Jaipur brings a splash of pink to the vibrant state of Rajasthan. This exotic destination, also known as the “Pink City of India,” is ideal for a luxury vacation. Jaipur, brimming with hospitality and opulence, is the ideal destination for tourists from all over the world. The eclectic mix of traditional and modern attractions will keep visitors of all ages entertained for days.
The welcoming and vibrant Pink city is an excellent location for learning about Rajasthani culture and heritage. As you walk through the city’s lanes, you can glimpse the opulent lives of Rajputana kings through the magnificent forts, palaces, and Havelis strewn about. You can also step into the shoes of the country’s prominent kings by visiting museums and memorials.
Aside from visiting the magnificent Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jaigarh Fort, and Hawa Mahal, you can also indulge in delicious Rajasthani cuisine and shop at its lively bazaars. Embroidered leather shoes, embellished handicrafts, regal blue pottery, brilliant tie and dye scarves, camel hide products, and jazzy handmade apparel abound in the markets at Johari Bazar, Bapu Bazar, and MI Road. You can also experience the beauty of the Thar desert on an exciting camel safari or immerse yourself in the vibrant Rajasthani culture by attending local festivals such as Dhulandi, Teej, and Gangaur.
Best Places To Visit in Jaipur
Jaipur entices those looking for a grand vacation and a rejuvenating trip while learning about Indian culture and heritage. The following are the top best places to visit in Jaipur:
The legendary Amber Fort is a seven-hundred-year-old Rajputana palace located approximately 11 kilometres from Jaipur. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India’s most magnificent architectural wonders.
The Amber fort (also known as Amer Fort) was built on the Aravalli hills in 1592 by Raja Man Singh I and completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh. The magnificent fortress, built in red and yellow sandstone with white marble accents, offers a breathtaking view of Maota Lake.
The splendid palace is divided into four courtyards and includes attractions such as Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khas, Siladevi Temple, and the Sheesh Mahal. The main entrances to the palace are Suraj Pol and Chand Pol, both of which lead to the main courtyard called Jaleb Chowk. You can enjoy an elephant ride to the fort entrance or take a car. After spending three to four hours exploring the fort you can dive into its history with the beautiful light and sound show.
2. Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort was built to secure the Amber Fort and was built on ‘Cheel ka Teela’ or the Hill of Eagles. Located 500 feet above sea level, the fort offers panoramic views of the Amber Fort and its lush surroundings.
The fort was built in 1726 under the direction of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and features a magnificent blend of Indo-Persian architecture. Intricate lattice work windows adorn the fort’s cyclopean walls, providing unobstructed views of the surrounding area. You can walk through the magnificent red sandstone fort and imagine yourself in the time of the warrior kings who once lived there.
One of the fort’s main attractions is the ‘Jaivana Cannon,’ the world’s largest cannon on wheels that has only been fired once since its construction. The central watchtower, the water heritage walk, Shubhat Niwas (the assembly hall of warriors), and the armoury are among the other attractions. Kal Bhairav Temple, Ram Harihar Temple, Lalit Mandir, Aram Mandir, and Vilas Mandir are among the prominent temples in the complex.
3. Nahargarh Fort
The Nahargarh Fort was built in the Aravalli Hills to protect the Rajput warriors’ royal residence, the Amber Palace. For 300 years, this majestic structure has stood guard over the beautiful city of Jaipur. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II built it in 1734 as a retreat palace for the kings and queens. Its fascinating Indo-European architecture and glorious past have drawn visitors from all over the world.
During the 18th century, the Fort witnessed significant historical events. You delve deeper into history by visiting the temple dedicated to the Kings of Jaipur, as well as exploring the magnificent Sheesh Mahal, visiting the wax museum, and taking photographs near the Jal Mahal.
Other not-to-be-missed attractions are ‘Madhavendra Bhawan’ built by Sawai Madho Singh and the temple of Rathore prince Nahar Singh Bhomia, whose spirit haunted the construction site until the fort was dedicated to him.
4. Jantar Mantar Jaipur
Jantar Mantar, located in the heart of Jaipur, is an astronomical observatory built between 1728 and 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The observatory served as a hub for scientific cultures from around the world, connecting political, social, and religious practises to cosmology.
