langurs, reside here. The former is usually less aggressive and they are quite used to the humans who flock to the temple premises. Monkey Temple (Image from Jon) Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple - Last on this section is the Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple, located on the outskirts of Jaipur. This temple is one of the oldest in Jaipur and the approach to it is via winding roads flanked by lush greenery around. The temple has a creamy facade that spans a few storeys high. It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman who has a swayambhu idol installed here. There are also shrines here dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva. The walls of the main sanctum has various murals depicting scenes from the epic, Ramayana. The temple also serves delicious prasad to devotees, which are delicious and made by volunteers of the village. Museums Albert Hall Museum - The Albert Hall Museum is also known as the Government Central Museum. The Albert Hall itself is a mesmerising structure of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It was built in the early 19th century without any known purpose yet. It was Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II who approved the idea of displaying local arts and handicrafts in the Albert Hall. Fast forward to today, it is considered as the state museum of Rajasthan and also one of the oldest museums in the state. If you aren't too distracted by the wonderful interiors, there are also interesting collections from the Indian land and international countries that you can explore here. Ancient weaponries, royal costumes and statues are the main displays. International exhibits like the Egyptian mummy and Persian carpets are the main stars of the museum. Miniature paintings as well as replicas of famous murals can also be found within the museum. Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing - An interesting attraction especially for the art lovers is the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing. Set in a restored old haveli, the museum fits well with the royal city of Jaipur, though it is located quite on the outskirts, near Amer. This is the best place to understand how traditional hand-printed textiles are made. It is where you can see artisans at work, from the paper design making, to the wood transferring of the design and the tedious stamping process. As such, each textile here is crafted uniquely and it's definitely worth it to buy a few pieces of textiles here to support the community. Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing (Image from Thearostant) Jantar Mantar - It's amazing how forward the people are even during the past era. They were able to construct intricate carvings on stones, technologically advanced water storage systems and even astronomical instruments that are so accurate that they still work today. The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is exactly the latter, a collection of 19 astronomical instruments created to tell time, predict solar movements and more. Completed in the early 18th century, these instruments are masterpieces of the great Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Of these instruments, the largest and most accurate is the Vrihat Samrat Yantra, translated to Large Sun Dial, which can accurately tell time with an error of up to two seconds only. There's a smaller version, the Laghu Samrat Yantra, but its error is estimated to be around 20 seconds, more or less. There are also other instruments used to measure the positions of various celestial bodies like the Dhruvdarshak Pattika (Pole Star Position), Rashivalaya Yantra (Zodiac Sign) and Jai Prakash Yantra (Position of the Sun). All of these instruments have their own descriptions so you can easily understand how they work and what they are for, but you can also hire a guide who can show you exactly how to use these instruments. Nature & Wildlife Central Park - Located at the centre of Jaipur is the Central Park, often considered as the Lungs of the City. It is the largest park of the city and has various attractions inside it. For instance, the open-air gym is a huge hit with the locals, considering that there is no required entry fees for it. The five-kilometre jogging track is well-paved and perfect for the health buffs. There is greenery all around the park too, lawns are maintained well and there are ample sitting areas. For the little ones, they can enjoy running around as the park has vast space. Wildlife in the form of squirrels and birds can also be found in abundance here. Jaipur Zoo - Last on this guide is the Jaipur Zoo, established in 1877 in the city. The zoo is located close to the Ram Niwas Garden of the Albert Hall Museum. The zoo is divided into two sections, namely: Animals Section and Birds Section. The Animals Section consists of various mammals and reptiles. The animals are housed in enclosures with adequate space for movement. Some of the large animals here are deers, barasinghas, panthers, tigers and cheetahs. For the reptiles, gharial crocodiles, pythons and turtles can also be viewed here. Various species of birds in the Birds Section can also be spotted, from peacocks, to owls, to pheasants, flamingoes and even painted storks. It also has a small museum showcasing taxidermies of various animals. Wolf in Jaipur Zoo (Image from Rijin) Conclusion This ends our sightseeing guide on the Pink City of Jaipur. These are the best attractions of the city that are worth visiting. Within your 10-day trip, you can easily cover these attractions so you won't need to rush into them. Do start with the forts of Jaipur, which can give a glimpse of the royal Rajput era. After which, you can allot a day or two for the royal palaces and other heritage sites of the city. The religious attractions deserve a day as well, as they are located a bit far from each other. You can allot another day for the museums of the city, giving the Jantar Mantar the most amount of time. And for the natural attractions with wildlife, you can easily spend another day for them. Thus, you have plenty of days to spare for shopping or just strolling around the busy streets of Jaipur. I hope this helps you!
Jaipur has many places to visit. Here I am mentioning list of places which you can visit in Jaipur: 1) Amber Fort 2) Jaigarh Fort 3) Nahargarh Fort 4) Jal Mahal 5) Hawa Mahal 6) Jantar Mantar 7) City Palace 8) Albert Hall Museum 9) Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh 10) Ram Niwas Garden 11) Birla Mandir & Moti Doongri 12) Gaitore 13) Statue Circle As well you guys can also do lot of things as: 1) Ride on an elephant to the top of Amber Fort 2) Shop from Jaipur markets 3) Go for an early morning hot air balloon ride, near Amber
