Jaipur, the capital of India’s Rajasthan state, is a city steeped in history and culture. Known as the “Pink City” for its trademark pink-colored buildings, Jaipur allures visitors with its royal palaces, bustling bazaars, and timeless traditions.
As you wander along the narrow alleys dotted with roadside shops and fragrant spice stalls, it’s easy to visualize what life was like in this city centuries ago. Jaipur moves at an unhurried pace, allowing you to soak up the sights, sounds, and experiences of an India that refuses to be dimmed by time.
The Origins of Jaipur – How the Pink City Came to Be
Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, then the ruler of Amber. The Maharaja felt the need for a well-planned city as his capital, one that would aid commerce and growth in the region. After consulting with multiple architects and urban planners, he began construction for his ambitious new capital city just outside Amber.
True to the Maharaja’s vision, Jaipur was built based on the principles of Vastu Shastra and Shilpa Shastra – traditional Hindu systems of architecture and design aimed at creating harmony between nature and man-made structures. The entire city was painted pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), and Jaipur earned its nickname “The Pink City”.
Over nearly 300 years since its founding, Jaipur has retained much of its imperial grandeur. Its vibrant bazaars buzz with activity, interspersed with majestic forts and palaces that seem frozen in the era of powerful Rajput kings and rulers. Even today, the walled city and its pink buildings offer visitors a sublime peek into Jaipur’s past magnificence.
Top Attractions and Places to Visit in Jaipur
Most attractions in Jaipur are centered in and around the old or walled city. Built on a grid system with wide straight avenues, the old city houses some of the most popular places for visitors to Jaipur.
Hawa Mahal
One of Jaipur’s most distinctive landmarks, Hawa Mahal is an imposing five-story pink sandstone palace tower. Its nickname “Palace of Winds” stems from its unique honeycomb-like structure with over 900 latticed windows or “jarokhas”. The original intent of the lattice design was to allow royal women in purdah to get a breath of fresh air and observe life below without being seen, as they were forbidden from appearing unveiled in public.
The Hawa Mahal is considered a masterpiece of Rajput architecture for being the tallest building in the world without a foundation! The curved shape of the palace keeps it upright. The top offers stunning panoramic views of bustling bazaars, the City Palace complex, Jantar Mantar, and more.
City Palace
Built between 1729 to 1732 AD, City Palace was once the seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Located in the heart of the old city, part of it is still home to the Jaipur royal family. Visitors can view a dazzling showcase of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture while marveling at the magnificent blend of Rajput, Mughal and European styles shown in the buildings’ design.
Sprawling palace grounds house beautifully carved doorways, gardens, courtyards, temples, and museums displaying an assortment of royal belongings like ornate carpets, embroidered attire, intricate paintings and weapons.
Jantar Mantar Observatory
Constructed from 1728 to 1734, Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It comprises unique instruments designed to study celestial bodies and cosmic events. Jantar Mantar is an UNESCO World Heritage site and houses the world’s largest stone sundial still capable of providing accurate time.
Giant instruments here were used for observations and predictions relating to astronomy. The observatory also helped the Maharaja study outer space and the movement of major planets and constellations like the zodiacs. Many of these instruments can still demonstrate important astronomical principles with surprising accuracy even today!
Amber Palace and Fort
Located just outside Jaipur city, Amber Fort is an extensive hilltop fortress dating back to 1592 AD. Perched high on a hillside, visitors ride decorated elephants up to its gates. Amber Fort is a beautiful amalgamation of Hindu and Mughal architectural influences, evident in its detailed stone carvings, intricate mirror work, and expansive gardens.
Inside, beautifully decorated halls display delicate frescoes, majestic pillars and precious stones that give visitors a glimpse into the opulence with which Maharanis and concubines of noble families lived. The dazzling Sheesh Mahal is a particular highlight – tiny mirrors are embedded into walls and ceilings, illuminating the entire room through the glow of a single match or candle.
Bapu Bazaar and Johari Bazaar
For shoppers, Jaipur is a treasure trove of bustling local bazaars and markets selling handicrafts, jewelry, fabrics and more. The old city area has several winding lanes crammed with roadside shops selling a medley of colorful items.
Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar are among the most popular for their colorful chaos. Skilled craftsmen sell gorgeous ethnic jewelry encrusted with brilliant gems while shopkeepers call out to passersby, promising special discounts. You can pick up delicate block printed fabrics, Bandhani tie-dye outfits, lac bangles, Mojri leather shoes, purple pink and other blue pottery or even traditional jootis adorned with intricate embroidery.
Puppets, woven carpets, antiques and miniature paintings are also popular shopping finds here. Remember to employ your haggling skills for the best deals on these dazzling handicrafts and keepsakes.
