Pink City – Jaipur

Kesariya Balama Aavoni, Padharoni Mare Des Re – These lines attract most of the domestic & international Tourist towards Rajasthan.

Some of the places are very close to my heart. Rajasthan is one of them. It is one of the colourful tourist destinations of India. One can enjoy the great Hospitality of the Rajasthani People. There are several tourist destinations in Rajasthan. Some of them are Jaipur, Ajmer, Pushkar, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ranthambhore, Bharatpur, Sariska……………etc and all the places are different from each other. There are multiple tourism options of lakes, desert, mountains, forest (Sanctuaries), Historical & Pilgrims.



Jaipur ,Capital of Rajasthan, one of the favorite places of most of the Indians. It is also known as Pink City because of the pink colour stone used during ancient time. Jaipur was founded in the year 1727 by Raja Sawai Jai Singh who handed the responsibility of building city to famous Bengali architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. It took eight years to completely build the whole city. This city was built using principles of Shilpa Shastra, the ancient form of Indian architecture.

The Jaipur City is encircled by a wall that has seven gates. The Name of those Gates are Chandpol , Sanganeri , Ajmeri , Tripoliva, Siinha Dawar , Dunabubhir Pole , Sirah – ki – Dyodhi.
Best time to visit Jaipur is September to February.

Connectivity 

By Air : The nearest airport is the Sanganer airport, at a distance of around 11 km from the city center. There are direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, and some other cities from Jaipur.
By Rail : From Delhi, there are many trains that connect Jaipur including shatabdi Express.
By Road : Jaipur is connected directly to Delhi by a well-maintained 6 lane road.

Route (Gurgaon to Jaipur – 230 km)

Gurgaon 40 km Dharuhera 60 km Behror 74 km Shahpura 56 km Jaipur


Day -1 (Gurgaon to Jaipur)

We started our journey at 3.30 after picking up my wife from her school. Driving on NH-8 is very comfortable as road is 6 lane. One can drive at 100 – 110 km /per without any stress. It takes about 4 ½ hrs. to reach Jaipur from Gurgaon. We took a halt at shapura for tea & snacks. After taking right turn from NH-8 for Jaipur near Amer fort, road is very congested especially near Badi Chopad.
We reached our Hotel Arya Niwas at 8.30.PM. Hotel Arya Niwas is one of the best Hotels in Jaipur. An old Hawali is converted into a Hotel. It’s a two star & very economical, Rs.1250/- for a AC room. Its very neat & clean Hotel full of foreigners, no room service except Bed Tea. For detail refer to the attached link www.aryaniwas.com .

Hotel Arya Niwas

Hotel Arya Niwas

We went out for Dinner at Hotel Shankar Bhojnaliya, near by Bus Stand, the hospitality of this hotel is amazing, and price is shocking just 40 – 45 /- per thali (unlimited).

Day 2 (Local Sight seeing)

We had our breakfast in Hotel’s Lawn, as it was winter Lawn was full of tourist. I left my car in hotel & hired a taxi. I always prefer Taxi for sight seeing to avoid the route & parking problems.

Waiting for Breakfast

Daughters  playing in Hotel Lawan

Our visit Started from Birla Mandir ( Laxhmi Narayana Mandir) – is situated just below the Moti dongri, known for the intricate marble carvings in white marble, popularly known as Birla Temple.

Birla Mandir

HAWA MAHAL - built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, is the most recognizable monument of Jaipur. The 5 storied stunning semi-octagonal monument having 152 windows with over hanging latticed balconies is a fine piece of Rajput architecture. Originally designed for the royal ladies to watch and enjoy the processions and other activities, on the street below. Now it houses a well laid out museum.

Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal

JANTAR MANTAR - built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the huge masonary instruments were used to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. Enormous sun-dial still provide accurate time, which are subject to daily corrections.

Jantar Mantar

CITY PALACE - situated in the heart of the old City. The palace is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture, it houses a Seven storeyed Chandra Mahal in the centre, which affords a fine view of the gardens and the city. Diwan-E-Am (Hall of public audience) has intricate decorations and collection of manuscripts, Diwan-E-Khas (Hall of private audience) has a marble pawed gallery Mubarak Mahal has a rich collection of costumes and textiles. There is a Clock Tower near Mubarak Mahal. Sileh Khana has a collection of armory and weapons.

