
Hawa Mahal
Constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the majestic structure of Hawa Mahal was designed by Lal Chand Ustad. Also known as the “Palace of Winds”, the layout of this renowned five-storeyed building, made of r...
Nicknamed as the “Pink City” due to the distinctive color of its buildings, the city of Jaipur is situated in the semi-arid region of the north-western state of Rajasthan, set amidst the Aravalli Hills and the Thar Desert. This capital city of Rajasthan was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727 as one of India’s earliest planned cities. Besides being a part of the popular Golden Triangle tourist circuit of India alongside Delhi and Agra, Jaipur has also earned a reputed place as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. With its historic forts and majestic palaces, ancient temples, vibrant bazaars, traditional crafts and delicious Rajasthani cuisine, the royal city of Jaipur offers its visitors a perfect destination for a regal retreat.
The best time to visit the Pink City is during the winter season (October-March) when the weather is at its best. With the onset of rainfalls, monsoon season (July-September) becomes the moderate season. The weather becomes unfavorable for travelling during summers (April-June) because of the scorching temperatures and high humidity.
But before you pack your bags, here are a couple of things to keep in mind.
The culinary culture of Jaipur is marked by vibrant flavors and aromas where every dish is a part of the city’s beautiful tradition and heritage. For a fulfilling start of the day, you can head to Rawat Mishthan Bhandar for kachori, pakore or Jaipur’s famous dal baati churma. Pav bhaji at Pandit’s is also a great breakfast choice. The masala chai at Gulab Ji Chaiwala is a must-try! There are also delicious sandwiches and shakes on the menu in case you’re not a tea-lover! Alternatively, you can also try the refreshing lassi at Lassiwala. The famous open food court plaza of Masala Chowk is your one-stop street-food destination as it serves samosa, gol gappa, chole bhature, aloo tikki, chaat, omelette and much more. For mouth-watering chicken, mutton, paneer or peshawari tikkas, Sethi Bar-be-que is your place to go. Do not miss out on Jaipur’s famous desserts of ghewar and shrikhand from Falahaar which will leave you wanting for more!
For any travel itinerary, shopping is an unskippable experience. The Pink City, hence, promises its visitors a thrilling and fulfilling shopping ride. At the famous Johri Bazaar, you can find a wide range of gemstone jewellery, quilts, Rajasthani sarees and lehengas, and colorful juttis (traditional footwear). The Kishanpole Bazaar has a unique collection of wooden carvings, decorative items and Bandhani fabrics. The lac jewellery from Bapu Bazaar is not to be missed out on! The marketplace also offers leheria stoles and Jaipuri shawls in beautiful patterns. To buy the colorful Jaipuri mojris, Nehru Bazaar is your place to go. For book-enthusiasts, the market at Chaura Rasta is a paradise full of stationery items and hand-printed papers besides books of all sorts. The Jaipur shopping experience is incomplete without adding pottery collectibles to your shopping cart. Hence, make sure to check out Mirza Ismail Road for colorful pottery collectibles and Kripal Kumbh for glazed blue pottery items!
The first planned city of India - Jaipur - is often fondly termed as the “Pink City” since most of the buildings here are made with beautiful pink-painted sandstones. Ruled by both the Mughals and the Rajputs, the culture in Jaipur is strikingly marked by the development of arts, craft, music and architecture to their peak. The various historic forts and magnificent palaces, vibrant dances and arts as well as the delicious cuisine - everything here has the old, royal Rajasthani touch! Amongst the several festivals and fairs which are celebrated here with enthusiastic fervor, Gangaur and Teej (festivals observed by women for the longevity of their husbands, marital happiness and blessings) are the most popular ones. As a city of royalty, colors and flavors, Jaipur boasts richly developed traditions and customs which make the city even more welcoming and captivating.
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