11 Best Places to Visit in Jaipur

Jaipur, the ‘pink city’ has to it a rich legacy of vivacious culture and royal tradition. A stroll across the streets of Jaipur could offer you glimpses of the city’s architectural splendor and monumental wealth. A visit to Jaipur will in fact transport you back in time to the bygone kingly eras. To know more about the city and its attractions, read on-

The arid land of Rajasthan has a beauty of its own to attract thousands of tourists every year. A major part of Rajasthan is covered by the Great Thar desert that will present you with typical sand dunes, camel caravans, thorny bushes and undulating plains of sand stretching beyond all limits. The colorful culture; the typical desert music and dances like Ghumar etc, the Banjaras and their very colorful costumes, the desert handicrafts, the palatial buildings of historical importance scattered all across the state and of course the tangy and spicy Rajasthani cuisine are all just enough to draw lots of tourists from all over the nation plus the globe to the state.

If you have plans to visit Rajasthan this year, keep Jaipur at the top of your list. Jaipur, we all know is the state capital and is dotted with some real fabulous visit-able places that will definitely appeal to anyone who loves traveling and exploring new places.

Take a look at the Top Tourist Places of Jaipur, the well famed as the ‘Pink City’

1. Hawa Mahal:

This Hawa Mahal is a monument, semi-octagonal in structure and 5 storied. It comes with 152 windows, an outstanding feature that makes this monument truly unique and famous. The founder of this Mahal was Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and the construction of this Mahal took place around 1799. The overhanging balconies with superb latticework exhibit a fine specimen of Rajput architecture and were meant for the Royal ladies to take a look at the processions and entertain themselves by peeping down at any other activities going on in the street adjoining the Mahal. Today Hawa Mahal has a Museum stocked with artifacts and arsenal collections from the yesteryears giving a clear glimpse of the rich and royal Rajputana era.

2. Jantar Mantar:

Another place which you shouldn’t miss when you are in Jaipur is the Jantar Mantar. It’s the amazing observatory that was constructed by the Rajput king Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century. The Jantar Mantar allowed an accurate study of the movement of stellar objects in the universe like stars and constellations in that era when technology and science didn’t reach the present state of advancement. Even till date the huge Sun-dial you see there, will provide you time with highest accuracy

3. Birla Planetarium:

This is another place in Jaipur really worth visiting. The exceptional audio-visual presentation that you would get to see there would not only be informative but also truly enjoyable. The most sophisticated computerized system of projection is used offering the audio-visual presentation and the subject is of course entertainment & stars. Make sure you reach in time so as to enjoy the show right from the start. The show timings are 11.00 hrs, 13.00 hrs, 15.00 hrs, 17.00 hrs, 18.00 hrs, 19.00 hrs.

4. City Palace & Museum:

The city palace located centrally in the old city covers an area that is huge enough. In other words, the City palace extends to almost 1/7th of total area that comes under the Old Jaipur city. You will get to see a clear fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture in the architectural style of the city palace. The noteworthy attractions of the city palace are the Diwan-E-Aam (Hall for the Public Visitors) and Diwan-E-Khas (Hall for the Special Private Visitors). The Ornate intricate carvings characterizing the architecture of Diwan-E-Aam will definitely appeal you and the huge collection of valuable manuscripts preserved there will help you to explore the rich past. The Marble-balconied gallery in Diwan-E-Khas which is famous for its exclusive collection of royal textiles and costumes is called Mubarak Mahal. It will let you know about the lavish royal lifestyle of the Rajput Kings and Queens in the past eras. The Sileh Khana with its huge collection of weapons and armories gives you a glimpse into the military strength and bravado of the Rajput kings. So visiting the city palace and museum is indeed a big treat for a history-loving tourist.

5. Jaigarh Fort:

This Fort is on the hilltop that overlooks the palaces and the Amer city. The Fort is world famous for Jai Ban, the biggest on-wheels canon nowhere else to be found throughout the world. The cannon come with unique barrel 20 ft long and was meant to be pumped in for just one single shot. The canon was constructed during the ruling period of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh.

