Sightseeing in Jaipur

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan captivates visitors. This beautiful pink city springing from the desert offers a wealth of sightseeing opportunities from hilltop forts, regal palaces, well organised museums and colourful bazaars.

Our sightseeing in Japiur guide will help you plan your itinerary.

Jantar Mantar

A key attraction of Jaipur is the Jantar Mantar. Between 1727 and 1734 Maharajah Jai Singh II of Jaipur constructed five astronomical observatories in west central India. The observatories, or “Jantar Mantars” as they are commonly known, incorporate multiple buildings of unique form, each with a specialized function for astronomical measurement. These structures with their striking combinations of geometric forms at large scale have captivated the attention of architects, artists, and art historians world wide. Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jantar_Mantar_at_Jaipur

Timings 9.00 A.M. – 5.00 P.M.

Entry Fee Indian Rs. 20 / Foreigner Rs. 100 / Child Rs. 20

Amber Fort

Amber Fort located in Amber, 11kms away from Jaipur, used to be the capital of the Kachhwaha clan, untill Jaipur was made the official capital in 1727. The Amber Fort looks stunning, built in white marble and red sandstone. To add to its charm, Maotha Lake makes a beautiful foreground. This beautiful fort is one of the very few well preserved military structures of medieval India.

Amer-Fort-Jaipur

Timings 7.00 A.M.- 6.30 P.M.

Entry Fee Indian Rs. 25 / Foreigner Rs. 150 / Child Rs. 25

City Palace

The City Palace forms one of the most famous tourist attractions and a major landmark in Jaipur. The beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign. Among the various forts and palaces of Jaipur, City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture. The beautifully carved marble interiors, magnificent pillars, jali or lattice work and inlaid ornamentations are exceptional and a highlight for visitors. Jaleb Chowk and Tripolia Gate are the two main entrances to the City Palace Jaipur. The City Palace is actually a palace complex comprising of “Chandra mahal” and “Mubarak Mahal” amongst other palaces and buildings.

Jaipur_City_Palace

Timings 9.30 A.M.- 5.00 P.M.

Entry Fee Indian Rs. 35 / Foreigner Rs. 150 / Child Rs. 25

Gaitore

Another interesting visit would be to Gaitore, situated about 15kms from Jaipur on the Jaipur – Amber Road. Gaitore is a royal cremation site of the majestic rulers of Jaipur. There is a cenotaph for each Maharaja, built in his honour. These royal cenotaphs of the Maharajas are commonly known as ‘Chhatris’.

Timings 9.00 A.M.- 5.00 P.M.

Entry Fee Indian Rs. 20 / Foreigner Rs. 30

Hawa Mahal

One of the most popular attractions of Jaipur is the Hawa Mahal, it stands upright as the entrance to the City Palace. Hawa Mahal is an epitome of the Rajputana architecture. Its unique five-storey exterior is also akin to the honeycomb of the beehive with its 953 small windows called jharokhas that are decorated with intricate latticework. The original intention of the lattice was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen, since they had to observe strict “purdah” (face cover) It is particularly striking when viewed early in the morning, lit with the golden light of sunrise.

Jaipur-Hawa-Mahal

Timings 9.00 A.M.- 4.30 P.M.

Entry Fee Indian Rs. 10 / Foreigner Rs. 50

Jaigarh Fort

Jaigarh Fort which is located immediately above the Amber Fort on the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles). It provides an excellent view of Aravalli hills and the Amber Fort sitting 400m below. Similar in design to the Amber Fort the fort features a cannon named “Jaivana”, which at the time of manufacture was the world’s largest cannon on wheels.

Rajasthan-Jaipur-Jaigarh-Fort-compound

Timings 9.00 A.M.- 5.00 P.M.

Entry Fee Indian Rs. 25 / Foreigner Rs. 75

Nahargarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort is situated atop a picturesque hill. It is the first of the three forts built by Maharaja Jai Sawai Singh of Jaipur. The Fort stands at the top of rugged point of the Aravalis and offers a spectacular view of the City. The fort has nine absolutely identical suites each delightfully decorated with motifs.

Timings 9.30 A.M.- 4.30 P.M.

Entry Fee Indian Rs. 10 / Foreigner Rs. 50

Composite Ticket

The Rajasthan Tourism Office has introduced the tourist friendly concept of a “Composite Ticket” This ticket costs Rs.50 for an Indian and Rs.300 for a foreigner and allows the ticket holder to visit five tourist spots namely Hawa mahal, Jantar Mantar, Albert hall, Amber Fort and Nahargarh Fort.

It is recommended to check timings and entry fees for all attractions before setting out as these are subject to change. The entry fee for foreigners in many places is different from that for India nationals.

Swaad with Sharmaji

The Living Root Bridges of Cherrapunjee, India

The lower reaches of the southern slopes of Khasi and Jaintia hills, in Northeastern India, are humid, warm and streaked by many swift flowing rivers and mountain streams. On the slopes of this hill, among the dense undergrowth, a species of Indian Rubber tree – (Ficus Elastica) -  thrives and flourishes. These trees shoot out many secondary roots from their trunks. The trees, supported by these secondary roots, can comfortably perch itself on huge boulders along side the riverbanks or in the middle of rivers and send its roots down to the riverbed.

Root Bridges

The ancient War-Khasi people, a tribe in Meghalaya, had noticed these qualities of this tree and had adapted it to serve their need for building bridges across rivers and streams. In order to direct the roots in the desired direction, the Khasis sliced betel nut tree trunks half in the middle for their entire length, hollowed them out and passed the thin and long tender roots through them. The roots start growing towards other end of the stream and when they are reached they are allowed to take root in the soil. Given enough time, a sturdy, living bridge is produced.

