India Tourism » Travel to Jaipur

JAIPUR : The Pink City.
To a certain extent the city of Jaipur represents the complete essence of India. It is a city that embraces modernity with great ease, yet it never loses its grip over its traditions. It is a common sight to come across the striking contrasts of this city's behavior in many ways everyday. Jaipur has a place for everything, such is the unique character of this city that anybody can find something of his own interest some way or the other. This 'Heritage city' of India has a definite timeless appeal. Its countless festivals just every other day witness the participation of the people in full spirits.

This unique character has been carefully nurtured by its founders. The Pink City as it is popular known was not always pink. Its main thoroughfares and buildings were painted earthy pink in honor of the visiting Prince of Wales in 1905. Much earlier to this, this amazingly symmetrical and thoroughly proportioned city came into existence in 1727 at one go. It was perhaps the only city in India of those times, which was conceptualized and conceived on such a grand scale. Through the great vision and scholarly skills of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and extensive works by his Chief Architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharji, Jaipur rose to the fame of becoming among the most beautiful, most planned and most convenient places to live.

Liberal, protective and secular policies of the rulers attracted a wide range of artisans, artists and businessmen alike, which till today makes this city a great art, crafts, trade and cultural center. Responsible governance resulted in growth of faiths, fairs, festivals, entertainment, cleanliness and community welfares making it a promising city of the future. Architecturally, the city proved to be a milestone when even other great kings like Sawai Ram Singh and Sawai Mansingh II added a whole lot of public buildings and institutions to an already masterpiece Jaipur. Jaipur, even today retains its old world charm. It is a city always surging forward with its roots in the past.

The older part known as Pink City is interesting enough to explore on foot or cycle rickshaw. Get in any of the lanes leading from the main streets and each one will unfold several interesting facets of Jaipur's traditional lifestyle, architecture, arts, crafts, community living, havelis and temples. Different lanes still largely represent the centers of making of different crafts and recipes. It is exciting to watch everything live. The massive gates in all directions of the city and broad streets of uniform width, shape, size and design bring out the ability of Jaipur's planners in full splendor. The three choupers (squares) make highly interesting study of community and traffic centers.

Excursions:
Sanganer: A large center of textile printing since a long time known, the town has it as a household industry. Hand block printed and screen-printed fabrics have unique designs and colors typical of this town. The town also has several factories of handmade paper. There are a few beautiful Jain temples too in the town.

Samode: A very beautiful Rajasthani village has a fairy tale like palace now running as a luxury hotel. There are few old havelis having beautiful paintings.

Bagru: Another town famous for textile printing, the colors used here are more earthy.

Ramgarh: A large lake serving as the source of water for Jaipur has very beautiful surroundings. Ideal picnic spot, has many ruined temples and structures.

Sambhar: India's largest saltwater lake is popular these days for migratory birds and flamingoes.

Abhaneri: A place of great ancient ruins dating more than 1000 years back that includes temples, excavations and step well.

Bairath: Connection to Mahabharat age. Has now ruins of a Buddhist temple and two rock edicts dating back to the 3rd century BC.

Tonk: Islamic influence over the town is visible over the Sunehri Kothi of the Nawab, which has stunningly beautiful gold painted chambers.