One of the most popular tourist destinations, Jaipur has much to offer to visitors. There is plenty of history in every other building in Old City. There is Rajasthan’s food to savour, most popular being Dal-Bhati-Churma. For the shopaholic tourist, Jaipur is a heaven of souvenirs and handicrafts. If you are there during any festival season, there is plenty of cultural immersion to soak up in.
PLACES TO SEE:
City Palace is the most dominating structure in the city, and a must visit. Close to the palace is Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory. Not for from these is the well known Hawa Mahal. All these places are in the Old City, also known as pink city due to uniformly painted buildings in this part of Jaipur. Swargsuli is a tall minaret, not so well known and popular with tourists but worth visiting for a bird’s eye view of the old city.
Cultural ambassadors take up corners of the palace to entertain tourists. Sitting in the palace coffee shop, I come out of my thoughts to the tunes of melodious music, from a young chap in traditional clothes playing Ravan Hatha. The piano-like string instrument has a low-pitch sound and its music has added pep to some popular Bollywood movies like Pardesi and Dor(Kesariya Balam). Poppet shows – called Katputlis – are played on request in another corner.
The interiors of the palace are much peaceful, especially for someone who has walked through the rush of the main roads outside. The spacious courtyards can take plenty of tourists and can still feel empty. I walk past Mubarak Mahal – the welcoming hall, the museums, and spend some time admiring the large silver pots placed in Diwan-i-Khas. The pots hold Guinness record for being the largest silver vessels in the world, and was used by King Sawai Madho Singh to carry the waters of Ganga wherever he went. Apparently he would not drink from a source other than the holy river.
The descendants of the kings still live in the palace, on the seven-story tower of Chandra Mahal. Access to the tower is restricted, and you can only see them up-close from below at the Pitam Niwas Chowk – an open courtyard. The four gates of the courtyard are painted with peacocks with bright blue colors and in different moods, said to represent the four seasons.
The walk to Hawa Mahal from City Palace is more enticing than the monument itself. There are pigeons squatting on every possible perch, wide and peaceful alleys, ancient structures that have a charm even in their dilapidated state, Chhatris and arches on the top of the buildings, old temples with just a handful of people sunning in the veranda, a few chai shops and shops selling bright wears of Rajasthan give a glimpse of what Jaipur used to be in the days of the kings.
Looming large and visible from anywhere in Old City is Nahargarh Fort, also called Tiger Fort. A restaurant/bar in Nahargarh stays open in the evening and worth a visit. Amber Fort (pronounced Amer) is a large fort on a hill 10kms outside the city – another must visit.
Also worth experiencing is a walk in the Old City where many old buildings have remained, and things have not changed much in many decades. You can also buy puppets(katputli), colorful robes, marble art work and other handicrafts is some parts. Visit some of the gates of the Old City – Chandpol and Ajmer Gate and Sanganer Gate. The fortifying walls of the city have been restored near these gates.
FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION:
The Rajasthani food to try is Dal-Bhati-Churma. Bhati is roasted wheat balls. In the middle of the desert, the final steps of cooking bhati involves burying it in sand, but they would have some alternatives to this in the restaurants. Chokhi-Dhani, a resort outside the city serves some amazing delicacies that includes Bajra Roti, Bhati and many other local cuisines that will have you drooling. Chokhi-Dhani also has a mock cultural village which unfolds a the rural setup of Rajasthan. Over the years, Chokhi-Dhani also has become a must-see tourist attraction in Jaipur. There are dance shows, puppet shows, cart rides, camel rides and things that you should expect in a village in the desert, all showcased between the walls of the resort. Om Restaurant on Mirrza Ismail Road is another place to go to eat – they have a revolving restaurant at 11th floor where you can sit and see the city unfold as you have lunch.
Being a touristy place, accommodation is plentiful. Ask for a list of home-stays at Rajasthan Tourism Office. Most of the premium hotels and resorts are outside the city and requires some driving. Rajasthan Government has a few mid-range properties in the heart of the town.
There is a lot for shopaholic and souvenir hunter too. There are small shops around City Palace, and near Chandpol. For a more organized shopping, visit the art gallery at City Palace and Rajasthan Government’s Rajasthali Emporium on Mirza Ismail Road. Jaipur is also known for its gems and jewelery industry.