Root-bridges in day

Some of these root bridges can carry fifty or more people at a time and can be over 100 feet long. These bridges take 10 to 15 years to become fully functional, and they keep growing in strength by the day. Some of these bridges are well over 500 years old.

Woman washing cloth under root bridge

These bridges are unique to Meghalaya only and are being used daily even today by people living in many villages around Cherrapunjee. One special bridge has two bridges stacked one over the other. The villagers of Nongriat where this bridge is located at the bottom of the valley call it 'Umshiang Double Decker Root Bridge’.

Side look root bridge

Chand Baori Stepwell in India

Chand Baori in Abhaneri village near Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan,, India, is one of the most overlooked landmarks in the country. It is one of the oldest stepwell in Rajasthan, and is considered to be among the biggest in the world. Chand Baori looks like anything but a well. This incredible square structure is 13 stories deep, and lined along the walls on three sides are double flight of steps. 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry descends to the bottom of the well 20 meters deep to a murky green puddle of water. Built during the 8th and 9th century by King Chanda of Nikumbha Dynasty, provided the surrounding areas with a dependable water source for centuries before modern water delivery systems were introduced. As the green water at the base attests, the well is no longer in use, but it makes for an interesting stop-over to an architecturally impressive structure that is over 1000 years old. There’s also a temple adjoining the well for visitors to explore.

Chand-Baori-Stepwell-Rajasthan

Stepwells, also called bawdi or baori, are unique to India. These wells have steps built into the sides that can be descended to reach the water at the bottom. Stepwells are generally larger than common wells and are often of architectural significance, just like Chand Baori.

Stepwell

The well’s sheer endlessly appearing geometric complexity made of stairs and steps ensured that Rajput people had access to water at any time of the year, and from all sides. The reasons behind building such an elaborate step well is not fully clear. Some believe it was used as a water harvesting site. Rajasthan is a dry place, and hence, every ounce of water is precious. The large mouth of the well functioned as a rain catching funnel that contributed to the water seeping in from the porous rock at the bottom. In addition to conserving water, Chand baori also became a community gathering place for the Abhaneri locals. The townsfolk used to sit around the step well and cool off during the summer days. At the bottom the well the air is always about 5-6 degrees cooler than at the top.

Close-Chand-Baori

The steps surround the well on three sides while the fourth side has a set of pavilions built one atop another. The side that has the pavilions have niches with beautiful sculptures including religious carvings. There is even a royal residence with rooms for the King and the Queen and a stage for the performing arts.

Steps of Chand Baori

Chand Baori was featured in the movie The Fall and also made a small appearance in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises.

Water inside well

The well is now a treasure managed by the Archeological Survey of India.

chand-baori-wall-figures

chand-baori-cleaners

chand-baori-stepwell

Vivid-colors-of-Chand-Baori

The style of Indian wrestling-Kushti

The style of Indian wrestling, also know as Pehlwani and the person referred as  Pehlwan. kushti:Traditional Indian wrestling take place in “Akhada”. “Akhada” is a place for practicing the Indian wrestling, in other words the school of wrestling. Indian wrestler or pehlwan live under some strict set of rules made by the trainer or ustad.There are very few Akhada’s are remaining in India. Some dedicated peoples are still working to keep alive The India Wrestling.This is very popular sport in India as well as in neighbor countries .India has won titles in Commonwealth Games held at jamaica.India has hosted the world wrestling championships. The famous Indian wrestler, Sushil Kumar has won medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Sushil Kumar has made an history by reaching in the final of London 2012 Summer Olympics. The Indian World Champion wrestler Sushil kumar is the winner of the gold medal in the 66 kg freestyle competition at the FILA 2010.

Pachad in Kushti

Sushil Kumar: 

The Famous Indian wrestler from Jat family in a village called Baprola near Delhi. The Indian World Champion wrestler and winner of gold medal and a bronze medal in the 66 kg freestyle competition at the FILA 2010 World Wrestling Championships and  Wrestling event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Indian Grappler is one verge of creating history by reaching in the final of 66 kg freestyle wrestling championship and only hope of India to win a gold in London Olympic 2012 . He is one of India’s best-ever individual Olympian by assuring at least a silver or hope for gold.Yogeshwar Dutt another Indian wrestler has won a bronze in London Olympic Games 2012. Other good Indian male wrestlers as Amit and Narsingh are out from freestyle wrestling game of London Olympics campaign 2012.

Sushil-Kumar-Indian-Wrestler

In Indian wrestling physical training means to build strength and develop muscle.There are some specific exercises that wrestler should do on daily basis, Surya Namaskara, shirshasan,the dand and bethak. The freestyle type of Indian wrestling is one of the most popular and traditional sport from India. Punjab is well known for its wrestlers or Pahalwan and its one of best place to learn Kushti or Indian wrestling.

Dwand-Yuddh Kushti

Diet’s of Indian wrestler are very restricted it contains ghee milk along with almonds,green vegetables,banana,apple and water melon in fruits.Consumption of tobacco and alcohol are strongly prohibited for the Pahalwan of India.

Kushti practice in Akhara

The Great Khali : 

The Giant wrestler from India real name Dalip Singh Rana also know as Giant Singh. Khali the great is a professional wrestler of WWE. Khali is the first Indian professional wrestler to be signed a contract by World Wrestling Entertainment. The great khali was a police officer in the Punjab state police.The Great Khali has face many challenges to its entire journey from Dalip Singh Rana to The Giant wrestler.He has also appeared in three Hollywood film.

Dalip Singh Rana aka Khali