The Rose Pink City founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the capital of Rajasthan. It is a major attraction for the first-time visitor. Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts & enclosed by embattled walls. Houses with latticed windows line the streets with their rose pink colour, lending enchantment to the scene, which is almost magical at sunset.

The Old City (Known as the Pink City) is a great place to wander around. The whole city was painted in Pink colour by Maharaja Man Singh II when Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876 AD. Today, every home within the city is obliged by law to maintain its facade. It is a very well planned city laid out in a grid pattern and was designed by a young Bengali engineer and scholar by the name "Vidyadhar Bhattacharya".

Jaipur was and remains the only city in the world, symbolising the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors sub-dividing it. Jaipur is a royal city & this is its most noticeable aspect, small buildings & festivals testify it.

Jaipur & its surroundings are rather like an endless museum. The city also offers an endless variety of crafts. Jewellers here still fashion the beautiful enamel-on-gold pendants, studded on the reverse with precious stones or pearls & turquoise that one sees in miniature paintings. Jaipur's lacquer bangles are famous all over the world. This is a city to be visited.

State	:	Rajasthan
Location	:	Jaipur District
District Area	:	1,766.22 km square
Altitude	:	431m above sea level
Population	:	approx. 66,90,531 (in 2009)
Literacy	:	67%
STD Code	:	0141
Best time to visit	:	October - March
Rainfall	:	650 millimetres (26 in) of rainfall annually
Temperature	:	Summer: 47°C Max Winter: 6°C Min
Climate	:	Hot semi-arid climate
Clothing	:	Summer: Light cotton Winters: Light woolens
Local Languages	:	Rajasthani, Marwari, Hindi and English
Religion	:	Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, Sikhism and Christianity

Amer
Set in a picturesque location, Amer is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh, it sprawls on the hillside. Click here to see a panoramic view of the formidable Amer with Jaigarh in the background. Built in red sandstone and white marble, the palace complex has some very interesting apartments, the likes of which are not to be found anywhere else in the country. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas and Ganesh Pole are the prominent areas of interest.

The old township of Amer lies at the foothills of the palace and has an old world charm, a character of its own. Jagat Shiromani Temple, Narsingh Temple are some of the places of interest.

Amer Palace
The magnificent fort with its huge ramparts & watchtowers, overlooking the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. It is believed to have been the capital of the "Minas", the original inhabitants of Rajasthan.

City Palace
Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of the City Palace guarded by stone elephants, is monumental. In the center of the sprawling old walled city stands the City Palace with its ornate entrance gates, arches, projecting balconies and a series of courtyards. The ground and first floors of the seven storey Chandra Mahal houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. The museum has a rare and rich collection of ornaments, arms, royal costumes, carpets and decorative art objects.

Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal or palace of winds, which is, in fact, no Palace, but an extraordinary facade 0f 953 airy windows used by the ladies of the Palace to watch the outside world. It was built in 1799. A Pandora's box of wonders, the enchanting Hawa Mahal is a multi-layered palace, with a profusion of windows and stone screens. The top of the honeycomb like frontage of Hawa Mahal offers an excellent view of the surrounding.

Jaigarh Fort
It was recently opened to the public after being sealed for seven years, following a rumor that an enormous treasure in gold was buried in vaults under deep reservoirs.

Jaigarh, or the Fort of Victory, is a rugged fort built in 1726. The world's largest cannon on wheels is to be found here. The fort houses a museum and provides some excellent views of the Amer Palace.

Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort 15 km, provides a marvelous view of Jaipur city. Shekhawati 168 km, the painted town, was once subordinate to Jaipur. Sariska Palace 37 km, once a hunting lodge, now a private hotel set on the outskirs of a wildlife sanctuary where tiger, panther, blue bull, wild boar and deer roam the scrubby thicket and bush.

THE GARLAND FORTS
These forts, though built at different periods, are so located that they seem to be stringed together.

Mehrangarh Fort
One of the largest forts in India, it is unsurpassed in beauty and grandeur. Innumerable palaces in the fort, interspersed with sprawling courtyards, are intricately carved. Various folk musicians and bands gather here on important occasions and perform against the magical backdrop of the fort - reviving the regal splendor of a bygone era.

Umaid Bhawan Palace
The only palace built in the 20th century as a famine relief project, which gave employment to hundreds of people for 16 years. Its sculpted lawns with sandstone pavements and bouquets of bougainvillea bushes, offer a lovely sight. The palace now runs as a hotel with a part of it retained as a museum.

Balsamand Lake and Palace
A picturesque artificial lake with a summer palace on its banks. There are lush orchards of mango, guava and other fruits.

Sardar Samand Lake and Palace
As you drive to the lake, the picturesque countryside with lovely villages and smiling folks on the way, offer a spectacular sight. A rendezvous with chinkara and black buck might add more fun to the drive.

Jaswant Thada
The 19th century royal cenotaph, a creation in white marble was built in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II and displays some rare portraits of Jodhpur's rulers.

