Little Black Book Delhi
Jaipur immediately conjures up an image of Maharajas, Mughals and mahals. Steeped in historical heritage and stupendous architecture, it offers a wildly paradoxical setting, with traces of modern, globalized India set in a backdrop of Hilltop Forts and glorious palaces. Top of the line cars pull up next to camel carts and waddling cows at red lights, probably on their way to a luxe hotel, built right next to a long abandoned Haveli. The Pink City may attract visitors for a multitude of reasons – festivals, shopping, architectural splendor, a spot of a rich royal past or simply because it’s so close to Delhi. Whatever your reason, we help you discover Jaipur as the gateway to Rajasthan, with all its eccentricities and offerings. Click here to download and print the Little Black Book Jaipur edition. ART, CULTURE AND A SPOT OF HISTORY Nahargarh Fort image courtesy: en.wikipdia.org Doll Museum | This one-of-a-kind museum, exclusive to Jaipur, exhibits cultures from all over the world via thousands of dolls. The Indian collection displays dolls in bridal wear, classical dance costumes, and traditional clothing. Apart from dolls, the museum also hosts a stunning collection of paintings, sculpture, pottery etc. Where: Albert Hall Museum, City Palace; Timings: 10am – 5pm Jawahar Kala Kendra | An international art and culture center in Jaipur, the Jawahar Kala Kendra is an analogue of the original city plan of Jaipur, as conceptualized by the Maharaja, and each of the 9 blocks is based on attributes of one of the 9 planets. The massive complex houses museums, theatres, libraries, studios, an arts display room, as well as a cafeteria. Where: Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg; Entry: Free City Palace | Located in the heart of Jaipur, the City Palace is where the erstwhile Maharaja reigned from. Although it’s been converted into a museum housing artifacts from medieval Jaipur, a part of it houses the current royal family. If you’ve always wondered how kings and queens lived, the City Palace is a must-visit. Where: J.D.A. Market, Pink City; Entry: INR 75 {Indians}, INR 300 {Foreign Nationals} Jaigarh | One of the three hilltop forts nestled in Jaipur, Jaigarh offers a panoramic view of the entire city. Inside, you will find an armory, a museum, the assembly hall of warriors, as well as the palace complex. It is also famous for housing the world’s largest canon on wheels. Where: 4 km from Amer fort; Entry: INR 25 {Indians}, INR 75 {Foreign Nationals} Nahargarh Fort | Perched at the edge of the Aravali Hills, Nahargarh Fort, also known as Tiger Fort, serves as an ideal location to watch the sun set. We recommend you make your way up to the top of Nahargarh Fort and settle yourself in one of the gazebos at the charming, open-air restaurant – Café Padao. Entry: INR 10 {Indian}, INR 50 {Foreign Nationals} Jantar Mantar | Part of a series of 5 observatories built in medieval India, the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is considered the largest, housing on its premises the world’s largest sundial. Where: Near City Palace, Tripolia Bazar; Entry: INR 40 {Indian} INR 200 {Foreign Nationals} Amer Fort | Situated 11 km from Jaipur City, the Amer Fort sits atop a hill and showcases a stunning amalgam of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Built in red sandstone and marble, it has beautiful paintings and intricate carvings depicting medieval India. Where: 11 km from Jaipur; Entry: INR 25 {Indian} INR 200 {Foreign Nationals} Dera Amer | Situated behind the hills of the famous Amer Fort, Dera Amer is located at the foothills of the Aravali Range and surrounded by the wilderness of a reserved forest. It offers fun recreational activities including Elephant Polo {pre-booking advised}, apart from provisions for all meals. Where: it’s located 20-25 mins out of Jaipur; book in advance! Details on their website: www.deraamer.com Walled City | A walk through the Walled City will take you back through the ages as, inside the little known lanes, the old ways of life continue uninterrupted. From women bargaining over saris and old men smoking their hookahs, to pops of color in the form of traditional art and craft, this walk will be worth your while at the least, and enlightening at the most. Right opposite Hawa Mahal, you will find a middle-aged, toothy gentleman with a rickety, vintage, tripod camera. Tikam Chand has carried forward his family’s legacy of over two generations – using what is now a 150-year-old camera to take beautiful vintage-style pictures of anyone who’s been lucky enough to spot him. It’s well worth the wait {the instrument takes time to develop}, as the final product makes for a lovely souvenir to take back home. As a special treat for our readers – you can call Tikam Chand at +91-9828072800/ 9324715885. Raj Mandir Cinema Hall | The Raj Mandir Cinema, a meringue-shaped cinema hall that opened in 1976, continues to run till today. From its stunning chandeliers, to the royal pink décor and opulence it is now synonymous with, this hall is considered India’s equivalent of the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. Where: B-16, Panch Batti, Bhagwan Das Road; Entry: INR 50-110 Ishwar Lat | Swarg Suli or Heaven Piercing Minaret, this tower near Tripolia gate, built by Maharaja Ishwari Singh, offers one of the most breathtaking views of the city. Where: Tripolia Bazar, Pick City; Timings: Open 24 hours Anokhi Museum of Hand Block Printing | Dedicated to the collection, preservation and interpretation of block printed cloth, exhibits and educational programming give you an insight into this ancient craft. After a museum visit, pop in to the Anokhi Café located in the museum forecourt. Where: Sagar Road, new Kheri Gate. Amber, Jaipur; Timings: Tuesday-Saturday, 10.30am-5pm; Sunday, 11am-4.30pm Step Well {Panna Meena Ka Kund} | A step well 100 metres before the Anokhi Museum, it’s been featured on the Amazing Race Australia! Sneak a peek on your way to the museum. Ram Niwas Bagh and Zoo | Built so that the Central Museum {Albert Hall} would be surrounded by greenery, the Ram Niwas Garden houses several cafes, a bird park, the Ravindra Rang Manch Theater and Jaipur’s oldest Zoo. A lush green garden in the middle of the Pink City, it’s a welcome change from all the at-times overwhelming forts and palaces. Where | Adarsh Nagar, Jaipur; Timings | Friday, 10am- 5pm. Although the gardens are free and open to public seven days a week, the Zoo has an entry fee and is closed on Tuesdays. Shree Sanjay Sharma Memorial Museum | Home to an array of artifacts, you can expect to find more than 100,000 different […]
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