The picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is color washed pink-the color associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. Jaipur, being 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra, forms a part of the most incredible tourist circle - The Golden Triangle of India. Built in 1727 A.D. by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur displays a remarkable harmony and architectural splendor. The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal family and the ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy-tale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city. Jaipur was the first planned city in India with its beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive forts and palaces and colourful bazaars which have a timeless appeal. Jaipur is a mine of historical and cultural sites with places like the Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, Amber Palace, Jaigarh Fort, Jal Mahal, City Palace and many more.

In the present date, Jaipur is the major business centre for the natives of Rajasthan with all requisites of a metropolitan city but one can see that hoary charm still alive in the avenues of Jaipur. The active streets of Jaipur get plenty of visitors, every year at their footsteps. The Ancient Testimonials in the form of mind-blowing monuments remind one of the past ages. The city comprises the famous structures like Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Amber Fort, the best architectural examples of India. Artistic temples and gardens of Jaipur, marks the atmosphere of serenity and aestheticism to the lands of Rajasthan. The lively city observes its ethnicity by celebrating various festivals like Kite festival, Elephant festival and many others, of Indian origin.

All theses features make Jaipur, one of the most sought after tourist destinations of Rajasthan, India. The glorious city boasts of its cultural heritage from every nook and corner. Jaipur is the reservoir of Indian customs, traditions, civilization and legacy. There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur's colorful bazaars where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms and trinkets. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvelous heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharajas are worth admiration. Not to mention the ambling camels and cheerful people in multi-hued costumes those make your trip to the pink city a memorable one. Every year, People across the globe come to experience this royal capital city of Rajasthan.

History and Architecture of Jaipur

Jaipur State, which existed from the twelfth century until Indian Independence in 1947, took its name from the city of Jaipur. The maharajas of Jaipur belonged to the Kachwaha clan of Rajputs, claiming descent from Rama, king of Ayodhya.

The state is said to have been founded in the eleventh century or 1097 by Dūlaha Rāya, who hailed from Gwalior; he and his Kachwaha kinsmen are said to have absorbed or driven out the local Meenas and Bargujar Rajput chiefs. The Meenas became a key ally of the Kachwahas. Their original capital in the Dhundhar region was Dausa, then Jamwa Ramgarh then Amber before the shift to Jaipur.

The ruling dynasty of Jaipur provided the Mughal Empire with some of their most distinguished generals. Among them were Raja Man Singh I, who fought and governed from Kabul to Orissa and Assam; Jai Singh I, commonly known by his imperial title of Mirza Raja, whose name appears in all the wars of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb; and Jai Singh II, or Sawai Jai Singh, the famous mathematician and astronomer, and the founder of Jaipur city. "Sawai" was a title bestowed upon him by Aurangzeb which meant "one and a quarter times superior to his contemporaries".

Jaipur, the pink city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, a Kachhwaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744. Initially his capital was Amber, which lies at a distance of 11kms from Jaipur. He felt the need of shifting his capital city with the increase in population and growing scarcity of water. Jaipur is the first planned city of India and the King took great interest while designing this city of victory. He consulted several books on architecture and architects before making the lay out of Jaipur.

After several battles with Marathas, Jai Singh was keen on the security aspect of the city. Due to this reason, he focused on his scientific and cultural interests to make a brilliant city. Being, a lover of mathematics and science, Jai Singh sought advice from Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, a Brahmin scholar of Bengal, to aid him design the city architecture. Vidyadhar referred the ancient Indian literature on astronomy, books of Ptolemy and Euclid, and discussed the plan with the King.

With a strategic plan, the construction of the city started in 1727. It took around 4 years to complete the major palaces, roads and square. The city was built following the principles of Shilpa Shastra, the Indian Architecture. The city was divided into nine blocks, out of which two consist the state buildings and palaces, whereas the remaining seven blocks were allotted to the public. In order to ensure the security, huge fortification walls were made along with seven strong gates.

Built of pink stucco in imitation of sandstone, the city is remarkable among pre-modern Indian cities for the width and regularity of its streets which are laid out into six quarters separated by broad streets 111 ft (34 m) wide. The urban quarters are further divided by networks of gridded streets. Five quarters wrap around the east, south, and west sides of a central palace quarter, with a sixth quarter immediately to the east. The Palace quarter encloses a sprawling palace complex (the Hawa Mahal, or palace of winds), formal gardens, and a small lake. Nahargarh Fort crowns the hill in the northwest corner of the old city. Another noteworthy building is Sawai Jai Singh's observatory, Jantar Mantar. With its rich and colourful past, resplendent with tales of valor and bravery, Jaipur is now one of the most important heritage cities in India, and is a must-see for tourists coming to India.