It is the largest of five similar structures built in Northern India and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It houses large stone instruments with striking geometric form combinations for viewing celestial bodies with naked eyes. Since time immemorial, the precision and accuracy of these astronomical instruments have captivated architects, mathematicians, artists, and historians.
The observatory also features the world’s largest stone sundial which calculates local time and manages to entice the interest of tourists to date. To understand the process of determining planetary movements through observation and calculations you must visit Jantar Mantar at noon, as the readings of the instruments are accurate when the sun is overhead.
5. Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur’s most recognisable landmark, is a 200-year-old monument in the city’s heart. The five-story palace has 953 lattice work windows and is known for its unique honeycomb design and Indo-Islamic architecture. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh built it as a summer palace in 1799, painting it pink and adorning it with floral motifs, dome-shaped arches, and patterned pillars.
The palace was built to provide unobstructed views of Jantar Mantar, the City Palace, and the Sireh Deori Bazaar. Its intricately designed windows, known as ‘Jharokhas,’ allowed the royal ladies to enjoy royal processions and daily market activities on the street while remaining hidden from the general public.
The first floor, Sharad Mandir, was used for royal celebrations; the second floor, Ratan Mandir, was decorated with colourful glass work; and the other two floors, Vichitra Mandir and Hawa Mandir. The top floor, known as Prakash Mandir, featured an open terrace on each side with panoramic views of the city. Looking through the fretwork windows, you can imagine their lives and experience the richness of Rajputana culture through the paintings and ceremonial armour preserved at the complex’s museum.
6. City Palace Jaipur
The City Palace Jaipur, which is in the centre of the old city, is home to magnificent courtyards, gardens, cenotaphs, and royal structures. The Rajput King Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who founded Jaipur, designed and built it. Later rulers who resided there expanded it.
The palace is an intricate fusion of Rajput, Mughal, and European architectural styles that exudes opulence. In a separate area of the palace, members of the previous ruling royal family continue to live. Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Maharani’s Palace, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, and Bhaggi Khana are the palace’s most notable buildings.
The museum displays a rare collection of royal attire, including Pashmina shawls, Benaras silk sarees, and other items from the wardrobe of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I. The walls and ceilings of the palace are decorated with Rajput weaponry from the fifteenth century as well as beautifully preserved Rajputana paintings, Sanganeri prints, and folk embroidery pieces.
7. Birla Mandir Jaipur/Laxmi Narayan Temple
The Laxmi Narayan Temple, also known as the Birla Mandir, was constructed in 1988 by the B.M. Birla Foundation and is situated at the base of Moti Doongri. The Maharaja of Jaipur donated land for the temple in exchange for a token payment of one rupee. Birla Mandir is well known for its exquisite architecture created from pure white marble.
The temple, which is dedicated to Laxmi (the goddess of wealth) and Narayan (Lord Vishnu), contains hand-sculpted marble idols of the gods. The Laxmi Narayan temple, like the other Birla temples spread throughout the nation, represents the diversity and richness of Indian culture as well as Hinduism’s all-encompassing outlook.
8. Moti Doongri Ganesh Temple
One of the most revered Ganesh temples in Jaipur is the Moti Doongri Ganesh Temple. Seth Jai Ram Paliwal and Mahant Shiv Narain constructed it in 1761.
The legend of the King of Mewar riding back to his palace on a bullock cart pulling a huge idol of Lord Ganesh is what the locals relate it to. According to the legend, the king made the decision to construct a temple at the bullock cart’s initial stop. According to locals, the temple was built on the site where the bullock cart stopped at the foot of Moti Doongri Hill.
For the son of Maharaja Madho Singh, an exotic palace was erected on the grounds surrounding the temple. Maharaja Sawai Man Singh lived in the palace, which resembles a Scottish castle from the outside. As the royal family still resides there, you can seek blessings at the Ganesh Temple and marvel at the palace’s exteriors.
9. Govind Dev Ji Temple
One of Vrindavan Thakur Ji’s seven revered temples is the Govind Dev Ji Temple in Jaipur. It is well known among Lord Krishna devotees and is situated within the City Palace complex. The temple’s exteriors and ceilings are intricately designed and covered in gold.