Exploring Jaipur by Foot
While there are several must-see places to visit in Jaipur, simply wandering through the bazaars and streets of the Pink City also offers wonderful glimpses into local life. Just walking around and observing locals buying vegetables, sipping hot chai, bargaining for goods or exchanging neighborhood gossip can be highly rewarding.
Keep an eye out for colorful turbans, traditional attire, bullock carts, wandering cows, flashy weddings, and devotees offering prayers on their way to temples. Don’t forget to look up too – imposing forts and “havelis” (traditional residences) flank the chaotic streets, their impressive architecture standing in contrast with bustling bazaars down below.
Cuisine of Jaipur – What to Eat in the Pink City
As the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur offers visitors all the quintessential dishes of royal Marwari and Rajput cuisine with some tasty fusion twists.
Dal bati churma is a famous Rajasthani main course platter found everywhere. It features baked wheat balls of bati dunked into panchmel dal (a mix of five types of lentils) and served with sweet churma, made from finely ground bati mixed with ghee and jaggery or sugar.
For vegetarians, Kathori dal and ker sangri sabzi (dried berries and beans curry) is very popular. Non-vegetarian favorites include laal maas (fiery mutton curry) and safed maas (mouthwatering goat meat preparations).
No meal in Rajasthan is complete without some sweets. In Jaipur, try out ghevar, besan ke laddoo, feeni or delicious milk-based treats like malai ghewar and makhan bada.
Street snacks like mirchi vada, kachoris stuffed with a variety of fillings, samosas, pyaaz kachori and dal kachoris are also Jaipur specialties you must sample. Pair them with traditional masala chai or sip creamy lassi for the ultimate local experience!
For fine dining, head to 1135 AD restaurant at the Amber Fort for a taste of royal cuisine against a stunning backdrop. Many hotels and havelis also host festive Rajasthani meals with traditional folk music and dance performances.
Best Time to Visit Jaipur
October to March is generally considered the ideal time to visit Jaipur. The weather is pleasant, making it comfortable to explore major attractions. You can catch several festivals like Gangaur, Teej, Diwali and Makar Sankranti that showcase Rajasthan’s vibrant performing arts and culture.
Summers (April – June) tend to be very hot. However, this is when you can catch the popular Jaipur Literature Festival celebrating local language, arts and culture. Monsoons (July-September) see sporadic yet heavy rainfall. Roads tend to get slippery and muddy, so plan accordingly if visiting during this season.
How to Reach Jaipur
By Air – Jaipur International Airport is located about 13km from the city center with regular flights to and from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and more. You can easily get cabs, autos or hire a car to reach the city from the airport.
By Train – Jaipur Junction Railway Station has regular trains connecting it to cities like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jodhpur, Varanasi and other places. The railway station is centrally located close to the old city area.
By Road – An extensive network of public and private buses connect Jaipur to cities like Delhi (261 km), Agra (240 km), Jodhpur (335 km) and other towns of Rajasthan. The interstate bus terminal or Sindhi Camp bus stop is just 4 km from the railway station.
Getting Around in Jaipur
Hiring a car or auto rickshaw for the day is recommended for easy access to key attractions in and around Jaipur. An auto rickshaw is best for exploring within the walled city area which tends to have narrow roads. Remember to negotiate your fare well in advance.
Public buses are extremely cheap but crowded. Cycles are free to use for four hours at the Statue Circle location courtesy of a city tourism initiative. This is a budget-friendly and eco-friendly way to explore the Pink City !
Where to Stay
As the capital city, Jaipur has accommodation options ranging from budget hostels to luxurious heritage hotels allowing you to pick one that best suits your needs and budget. Staying near the Railway Station gives you access to public transport options as well as ease of exploring the pink city area.
Alternately, there are several heritage property hotels and havelis that let you immerse in regal Rajasthani style hospitality and culture. The plush hotels here arrange private sightseeing tours, cultural performances and more for an indulgent experience.
Insider Tips for Visiting Jaipur
- Buy a City Palace combo ticket. It allows access not just to the palace, but also indoor attractions like museums and the Jai Mahal palace hotel.
- Carry small change when exploring bazaars and markets.
- Drink only packaged or filtered water to stay stomach-safe.
- Walk through Tripolia Bazaar to enjoy local life instead of just focusing on monuments.
- Pack sun protection like hats, glasses and apply sunscreen before heading out.
- Hire an authorized guide to understand nuances about fort architecture and history.
Rajasthani culture is renowned for its hospitality, vibrancy and majestic history. By following these Jaipur travel tips, you’re sure to have an unforgettable trip that dazzles with royal grandeur against the romantic pink backdrop of India’s magnificent desert capital.
