Kate SmithResplendent in the hues of its noble and magnificent past, the historic city of Jaipur stands out as one of the most spectacular and culturally vibrant destinations in the world
Jaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan and was built in the eighteenth century by Sawai Jai Singh as India's first planned city. Jaipur is a major tourist attraction amongst Indian as well as international travellers. Jaipur is often called the Pink City in reference to its distinctly colored buildings, which were originally painted this color to imitate the red sandstone architecture of Mughal cities. The present earthy red color originates from repainting of the buildings undertaken for a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876.
Jaipur city has been declared as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO on 6th July 2019.
History and Culture
The capital of the royal state of Rajasthan, Jaipur has been ruled by Rajput kingdoms for many centuries and developed as a planned city in the 17th century AD. The history of Jaipur is immersed in the quest of making it the most protected and powerful capital of its time. The city itself is named after the king who founded it in 1727, Maharaja Jai Singh II; he decided to shift his state’s capital city from Amber to present-day Jaipur due to scarce basic amenities and consistently growing population.
This royal place is also rich in heritage, culture and architecture with its splendid fortresses, majestic palaces, tranquil temples and beautiful havelis; Other than these captivating attractions, Jaipur displays exquisite handicrafts and spectacular jewellery. These intricate works of art add life and color to this Pink City's uniqueness.
Interesting facts about Jaipur:
- Jaipur is touted as the first planned city of India. It was planned by a Bengali architect named Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya by following the principles of Shilpa Shastra (the science of Indian architecture).
- Between 1727 and 1734, Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur constructed five astronomical observatories or Jantar Mantars. These structures with their amazing combinations of geometric forms at large scale have captivated artists, historians and architects. The largest out of five Jantar Mantars is in Jaipur.
- Central Museum, located in the centre of the Ram Niwas Bagh, is the oldest museum of Jaipur.
- Sambhar, located at a distance of 60 km from Jaipur is famous for being the largest saline lake in India.
Climate
The perfect time to visit Jaipur is from the months of September to March. During this time, the climate of the city is very pleasant.
- September - March