According to that time, architecture of the town was very advanced and certainly the best in Indian subcontinent. In 1853, when Prince of Wales visited Jaipur, the whole city was painted in Pink color to welcome him. Still, the neat and broadly laid-out avenues, painted in pink provide a magical charm to the city. Jaipur is rich in its cultural and architectural beauty, which can be traced in the various historical and aesthetic places that reside in the city. This city of victory really wins the hearts of the people with its splendid charisma.

In the 19th century the city grew rapidly and became prosperous; by 1900 it had a population of 160,000. Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II (1922-1949) acceded the state of Jaipur to the Government of India in 1948, shortly after India's independence. Jaipur then became the capital of Rajasthan. The city's wide boulevards were paved and lit with gas. The city had several hospitals. Its chief industries were in metals and marble, fostered by a school of art founded in 1868. The city also had three colleges, including a Sanskrit college (1865) and a girls' school (1867) initiated under the reign of the enigmatic Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II. There was also a wealthy and enterprising community of native bankers, particularly the Jains and the Marwaris. The city has a vibrant and healthy Muslim population.

The marriage of Jaipur daughter to the Chauhan prince of Devgadh Baria is recorded as one of the most expensive in the world and even Henri Cartier-Bresson the famous photographer has recorded it.

Geography and Climate of Jaipur

Location: 26° 92' N 75° 82 E 
Altitude: 431 m above sea level
Area: 200.4 sq. kms.

Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan, a state in the Northern part of India. The pink city would have been a part of Thar Desert, if the Aravalli Hills have not separated them. As a result, Jaipur is located under the kind protection of Aravalli Hills. Under the terms of geography, Jaipur extends from latitude 26.92 degrees in the north to longitude 75.82 degrees in the east. The city covers an area of 200.4 sq kms and lies at an altitude of 431 m above sea level. Jaipur is located in a very dry and sandy area. The pink city of Jaipur is located at a comfortable distance of about 258 kilometres from Delhi, 232 kilometres from Agra, 350 kilometres from Gwalior and 405 kilometres from Udaipur. Jaipur is well-connected with all major cities of the country by air, rail and road.

Essentially, Jaipur is a hot place dominated by three main seasons. The summer season persists from Mid-March till June reaching to the maximum temperature of 45°C, Monsoons continues from July to September preceded by dust and thunderstorms and winters from October to March. In winters, the city of Jaipur observes bright and pleasant sunny days, though the temperature can reach a low of around 5ºC during the nights. Frequent problem in winter season is fog that covers the whole city in the evening. Winters dominates the land of Jaipur from the month of October till the month of March. The best time to visit Jaipur is during winters, when the weather is pleasant and very favorable to travel around the royal city of Jaipur. During summers, the temperature rises to 45°C with the minimum of 25.8°C. With such high temperature, it is not preferable to visit the place during summers.

One cannot plan to go for sight-seeing in the scorching sun of summers. Being located in a desert area, the climate of Jaipur is dry and hot. Monsoons too doesn't relief the dry city as Jaipur receives very low rainfall. Winter season is the best time to visit Jaipur. The temperature touches maximum to 22°C and gets down to the extent of 5°C.

In winters, one can enjoy the regal city of Jaipur to its full. The spectacular views offered by the ancient monuments of the city fascinate the visitors. The city looks awesome in the winter evenings when it gets covered with fog. Jaipur offers rich food with lots of butter and ghee, which is best enjoyable in the winter season. To put succinctly, the best time to visit the incredible Jaipur is between the months of October to March. Weather of Jaipur can be termed as warm, being situated in the desert area. The three main seasons, summer, monsoon and winter respectively, influence the city of Jaipur. Situated at an altitude of 431m above sea level, Jaipur has extreme type of Climate. Summers are extremely hot with shining sun on the head whereas winters are comparatively cool. However, the nights in winters are bitterly cold.

Culture of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India

Jaipur is a land of cultural heritage unfolding the legacy of the royal past. When you are planning to visit Jaipur, it is important to know about the culture, customs and traditions that are followed there. However, Jaipur has joined the parade of metropolitan cities; still there are some traditions and customs in the city, which you will find quite surprising.

