The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is a true architectural and cultural jewel, nicknamed the "Pink City" because of the old town's facades painted in shades of pink. From the imposing Amber Fortress, home to the Rajput Kachhwaha dynasty, to the new city founded in the early 18th century, Jaipur has always held an important political position in Rajasthan. Today, Jaipur epitomizes India, oscillating between tradition and modernity. With its lively traditional bazaars, frenetic traffic, hip cafés and trendy restaurants, Jaipur is always bustling, day and night. In this article, we take a look at the 10 must-sees on your visit to Jaipur.
1. The Palace of the Winds: a must-see in Jaipur
With its ochre facade pierced by dozens of windows, you can't miss it. Adorned with 61 jharokha (airy loggias with openwork stone windows) and 953 windows, the Wind Palace was built in 1799 to enable the princesses of the court to observe the street and parades without being seen, in accordance with the strict "purda" rule that required them to hide from foreign eyes. The Hawa Mahal was connected to the zenana (women's quarters) of the City Palace and owes its name to the refreshing breeze (hawa) flowing through its openings. Once inside the monument (access is from the rear of the building), you'll discover that it's actually a large wall overlooking the street. The palace doesn't contain much apart from a few staircases and corridors, but we recommend climbing to the very top to admire the striking view over the grid plan of Jaipur 's old city and the City Palace.
Worth knowing: To fully appreciate this building, it is advisable to observe it from the street before visiting it. An excellent option is to have a drink on the terrace of Tattoo Coffee, from where you can capture some great photos.
What to book: Admire the charm of Jaipur by by booking this one-day guided tour to discover the city's rich history, royal heritage and most important monuments.
2. Visit Jaipur Palace
In the first courtyard of Jaipur Palace you'll see the Mubarak Mahal (Palace of Welcome), built during the reign of Madho Singh II (1880 to 1922) to welcome distinguished guests. This elegant pavilion features a collection of royal garments, gold-spun silk saris, pashmina (Kashmir goat wool) and shatoosh (Himalayan antelope wool, now protected) scarves. Among the most remarkable pieces is the imposing tunic of maharajah Madho Singh I (reigned 1750-1768), weighing over 200 kg. The pavilion also displays a collection of musical instruments played at court, such as the sitar, dilruba and various percussion instruments.
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The mini tour: Explore Jaipur's rich culture on a private Tuk-Tuk tour, bookable here, that takes in the Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Amber Fort and more...
3. What to do in Jaipur Visit the Govindji temple
Built in 1730 on the orders of Jai Singh II, this temple is located at the far end of the City Palace gardens, with a view of the palace through the fences. The maharaja had direct access to the temple and could even observe it from his bedroom window, enabling him to pray without having to move. Although the temple is quite modest, it includes a vast hall preceding the chapel where the statue of Krishna stands, surrounded by his companion Radha and a cow. The statue is concealed under veils and is only revealed to devotees at specific times of the day. Try to come during the evening darshan (ceremony), the timing of which varies according to the season. This is when the greatest number of devotees flock to pay homage to Krishna and contemplate his statue.
4. Jaipur Astronomical Observatory
Jai Singh II designed this unique complex of seventeen buildings between 1728 and 1734. An avid astronomer, he designed most of the measuring instruments. The Jantar Mantar has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. The purpose of these instruments was to calculate the position of the planets in order to establish star charts and determine the favorable dates for major events, such as weddings and travel. Visiting these ancient astronomical instruments is fascinating, although their use and instructions can sometimes seem complex. We strongly recommend that you enlist the services of a guide to better understand these marvels.
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5. What to do in Jaipur Albert Hall Museum
This imposing palace, transformed into a museum, houses collections of folk art, including clothing, musical instruments, utensils and tools. The second floor is dedicated to an eclectic collection of miniatures, manuscripts, weapons and gifts given to sovereigns. Don't miss the surprising collection of figurines representing the various yoga postures. The construction of this majestic edifice was entrusted to the famous English architect Sir Swinton Jacob. The maharaja wanted to endow his city with a monument capable of rivaling London's Victoria and Albert Hall Museum.
