The Rose Pink city founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the capital of Rajasthan. It is a major attraction for the first-time visitor. Jaipur, is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts & enclosed by embattled walls. Houses with latticed windows line the streets with their rose pink colour lending enchantment to the scene which is salmost magical at sunset. The Old City (Known as the Pink City) is a great place to wander around . The whole city was painted in Pink colour by Maharaja Man Singh II when Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876. Today, every home with in the city is obliged by law to maintain his facade. The City is laid out in a grid pattern. It is a very well planned city and was designed by a Young Bengali , an engineer and scholar by the name "Vidyadhar Bhattacharya"..

Jaipur was and remains the only city in the world symbolising the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors subsiding to, Jaipur is a royal city, & this is its most noticeable aspect, small Buildings & festivals testify to it. Jaipur & its surroundings are rather like an endless museum. The city also offers an endless variety of crafts. Jewellers here still fashion the beautiful enamel-on-gold pendants, studded on the reverse with precious stones or pearls & turquoise that one sees in miniature paintings. Jaipur's lacquer bangles are famous all over the world. This is a city to be visited.
 

Best time to visit from October to March.

Jaipur is barely 262 km. from Delhi, and is well connected by road, rail and air. A big fleet of deluxe and air conditioned buses is operated by the Rajasthan roadways between Delhi and Jaipur. There is also a special luxury train, the Palace on Wheels, which starts from Delhi on a round trip of Rajasthan, first stop being Jaipur. Also well connected to other parts of the country by a good network of air, rail and road connection. However, considering the city's popularity, it is advisable to plan in advance.

JaipurThe fort, its ramparts & watchtowers, overlooking the Delhi-Jaipur highway. It is believed to have been the capital of the "Minas", the original inhabitants of Rajasthan.

Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of the City Palace guarded by stone elephants, is monumental.

A Pandora's box of wonders, the enchanting Hawa Mahal, the palace of winds, tier upon tier of curved arch surmounting fairy casements with "jali", lattice work screens.

Built on a peak, overlooks the palace & city of Amber below.

Is Jaipur's lake palace. Surrounded with water.

The architectural astronomical instruments of an 18th century Rajasthani king named Jai Singh contained in an amazing, three-storey-high complex known as Jantar Mantar.

Originally called Sudarshan Garh affords a splendid view of Jaipur.

Has beautiful gardens, fountains, pools & some magnificent pieces of Sculpture.

Bairath (86 km on the Shahpura-Alwar Road) : An important historical place with the excavated remains of a circular Buddhist temple - unique in Rajasthani and the earliest known temple in India. Bairath also has relics of the Mauryan, Mughal and Rajput periods. A mint constructed by Akbar, a beautiful Mughal garden and a remarkable monument with painted chhatris and wall built by Jahangir are other attractions.

There are memorials to the queens in the Maharani-ki-Chhatri complex near the Ramgarh road crossing. The white marble cenotaph of Maharajah Jai Singh II is the most impressive and is decorated with carved peacocks. Next to it is the cenotaph of his son., the island palace-Jal Mahal built by Sawai Madho Singh as a pleasure spot at the centre of the Man Sagar Lake, and the Kanak Vrindavan complex of temples and gardens recently renovated to its pristine glory. To the west of this road, in a narrow valley, is the royal cremation ground at Gaitor. The cenotaphs of all Jaipur rulers, with the exception of Sawai Ishwari Singh, who was cremated outside the Jai Niwas Garden, Were built at this place. The imposing cenotaph of Sawai jai Singh Stands out for its delicate carvings and beautiful shape.

Beyond the gardens amidst the low hill guarding the city lies the old pilgrim centre of Galtaji, Temples, pavilions and holy kunds (natural springs and reservoirs) dot the serene green landscape. The small temple of the Sun god, built by Diwan Kriparam on top of the highest peak, is visible form all parts of the city.

A huge artificial lake created by constructing a high bund amidst tree covered hills. While the temple of Jamwa Mata and the ruins of the old fort are some of its antiquities, its beautiful landscape, especially during in oils pools, makes it an idyllic picnic spot.