The idol of Govind Dev Ji, also referred to as “Bajrakrit,” is kept in the temple. It was created by his great-grandson Bajranabh and is said to resemble Lord Krishna. Raja Sawai Jai Singh, a follower of Lord Krishna, brought the 5000-year-old idol from Vrindavan to Jaipur.
To allow the devout king to see the idol from his home, the temple was placed in the complex between Chandra Mahal and Badal Mahal. Aartis and Prasad, also known as “Bhogs,” are currently served seven times throughout the day. To take in the festivities during the festival, you can schedule your trip to the temple around Janmashtami.
10. Chokhi Dhani
A resort with a Rajasthani theme called Chokhi Dhani is situated 28 kilometres from the city. It was founded in 1989 to give visitors a glimpse of the simple village life and real Rajasthani lifestyle. The resort has a traditional feel to it with its mud huts decorated with ethnic motifs, Rajasthani folk performers entertaining the guests with singing and dancing, and real Rajasthani cuisine.
The resort’s evenings are lively and enjoyable. You can take in live folk music and dance performances (Chaupal Nach Gan Re), acrobatics (Nat Ro Kartab), puppet performances (Kathputali Ro Nach), and magic performances, among other things (Jadu Ro Khel). At the craft bazaar, you can browse local handicrafts and enjoy leisurely rides on camels, horses, and elephants.
11. Jal Mahal
One of Jaipur’s most well-known landmarks is the Jal Mahal, which is 4 kilometres from the city centre. Maharaja Madho Singh constructed it in 1750 as a hunting lodge. The palace’s five-story, symmetrical building is situated in the centre of Man Sagar Lake, a man-made body of water.
Numerous tourists from all over the world are attracted by the mesmerising view of the stunning palace against the backdrop of the Aravalli hills and its reflection in the tranquil lake waters. The Jal Mahal is acknowledged as India’s most photographed building.
A boat ride on the lake allows you to view the palace’s beauty even though entry is restricted. The lake is a great place to spend a relaxing evening watching local and migratory birds. On your way to the Amber Fort, stop by Jal Mahal, a magnificent monument that is situated on the main Amer-Jaipur road.
12. Sisodia Rani ka Bagh
Sisodia Rani ka Bagh is a garden created by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in 1728 and honours his beloved second wife, the Princess of the Sisodia Rajput clan of Udaipur. The lush gardens, which are about 10 kilometres from Jaipur, provide a restorative escape from the busy city.
The garden features Indo-Mughal architectural features like water channels surrounded by lovely flowerbeds and walking paths throughout the parks. The garden is embellished with fountains and natural springs, and a Hindu deity shrine adds a touch of spirituality to the atmosphere. Several scenes from the Lord Krishna and Radha story are painted on the garden’s walls. Spend a day in the great outdoors and relax in the serene atmosphere of the park.
13. Albert Hall Museum
The Albert hall museums in Jaipur are the best places to learn about the city’s rich history and heritage. Albert Hall Museum is one of the city’s most prominent museums, and it is known for its well-balanced architecture. It was built in 1876 as a concert hall, and its design was eerily similar to that of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.
The Prince of Wales laid the foundation during his visit to Jaipur in 1876, and the King of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II, converted it into a museum in 1881. The charming Indo-Saracenic dome structure is made of red sandstone and features intricately engraved arches.
This museum’s 16 galleries allow you to learn about Rajasthani culture. The museum displays paintings, portraits, carpets, musical instruments, jewellery, ammunition, woodwork, brassware, antique coins, local pottery, handicrafts, and sculptures. An aviary, a greenhouse, and a zoo are among the other attractions at the complex.
14. Galtaji Temple Jaipur
Galtaji Temple is a revered Hindu pilgrimage built in the 18th century by Diwan Rao Kriparam and dedicated to Saint Galav. The temple, built about 10 kilometres outside of town in the Aravalli hills in a mystical setting, attracts visitors of all kinds.
Around the Galtaji Temple, there are several shrines to the Hindu gods Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, and Lord Hanuman. The majestic temple built in pink sandstone and designed as a palace is enhanced by holy kunds, pavilions, and natural springs.
