Top 20 Jaipur Attractions, India

The capital of the state of Rajasthan is known as the "pink city" - the facades of most of the historical buildings are terracotta pink. Along with Agra and Delhi, Jaipur is part of India's Golden Triangle. This is a well-known tourist route introducing the history and culture of the ancient state. In 1727, Jaipur became the first city in India built not randomly, but in accordance with the canons of the ancient Indian system of geometric space planning.

The most striking architectural sights are the Maharaja City Palace, the Amber Fort Palace, the Hawa Mahal Harem Palace, the Jal Mahal Lake Castle, temple complexes, and an ancient observatory. In addition, Jaipur has many handicraft shops and one of the busiest markets in the country. And in the spring, the city hosts an enchanting elephant festival.

What to see and where to go in Jaipur?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

city ​​palace

The luxurious residence of the Jaipur rulers is an architectural ensemble of palaces, pavilions, temples and lush gardens. Construction began in 1729. All buildings are richly decorated with frescoes, carvings, inlays, arches, statues and are connected to each other by courtyards, corridors or terraces. The museums on the territory of the complex contain collections of weapons, ancient manuscripts, miniatures and paintings, Mughal carpets and clothes. Part of the complex still belongs to the heirs of the royal family.

Hawa Mahal

The wondrous creation of Indian masters - the Palace of the Winds - is located in the very center of Jaipur and is part of the palace complex, or rather, a building for a harem. It was built in the 18th century from red and pink sandstone. As conceived by the architect, the castle is made in the form of the crown of Krishna. Its frontal part contains 953 windows, decorated with graceful patterned lattices. Through them, the wives of the maharaja could freely observe the life of the city without fear of being seen.

Amber Fortress-Palace

Building on a hill, 11 km from Jaipur, an impregnable fortress and at the same time a graceful architectural masterpiece, created from red sandstone and snow-white marble. It was built in the 16th century, surrounded by a many-kilometer wall. This is a luxurious palace complex with four isolated courtyards, gardens and a lake, castles and temples. Among the most beautiful buildings are the Mirror Palace, the Palace of Victory, the Divan-i-Am audience pavilion. You can get to the fort on elephants.

Jaigarh fort

It is located on a high cliff, next to the Amber Fort. It has a length of 3 km. It was erected in 1726 to protect Amber and the palace ensemble located inside. Both forts represented a single complex and were connected by underground passages. On the territory of the fortress there is a garden, the Armory with a collection of swords, cannons and muskets, the Hall of Warriors and a museum. The main attraction is the world's largest cannon on wheels Jaivan, made within the walls of the fort.

Fort Nahargar

Another part of the city's defense system. Located on a high hill, 6 km from Jaipur. Date of foundation - 1734. Never been attacked. In the 19th century, a palace was built on the territory of the fortress for the ruler of Jaipur. The fortress walls with loophole windows, cannons have been preserved, in the castle there are wall paintings, frescoes and stained-glass windows. From the terraces on the roof of the fort, the whole city is clearly visible. There is a café in the corner tower. At the entrance is a wax museum.

jal mahal

A bewitching sight opens on the way to Amber Fort - a luxurious palace in the middle of an artificial lake. The magnificent building can only be admired from the shore, as it is closed to tourists. The castle was built as the summer residence of Indian rulers in the 18th century. As a result of the construction of the dam, which saved the city from drought, the picturesque valley, together with the castle, was under water. Today, 4 out of 5 floors are flooded, and there is no way to get inside the building.

Jantar Mantar

The national monument is on the UNESCO heritage list. The largest and well-preserved of the 5 observatories built in India on the orders of one of the Maharajas. It consists of 14 huge measuring structures-instruments, which in ancient times determined the time, distance to heavenly bodies, predicted the weather, etc. The sundial in this observatory is the largest in the world, has a diameter of 27 meters and still shows the correct time .

Monkey Temple

One of the most interesting temple complexes in India. Located in a narrow crevice between the rocks, 10 km from Jaipur. It consists of a temple dedicated to the god of primates, a temple to the god of the Sun and two sacred baths that are filled with spring water from mountain peaks. Pilgrims come here to bathe. Local inhabitants - a large population of monkeys, behaving like full owners. Nearby you can buy nuts and fruits to feed the animals.

Birla Mandir Temple

A majestic building made of white marble. It looks especially beautiful in the evening, in the rays of special illumination. The construction was carried out in 1985 at the own expense of the Birla family of Indian industrialists. Symbolizes the unity of India and all religions, on the walls you can see images of Hindu deities, as well as the Madonna and Jesus. The temple is decorated with numerous arches, galleries, elegant staircases, towers, porticos, sculptural compositions. There is a small park nearby.