6. The Birla Mandir, a superb white marble temple
The Hindu Birla Temple offers a peaceful white marble sanctuary dedicated to Vishnu (also known as Narayan) and the goddess Lakshmi, with some surprising innovations. The wealthy Birla family of industrialists from Shekhawati built several Hindu temples in northern India. This white marble sanctuary, although built according to the classical temple model, featuresunexpected modern elements, such as stained-glass windows depicting Hindu deities and statues of Jesus, Moses and Socrates. In short, an all-white Hindu temple with superb stained glass windows and, above all, a quiet, free place to be.
Read more: Rajasthan, in the footsteps of the maharajas
7. The Peacock rooftop: the best place to eat in Jaipur
Located on the rooftop, where a magnificent wrought-iron peacock greets you, the Peacock restaurant overlooks the district and the heights of the city. Everything about it is perfect : the breathtaking view of the city, the delicious food and the pleasant music. With a varied menu, tasty and fresh dishes, a pleasant atmosphere, quality music and smiling, responsive staff, you'll be hard pressed to find anything better in Jaipur for this price. It really is a rare and great place to eat in Jaipur. What's more, the prices are really affordable, allowing you to indulge in extra drinks and desserts.
To book: Looking for an authentic activity to do in Jaipur? We recommend this traditional cooking class at a local's home. So, are you ready to embark on a culinary voyage?
8. What to do in Jaipur Walk in the gardens of Rambagh Niwas
Today, the gardens of Rambagh Niwas are divided into two distinct sections. The northern section, near the Albert Hall Museum, includes a zoo, cricket pitch, temple and lawns. Further south, the gardens are attached to Rambagh Palace, designed by Sir Swinton Jacob and transformed into a luxury hotel run by the Taj Group. This section of the gardens is affectionately nicknamed "Central Park" by the people of Jaipur. Here you'll find a golf course and a polo field. As greenery is rare in Rajasthan, it 's particularly pleasant to stroll around.
9. Jaipur Doll Museum
This small museum is one of the oldest in Rajasthan. It houses a collection of graceful dolls dressed in the traditional costumes of different Indian regions and ethnic groups. There are also puppets and dolls from various countries, such as a Japanese geisha, as well as traditional Rajasthani wooden statuettes. Donations are most welcome, as the museum's admission fees help finance a school for the deaf and dumb.
10. Amber Fort, just outside Jaipur
Amber Fort is undoubtedly the most famous fort in Rajasthan, largely due to its close proximity to Jaipur. Once the residence of the Rajput maharajas, it was superseded by a more modern palace built by Jai Singh II in the 18th century, when he developed the city of Jaipur. Strategically located at the exit of the Amber pass, high in the Aravalli mountains, the fort is particularly impressive in the morning, when its façade is illuminated by the sun. We strongly recommend that you hire a guide for the tour, as there are no signs inside the fort.
The mini tour: Explore Jaipur's rich culture on a private Tuk-Tuk tour that you can book here and see the Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Amber Fort and more...
Good to know: En route from Jaipur, you'll catch a glimpse of Lake Man Sagar, at the center of which stands the Jal Mahal, an 18th-century summer palace, unfortunately closed to the public. This palace was once the venue for royal festivities.
Where to stay in Jaipur?
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, offers a variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes. Here are a few suggestions to help you find the ideal accommodation:
- Best value for money: Anuraag Villa
Click here to to book this pink Jaipur-style villa, with spacious rooms offeringexcellent service and value for money. Breakfast is served in a large tree-lined garden, where you're sure to be spied by a peacock or Buddha sitting enthroned under a tree. The plus: its location in a very quiet street, ideal if you're looking for quiet accommodation.
- The friendliest: the Pearl Palace
Click here to book this friendly hotel, where you'll soon feel right at home. Iic, residents meet on the Peacock's terrace to listen to music over a drink or a generous, quality dish. The services and quality of the welcome mean that this address is often fully booked. So book well in advance!
- The most luxurious: Rajvilas
This is almost the best of its kind, not in Jaipur, not in India, not even in Asia, but in the world... Go here to book this hotel, regularly cited as an example in leading European and American magazines for the delicacy of its rooms, the quality of its services and the excellence of its two gourmet restaurants, the Surya Mahal and the Rajmahal. A must!
You can also find below a list of the trendiest things to do in Jaipur:
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