Jaipur is the commercial centre for most of the rural regions of Rajasthan, so you could come across typical Rajasthani men and women wearing turbans and ghagra-choli respectively during your stroll in the city. The cultural prosperity of Jaipur is visible in its local festivals and fairs.

Cuisine of Jaipur
Jaipur's cuisine is rich like the royalty of Jaipur. Cuisine of Jaipur offers many delicacies to gratify the appetite of every taste. In Jaipur, lot of ghee and butter is used in cooking the food. Dal-Bati Churma, Dahi Vada, Mawa Kachori, Besan Ka Gatta, Ker Sangri, Pyaaz Ki Kachauri, Chakke Ki Sabji and Jodhpur Ki Rabri are some of the main attractions of Rajasthani cuisine. Rajasthani Food is usually vegetarian, pure and nutritious.

People of Jaipur
People of Jaipur are quite rugged in their appearance. However, these desert people are well-built, cheerful and simple rather untouched by the swiftness of modern times. Here, people prefer to wear bright colored clothes, as if they are compensating for the barren landscape. Women of Jaipur like Red, yellow, green and orange colored attire with a dazzling work of gold/ silver zari or gota. Tribal Ladies wear loads of Silver jewelry even men too can be spotted wearing earrings. The men wear turbans or pagadis of bandhej (tie & dye) in bright colors.

Languages in Jaipur
Language is a crucial medium to communicate. The primary language of Jaipur is Rajasthani. However, Marwari, Hindi and English are also prevalent in the city.

Folk Dance and Music of Jaipur
Dance and Music of Jaipur bring liveliness to the desert lands of Rajasthan. "Ghoomar" is the main folk dance of Jaipur in which the ladies flaunts their huge ghagras or skirts while dancing. Regarding music, the people of Jaipur share the royal interest of Rajputs in Morchang, Naad, Tanpura, Sarangi and many others.

Fairs & Festivals of Jaipur
Festivals are the occasions that add color to life. When it comes to Jaipur, the royal city celebrates each and every festival with full gusto and zeal. The colorful city gets brighter during the celebration of special festivals. There are numerous festivals which the city observes like any other part of the country. But the city celebrates some unusual and interesting fairs & festivals in their own style. The fairs and festivals which are worth mentioning are Elephant festival, Teej festival, Kite festival and Gangaur festival.

Jaipur Fairs and Festivals are inseparable element of the cultural identity of the city. The vivacious city looks more vibrant during the festivity; people enjoy these festivals keeping aside all their tensions and worries. Different fairs and festivals have their own significance and offer a pleasurable break from the tight schedules of life. If you want to explore the customs and traditions of Jaipur, festive season is the right time to visit the city. In this article, we will explore some of the major festivals of Jaipur.

Elephant Festival of Jaipur in Rajasthan

The Elephant Festival is a unique event, one of the most popular festivals held annually in the famous Chaugan ground of Jaipur, the capital of the north Indian state of Rajasthan. Elephant festival has its own charm and is celebrated every year in March on the occasion of Holi, the festival of colors. The festival has a unique concept of its own kind. Groomed flawlessly, rows of elephants do a catwalk before an enthralled audience liked best fashion models to make this festival an amazing one. The elephants move with poise in pageant, run races, play the regal game of polo, and finally participate in the spring festival of Holi. The colorful festival of Holi is celebrated throughout India, but the festival gets some more spice added to it, when it combines with the Elephant festival of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Elephants become the major attraction of this festival in their classy attires.

It is a festival time for Elephants, so they enjoy the festivity by dancing and playing. Live Folk dances and music programs are also arranged for the overall entertainment of people. This festival of Elephants revives the royalty of Jaipur, when people enjoy the glorious Elephant ride in the ground. The Elephants beautifully decked with floral motifs, make ultimate picture for the tourists. Being the time for Holi, tourists play Holi mounting on these painted Elephants. Elephant Festival of Jaipur is unusual, something different and definitely a special treat for the tourists.
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Gangaur Festival of Jaipur in Rajasthan

Gangaur is a significant festival of Jaipur, especially meant for the women. Gangaur festival is widely acclaimed and celebrated throughout the state of Rajasthan. The word Gangaur is derived from two words, 'Gan' and 'Gauri' which are synonyms of 'Siva' and his consort 'Parvati' respectively. Gangaur is celebrated in the honor of Goddess Gauri, who is considered as the symbol of virtue, devotion, fertility and a perfect married woman. Gangaur celebrates the union of the two and is a symbol of conjugal and marital happiness.

