Jaipur the capital city of the northern Indian state of Rajasthan is one of the colourful cities of India. jaipur is Famous for its colourful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes the city basks in the glory of a rich and eventful past. Jaipur is a planned city which is made all the more attractive by the pink wash that most buildings are periodically given. Besides, it remains the only city in the world that symbolises the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors. It is for these reasons that Jaipur has been included on the popular tourist "Golden Triangle" of Delhi-Jaipur-Agra.
The picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is color washed pink-the color associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. Built in 1727 A.D. by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh JI, Jaipur displays a remarkable harmony and architectural splendor. The ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy-tale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city. The only planned city of its time, Jaipur is encircled by a formidable wall.
There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur’s colorful bazaars where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms and trinkets. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvelous heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharaja’s are worth admiration. Not to mention the ambling camels and cheerful people in multi-hued costumes that make your trip to the pink city a memorable one.
Old Market of Jaipur:
The pink city Jaipur, the only planned city of ancient India is a colorful city with a rich Heritage and culture. The city is famous for its traditions, the royal look and the grandeur that can be seen here. Jaipur is the center of many traditional art and crafts, handicrafts and such other things. The Bazaars in Jaipur are unique in themselves with a variety of things of beautiful things to offer.
The Bazaars in Jaipur are mostly located within the old walled city area and are open on all days. 11 am to 7 pm is the best time to shop around in the city. The Bazaars in Jaipur can also be reached very easily by catching buses from various points. One can also hire rickshaws, tempos and taxis to reach the markets.
Bapu Bazaar:
Looking for a shopping experience to remember during your trip to Jaipur in Rajasthan? If so, visit the Bapu Bazaar that can easily be counted as one of the most important tourist attractions in Jaipur. A wonderful place to shop for camel skin products, textiles and perfumes, Bapu Bazaar is indeed a shopper’s delight. Located inside the old city of Jaipur, Bapu Bazaar is famous for its Mojri footwear. Made of soft camel skin, mojris come with intricate embroidery patterns that are simply fascinating. Also praised for their durability and comfort, mojris are priced quite reasonably, thus giving shoppers another reason to stuff their bags with them.
Colorful saris and fabrics can also be bought at the Bapu Bazaar in Jaipur. Besides, shoppers won’t mind opening their wallets to buy leather products at the Bapu Bazaar. Perfumes of many varieties are always on sale at the Bapu Bazaar apart from other interesting knick-knacks. Items made of marble and sandstone besides traditional minuscule paintings also draw many shoppers to the Bapu Bazaar. The local handicrafts on sale at Bapu Bazaar also serve as excellent gift items for friends back home.
Tripolia Bazaar:
The Tripolia Bazaar, Jaipur is situated between the Manak Chowk and Chhoti Chaupar. A main tourist shopping spot, the bazaar is famous for ironware, brassware and carpets. However there are also shops selling utensils, rugs, textiles, furniture, trinkets and range of other items. The Maniharon ka Rasta in Tripolia Bazaar, Jaipur is well known for its collection of lac bangles. Lac bangles, bracelets and other such jewelry are produced only in Jaipur and some surrounding areas, and normally won't be found at any other place. Lac is the hardened resin secreted by tiny lac bugs. Though lac products were first known to be manufactured in Kashmir, Jaipur is the main hub of lac products.
Johri Bazar:
It's famous, it's crowded, it's also a shopper's delight. Johri Bazar is your best bet if you plan to look for sarees and lehangas in colourful bhandhej, or glittering gemstone jewellery. As the name suggests, Johri Bazar is essentially a place for gems and jewellery. The smaller lanes contain the originally jeweler workstations - or gaddis - inhabited by these craftsmen since time immemorial. Johri Bazar has a lot of shops for gold, silver and studded jewellery. For sarees, try Rooplaxmi, Rana Saree Emporium and Jaipur Saree Kendra.
The Rajputana Experience tour will definitely be incomplete without travel to Johri Bazaar, the biggest jewelry and antique market in Jaipur. Situated near the renowned Hawa Mahal, a tour of Johri Bazaar witnesses perpetually overcrowded markets all through the year. Shopping is the favorite activity of most tourists who travel to Jaipur. They come to the Johri Bazaar in big numbers and splurge on the items available here.
Badi Chaupar:
Adjacent to the famous Hawa Mahal is Badi Chaupar, a square crossing that is probably the most crowded location in Jaipur. The shops on Badi Chaupar are major attractions for the tourists. Here, you can shop for mojaris, handicraft, antiques, Rajasthani furniture, salwar suits and Jaipuri print dress material. Be prepared to bargain. You can also find a variety of traditional and lac bangles too.
Modern Makrets in Jaipur:
M.I. Road:
Mirza Ismail Road or M I Road is an ideal a place to shop for jewellery and branded readymade garments. The road is actually curved and boasts of ancient architectural shop. A happening hang-out for tourists, M I Road is Jaipur's equivalent of Delhi's Connaught Place.
Main shops: The main shops sell old silver jewellery and artefacts, antiques, handicraft and apparel. There are also showrooms for Raymonds, Pepe, Woodland, Benetton, and others. Small shops that sell bangles, bedsheets and Jaipuri dresses ensure that you can complete your "Jaipur shopping" at M I Road. Sought-after restaurants such as Niros, Suryamahal, Mc Donald, Pizza Hut and Copper Chimney; the famous Raj Mandir cinema hall; wholesome kulhad lassi dashed with a thick layer of malai at Panch Batti Circle.
The main shops sell old silver jewellery and artefacts, antiques, handicraft and apparel. There are also showrooms for Raymonds, Pepe, Woodland, Benetton, and others. Small shops that sell bangles, bedsheets and Jaipuri dresses ensure that you can complete your "Jaipur shopping" at M I Road.
