Jaipur is a gateway to the state of Rajasthan and is also the most natural place to begin a discovery of India's multifaceted attractions. As a city, Jaipur is fairly young, less than three centuries old and is the creation of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. It is a part of the famous golden triangle tourist circle and can cast its spell on you from the moment you arrive. In Jaipur, you will concoct your own fantasies. It is still so much of the ' olde worlde ' that it is easy to believe you are part of some exotic period drama.

See & Do

Jaipur is a wonderful place to visit in the cool season even if it confounds a few romantic stereotypes. Visitors to Jaipur are spoilt for choice since there is so much to see. The city's forts, palaces, gardens and temples are spectacular and each proves a rewarding experience in itself because they can keep you absorbed for long hours at a stretch.

City Palace - The City Palace Complex lies at the heart of the city and is a classic example of Mughal and Rajput architecture.

A major part of the palace is a museum today that houses a collection of rare manuscripts, weapons, Mughal carpets and costumes and Mughal and Rajasthani miniatures.

Govind Devji Temple - This temple is a part of the City Palace Complex and is highly revered by the erstwhile royal family. The image, brought from Vrindaban, is housed within the sanctum of this spireless temple.

Hawa Mahal - Hawa Mahal is the most wannabe tourist spots of Jaipur. If it were not for the bustling bazaars all around, it would have been easy to mistake it for a film set, so exquisitely is it proportioned, and so incongruous is its delicacy. Hawa Mahal can be best viewed from the street outside.

Jantar Mantar - Jantar Mantar is one of the several astronomical observatories created by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. These concrete masonry instruments were used to measure everything from altitude to time, and map the movement of the planets and the stars.

Amber Fort - Built by Raja Mansingh in the 16th century, the fort is an important tourist attraction and offers magnificent views of the surrounding areas. The fort is a blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.

Laxmi Narayan Temple - This temple is built entirely of marble and is a showcase of the continuing skill of the mason and the sculptor.

Nahargarh - It is the third of the hilltop forts that guard Jaipur. It has some lovely gardens and pavilions . The members of the royal family often used it for summer excursions and picnics.

Ram Niwas Bagh - This garden was planned by Maharaja Ram Singh in the 19th century. This extensive park consists of a zoo, aviary, herbarium, museum and sports complex.

Galtaji - A popular site with pilgrims, Galtaji's hilly location is full of surprising spires and peaks. Some of the temples here are quite old, and a sun temple is perched atop the highest point of the hill.

Enjoy the land

Camel Safari - A vast part of Jaipur is covered by vast stretches of sandy desert. Camel Safaris provide an opportunity to the tourists to explore the near by and far flung areas of the desert. This so called back breaking activity proves to be the real charm of the desert triangle.

Elephant Safari - Get the royal feel of Jaipur on an elephant safari. Equipped with a howdah, a large seat to sit, complete with soft silk cushions, and with a ceremonial umbrella over the heads, modern day safaris may pale in comparison, but are no less regal on that account.

Shopper's Paradise

Sawai Raja Jai Singh's Jaipur is a wonderful destination for shopping. The large variety of handicraft items and other artefacts attract tourists from distant lands. The colourful bustling bazaars of Jaipur give tremendous shopping opportunities to the tourists and a chance to enjoy the vibrant culture of the region. The Pink City offers us the traditional dyed textiles, blue pottery, beautiful Kundan & Silver jewellery, semi precious stones and hand crafted footwear. You can also shop for miniature hand crafted elephants, horses and camels. Most Indians touring Jaipur try not to miss on the Jaipuri Razai ( quilt ) which weigh little but are quiet warm.

Shopping Centres

• Sanganer and Bagru, two little villages near Jaipur are famous for their delicate floral sprigs and linear zigzag stripes in earth colours. Sanganer is also well known for producing hand made paper and blue pottery.
• Bari Choupar is famous for Jaipuri quilts, Lac bangles, Tribal jewellery besides leather jutis and readymade garments.
• Jauhari Bazzar is one of the best places to shop for tie- and- dye fabrics and saris. Also available are the fine self -check weave cotton saris from Kota.
• Mirza Ismail Road has a glittering row of some of the most exclusive handicraft showrooms, curio shops, antiques, watches and textiles.
• Tripolia Bazzar is generally famous for metal wares and household goods like steel almirahs, trunks, cycle shops.
• Khazane walon ka Rassta is a popular shopping area known for stone carved sculptures.
• Indira Bazzar, Baapu Bazzar and Nehru Bazzar are some of the wannabe shopping centres in Jaipur.

Business Centres

• B.M. Birla Exhibition Centre
• Ambedkar Circle Ground
• Export Promotion Industrial Park

Fuel your Appetite - Hungry kya?

Jaipur is very popular for its rich and mouth watering delicacies. From the royal kitchen of yesteryears to the posh and trendy restaurants of today, the flavour of all the preparations has remained the same. Dal batti, churma, lachhedar paratha, Besan ki missi puri, mawa kachori, malpuas, dil jaani, mishri mawa and Ghevar are some of the lip smacking dishes of Jaipur.

Food Centres- Fast Food

• Fresh Flavours : Subhas Marg, C-Scheme (Vegetarian)
• Garden Cafe : 6, Mahaveer Marh, Near Statue Circle
• Hotel Breads : Sarojini Marg, C- Scheme.
• Pizza Hut : Ganpati Plaza, M.I. Road Surya Mahal M.I. Road (Multi Cuisine)
• Wimpy : Raja Park (Burgers, Pizzas)

Restaurants

Om Revolving Restaurant Handi Restaurant The Cooper Chimney Jaipur Darbar Surya Mahal Restaurant Mehfil

Surabhi Restaurant The Spice Court The Temptations Shivir Restaurant Skylark

Climate in view

The Sawai Jai Singh's Quarters experiences hot and scorching summers where the mercury rises to as high as 45 degree C. On the contrary winters are cool and pleasant with around 25.8 degree C temperature. For those who are not used to the glaring sun, visiting the place in winters is a better option. However monsoons do not create much of a problem.