Natural freshwater springs from the Aravalli hills supply water to the temple complex’s seven holy ‘kunds,’ or water tanks. The ‘Galta Kund’ is said to be filled with water all year and is considered the holiest of all kunds. Pilgrims bathe in the reverent water that flows from the ‘Gaumukh,’ a cow’s head-shaped rock, and fills the tanks. The temple’s grandeur in the beautiful natural setting makes it a picture-perfect location.
15. Sheesh Mahal
The Sheesh Mahal is part of the Amber Fort complex. It is popularly known as “The Palace of Mirrors,” and it has drawn thousands of tourists from all over the world. The opulent palace, built by Maharaja Man Singh in 1727, has an intricate setting of precious stone and mirror work on its walls and ceilings.
The mirror arrangement is unusual in that it reflects only one ray of light to illuminate the entire room. You can see the exquisite mirror work and marvel at the skill of the designers and architects of the time.
16. Jawahar Kala Kendra
Jawahar Kala Kendra is an arts and crafts centre in Jaipur’s heart. Construction began in 1986, according to a layout designed by Charles Correa based on Indian architectural concepts of Vaastu and Shilpa Shastra. When it was finished in 1991, the state government dedicated it to India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
The Jawahar Kala Kendra is dedicated to preserving Rajasthani culture, traditions, and spiritual values. The red sandstone structure is named after India’s late Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. You can learn about India’s rich heritage by visiting the library, theatre, galleries, and auditoriums.
17. Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing
Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, located just a kilometre from Amber Fort, is dedicated to the traditional Rajasthani art of hand-block printing. It was founded in order to preserve the centuries-old practise of carving designs on wooden blocks and printing them on fabrics.
The charitable foundation operates out of Chanwar Palki Walon ki Haveli, a 400-year-old two-story haveli that has been restored to preserve the craft of hand printing with natural dyes. In 2000, UNESCO recognised the project for ‘Cultural Heritage Conservation.’
You can get a full sense of the old tradition by seeing the tools and techniques used to make the blocks and fabrics with modern designs. On special request, the management also offers block carving and hand printing workshops. The museum souvenir shop sells handcrafted ‘Anokhi’ merchandise such as textiles, home furnishings, jewellery, and cards.
18. Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple Jaipur
Khole Ke Hanuman Ji Temple, built in 1960 by Pandit Radhe Lal Choubey, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple, located at Lakshman Dungri on the Delhi bypass in Jaipur, offers panoramic views of the tranquil and green surroundings.
The Khole Ke Hanuman Ji temple was built after Pt. Choubey discovered a rock with a carving of Lord Hanuman and began praying there. He constructed a small temple on the site, which was gradually expanded to its current size. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, devotees flock to the shrine, which is highly revered by the locals. Traditional offerings include Dal-Bati Churma and Swamani Prashads, which are made from raw ingredients donated by devotees.
19. Johari Bazaar Jaipur
Jaipur is the state capital of Rajasthan and is known for its handicrafts and indigenous products. Johari Bazaar, located near the Hawa Mahal, is Jaipur’s oldest and most colourful market. It is a shopper’s paradise, with vibrant handmade products, delectable local cuisine, and high-quality Kundan jewellery.
You can purchase genuine Jaipuri jewellery made of gold or silver and set with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. The market’s narrow lanes are brimming with vibrant traditional clothing, embroidered juttis, and opalescent lehengas.
Small stalls sell everything from Jaipuri textiles to traditional blue pottery, cotton quilts, and home décor items. Make sure to bargain hard because prices for tourists are frequently inflated.
20. Bapu Bazaar Jaipur
Bapu Bazaar is located between Jaipur’s Sanganer Gate and the New Gate. It is one of the most well-known markets in Pink City and the best place to buy Rajasthani goods. The vibrant market draws visitors from all over the world.
At reasonable prices, you can purchase authentic mojari footwear made of camel hide, lac bangles, bandhani dupattas, leheriya sarees, potli bags, colourful puppets, ethnic jewellery, fine cotton quilts, and handwoven textiles. As souvenirs and gifts, you can also purchase beautiful showpieces, artefacts, baubles, pen stands, and keychains with mirror work.
Don’t miss out on local snacks and dishes like chat, samosas, dal-baati-churma, masala tea, and pyaaz kachori. Falooda kulfi is a must-try at Bapu bazaar; it’s delicious and keeps you cool while you shop.