Temple of Moti Dungri

One of the largest and most visited temples dedicated to the wise god Ganesha. It was built of marble and limestone in 1761. Located on a hill, surrounded by the magnificent castle of Moti Dungri, which, unlike the temple, is closed to the public. Images of mythological characters are engraved on the walls of the temple, its three domes symbolize the three religions of India. In the center of the temple complex there is a large statue of Ganesh. Fairs are held on Wednesdays in honor of the deity.

Albert Hall Museum

Located in the Ram Niwas garden. The oldest museum in the state. It began to be built in 1876 on the occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales to the country. Stores unique collections of paintings, weapons, jewelry, pottery, bright textiles, luxurious Persian carpets, ceramics, metal, ivory, crystal. Of interest are the music and dance gallery and the gallery dedicated to henna painting. The museum building is a real architectural masterpiece in the Indo-Saracenic style.

Anokha Handprint Museum

This is not only a museum, but also a creative workshop in which artists are engaged in an ancient craft - hand-dyed fabric. Visitors are shown old clichés for printing, the whole process of drawing a pattern on a fabric base. Those who wish can join the creation of colorful textiles. Many things - towels, tablecloths, shirts - can be purchased at the store. The price for them is low, and the quality is excellent, besides, they are all made in a single copy.

Jawahar Kala Kendra

A multidisciplinary arts center dedicated to preserving and promoting the folk art and rich handicraft heritage of Rajasthan. The building was designed by the architect C. Correa in accordance with the concept of 9 squares, each of which is associated with a specific planet. Dedicated to the memory of Jawaharlal Nehru, the great leader of the Indian nation. On the territory of the complex there are several art galleries, museums, workshops, an amphitheater, a guest house, a library, a cafe.

Raj Mandir Cinema

The Art Nouveau cinema building was erected in 1976. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Jaipur. It is famous for its huge size and luxurious interiors, reminiscent of a royal palace. This miracle of architecture was awarded the title of "Pride of Asia". The hall is designed for 1300 people, spectator seats are divided into 4 categories according to the level of comfort - pearl, emerald, ruby, diamond. The screen is draped with heavy velvet curtains.

Choki Dhani Village

Once on the territory of this folklore village, tourists have the opportunity to get to know the life and cultural traditions of the local population. A wide entertainment program is offered - music and dance, puppet shows, shadow theater, magic shows, camel, ox and boat rides. Guests are necessarily treated to a specific dinner prepared according to ancient recipes. There are souvenir shops in the village, masters of henna and clay painting work.

Royal tombs

One of the lesser known sights of Jaipur. A walled funerary complex consisting of temples and tombs of the Maharajas. Located at the foot of Nahargarh Fort. Quiet and very beautiful place. All buildings are made of white marble, with intricate carvings. Among them dominates the grandiose cenotaph of the ruler Madho Singh II, who died in 1922. Also impressive is the more ancient tomb of the founder of Jaipur and its first ruler, Jai Singh II.

Panna Mina ka Kund

There are few rivers in Rajasthan, in the heat they completely dry up. Therefore, local residents in ancient times accumulated rainwater in deeply dug wells. One of these buildings was built in the 16th century. It does not at all look like a banal well, but is a rather large-scale architectural object. It consists of numerous alternating staircases descending to the pool and recesses carved into the walls. Located in the village, next to the Amber Fort.

Chand Baori

One of the oldest and deepest step wells in the country. Located 95 km from Jaipur, in the town of Abaneri. It was built in the IX-XI centuries. The total depth is 30 meters, 10 meters are filled with water. It has the shape of an inverted pyramid. The descent to the water consists of 13 stone terraces with 3500 steps. For pilgrims, this is a sacred place where they should wash their hands and feet before entering a nearby temple. But today swimming and drinking water is strictly prohibited. In the niches of the walls there are sculptures of the deities Durga and Ganesha.

Elefantastic

This is an entertaining farm where Indian elephants live. They are treated very respectfully here, kept in excellent conditions. A visit to the farm includes close contact with the animals. You can ride them, feed them, swim together in the pond. Drawing on the body of elephants with special paints is very popular. At the end of the tour, visitors are invited to the home of the owners of the farm and treated to a delicious lunch consisting of Indian cuisine.

elephant festival

One of the most colorful parades takes place in Jaipur in late February - early May. Elephant owners spend a lot of money and time to decorate their pets as brightly as possible. They cover them with patterns, luxurious robes and golden ornaments. The elephant is a symbol of wealth. Animals, only elephants, participate in the parade procession, play polo, compete in running and in tug of war with men. The festival is accompanied by fairs and performances by local artists.