Getting there

Airways : The Jaipur airport is 15Km from main city and is connected to through regular flight with all major Indian cities. It has been recently upgraded to International Airport.
Railways: It is well connected by rail with important cities of the country.
Roadways: It is well connected by road and is linked by NH8 and NH11. A network of comfatable tourist buses connect-Jaipur with many important towns.

Facts About Jaipur
Area : 64.75 sq. km.
Languages : Hindi, English, Rajasthani.
Temperature : Summer Mean Max.45.0c, Mean Min 28.8C,Winter Mean Max 22.0C, Mean Min. 8.3C.
Rainfall : 64cms.
Clothing : Summer Lights cottons Winter Woollens.

Exploring Jaipur!


City Palace Complex
It is located in the heart of Jaipur, occupying about one-seventh of the old city area. The palace complex was built between 1729 and 1732 by Sawai and subsequently various structures were added to it by his successors. The complex is surrounded by a high wall and is divided into a series of courtyards, gardens and other buildings. It is a splendid fusion of Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. The magnificent Chandra Mahal occupies the centre stage and is still the residence of erstwhile ruling family. The outer courtyards have architectural beauties like Mubarak Mahal, Sarvatoghadra, Diwan Kahan and Pritam Niwas, these have been converted into a museum known as the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh during his trip to England in 1902 to attend the coronation of King Edward Vll. The silver urns find mention in "Guiness Book of World Records", as being the largest silver object in the world.
Another interesting site is the Govind Devji Temple, located adjacent to the Chandra Mahal. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna, the patron deity of the Jaipur royalty.

Jantar Mantar
This open air observatory set outside the gateway of the City Palace Complex was built by the astronomer King Swai Jai Singh ll in 1728. It is one of the five open-air astronomical observatories built by him, the first being at Delhi in 1724, followed by observatories at Jaipur (1728); Ujjain (1734); Varanasi (1737) and Mathura 91738). The observatory at Jaipur is the largest and most important of the five. The complex instruments used for measuring local time, the altitude of stars and constellations, the sun's declination, meridian, altitude and determining eclipses are quite spectacular and reflects the glory of medieval Indian astronomy.

Hawa Mahal or the 'Place of Winds'
It was built in 1799by the poet king Sawai Pratap Singh for the royal ladies to enjoy the procession and day to day activities from the cool confinement of this majestic façade. The five storeyed semi-octagonal structure is noted for its elaborate and fanciful architecture. It comprises of 953 niches and 152 windows, which are exquisitely encrusted with lace fine screens with overhanging latticed balconies, also a museum exhibiting a fine collection of ancient paintings, sculptures, handicrafts, coins, armoury etc.

Swargasuli or Isar Lat
It was built by Sawi Ishwari Singh in 1749 to commemorate a grand victory and is the highest structure of Jaipur. The minaret dominates the skyline on the western side of the Tripolia Bazar.
Ram Niwas Garden
The beautiful garden near Ajmeri Gate was built by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh in 1868. It sprawls across an area of four acres and also has a zoo, a bird park (aviary), a play ground, exhibition ground and a gymnasium. Spectacular Albert Hall, the most famous museum and Ravindra Rangmanch are also located within the garden. The zoo here is home to several species of birds and animals and is one of the oldest in the country. There is also a crocodile breeding farm.

Govt. Central Museum (Albert Hall)
The magnificent structure in Ram Niwas Garden was inaugurated in 1863 by Prince Albert. It is an excellent example of Indo-Saracenic Architecture and was designed by Sir Swinton Jacob. Albert Hall was opened in 1887 as a public museum and is the oldest museum of the State.

Ravidra Manch
It is also located within the Ram Niwas gardens. There is an auditorium, on open-air theatre and a modern art gallery. Rajasthani dance, music and plays are held here in the evenings.

Dolls Museum
It is situated on the Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, near Police Memorial and has a rich collection of Beautiful dolls from all over the world.

Jawahar Circle
This newly constructed circle on Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, has a beautifully garden, which sprawls in a radius of 1 km. It has become a popular picnic spot among the citizens of Jaipur.

