Jaipur, India

hawa mahal palace architecture 6156123
City History

Here is a quick overview of the history of Jaipur:

• Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. He was the ruler of Amber Fort and decided to shift his capital city to the newly built city of Jaipur.

• Jaipur was strategically built at the foothills of the Aravalli Range to maintain surveillance over the entry points to his kingdom. The city was designed according to Vastu Shastra and is laid out in a grid pattern with wide avenues.

• Jaipur served as an important and strategic fortress town during the Mughal rule and later under the British rule. It witnessed numerous assaults and attacks but could not be conquered.

• In the 18th and 19th centuries, Jaipur was an important center of trade in textiles, metals, and grains. The city also developed as an important cultural center. Many notable forts, palaces, temples, and havelis were built during this period.

After India‘s independence in 1947, Jaipur continued to thrive as a cultural and tourist hub. With its magnificent palaces, forts, and monuments, Jaipur attracts a large number of tourists interested in history, architecture, and heritage.

• Today, Jaipur is a major city and the capital of Rajasthan state. It has developed into an industrial center and an important junction for railways and roadways. However, its historic old city still retains the old world charm with palaces, forts, havelis, and vibrant bazaars.

Top City Attractions

1. **Amber Fort**: Amber Fort, also known as Amer Fort, is a magnificent fort and palace complex built from pale yellow and pink sandstone. It is a blend of Hindu and Rajput-Mughal architecture, offering a panoramic view of the city. * Cost: INR 200 for Indians, INR 500 for foreigners * Hours of Operation: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm * Address: Devisinghpura, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001 * Phone: +91 141 253 0293 * Website: https://www.amberfort.org

2. **City Palace**: The City Palace is a royal complex that houses the Maharaja‘s residence, museums, and other historical buildings. It showcases a fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture. * Cost: INR 200 for Indians, INR 500 for foreigners * Hours of Operation: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm * Address: Tulsi Marg, Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002 * Phone: +91 141 408 8888 * Website: https://royaljaipur.in

 3. **Hawa Mahal**: Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds, is a five-story structure made from pink sandstone, famous for its 953 small windows (jharokhas) that allowed royal women to observe the streets without being seen. * Cost: INR 50 for Indians, INR 200 for foreigners * Hours of Operation: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm * Address: Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Choupad, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002 * Phone: +91 141 261 8033 * Website:https://www.hawa-mahal.com/

4. **Jantar Mantar**: Jantar Mantar is a collection of 19 astronomical instruments built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It features the world‘s largest stone sundial is a UNESCO World Heritage site. * Cost: INR 50 for Indians, INR 200 for foreigners * Hours of Operation: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm * Address: Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002 * Phone: +91 141 261 0494 * Website: www.jantarmantar.org

5. **Nahargarh Fort**: Nahargarh Fort is a hilltop fort that offers a stunning view of Jaipur city. It was built as a defense fort and now houses a wax museum and a glass palace. * Cost: INR 50 for Indians, INR 200 for foreigners * Hours of Operation: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm * Address: Krishna Nagar, Brahampuri, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002 * Phone: +91 141 516 1295.

6. **Jal Mahal**: Jal Mahal, or the Water Palace, is a beautiful palace located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. The palace is not open to the public, but visitors can enjoy the view from the lakeside. * Cost: Free (view from the lakeside) * Hours of Operation: 24 hours (view from the lakeside) * Address: Amer Rd, Jal Mahal, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002 * Phone: N/A * Website: N/A

7. **Albert Hall Museum**: Albert Hall Museum is the oldest museum in Rajasthan, displaying a vast collection of artifacts, paintings, and sculptures. * Cost: INR 40 for Indians, INR 300 for foreigners * Hours of Operation: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm * Address: Museum Road, Ram Niwas Garden, Kailash Puri, Adarsh Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302004.  Phone: +91 141 257 0099.  Website: https://www.india.gov.in/official-website-albert-hall-museum-jaipur

8. **Birla Mandir**: Birla Mandir, also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple, is a beautiful white marble temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. * Cost: Free * Hours of Operation: 6:00 am to 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm * Address: Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, Tilak Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302004 * Phone: +91 141 262 0793.

