Things To Do In Jaipur

Jaipur, the biggest city in Rajasthan, embodies glory and liveliness. This city was

founded in 1727 by Jai Singh II and became one of India's most marvelous cities.

With breathtaking forts, elegant royal residences, serene sanctuaries, and

delightful havelis; Jaipur is the perfect tourist destination. Other than having the

most appealing attractions in India, Jaipur showcases impeccably crafted works

and exceptional skill in making jewelry and pottery. These creative expressions of

art add life and color to the Pink City's distinctive qualities.

An elephant ride is an excellent way to reach the entrance of the Amber Fort and

Palace. The fort is surrounded by a fortress wall measuring nine miles long and

winding over the hills. This fort is an excellent example of great Indian

architecture. You will never tire of watching the play of light on the thousands of

small mirrors that decorate the walls and ceiling of the Shesh Mahal building. You

will be left wondering how they did this, and how long it took to achieve this

wealth of detail and magnificence. It is a striking and highly recommended place

to visit in Jaipur.

When To Go:

Arranged at an elevation of 431 meters above the ocean level, the atmosphere of

Jaipur is extreme. The city offers a warm temperature during the summer months

and can reach a temperature of around 45 °C. Winters show a brilliant sun and

mild climate every day. Winters have a fascinating spell on Jaipur, which make it a

great time to visit. The climate is mild enough to take an excursion around the city

of Rajputs. At the same time, if you are the type who likes to stay away from

heavy flows of travelers, visit the city in April. There are relatively few crowds

going around to see this spot in the month of April as it gets a bit hot by then.

The most convenient time to visit this city is from October to March, right before

the onset of the peak of the summer season in April. This charming climate

guarantees that you witness the regal Pink City, Jaipur with complete excitement,

and it will reward you with an enriching travel experience and wonderful

memories of the city.

Here are the top places to explore and the things to do when in Jaipur...

Amber Fort and Palace

The Amber Fort and Palace is the most famous attraction on the outskirts of

Jaipur. This attraction is magnificent and majestic, and located a few miles outside

the city. The fort, situated on top of a rock, can be reached by car or a ride on the

elephant’s back. The access works both ways, but if you are not interested in

seeing animals get prodded with sticks to move, it is highly recommended to take

the car. By car, you can get on top of the castle in just a few minutes.

Purchasing a ticket is required in order to gain admission to the fort. Audio guides

are available in several languages.

The palace is exquisite, tidy, and well looked after. It looks truly immense and

alternates ample space and beautiful views to a tangle of tunnels, narrow

passages and internal staircases that make you lose orientation. The level of

maintenance is impressive as well, as are the elaborate details of its interior

decoration. The tour lasts at least 3 or 4 hours, and if you want to see all the

rooms, follow the step by step audio guide. You can combine a visit to this place

with a tour of the nearby Shesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) and the Shila Devi Temple

(Goddess). At the end of the trip, there is a cafeteria on the premises of the fort,

where, for less than 1 euro, you can enjoy excellent Italian coffee.

Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors)

The Sheesh Mahal, also known as the Hall of Mirrors, is located in Amber Fort, a

magnificent palace about a quarter of an hour's drive from Jaipur. It is in the third

courtyard that there is a large room completely covered both on the walls and

ceilings with tiny mirrors. This helps create a fantastic visual effect- one very

unique in its kind. The choice of covering all the walls of mirrors was dictated by

the fact that the Maharajah (a noble and great king) of Jaipur wanted natural light

as much as possible. The combined reflection of all the mirrors succeeded in

producing this desired effect.

Do not miss the glitz of the typical Rajput paintings that characterize all the rooms

of the compound. This ancient building is filled with rooms and lovely garden

patios. It is not really that large, but it stands above the rest of the other

structures in Jaipur because of its lavishly decorated rooms and cultural

significance. Everything shines inside, and you can even take photographs of your

image reflected in the mirrors. It creates a one of a kind effect that can only be

achieved inside the walls of this hidden treasure inside the Amber Fort.