Jawahar Kala Kendra
The famous cultural centre on the Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg serves as a link between people and art. The main building was designed by the famous architect Charles Correa and is a fine blend of traditional and modern styles.
Shilpgram or Crafts Village
It is located within the premises o f the Jawaharlal Kala Kendra and has representative huts o f Brj (Bharatpur), Hadoti (Kota), Tribal (Dungarpur), Desert (Barmer and Bikaner), Shekhawati (Sikar) regions of Rajasthan and a central hut representing the Jaipur region. There is also a 'Haat Bazar' where beautiful artefacts can be purchased. Shilpgram also organizes craft fairs, festivals and folk progarammes.

Statue Circle
The circle lies in the 'C' Scheme area and has a beautifully sculpted full length white marble statue of Sawi Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur.

Birla Planetarium, Auditorium & Convention Centre
It is the part of the Biral Science, and Technology Centre at Statue Circle. A visit to this place is a unique experience. The audiovisual display with the help of modern computerized projection system is educative and entertaining.
There is an interactive science museum, a library, a computer centre, an information processing and dissemination cell, about eight research divisions, a processing planetarium and an auditorium. The state-of-the-art main auditorium is one of the largest auditorium of the country, with a seating capacity of 1,350 people.

Galtaji
This ancient Hindu site nestles amidst low hills. It was one of the principal seats of the Ramanand sect of Vaishanavites and is also associated with sage Galavai, who is believed to have performed penance here. The delightful spot is studded with temples, pavilions and holy kunds. The temple of Sun God built by Diwan Kriparam is the most important shrine of Galtaji. To the east of Sun temple is a reservoir perennially fed by a spring of pure water falling from a gaumukh (an outlet shaped like the mouth of a cow). Many pilgrims assemble here to take a holy dip in the Kunds (reservoirs). Atop the hills an impressive view of the city can be enjoyed.

Birla Mandir or Lakshmi Narayan Temple
This elegant temple lies just below Moti Doongri and was built in 1988. it is noted for excellent architecture and exquisite carvings on white marble. Within the temple are splendid statues of many Hindu deities, while, the outer walls are adorned with great historical personages and religious 'figures.

Ganesh Mandir
This famous temple is also set at the foot of Moti Doongri near Birla Mandir. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the deity of the erstwhile royal family.

Moti Doongri
The little fortress atop a hill is a replica of a Scottish castle. It is the private residence of the fourth son of the late Maharaja Man Singh.
Maharani Ki Chhatri
It is the funeral place for royal ladies and is located just before the Ramgarh road crossing. It also has some exquisitely carved cenotaphs. Gaitor
The royal crematorium at the foot hills of Nahargarh fort is studded with several spectacular cenotaphs and memorials of various distinguished members of the royal family of jaipur. The most prominent of the cenotaphs is that of Maharaja Jai Singh, which is made in white marble.

Kanak Vrindavan Garden Complex
The beautiful temple-garden complex amidst scenic surroundings is located on Jaipur- Delhi highway, before Amber fort, near Jal Maahal. It is a popular excursion and picnic point.

Gaht ki Guni
This scenic narrow gorge is situated towards the south-eastern corner of the walled city along the Agra road. It is studded with beautifully landscaped gardens which were built during the 18 and 19th centuries. The important ones are:

Sisodia Rani Gardens & Palace
The magnificent palace garden is 6 kms from the city and was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh ll in 1779. The gracefully laid out terraced gardens have fountains, cascades and water channels sprouting from the natural springs. A charming double storeyed palace occupies the top terrace of the garden.

Vidhyadhar Garden
It is located on the way to Galta, about 8 kms from city and was built by Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, the chief architect and town planner of Jaipur. The charming terraced garden has several galleries and pavilion which are adorned with exquisite murals and wall paintings. Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal or the 'Water Palace' was built by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 in the midst of picturesque Man Sagar lake and is about 6 kms from Jaipur, on the way to Amber. It is noted for its fascinating architecture and pleasing surroundings and was the summer resort of the erstwhile royal family.
The Man Sagar Lake also attracts various species of migratory birds during the winters.