6. Nahargarh Fort:

This Fort was constructed around 1734 and lies on a hill that towers 600ft above Jaipur city. The Fort walls crest the hill and will lure you with a sense of strong security that the Rajputs had set up for themselves with the strong masonry walls bordering the hill’s ridge. Once you are inside the fort, you will indeed marvel at the architectural intricacies and beauty of the Madhavendra Bhawan, the Hawa Mandir that lies within.

7. Laxmi Narayan Temple:

This Temple also popularly called the Birla Temple, falls just underneath Moti Doongri and is well famed for its ornate White marble Carvings that make the Temple appear as a true specimen of rare architectural beauty!

8. Amer:

Amer is a city that stands aloof and apart from the main Jaipur city. It lies atop a hill and is actually the old ruling capital city of the well-known Kachhwahas. The fort is famous in many respects; i.e. for its sturdy battlements, surroundings full of majestic grandeur, and palaces of great architectural beauty. These all attributes are just enough to draw tourists to Amer from far and wide. The Fort shows a clear fusion of Hindu-Muslim Architectural Styles. There’s a lake of pellucid water just at the foothills and when the colors of the Red sandstone along with the pavilions made out of white marble reflect on this lake, it indeed creates a magical solemn sight which you shouldn’t at all miss. The Original Amer Palace was constructed during the times of Raja Man Singh. Later extensions were undertaken by Maharaja Mirza Raja Jai Singh, Sawai Jai Singh II, the last of the Amer kings who was also the founder of the Jaipur city, the newly founded city to which he later shifted his ruling capital in the year 1727.

The rich ornamentations and carvings scattered all around the Palace Complex clearly give a cue to the once upon a time Royal affluence of Amer. You’ll be spellbound to see the beauty of the Sheesh Mahal which is actually a Hall with Mirrors on all sides. Next comes, the Diwan-E-Aam (Hall of General Public Visitors). This Hall is unique in the sense that it is supported by two rows of pillars that props the hall up just like a stilt house. It is indeed an engineering masterpiece and the pillars on which the hall stands are richly ornamented. Also the Hall has opening or outlets in three directions. When you reach the Diwan-E-Khas (Hall of Special Visitors), you will indeed feel that you have entered into the royal Rajput era and soon you ought to receive some special welcome treatment. The beautiful Mosaic Work made most delicately and subtly in glass that you get to see in Diwan-E-Khas would leave you mesmerized. The Sukh Mandir has mighty doors made out of Sandalwood studded with ivory that makes beautiful inlaid designs on the wood. So on the whole your visit to Amer would not go empty; rather you would return with lots of fruitful information on Jaipur history, the Rajputana culture and riches once you finish touring the city.

9. Jal Mahal:

While you are traveling to Amer, spare a few hours and make sure to visit the Jal Mahal which falls on the road by which you will be traveling to Amer. This Mahal is situated amid the Man Sagar Lake. You can easily reach the Mahal by means of a spacious, well-constructed paved causeway that functions as a link bridge between the Jal Mahal and the bank. It will take you only a few hours to explore the Mahal because the Jal Mahal isn’t as huge as the other palaces or Mahals of Jaipur. Since the Mahal stands amid a Lake therefore it’s called ‘Jal’ Mahal.

10. Kanak Vrindavan:

If you wish to refresh yourself in the ambience of a beautiful garden, Kanak Vrindavan is the place which you shouldn’t at all miss. The colorful garden with flowers in full bloom will soothe your mind; give you a real enjoyable and creative experience. Kanak Vrindavan is located in vicinity to Jal Mahal and also has a temple that’s newly restored. This Garden is a famous picnic spot of Jaipur and has emerged to limelight also because of the many popular films shot therein.

11. Central Museum:

The Central Museum is also known as Albert Hall was founded by Prince Albert in the Year 1876. It is located in Ram Niwas Garden. The museum exhibits a rare and unique collection of handicrafts & archeological specimens. So you must visit this museum to take a look at these interesting collections.

So these are some of the best tourist spots of Jaipur which you shouldn’t miss during your Jaipur tour.