Govind Devji Temple

Architecturally, the Govind Devji Temple is gorgeous and the most interesting part

about this sacred place is the intense spirituality and strength of the devotees

who go to pray to their lord, Krishna. If you want to experience in person how to

pray and sing devotional Krishna music (Bhajans) and learn about Hinduism, this

site will not disappoint.

More than making the mandatory visit, it is an unforgettable experience. The

sanctuary gained international recognition from the Guinness Book of World

Records for having the widest (RCC) flat roof construction. This implies there are

no columns or pillars in the middle of the main hall of the temple that distracts

the view of its devotees.

The revered icon in the sanctuary faces the window of what was once the ruler's

official bedroom in the Jaipur Palace. The Royal family had some profound and

specially tailored bejeweled outfits made for the icons. There are five of these

worn on exceptional events, such as the day of Diwali (a yearly spiritual and holy

celebration every autumn season).

Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing

The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing is located within the fortress of Amber and

shows an impressive collection of more than 2 million objects of art from India

and around the world. Some have existed for more than 5,000 years in history.

Anokhi has a vast collection of the following: Neolithic tools and jewelry made

from shells and bones from the ancient Hindu civilization, Mohenjo daro

archeological collections from Pakistan, and objects from other countries and

Hindu cultures. The wide selection mostly covers prehistoric objects, archeology,

jewelry making, and painting.

Visit the Haveli (central courtyard) of the museum, and admire the progression of

ancient to modern clothing with its vast array of national costumes and

impressive collection of hand printed textiles.

The museum is small but worth a visit, on the top floor, there is a wood carving

workshop and artisans who will demonstrate how to create the stamp designs or

the intricate patterns on fabric. It is fun and you will be given instructions and a

chance to try your hand at designing one. If you want handy souvenirs to bring

home to your loved ones, there is a gift shop located within the grounds of the

museum.

Jantar Mantar (Jaipur)

The Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory in Jaipur that is equipped with

huge devices. It is located opposite the City Palace in the old part of Jaipur. Once

inside you see that all of the items are still in good condition despite its apparent

antiquity. It is not surprising to learn that this unique place has become the most

important part of the ancient astronomical centers in India. It is the fifth

observatory built by Maharaja Jai Sing II, who spoke several languages and was a

prolific astronomer.

The observatory has 27 instruments that are still operational and located in a

large yard to work with the sun's rays. It is a very interesting attraction that is

educational. A tour must be chaperoned by an expert guide to understand the

importance and how to interpret the gathered astrological data. However, there

are sundials that you can find here that come with complete markers and

explanations on how it delivers impressive accuracy to observe the stars, the

planets, and the sun.

City Palace of Jaipur

The City Palace of Jaipur is the perfect example of how a Maharajah’s palace

should be. It is located in the center of the city of Jaipur amid the presence of

daily traffic, noise, and modern buildings. When you enter the palace complex

itself, a lavish presentation of Hindu living is displayed. The tour of the different

rooms, where the former rulers officiated, is significant and attracts many visitors.

There are two large silver vases that have been listed by the Guinness Book of

Records as the largest silver object world. The interior is lavish and colorful, but

taking pictures is strictly prohibited and cameras must be left in the entrance

lobby.

The current Maharajah still lives in the palace, but in a closed area adjacent to the

visitor’s lounge. In the courtyard, you can see the object of the world's largest

silver objects. These are huge silver vessels made to carry water from the Ganges

when the Maharaja visits, to the UK. The admission fee is not cheap (300 rupees),

and the audio guide comes at an additional cost, but every room has an

explanation in the English language. Inside, there is a café where you can stop by

if you fancy a cold or hot drink. It is well arranged and snacks are served at a

reasonable price. Another noteworthy feature of the palace tour is you can see

some of the rooms that have been converted into shops or as handicraft centers.

And just like in many parts of India, you will see monkeys crossing the rooftops.

