Jaipur

Jaipur, the present day capital of the state of Rajasthan, basks in the glory of the legacies left by the Rajputana empire. This rose pink city founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1727 AD is divided into nine rectangular sectors, the only one of its kind in the entire world signifying the nine divisions of the universe. Encircled by rugged hills and embattled walls, the city is a museum in itself preserving numerous forts, palaces and gardens. The endless variety of crafts, the jewellery in particular, have received world wide popularity.

Places that Enrapture
The prodigious fort of Amer Palace with tall watch towers and huge ramparts is believed to be the capital of the "Minas", the original inhabitants of Rajasthan- a fascinating sight indeed. At the City Palace you will surely have an insight into the splendour of the years gone by. The imposing gate of the palace, which stands guarded by stone elephants, is popularly known as Nakkarkhana-ka-darwaza. Perched on a peak which overlooks the city of Amber below, the Jai Garh lake palace is another captivating site of the pink city. It is surrounded by water on all sides and offers a fabulous view. A trip to Jaipur without a visit to the Hawa Mahal is by far incomplete. You can't afford to miss this multi-layered palace characterised by a profusion of windows and stone screens. Jantar Mantar, the 18th century astronomical monument, speaks volumes about the astronomical feats of the Rajputs. In addition, the Sisodia Rani ka Bagh, the splendid garden with fountains, pools and stone sculptures, will certainly bemuse you and give insight to the aesthetic sense of the Rajasthani kings.

Jaipur : Fact File
Location : Rajasthan

Distance from Agra : 235 kms

Accessibility : Airlinks to important Indian cities. An excellent rail and road network connect the city with Delhi, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad and Lucknow.

Local Transport : Tourist taxis and RTDC buses.

Accommodation : Several budget hotels and paying guest accommodation are available in Jaipur. Apart from these, there are the luxurious palaces converted into heritage hotels.

Jaipur falls on the Golden Triangle of Indian tourism- other two prominent cities being Delhi and Agra.