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Altitude
: 431 metres, Area : Jaipur City
(Municipal limits 64.75 sq. km. ,Pink City 9.8 sq. km.),
Clothing : Summer light tropical, Winter light woolen
Languages : English, Hindi, Mewari.
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The Rose Pink City founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743),
is the capital of Rajasthan. It is a major attraction for
the first-time visitor. Jaipur is surrounded on all sides
by rugged hills, crowned with forts & enclosed by embattled
walls. Houses with latticed windows line the streets with
their rose pink colour, lending enchantment to the scene,
which is almost magical at sunset.
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MAIN
ATTRACTIONS, Forts and Palaces
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Amer Palace : The magnificent fort with its huge
ramparts & watchtowers, overlooking the Delhi-Jaipur Highway.
It is believed to have been the capital of the "Minas",
the original inhabitants of Rajasthan.
City Palace : Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the
imposing gateway of the City Palace guarded by stone elephants,
is monumental.
Hawa Mahal : A Pandora's box of wonders,
the enchanting Hawa Mahal is a multi-layered palace, with
a profusion of windows and stone screens.
Jai Garh: Built on a peak, Jai Garh overlooks the palace &
city of Amber below. Jal Mahal is Jaipur's lake palace. It
is surrounded with water.
Nahargarh Fort : Originally called Sudarshan
Garh, it affords a splendid view of Jaipur.
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MONUMENTS
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Jantar Mantar : The amazing astronomical
three-storey-high observatory, of an 18th century Rajasthani
king, named Jai Singh.
GARDENS : Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh: Has beautiful
gardens, fountains, pools & some magnificent pieces of
sculpture.
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MUSEUMS
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Government Central Museum : This is the oldest
museum in the state. The buiding, designed by Colonel Sir
Swinton Jacob is located in the centre of the sprawling Ram
Niwas Bagh, built in 1876 AD. When King Edward VII visited
India as the Prince of Wales, it was opened to public in 1886.
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EXCURSIONS,
Temples
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Bairath (86-km on the Shahpura-Alwar Road) :
An important historical place with the excavated remains of
a circular Buddhist temple - unique in Rajasthan and the earliest
known temple in India. Bairath also has relics of the Mauryan,
Mughal and Rajput periods. A mint constructed by Akbar, a
beautiful Mughal garden and a remarkable monument with painted
'chhatris' and wall built by Jahangir, are other attractions.
Galta (2.5-km) : Beyond the gardens amidst
the low hill guarding the city lies the old pilgrim centre
of Galtaji. Temples, pavilions and holy 'kunds' (natural springs
and reservoirs) dot the serene green landscape. The small
temple of the Sun god, built by Diwan Kriparam on top of the
highest peak, is visible form all parts of the city.
LAKES
Ramgarh Lake (32-km north-east): A huge artificial
lake created by constructing a high dam amidst tree covered
hills. While the temple of Jamwa Mata and the ruins of the
old fort are some of its antiquities, its beautiful landscape
makes it an idyllic picnic spot.
PALACE
Samode (40-km north-west) : The
beautiful Samode Palace, has been rebuilt and renovated and
provides a fine example of the Rajput haveli architecture.
It is an ideal spot for outings
Sanganer (16-km) : Located on the Tonk Road.
This small town is entered through the ruins of two 'Tripolias'
or triple-gateways. The town has a ruined palace and a group
of Jain temples with fine carvings. Entry to the temples is
restricted. The town is an important centre for craft, industry
and produces some of the finest hand printed textiles from
units of block and screen printers. This textile is popular
all over the country and abroad. On the Ajmer Road, the ground
level fort is still in good shape. It is noted for its hand
printed handloom industry using simple techniques.
GARDENS
Vidyadhar's Garden: Nestled in a narrow valley, this beautiful
garden was built in honour of Jai Singh's chief architect
and town planner.
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OTHERS
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Gaitor (6.5-km on the road to Amer) : There
are memorials to the queens in the Maharani-ki-Chhatri complex
near the Ramgarh road crossing. The white marble cenotaph
of Maharajah Jai Singh II is the most impressive and is decorated
with carved peacocks. Next to it is the cenotaph of his son.
The island palace-Jal Mahal built by Sawai Madho Singh as
a pleasure spot at the centre of the Man Sagar Lake, and the
Kanak Vrindavan complex of temples and gardens recently renovated
add to its pristine glory. To the west of this road, in a
narrow valley, is the royal cremation ground at Gaitor. The
cenotaphs of all Jaipur rulers, with the exception of Sawai
Ishwari Singh, who was cremated outside the Jai Niwas Garden,
were built at this place. The imposing cenotaph of Sawai Jai
Singh stands out for its delicate carvings and beautiful shape.
