A photographic journey to some of the most popular attractions of Jaipur. The capital of royal Rajasthan is part of the Delhi-Agra-Jaipur golden triangle and among India’s top tourist destinations.

1. Amer Fort
2. City palace
3. Jal Mahal
4. Bapu Bazaar
5. Must eat in Jaipur
6. Must buy in Jaipur
7. More to see in and around Jaipur
8. How to reach Jaipur

Amer Fort

Technically, Amer fort is in the town of Amer, just a kilometre away from Jaipur. Located atop a hill with breathtaking vistas, its main source of water is the small Maota Lake. A light and sound show is held every evening here.

It was the erstwhile capital of the kings. Amer was built by the Meena king Raja Alan Singh of the Chanda clan in 967 CE. It was later ruled by Raja Man Singh I of the Kachwaha clan. For almost 150 years, successive rulers kept adding to the structure.  

It’s the intricately carved pillars, the flowery motifs, the colourful ceilings and the gardens that make Amer a must-visit in Jaipur. The large ramparts, multiple gates, ancient cobbled paths bring a long-gone era come alive. I imagined the queens with her group of ladies sitting in their courtyards, dressed in embroidered silks, watching the sun rise and set over the hills.

Built of red sandstone and marble, the massive structure with its multiple levels houses a Diwan-e-Aam or hall for public audience, Diwan-e-Khas or hall for private audience, Sheesh Mahal aka mirror palace, Jai Mandir and Sukh Niwas. This is cooled by the winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace.

Before stepping in to the main fort, we had paid obeisance to the guardian goddess, Shila Devi, whose temple is at the entrance. She was worshipped by the Chaitanya cult and the idol was given to Raja Man Singh when he defeated the Raja of Jessore, Bengal, in 1604. The fort even has a museum and some souvenir shops. Of course, it’s easier on the pocket to buy trinkets from the vendors outside the fort.

City palace

Even though the journey from Delhi started in the wee hours, no one was inclined to rest and miss seeing the City Palace, the luxurious residence of the kings of Rajasthan. Here lie antiques, weapons, halls painted with flowers and gold, museums, and the private area where the royals still live. Among the most famous are the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal.

The palace was built between 1729 and 1732 by Sawai Jai Singh II. The beautiful gardens, flowery courtyards with amazing colourful doors are based on the principles of Shilpa Shastra and have Mughal and Rajputana motifs. The palace complex was designed by two architects — Vidyadhar Bhattacharya who was the chief architect in the royal court, and Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. The Sawai had shifted the capital from Amer to Jaipur in 1727.

The Rajputs had inter-clan clashes after Jai Singh’s death in 1857 but they were friendly to the British. It was Maharaja Ram Singh who aided the British in the Uprising of 1857 and won himself favours by the Imperial rulers. When the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII) visited Jaipur, Ram Singh painted the city pink to welcome him. Jaipur then became the pink city. Very little of this happy pink remains now. Only the old market area, Bapu bazaar, and some monuments have some shades of pink.

The last Maharaja of Jaipur was Man Singh II, the adopted son of Maharaja Madho Singh II. When the princely states were brought under the umbrella of the Republic of India in 1949, he became the Rajapramukh (present day Governor) of Rajasthan and later became the Ambassador of India to Spain.

Jal Mahal

I woke up early to see the sunrise over Jal Mahal aka water palace. The frolicking migratory pelicans and the shimmering ripples satiated my soul. The morning air was buzzing with the sound of prayers from the nearby Krishna temples and the chirp of birds in search of food. The sun turned the water into many shades of orange.

The five-storeyed marvel was built in Man Sagar Lake by Maharaja Jai Singh II. With four storeys beneath the water, and one above, this is made of red sandstone. The palace has gone through multiple renovations and can only be seen from the shore. The promenade buzzes with camel and horse rides in the evening.

The night lights give a surreal glow to the royal palace in the water.

Bapu Bazaar

With the last stop being Laxmi Misthan Bhandar for some ghevar and other traditional sweets, the long drive to Delhi began with mixed emotions.

Must eat in Jaipur

Pyaaz kachoris, ghevar, kanji wada, matka kulfi, traditional thali comprising dal bati churma, gatte ki sabzi, bajre ki roti, ker sangri

Must buy in Jaipur

Silver and junk jewellery, bandhani dupattas and ghagharas, small handmade pouches, juttis, umbrellas and more souvenirs

More to see in and around Jaipur

Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Cenotaphs at Gaitore, temples in Kanak Ghati, Albert Hall Museum

Ranthambore National Park (approx. 176 km), Sariska National Park (approx. 100km) are within driving distance from Jaipur.

How to reach Jaipur

The international airport is at Sanganer, around 10km from the main city.

The highway from Delhi is among the best in the country and the 268km drive can be done in a comfortable six hours.

There are good trains too going to the city, including the luxurious ‘Palace on Wheels’.

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