City Palace

City Place

City Palace 

City Palace

City Palace

City Palace

City Palace

City Palace 

CENTRAL MUSEUM - situated in the Ram Niwas Garden. This graceful building was founded in 1876 by Prince Albert (also known as Albert Hall). It has a rare collection of archaeological and handicraft pieces.

Museum 

JALMAHAL – (6 kms) on the way to Amer, this small palace is set in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. Renovation around the lake is in progress hence near by year area was not clean.

JAIGARH FORT - (15 kms.) standing on a hilltop, overlooking the palaces and city of Amer. The world’s biggest cannon on wheels- the Jai Ban is positioned here, built during reign of Maharaja Sawai Jaisingh. It has a twenty feet long barrel and pumped in the cannon for a single shot.

KANAK VRINDAVAN - (6.5 Kms on the way to Amer) This newly restored temple and garden, near Jal Mahal, has beautiful gardens and is popular picnic place. This is also beautiful location for film shooting.

Kanak Garden

AMER - The old capital of the Kachhwahas stands atop a range of craggy hills. The fort is remarkable as much for the majestic grandeur of its surroundings as for its sturdy battlements and beautiful palaces. It is a fine blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The solemn dignity of it red sandstone and white marble pavilions, when reflected in the lake at the foot hill, is a sight to behold. The original palace was built by Raja Man Singh, the additional extensions were built by Maharaja Mirja Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh lIthe last Maharaja of Amer, who built a new city called Jaipur, where he shfted his capital in 1727.

The palace complex is lavishly ornamented and displays the riches of Amer. Sheesh Mahal chamber of Mirrors. Diwan-e-Am or the Hall of Public Audience is a beautifully proportioned hall open on three sides and stands on two rows of ornamented pillars. Diwan e-Khas or the Hall of Private Audience has delicate mosaic work in glass. Sukh mandir is guarded by sandalwood doors inlaid with ivory. Throughout the massive fort finely carved lattice windows, exquisitely painted doorways, halls and finely sculptured pillars crave for attention.

View from Amer Fort

Road View from Amer Fort

Garden Inside Amer Fort

Amer Fort

Day 3 ( Raj Mandir / Chokhi Dhani )

Rajmandir Cinema, became functional on 1st June, 1976. The design of Rajmandir Cinema in Jaipur is credited to the well-known architect W. M Namjoshi who planned to build the theater is an Art Moderne style. The exterior of Rajmandir Cinema, Jaipur is very impressive with a lot of asymmetrical shapes captivating attention to the façade that is graced with unusual patterns like zig zags and curves. The auditorium is impressively and lavishly decorated. The charming ambience of the place is intensified by indirect lighting that changes colors. A frond fern leaf-like plaster trough conceals these lights and the trough has openings all over the ceilings and walls. The theater can accommodate as many as 1237 viewers. It is equivalent to the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. Rajmandir Cinema, Jaipur also features among the popular tourist attractions in Jaipur.

Sorry no photographs, as photography is not allowed inside the Picture Hall.

Chokhi Dhani - An Ethnic Village Resort this resort give the right blend of traditions – modern amenities in a typical ethnic environment.

It is around 22 km from Jaipur on Tonk Road. It takes almost one hr. to reach there because of heavy traffic.


Here you can enjoy the local dances of Rajasthan (12 different type of dances), magicians, astrologers, puppet shows , elephant ride & camel ride.

The main part is the Rajasthani food served in the Dinner. Buffet is served on one side & there is a place next to it where food is served to you sitting down on the floor in a traditional style. In spite of so much of rush, service is amazing.

Rajasthani Dance

Kathputli Dance (Puppet Show)

Jugglers - Choki Dhani

Choki Dhani

Rajasthani Dance

Tired Swarika

Swarika holding her ear instead of cow

Elephant Ride

Rest Time 

Entry Gate - Choki Gate

Entry Gate - Choki Dhani

Day 4 (Shopping / Back to Gurgaon)

We checked out from the hotel after having our breakfast. My wife’s most favorite activity started today in jaipur , guess what ? I hope most of the husbands may guess right, ya it’s SHOPPING.
Jaipur visit can not be completed without shopping. Here you can try some handicrafts, traditional dresses ( Bandehj , Laheriya , Sanganeri print) , Shoes (juties), Jaipuri Razai , Fabrics with natural colours , Gems & Traditional Jewelry.

The Main Markets of Jaipur are Jauhari Bazar, Bapu Bazar, Nehru Bazaar , MI Road.
After some shopping we said good bye to Jaipur and left for Gurgaon.