Galta - Hanuman Temple

Like most Indian temples, the Hanuman Temple is beautiful and attractive. It has

extensive grounds and various buildings to enjoy beautiful views and photo

shoots of the buildings as well as the monkeys that live there. To access the top, it

is necessary to climb several stairs and enjoy the panoramic view of the entire

Jaipur city. It is this stunning, full of magic, and enchanting atmosphere that

makes India truly unique.

Go by the Jaipur side to buy peanuts, then go up to the temple of the sun and

observe and do some reflection. Afterwards, you can go downwards to the

temples and pools of Galta. The moments of Puja (offering ceremonies) are great

and very moving. You should take some time to 'feel' the place. Photos can be

taken with respect and by always asking the temple staff the permission to do so.

The significant presence of devoted pilgrims adds to its mystic charm and

authenticity; make sure to visit this temple when in Jaipur.

Birla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan Mandir)

The Birla Mandir or the Laxmi Narayan Mandir is an attractive Hindu temple made

of white marble. But the most interesting part is what you will see on its

interiors. Inside the walls and engraved in marble are representations of the life

of Lord Krishna and his eight reincarnations. It is very impressive and it is

unfortunate that you cannot take pictures inside, but the impression is left in the

memory forever. The temple is extraordinarily beautiful, especially in the evening.

It has a lot of colorful frescoes that depicts the life of Vishnu and his wife,

Lakshmi. It was built and opened in 1998 at the expense of rich Indian tycoons. In

the temple, you can see pictures of famous people from other religions; Buddha,

Christ, Zoroaster, and others.

Moti Dungari Temple

The Moti Dungari Temple is one of the oldest sanctuaries in Jaipur that is

dedicated to the Hindu deity called the Lord Ganesha. It is located next to the

Birla temple so you can easily visit both attractions within one day. It is a very

popular temple, with a friendly ambiance and faithful pilgrims. Wednesday is

when most devotees flock to visit, offer prayers and spend quiet moments of

contemplation.

While there you will notice, the icon is situated in a sitting position. The complex

is also surrounded by many other sacred temples, shops selling sweet delicacies,

stalls with flowers, and toy shops for kids. You can stroll through the adjacent

park and if you look closely, you can see a lot of colorful peacocks taking a stroll

around the walls of the nearby Rajmata Fort.

Hawa Mahal - Palace of Wind

The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Wind has an unusual architecture, but it is a

perfect place to shoot beautiful photographs of Jaipur. It is located in the Badi

Chauper, where the bangle-dealers set up wonderful and astounding walls of

sparkling hued glass and plastic to entice the neighborhood young ladies in times

past. Its five-story exterior stucco of pink stone, encrusted with fine Jali

craftsmanship and balconies has 953 alcoves and windows. It is impossible to get

inside, and picture taking can only be done outside this old but imposing structure

in the city.

Monkey Temple (Galwar Bagh)

The Monkey Temple or the Galwar Bagh is the most fun attraction in India. The

structure is sandwiched between the gorges and covered by the jungle. It has

several levels and you must climb up the steps to reach the top. At the lower

levels, you can visit the current Hindu temple. On the approach to the temple,

you will see live tailed monkeys making faces, some hilarious and with good-

natured disposition.

The monkeys live in this temple. It is particularly interesting to see how they swim

in the pool (there are two swimming pools on different levels). In order to see the

monkeys, it is best to come at sunset because that's when they come down from

the surrounding mountains and gather in the temple. Don’t forget to bring

peanuts, camera, and your sense of adventure.

Jaigarh Fort

From the Amber, the Jaigarh Fort can be reached by tuk-tuk or on foot along a

footpath with high walls of red stone. At the entrance, there is a huge cannon and

a decent view of the Amber Fort and the tallest tower. Behind the high walls and

closed doors, this fortress used to be a prison where hardened criminals were

kept.

It no longer serves as the jail, but an open museum, promenade park, and

observation deck where families gather every weekend. The most interesting

place is the balcony-veranda around a central garden which offers a unique view

of the city of Jaipur.

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