The first planned city of India is an alluring travel destination that seamlessly blends history and modernity. As the Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan long weekend of 2024 inches closer, Jaipur is the perfect place for a getaway. With its centuries-old palaces, imposing fortresses, stunning jewellery-making tradition and rich textile heritage, you will fall in love with the immense beauty of Rajasthan’s capital and the wilderness beyond.
Here’s your three-day guide to the “Pink City.”
Begin your trip with a visit to the iconic Amber Fort (also known as Amer Fort). It was built by Maharaja Man Singh, a commander in the army of the Mughal emperor Akbar, in the 16th century. It is an extensive palace complex made of pale yellow and pink sandstone and white marble. The fort is divided into four main sections that are graced with their own courtyards. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has opulent chambers, temples, gardens and terraces. See the Diwan-i-Am; the Ganesh Pol gateway that leads to the private inner apartments of the fort; and the Diwan-i-Khas, which houses the dazzling Sheesh Mahal. The latter’s walls are plastered with intricate mosaics of mirrors and coloured glass. Other parts of the complex include the zenana (women’s quarters); the Jal Mandir, which features carved marble panels and expansive views over the ramparts of the fort; and the Sukh Niwas, a marble room.
Follow this up with a trip to the nearby Jaigarh Fort. It was built by Sawai Jai Singh II sometime in the early 18th century. Despite its ancient construction, it still retains most of its imposing citadel appearance. Visitors can see the Jaivana cannon, the world’s largest when it was built in the 18th century. Jaigarh Fort and Amer Fort are connected by subterranean passages and are typically considered as one complex.
Next up is Nahargarh Fort (“abode of tigers”) on the edge of the Aravallis. Along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh once formed a strong defensive ring around Jaipur. The Madhavendra Bhawan inside the fort was the summer getaway of the royal family. The palace had 12 boudoirs for the queens and a suite for the king; they were connected by corridors decorated with delicate murals. The fort looks particularly brilliant when it is lit up at night.
Visit the Jal Mahal which is located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, a man-made reservoir created in 1596. Although the building only appears to be one-storey high, there are four more levels hidden beneath the water. Its creator, Maharaja Madho Singh I, did not intend to use it as a palace, preferring it as a hunting lodge for himself and his entourage. A severe drought in the 16th century led to the creation of a dam which formed the lake and submerged portions of the lodge. For now, the palace is not open to the public so tourists flock to the banks of the lake to gaze at the magnificent structure, where the light colour of the sandstone walls creates a sharp contrast with the deep blue of the lake.
Shop till you drop at Johari Bazaar, one of the most famous jewellery markets in Jaipur with a vibrant ambience and delicious food. Buy kundan jewellery and other items made of gold, silver, diamonds, emeralds and rubies here. Dotted with compact shops selling clothes, juttis and lehengas, the narrow lanes bustle with activity all day long. You can also buy textiles, handicrafts, pottery and quilts.
Located deep within Jaipur is the City Palace. It was conceived and built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of the city. It showcases a fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture and has areas like the Mubarak Mahal and the Maharani’s Palace. The Mubarak Mahal now houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and displays a vast and unique collection of royal costumes, delicate pashmina shawls, silk saris from Varanasi, and folk embroidery. The palace is adorned with beautiful paintings on the ceiling that will draw your eye. Don’t miss the Sileh Khana gallery which houses the many arms used by the Kachhwaha Rajputs of Jaipur and Amber. The collection features early 19th-century swords with a variety of decorations on the handle and sword blade.
Next up is the Jantar Mantar of Jaipur, one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world. It is no longer a working science centre but is maintained as a monument where education sessions, guided tours, and music and light shows are held. Its remarkable stone assemblies helped to interpret the position of celestial bodies and calculate local time. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has a collection of 19 astronomical instruments like the Vrihat Smarat Yantra, a huge sundial; the Digamsa, a pillar-like structure which was used to predict the sunrise and sunset; and the Nadivalaya, a pair of circular plates, among others.
The iconic pink sandstone of the Hawa Mahal is next on your itinerary. “The Palace of Winds” was built in 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh as a summer retreat for him and his family. It also served as a place where the ladies of the royal household could observe everyday life without being seen. The unique five-storey structure blends Hindu and Islamic architecture. What immediately arrests the eye are the small latticed windows, called jharokhas, that resemble the crown of Lord Krishna. The windows also serve as an air-conditioner of sorts, blowing cool air throughout the palace.
Follow this up with a trip to the Albert Hall Museum, the oldest museum of Rajasthan. Opened in 1887, the museum displays a wide range of metal objects, wood crafts, carpets, stone and metal sculptures, arms and weapons, natural stones, and ivory goods. It also houses a large collection of miniatures from the Bundi, Kota, Kishangarh, Udaipur and Jaipur schools of art. The outer walls of the building are painted with scenes from ancient civilisations while the upper part of the courtyard has extracts from the Quran, Bible and Indian epics inscribed on the walls. Six scenes from the “Mahabharata” and “Ramayana” are also depicted in colourful paintings on the walls.
Time to engage in Jaipur’s culinary heritage. The Rajasthani thali is made up of ker sangri, a tangy dish made with dried ker berries and dessert beans; gatte ki sabzi; Rajasthani kadhi, a spiced curd and gram flour-based dish; and panchmela dal, which is prepared with five kinds of lentils. Besides this, dal baati churma, deep-fried baati and laal maas are also mainstays of the region’s cuisine. Sample them all at Chokhi Dhani, Laxmi Misthan Bhandar (LMB), Thali and More, and Spice Court.
Explore the Birla Mandir, a marvellous marble work of art. Built on an elevated platform, this modern temple dominates the skyline of south Jaipur and was built by the Birla family in 1988. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Narayan) and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune. Exquisite carvings and sculptures from mythology adorn the building. The statues of Lakshmi and Narayan are in fact carved from a single piece of marble. The top of the temple has three domes to represent the three primary religions followed in India. You can check out the museum and gallery which contain photographs of the temple's construction as well as treasures belonging to the Birla family.
Head to Galtaji next, an ancient pilgrimage centre set among low hills. The spot has temples, pavilions and holy kunds (natural springs and water tanks) where pilgrims bathe. The main attraction here is the Ramgopalji Temple, also known as the Galwar Bagh ("Monkey Temple") due to a large group of resident monkeys. On top of the hill is a small shrine dedicated to the sun god called the Surya Mandir. Spend some time in this serene place before moving on.
Near Galtaji is the Jhalana Leopard Safari Park. It is home to around 30-35 leopards out of which six to seven animals travel across the tourist zone. Besides leopards, there are also an estimated 20 panthers in the forest area, as well as striped hyenas, desert foxes, golden jackals, chital, Indian palm civets, blue bulls, jungle cats, Indian pitta, dusky eagles, owls, Indian rollers, and hawks, among many other species. You won’t forget your safari experience for days to come.
If you still have some time left over in the afternoon after your safari ride, head to the Rambagh Palace for a spot of high tea and a delicious meal. Their Verandah Café is perfect for indulging in champagne tea, pre-dinner cocktails or light meals. For a more hefty bite try the Suvarna Mahal, Steam and the Rajput Room at the venue.
Wrap up your Jaipur trip with a visit to the city’s largest park. The Central Park offers residents and tourists a tranquil moment of respite. It houses a lush garden, a polo ground, a musical fountain, a temple, stone statues and a golf club. However, the highlight of the park is the country’s tallest flagpole. Think back to your adventures of the past three days as you relax here.
Land at Jaipur International Airport (JAI) or Jaipur Junction (JP). The city is well-connected by road with places like New Delhi and Agra.