Gangaur is celebrated in the month of chaitra (March-April), the first month of the Hindu calendar. This month marks the end of winter and the onset of spring. The festival of Gangaur starts with the subsequent day of Holi and persists for about 2 weeks.

The womenfolk of Rajasthan worship Gauri with all the means of devotion. The married women worship Gauri for the well-being of their husband, while the unmarried girls worship the goddess to get the husband of their choice. This is also an auspicious day for young people to select their life partners. A newly-wedded girl observes a fast for the full course of 18 days of the festival that succeeds her marriage. Even unmarried girls fast and eat only one meal a day. Colourful processions with the town band playing horses and elaborate palanquins make it a fascinating spectacle. This worship which starts form the first day of the chaitra month culminates on the 18th day into Gangaur festival with a great religious fervor. The festival begins with the custom of gathering ashes from the Holi Fire and burying the seeds of barley in it. After it, the seeds are watered everyday awaiting the germination.

The ceremony takes place with the praiseful songs for Isar (Siva) and Gauri. The women apply henna on their hands to celebrate the auspicious festival. They carry painted matkas (water pots) on their heads. They also make images of Gauri and Isar with clay. During the last days of the festival, the celebration reaches to its height. On the final day, lively images of Gauri are taken out in procession escorted by traditionally dressed camels, bullock carts, horses and elephants. Songs are sung about the departure of Gauri to her husband's home.
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Desert Kite Festival in Rajasthan

India holds a unique position in the world due to its various festivals that are distinctive and attractive and each one is special in itself. The kite festival of Jodhpur is one such festival, which is celebrated with great zeal and zest. Started just a few years ago, the desert kite festival is becoming more and more popular among kite fliers all over the world. The best kite flyers from India and abroad take part in this splendid celebration of the art of kite flying.

Makar Sankranti or the Hindu New Year is celebrated with merriment, kites, street plays, folk art performances and exotic food all over India and especially in Jaipur every year on January 14. This Desert Kite Festival is held every year. Kite makers flaunt kites sized as big as 1.5km of various shapes and Designs. Some Kites carrying messages, some depicting social issues, some as caricatures of politicians. The International Kite Festival fill the Jaipur soul with gay rainbow colors and a general happy mood. People from all over the world come and participate in the International Kite Festival with joyous enthusiasm. Entire Jaipur springs to life with paper kites, kite exhibitions, sessions on the history of kite flying, dance dramas and other festive celebrations.
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Teej Festival Celebrations of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India

Teej is one of the most widely celebrated festivals of Rajasthan. Teej is celebrated with immense fun and fanfare in the capital city of Jaipur. Since Teej fall at the outbreak of the monsoons, it is also popularly known as the 'Sawan Festival'. Teej is usually celebrated in the month of July-August. Festival of Teej is dedicated to the divine couple - Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. On this day, women and young girls wear their best clothes and adorn themselves with fine jewelry. They gather at a nearby temple or a common place and offers prayers to Goddess Parvati for well-being of their husband. Swings, traditional songs and dancing are the unique features of Teej celebrations in Rajasthan. Women perform traditional folk dance dressed in green colored clothes and sing beautiful Teej songs while enjoying their sway on swings bedecked with flowers.

On the occasion of Teej, markets in Jaipur are stocked with trendiest women accessories and clothes. Most of the fabric clothes display laheria (tie and dye) prints. Sweet shops keep different Teej sweets but ghewar is the main sweet of the season. At some shops malpuas are also prepared in great quantities.

All over Rajasthan, swings are hung from trees and decorated with fragrant flowers. Women both married and unmarried love to swing on these swings to celebrate the 'sawan festival' of Teej. Teej fairs are held in number of cities in Rajasthan. Most impressive ones take place in Jaipur. Whole city is immersed in the color of the festival. There are number of stalls showcasing the culture of Rajasthan. Handicrafts, traditional Rajasthani dresses and junk jewelry are some of the major attractions for tourists visiting the fairs. One of the attractions of the Jaipur Teej fair is the traditional Rajasthani mehndi.

