RajasthanJaipur
Jaipur
Founded in AD 1727 by Sawai Jaisingh II, Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the Pink City with broad avenues and spacious gardens. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is steeped in history and culture. Here the past comes alive in magnificent forts and palaces, blushed pink, where once lived the maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, famous for Rajasthani jewellery, fabric and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are surely a treasure-trove for the shoppers. This fascinating city with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and tradition.
The imperial city, replete with amazing legends of romance and heroism. A land where the past thrives still. This is the fortified city of Jodhpur, standing a wary sentinel to the great Thar Desert. Beckoning you to the wilderness of fascinating dunes, rocky terrain and thorny vegetation.
Once the capital city of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodhaji - chief of the Rathore Clan of Rajputs who claimed descent from Lord Rama. A major trade centre of 16th century, the city, today, has grown to become the second largest city of Rajasthan, retaining the medieval splendour.
The city is encompassed by a high wall, 10 km. long with eight gates. Within the city, atop a rocky hill, stands the massive fort, 120 mtrs. above the plains.
Packed with history, art and culture, this princely state is a treasure – trove of some exquisite palaces, forts, temples and havelis – standing a testimony to the imperial grandeur. But what entices the most in Jodhpur is the traditional lifestyle, festivity and smiling people.
Distances to important Cities
- Ajmer:205 km via Beawar
- Agra: 570 km via Ajmer, Jaipur
- Delhi: 636 km via Ajmer, Jaipur, Alwar
- Mumbai: 1013 km via Ahmedabad
- Bikaner: 256 km via Nagaur
- Jaisalmer: 285 km via Osian, Pokaran
- Udaipur: 318 km via Sadri
- Jaipur: 343 km via Ajmer
Best Season: July to March
Rainfall: 31.87 cm
Temerature (°C):
Summer: Max 42.2, Min 36.6
Winter: Max 27.5, Mean Min 15.5
Clothing: Summer light tropical or cotton Winter Woollen
Season: October to March
How to get there
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Air: Indian Airlines connect Jaipur with Delhi, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Bombay, Varanasi, Calcutta, Ahmedabad. |
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Rail: Jaipur is connected by rail with Delhi, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Abu Road (Mount Abu), Udaipur, Mumbai (Bombay) and Sawai Madhopur. |
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Road: |
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Local Transport: Regular buses ply from Jaipur to the above places and Alwar, Kota, Sariska, Mathura, Indore, Chittorgarh and Barmer. |
Celebrating time
Marwar Festival (October)An annual festival of dance and music, celebrating the classical ’Maand’ style of folk music. The festival brings alive the legend, folklore and romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan’s rulers.
Prime Sites
Mehrangarh Fort (5 km)
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 splendour of a bygone era.
Jaswant Thada (5 km)
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.
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.
Mandore (8 km)
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.
Clock Tower and Sardar Market
One can go shopping for Jodhpur tie-and-dye textile, embroidered leather shoes, lacquerware, antiques, carpets and puppets, amidst the setting of traditional haat bazaar at the well planned Sardar Market near the Clock Tower.
Mahamandir Temple (2 km)
Built in 1812, this is an old walled town with few hundred houses. The temple with 84 beautifully carved pillars is an architectural wonder.
Kailana Lake (11 km)
An artificial lake on the Jaisalmer road. An idyllic picnic spot with spectacular sunsets.
Balsamand Lake and Palace (7 km)
A picturesque artificial lake with a summer palace on its banks. There are lush orchards of mango, guava and other fruits.
Side Trips
Sardar Samand Lake and Palace (55 km)
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.
Osian (65 km)
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.
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.
Places of Interest
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City Palace & Museum 3.5 kms -
Hawa Mahal 3 kms
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Jantar Mantar 3.5 kms
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Dolls Museum
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Zoo
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Amber Pal & Jaigarh Fort 11 kms
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Gaitor 8 kms
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Vidhyadharji Ka Bagh 7 kms
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Jal Mahal
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Nawab Ki Haveli
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Galta
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Sisodia Palace & Garden 8 kms
Excursions
- Nahargarh Fort 15 kms
- Sanganer 16 kmsRamgarh Lake 30 kms
- Shekhawati 168 kms
The Region Jaisalmer | Bikaner | Ranthambor | Barmer | Alwar | Bharatpur-Deeg
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