2008 India: 06 Jaipur - The City Throbs with Life..

"What is now in the past was once in the future..." – By Ramachandra Guha

Day 06: 30 December 2008
Route: Jaipur City Tour

Hotel: Maharani Hotel, Jaipur

Today we planned for a self-tour of Jaipur's attractions.

Often called the “Pink City,” Jaipur is where modernity and tradition coexist harmoniously. Within its terracotta walls, the city bursts with colour - bustling bazaars filled with silver jewellery, glass bangles, colourful puppets, and handcrafted textiles. The Palace Quarter lies at the heart of the city, encompassing the Hawa Mahal, formal gardens, and a small lake. Crowning the hill to the northwest stands Nahargarh Fort, watching over the old city like a silent guardian.

Our first visit was to the magnificent Amber Fort, a 16th-century masterpiece that once served as the capital of the Jaipur State until 1728. Perched above Maota Lake, the fort’s artistic design reflects a perfect blend of Hindu and Mughal influences. Visitors could either drive up by car or ascend the hill on the back of a decorated elephant. Inside, we explored the Jagmandir (Hall of Victory), glittering with mirrors, the Jai Mahal, and the Temple of Kali - each corner echoing with stories of royal grandeur and devotion.

(Light snacks by the roadside)

(Blending Hindu and Muslim Mughal architecture)

(Modern Art Museum)

(Elephant ride in the fort)

Maharaja City Palace

Next, we visited the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds - a five-storey Baroque-like façade adorned with 953 small windows. Built so that the royal ladies could observe life on the streets below unseen, the breeze flowing through these intricate windows gives the palace its name, keeping it cool even in the heat of summer.

(The pink Hawa Mahal)

(Circular arrangement of guns)

The nearby City Palace stood as a majestic blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture, part of which now serves as a museum showcasing miniature paintings, royal costumes, manuscripts, musical instruments, and ancient weapons - offering a glimpse into Jaipur’s royal past.

(Colourful Indian puppets)

Jantar Mantar

Another highlight was the Jantar Mantar, the 18th-century astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Its massive sundials and celestial instruments - some still functional - continue to measure time and track the movement of stars with astonishing precision.

Jal Mahal

Our final stop was the Jal Mahal, or Water Palace, a Rajput-style structure set gracefully in the middle of Mansagar Lake. Though the lake dries up during the summer, the winter rains transform it into a shimmering mirror for the golden palace, surrounded by floating water hyacinths and the distant hills beyond - a fittingly tranquil end to our journey through the regal splendour of Jaipur.

(Foggy day at the Water Palace)