Teej procession of Jaipur not just attracts visitors from India but also lures a large number of international tourists. High point of Teej procession is the magnificently decorated idol of Goddess Parvati which is kept on a palanquin and carried through the Pink City of Jaipur. Thousands of devotees throng the procession which is carried out for two consecutive days. Antique gilt palanquins, bullock carts pulling cannons, chariots, caparisoned elephants, camels, bands, and dance groups form a part of the grand Teej procession. The palanquin of Goddess Parvati is carried by eight men dressed in red color. Teej procession is a very huge affair which moves through various places in Jaipur. Lot of Teej songs are sung when the procession moves further. Folk artists and performers enchant the crowd with their splendid performance. Some people even dress up like Gods and Goddesses and play various musical instruments. Teej prasad is distributed among the crowd of devotees.
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Sightseeing of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India

Jaipur is a reservoir of the architectural wonders embracing the rich legacy of India. The remnants of the bygone era boast of the royalty of Jaipur. There are many forts and monuments in Jaipur that are worth seeing. Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Nahargarh Fort are the three antique forts that provide the spectacular view of the city. In the heart of Jaipur, there lies the stunning City Palace. The Pink city marks its impact with the sight of the amazing Hawa Mahal. Statue Circle is a favorite hang-out of Jaipur and celebrates the founder of this city.

Gaitore is a memorial of the Royal kings famed for its beautifully carved cenotaphs. The massive Jantar Mantar of Jaipur still captures the astronomical dream of Raja Sawai Jai Singh, the noble king of Jaipur. People from all over the world come to visit these relics of the former age. Government of Rajasthan is working on these monuments to preserve these priceless monuments of the erstwhile period. These epoch-making monuments of Jaipur are really worth visiting and this article will provide you further information about these relics.

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Location and Transport

The city of Jaipur is easily accessible from the major cities of India, so reaching Jaipur is not difficult at all. Jaipur is well-connected by rail, road and air. Jaipur has a brilliant road network making it easier for people to travel. When it comes to railways, Jaipur railway station provides the best services to its passengers. Jaipur Railway station is the main station of Rajasthan. As far as traveling by Air is concerned, Jaipur Airport at Sanganer, serves the quality services to its customers since years. In totality, travelling to Jaipur is not a problem. According to one's preference and budget, one can prefer road, rail or air to reach Jaipur.

By Air
Jaipur Airport is located near Sanganer at a distance of 13 kms from the city of Jaipur. Many domestic airlines connect the city to all the major cities of India including Udaipur and Jodhpur as well. Flights for Delhi and Mumbai run on a regular basis. The airport has been granted the status of an international airport and connects to the foreign cities like Sharjaha and Muscat too.

By Rail
Jaipur Railway Station is a central main station of the state of Rajasthan. The vast rail track of Indian Railways connects Jaipur station with all other cities of India. There are numerous trains which run on a regular basis to and from Jaipur. Shatabdi and Intercity connects Jaipur to Delhi. Shatabdi is fully air conditioned train starts from Delhi (5.55 AM) to Jaipur (10.35 AM), you can also try Intercity Exp starts from Delhi at (4.55 PM) reaches Jaipur (10.35 PM). There are other trains also to Jaipur from other metro cities.

By Road
Jaipur is well connected by road to major cities in India. Excellent road network serves people to enjoy a comfortable journey to and from Jaipur. This mode of traveling is quite easy and comparatively cheap. Regular bus services from nearby cities connect Jaipur to the other cities. Deluxe Buses, AC coaches and Government buses are available for the convenience of the passengers.

Jaipur Local Transport
One can easily travel around Jaipur as there are more than enough means of transport in Jaipur. The taxis in black and yellow, which are frequently seen in the metropolitan cities, are not usual in Jaipur. In Jaipur, one can hire private taxis/ cabs, which are easily available. There is a wide range of private taxis to choose from. People can always hire taxi according to their preference, comfort and luxury. Taxis can be hired for day or days for sightseeing purposes and excursions as well.

People usually prefer cycle-rickshaws and three-wheelers for short distances. Cycle-rickshaw is the cheapest mode to travel in the city. One can also opt for three-wheelers, which charge very nominal fare to reach predefined destinations. These autos run on sharing basis, which move from one point to another for getting more and more passengers. Unmetered Auto-Rickshaws are also easily available round the city. Every Auto-rickshaw driver has the fare chart, which provides the fare that to be charged for different distances. The farther the distance, the more the price one has to pay.

Rajasthan State Roadways offers comfortable public transportation in Jaipur. The city buses run by Rajasthan State Roadways are the most common means of transport used by people. Buses charge a very nominal price for their service. They don't have a fixed time schedule but operate on a regular basis. In totality, while visiting Jaipur, there is no need to worry about transportation as Jaipur offers ample means of transport to make your journey comfortable and a memorable one.

Distance from major cities
Delhi-265 km
Ahmedabad-625 km
Chandigarh-510 km
Mumbai-1,176 km
Calcutta-1,472 km
Agra-246 km