Jaipur is a lively city with illustrious history that is well narrated through the massive forts and lavish palaces. The marvelous structures like Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace), Amber fort and Palace are testimony to the architectural brilliance of the royal era. Jantar Mantar showcases the intelligence of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh through the excellent instruments at Jantar Mantar.
Discover the gems of Jaipur by opting for a Heritage walk through the Old City. Get close and personal with the huge but loving animals at the Hathi Gaon ( Elephant Village). The colourful markets of Jaipur are a treasure trove to pick up authentic traditional handicrafts, jewellery and interesting products. Learn the art of block printing at the Bagru Village or get up in the sky with a hot air balloon ride for spectacular views. Savour the traditional culinary delights at Jaipur.
The Amber and Jaigarh forts have been custodians of Jaipur rich history for centuries altogether. Amber Fort built in the 16th century lies on a hill outside Jaipur in the nearby town Amer. It served as the residence of the royalty before the city of Jaipur was established & houses palaces and pavilions, it is internally connected Jaigarh Fort—which was the bastion guarding the royal residences. For lovers of history, these two places should be on the top of the list.
The City Palace of Jaipur is a thing of royal splendor. expanded over the centuries, it houses several palaces, temples & museums.With sites like Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Clock Tower, Pritam Niwas Chowk, The Halls of Public & Private Audience, you are sure to come out in awe of the place. . The current royal family still resides in a part of the palace. Some exclusive parts of the private section can be visited on an exclusive visit ticket.
The Jantar Mantar (Astronomical Observatory) built in the 1720s by the astronomy-obsessed Maharaja Jai Singh, A futuristic person with a scientific approach he built five observatories, amongst which one in Jaipur is the largest. This eccentric landmark houses about 20 instruments amongst which is the world’s largest sundial stone which gives can calculate time to the accuracy of two seconds.Ensure to hire an expert who can explain the mechanism of the instruments.
Walking tours throgh old Indian cities is one of the best local experiences you can enjoy. The Old City of Jaipur is a treasure trove of delights. Start at M.I. Road where high-end shops are located. Walk on over to the Pink Walls and Gates of the Old City, make a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal. wander about the City Palace Courtyard and Peacock Gate. And sign the tour off by going through the old bazaars (Nehru, Bapu, and Johari bazaars).
For centuries altogahter Elephants as spearheads in wars, they also played a key role in building the forts and palaces of the region and were used to perform tasks requiring strength in the pre-machine era. However, there’ve been occasional question marks over their treatments. The Hathi Gaon (Elephant Village) is a sanctuary housing around 100 elephants where you can enjoy an ethical fun-filled time with these gentle giants. There is no creature on the planet quite like the elephant. Getting to know them is pure joy!
Like much of north India, Rajasthan is also a very spiritual place. Jaipur’s two most popular temples, Govind Dev Ji and Birla temple are an insight into the spiritual life of the city. One is ancient, the other modern. You’ll find the Govind Dev Temple in City Palace Complex. Lord Krishna (Govind Dev) and his consort Radha are worshipped here. The Birla Temple is a giant white-marble masterpiece that was built in the late 1980s by the Birla Foundation. It a place of worship built for goddess Lakshmi and god Vishnu. Must keep them in your things to do in Jaipur list. Sunrise and Sunset for the arti ceremonies are great times to visit these temples to experience the Hindu devotion.
No visit to Jaipur is complete without going shopping in its colorful bazaars. The old bazaars teem not just with handicrafts, pearls, jewelry, artworks, eateries, and artisan worship, but also with a lot of history and culture. Fancy buying some traditional gold jewelry and pearls for your loved one? Visit the legendary Johari Bazaar. Want the world-famous glass bangles of Rajasthan? Grab some from Tripolia Bazaar. For traditional Rajasthani textiles, visit the Kishanpole Bazaar. For handicrafts at a very cheap rate, visit the Chandpole bazaar. For lovers of jewelry, Jaipur has some exclusive high end jewelry stores.
If you’ve ever scrolled Instagram for Indian destinations, chances are you’d have come across Rajasthan’s stunningly beautiful pink-themed and white marble masterpieces that the models and influences love to pose in front of. These include the honeycomb-themed Hawa Mahal with its countless miniature windows, the towering Patrika Gate that serves as the entrance to Jawahar Circle Garden, and the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) that’s nestled in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. If you are traveling with your loved one, these three locations are the most beautiful places to get some great shots, definitely worth taking out time for a short photo session.
If you are a foodie, then Jaipur is the right place to be at! As the seat of the kingdom, Jaipur has inherited a rich culinary tradition featuring the best influences of not just Rajasthan, but also of the Mughal Empire and rest the North of India. A gourmet adventure featuring Laal Maas (red meat curry), Dal Bati Churma (Lentil soup with wheat dumplings), Kachori (deep-fried street snack stuffed with vegetable fillings), and Jaipur’s favorite sweet Ghevar should be worth your time. Be sure to try the Lassi (yogurt drink) at the famous Jaipur Lassiwala shop on M.I. Road.
Havelis are to Rajasthan what castles are to Europe. Jaipur’s old Havelis are fine examples of sublime architecture. Many have now been repurposed into boutique hotels and restaurants keeping the original vibe of the place intact. We highly recommend a fine dining experience at a traditional Haveli. Eat like the nobility of the past. The Johri and The Narain Niwas Palace as two great options for a memorable dining experience.
Experience the thrill and adventure of a hot air balloon ride with a bird’s eye view of Jaipur’s planned landscape where the sky is always bright blue and the sun glows brilliantly. The mighty Thar Desert out in the distance and the Aravalli hills combined with the eye-catching landscape of the Pink City make for one visual treat for the eyes that you won’t ever forget. Keep a hot air balloon ride on your bucket list for “things to do” in Jaipur.
The Bagru village on the outskirts of Jaipur is famous for its block printing tradition that dates back centuries. The tradition uses wooden blocks carved with beautiful designs and patterns. Using a locally-made ink dye, fine Rajasthani cotton fabric is stamped with wooden blocks. Block-printed fabric is the ideal Rajasthani souvenir. The good thing is, that you can learn the art itself at Bagru in a guided one-day workshop and make your own souvenir. If you’re interested in local cultural immersion, we highly recommend this fun activity.