Nehru Bazar:
Nehru Bazar is near Ajmeri Gate, the so-called centre of Jaipur. Not a very upmarket place, Nehru Bazar has shops for readymade garments, footwear, gifts and household items. Tourists can haggle over the prices of locally-produced goods here, but go for it only if your pocket strings are tight.
Raja Park:
If tourist have had enough of the traditional stuff, Raja Park is the place to be at. It offers everything ranging from grocery to flowers, from furniture to apparel.
Gaurav Tower:
Gaurav Towers is the most happening joint in Jaipur. Situated away from the congested market place, the shopping mall at Gaurav Towers - or GT - attracts both shoppers and fun seekers. Spread across a sprawling area of 25,000 sq metres, GT is perfect in terms of ambience, space, variety and hassle free parking.
Basic Information about Jaipur:
Area: 200.4 sq. km
Population: 3,324,319 (2005)
Altitude: 431 meters above sea level
Languages: Hindi, Rajasthani, English
Clothing: Summer light tropical (cotton) for summer & Light woolen for winter
Distance: New Delhi (255 km), Jodhpur (330 km), Udaipur (410 km), Ajmer (131 km).
Best time to visit: October to March
LocalTransport: Auto-Rickshaws, City Buses, Cycle-Rickshaw. The Rajasthan State Roadways operates regular bus service to Amer, Hawamahal, Ramniwas Garden.
Distance from major Cities:
- Delhi-261 kms.
- Ahmedabad-625 kms.
- Chandigarh-510 kms.
- Mumbai-1,176 kms.
- Calcutta-1,472 kms.
- Agra-246 kms.
Climate and Rainfall:
- The climate of the district is dry and healthy and is subject to extremeness of cold and heat at various places.
- The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in the district varies from 8.0 to 48 degree celsius
- Normal annual rainfall is 55.64 cms
Famous Tourist Places/Points in Jaipur:
Temples in Jaipur:
Galtaji : Galtaji is a holy pilgrimage of India, located 10 kms away from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The vast complex of Galta Ji has several temples in it. The Temple of Galtaji is famous for its natural water springs. Set amidst the beautiful landscape, Galtaji Temple offers a picturesque view of the city.
Birla Temple : Birla Temple, JaipurBirla Temple forms one of the major attractions of Jaipur. Birla Temple of Jaipur looks stunning, when it is brightly lit in the night. Birla Mandir, in pure white marble, dominates the skyline of southern part of Jaipur. The enormous temple was built during the year 1988, by Birla Group of Industries, one of the business tycoons of India. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Narayan), the preserver and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. Due to this reason, Birla Temple is also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple.
Govind Dev Ji Temple : Govind Dev Ji Temple is one amongst the major tourist attractions of Jaipur. The Temple represents the royal past of Jaipur. The Temple is dedicated to Govind Dev Ji (Other name of Lord Krishna). Govind Devji Temple of Jaipur is situated in the City Palace complex, between the Chandra Mahal and Badal Mahal.
Moti Dungri : Moti Dungri is a small hill, centrally located in the city of Jaipur. The term Moti Dungri means Hill of Pearls or Pearl Hill. The hill is occupied by a palace and a temple. The temple of Moti Doongri is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This ancient temple serves as a tourist attraction for the scenic view it offers.
Jagat Shiromani Temple : The beautifully carved Jagat Shiromani Temple houses the idol of Lord Krishna and is popularly associated with the celebrated saint-poetess Mira Bai. The old temple of Narsinghji and a step well Panna Main-ki-Baodi, which still bears witness to its past glory are also located in the vicinity.
The Kalki Temple : The only one dedicated to the incarnation of God not yet born, Raja Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur built this temple in 1727. Hindu mythology prophesizes the birth of the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who will come riding a white horse with a shining sword in his hand as Lord Kalki to deliver the mankind from the prevailing chaos and confusion of Kal Yug. A keen student of Vedic texts, Jai Singh built the Kalki temple right opposite the eastern entrance to the City Palace.
Jain Temple : The exquisite jain temple on the Agra road has some of the most beautiful 19th century paintings in Jaipur style on its walls.
Monuments in Jaipur:
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal is a major landmark and a famous tourist attraction of Jaipur. The Palace offers a beautiful sight to behold. The splendid Rajputana architecture of Hawa Mahal, still speaks the glory of the royal family. However, one can also find a glimpse of Mughal architecture,
Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is the largest stone observatory in the World and this feature makes it, a special destination for a traveler. Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur.
Statue Circle
Statue Circle forms a major landmark of Jaipur. It is situated on a busy crossing of the city. Statue Circle has got its name from the statue, which it portrays. Statue Circle comprises the statue of King Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur.
City Palace
City Palace forms one of the most famous tourist attractions and a major landmark in Jaipur. The beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign. Among the various forts and palaces of Jaipur, City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture. City Palace complex covers a huge area, which is divided into a series of gardens, courtyards and buildings. Initially, Raja Jai Singh built the outer wall occupying a huge area. The additional grand buildings were constructed later by the succeeding rulers.
Reach Jaipur:
By Air:
Jaipur Airport, Sanganer is at a distance of around 11km from the city center. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and domestivc carriers operate regular flighta to and from Jaipur. There are direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, and some other cities from Jaipur.
By Rail:
The train service to Jaipur is available from all the major parts of the country. An excellent connection from Delhi is Shatabadi Express that provides a fast, air-conditioned rail service. Other direct connections to Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad, Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta.
By Road:
Jaipur is well connected by road to various parts of India. Delhi-Jaipur national highway is one of the finest roads in India. Rajasthan roadways runs excellent regular service of AC and Deluxe Coaches from Delhi. |