9. **Galtaji Temple**: Galtaji Temple is * Hours of Operation: 5:00 am to 9:00 pm * Address: Shri Galta Peetham, Galva Ashrama, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302013 * Phone: +91 141 268 0494 * Website: N/A

10. **Jaigarh Fort**: Jaigarh Fort is a massive fort that once served as the royal treasury and armory. It houses‘s largest cannon on wheels, Jaivana Cannon. * Cost: INR 35 for Indians, INR 85 for foreigners * Hours of Operation: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm * Address: Above Amber Fort, Devisinghpura, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001 * Phone: +91 141 267 1848 * Websitehttps://www.jaipur.org.uk/forts-monuments/jaigarh-fort.html

Day Trips

1. **Amer Fort**: A magnificent 16th-century fort and palace known for its blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. It is located 11 km from Jaipur, taking around 30 minutes to reach by car. The cost of entry is INR 100 for Indians and INR 500 for foreigners. It is open from 8 AM to 5:30 PM for day visits, and 7 PM to 10 PM for the light and sound show. Address: Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001 Phone: +91 141 253 0293 Website:  https://globalheritagefund.org/places/amer-fort-india/

2. **Abhaneri Step Well**: A historical stepwell known as Chand Baori, famous for its unique architectural style and intricate carvings. It is located about 95 km from Jaipur, taking around 2 hours to reach by car. There is no entry fee. It is open from 8 AM to 6 PM. Address: Abhaneri, near Bandikui, Dausa, Rajasthan 303313 Phone: N/A Website: https://www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/chand-baori.html

3. **Ranthambore National Park**: A famous wildlife reserve known for its Bengal tigers, other wildlife, and ancient ruins. It is located about 180 km from Jaipur, taking around 3.5 hours to reach by car. The cost of a safari varies depending on the vehicle and number of people, starting around INR 1500 per person. It is open from October to June, with safari timings varying by season. Address: Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan 322001 Phone: +91 7462 221 349 

4. **Pushkar**: A sacred town known for its holy lake, ghats, and the only Brahma temple in the world. It is located about 145 km from Jaipur, taking around 3 hours to reach by car. There is no entry fee for the town, but individual temples may have fees. The town is open year-round, with temple timings varying. Address: Pushkar, Ajmer, Rajasthan Phone: N/A Website: https://www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/pushkar.html

5. **Ajmer Sharif Dargah**: A famous Sufi shrine dedicated to the 13th-century saint Moinuddin Chishti. It is located about 135 km from Jaipur, taking around 2.5 hours to reach by car. There is no entry fee, but donations are accepted. It is open from 5 AM to 9 PM. Address: Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Ajmer, Rajasthan 305001 Phone: +91 145 242 6590 Website: https://www.ajmersharif.org/

Local Transportation

**1. Jaipur Metro** Cost: Fares range from INR 6 to INR 23 depending on the distance. Websitehttps://transport.rajasthan.gov.in/jmrc#

**2. Auto Rickshaws** Cost: Fares start from INR 25 for short distances, and then INR 8 per kilometer. Website: No official website, but you can book through ride-hailing apps like Ola https://www.olacabs.com/auto

**3. Cycle Rickshaws** Cost: Fares vary, but expect to pay around INR 3050 for short distances. Website: No official website, as cycle rickshaws are usually found on the streets.

**4. Taxis** Cost: Fares start from INR 100 for the first 4 kilometers, and then INR 1215 per kilometer. Either hail a taxi, find a taxi stand or download Uber or Ola from your phone’s app store.

**5. City Buses** Cost: Fares range from INR 5 to INR 20 depending on the distance. Website: http://transport.rajasthan.gov.in/rsrtc/

**6. E-Rickshaws** Cost: Fares vary, but expect to pay around INR 2050 for short distances. Website: No official website, but you can book through ride-hailing apps like Ola https://www.olacabs.com/auto

**7. Private Car Rentals** Cost: Prices vary depending on the vehicle type and rental duration, starting from INR 1,000 per day

Airport

**Jaipur International Airport (JAI)** is the nearest airport to Jaipur. It is located approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) from the city center. The distance from Agra city center to Jaipur International Airport is approximately 240 km (149 miles), and it takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes to reach by road. Types of transportation to the airport include:

1. **By car**: You can hire a taxi or drive yourself. The cost will depend on the car type and fuel prices.

**By bus**: There are regular buses from Agra to Jaipur. The ticket price varies from300 to800 ($4 to $11) depending on the bus type. You can book a bus ticket online through https://www.redbus.in/bus-tickets

**By train**: There are several trains between Agra and Jaipur. The train journey takes around 4 to 6 hours, and the fare varies from100 to1000 ($1.5 to $14) depending on the train class. You can book train tickets online through https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/train-search

Travel time and cost will vary depending on traffic and the final destination or departure point.

Please check the links for up to date schedules, fares and services.

Currency

The currency of Goa is Indian Rupee (₹). Goa does not have its own separate currency. Some facts about Indian Rupee (INR):

Paper bills:

• ₹10 

 ₹20

 • ₹50 

• ₹100

 • ₹200

 • ₹500 

• ₹1000

 • ₹2000

 ₹5000

• ₹10,000

 Coin denominations:

 ₹1

• ₹2

• ₹5

 ₹10

• ₹20

Climate

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan in India, has a semi-arid climate. The city experiences hot summers, mild winters, and a monsoon season. The average temperature ranges from 15°C (59°F) in winter to 40°C (104°F) in summer. The monsoon season typically lasts from July to September, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall.

Events Calendar

Spread the love