Jantar Mantar
The observatory of Maharaja Jai Singh II. The construction and precision of the observatory were a unique achievement for the year 1716. This observatory best reflects the passion of its founder for astronomy and his scientific genius. It helped in calculating the movements and positions of stars and planets and in foretelling the eclipses.

Clock Tower and Sardar Market
One can go shopping for Jodhpur tie-and-dye textile, embroidered leather shoes, lacquer ware, antiques, carpets and puppets, amidst the setting of traditional haat bazaar and the well-planned Sardar Market near the Clock Tower.

Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh
Has beautiful gardens, fountains, pools & some magnificent pieces of sculpture.

Mandore
The capital of ancient Marwar, it is truly an oasis in the desert with its beautifully laid out gardens. The sprawling greenery of peepal, banyan, palms and plantains along with swirling fountains and lovely peacocks make Mandore a visual treat. The main attraction is the 'Hall of Heroes' housing sixteen gigantic figures chiselled out of a single rock and the cenotaphs of the former maharajas of Jodhpur.

Government Central Museum
This is the oldest museum in the state. The buiding, designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob is located in the centre of the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh, built in 1876 AD. When King Edward VII visited India as the Prince of Wales, it was opened to public in 1886.

Mahamandir Temple
Built in 1812, is an old walled town with few hundred houses. The temple with 84 beautifully carved pillars is an architectural wonder.

Kailana Lake
An artificial lake on the Jaisalmer road. An idyllic picnic spot with spectacular sunsets.

Osian
An ancient town of the Thar Desert, renowned for a cluster of ruined Brahmanical and Jain temples dating from 8th to 11th century. The most important temples are the Surya or Sun Temple and the Sachiya Mata Temple. The latter has a 'shikhar' clustered by a row of tarrets, an ambulatory and a large assembly hall with an elaborate ceiling.


Excursions - Places around Jaipur

Galta (2.5-km)
Beyond the gardens amidst the low hill guarding the city lies the old pilgrim centre of Galtaji. Temples, pavilions and holy 'kunds' (natural springs and reservoirs) dot the serene green landscape. The small temple of the Sun god, built by Diwan Kriparam on top of the highest peak, is visible form all parts of the city.

Bairath (86-km on the Shahpura-Alwar Road)
An important historical place with the excavated remains of a circular Buddhist temple - unique in Rajasthan and the earliest known temple in India. Bairath also has relics of the Mauryan, Mughal and Rajput periods. A mint constructed by Akbar, a beautiful Mughal garden and a remarkable monument with painted 'chhatris' and wall built by Jahangir, are other attractions.

Guda Bishnoi (25 km)
These are immaculately kept villages of Bishnoi community-staunch believers in the sanctity of plant and animal life. Khejri trees and varieties of deer are the attractions of the villages

Ramgarh Lake (32-km north-east)
A huge artificial lake created by constructing a high dam amidst tree covered hills. While the temple of Jamwa Mata and the ruins of the old fort are some of its antiquities, its beautiful landscape makes it an idyllic picnic spot.

Samode (40-km north-west)
The beautiful Samode Palace, has been rebuilt and renovated and provides a fine example of the Rajput haveli architecture. It is an ideal spot for outings.

Sanganer (16-km)
Located on the Tonk Road. This small town is entered through the ruins of two 'Tripolias' or triple-gateways. The town has a ruined palace and a group of Jain temples with fine carvings. Entry to the temples is restricted. The town is an important centre for craft, industry and produces some of the finest hand printed textiles from units of block and screen printers. This textile is popular all over the country and abroad. On the Ajmer Road, the ground level fort is still in good shape. It is noted for its hand printed handloom industry using simple techniques.

Vidyadhar's Garden
Nestled in a narrow valley, this beautiful garden was built in honour of Jai Singh's chief architect and town planner.

Gaitor (6.5 km on the road to Amer)
There are memorials to the queens in the Maharani-ki-Chhatri complex near the Ramgarh road crossing. The white marble cenotaph of Maharajah Jai Singh II is the most impressive and is decorated with carved peacocks. Next to it is the cenotaph of his son. The island palace-Jal Mahal built by Sawai Madho Singh as a pleasure spot at the centre of the Man Sagar Lake, and the Kanak Vrindavan complex of temples and gardens recently renovated add to its pristine glory.

Jaipur has extreme climates. During summer (April-May) temperature can reach up to scorching 47°C and winter (December-February) can touch a low mercury level of 4°C. Medium rainfall is observed in Jaipur during June to September.

Jaipur is famous for elephant festival held during the March month and for Gangaur fair held during the first week of April. Both are very impressive and many tourists make it a point to visit Jaipur during this season.

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By Air:
Jaipur has its own airport, and is well connected to all other tourist and business centres.

By Railway:
An excellent connection to Delhi by Shatabdi Express and the Pink City Express. Other connections to Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahemadabad, Secunderabad and Lucknow.

By Road:
A network of reasonably comfortable tourist buses, run by road corporations of Rajasthan, Haryana and others.