The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) is an event that remains very dear to my heart. It is one of those few places where unbridled intellectual conversations flow guiltlessly and where the gap between artists, creators, writers, poets and the audience is momentarily diluted.
The Jaipur Literature Festival 2017 starts on January 19 and lasts for five days till January 23. Some of us might already have our tickets booked for the Jaipur Literature Festival and some of us are probably booked for an entirely different destination.
But one doesn't need to take out a whole five days to get a taste of what the Jaipur Literature Festival is like. So, out my experience of several years, I have prepared a three-day itinerary for you. This itinerary has a personal selection of programmes to attend (totally personal choice, so you can attend anything you like) and other things you can do in some free time.
Jaipur is not a very vast city, so each place can be reached in under 30 minutes. The best way to commute in Jaipur is by using Uber. It is cheap, fast and saves you from haggling with autowallahas. All the places mentioned are in close distance to Diggi Palace, the venue, so you won't be missing out on too many programmes.
January 20, Friday (Jaipur Literature Festival Day: 2)
Breakfast
Head to Falahaar on Tonk Road (7km from Diggi Palace, directions here) and enjoy the famous Kota Kachori for breakfast.
Programmes
11:15pm to 12:15pm – Across the rivers: Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb: Saeed Naqvi in conversation with Pavan K. Varma at Baithak
12:30pm to 1.30pm – Main Shayar Toh Nahin at Cox and Kings Charbagh
Lunch
Head to Tapri Central, C Scheme (3.5km from Diggi Palace, directions here) and have their famous Rajma Pakwan with Masala Tea for lunch.
Visit
You will have some time left after lunch, so head to Central Park nearby and witness the gracious local life of Jaipur. You can even meander around C Scheme, which can be called the Hauz Khas Village of Jaipur, and check out some other cafes.
Programmes
5:15pm to 6:15pm: “I Resemble Everyone But Myself”: Understanding A.K. Ramanujan: Guillermo Rodríguez in conversation with Philip A. Lutgendorf and Arshia Sattar Jaipur Bookmark at Durbar Hall.
After this, head to the evening music event at JLF, which starts past 7:30pm at Hotel Clarks Amer. There is a buffet (charges extra) available on the concert grounds, but if you are still starving by the end of the concert, head to the main city where fast food joints remain open till 11pm.
January 21, Saturday (Jaipur Literature Festival Day-3)
Breakfast
You can either wake up early and visit the small snack shops around Diggi Palace or have breakfast at the hotel and head straight for the venue. There are several eating options inside the Jaipur Literature Festival venue, so you will definitely not be left starving.
Programmes
10:00am to 11am – Mother India: Indian Films and the National Narrative: Prasoon Joshi, Rachel Dwyer and Swanand Kirkire in conversation with Madhu Trehan at Front Lawn
Lunch
The iconic Indian Coffee House (1km from Diggi Palace, directions here) is great for a hearty lunch of Onion Uttapam and Filter Coffee.
Programmes
1:40pm to 2:20pm – The Kahaani Connection: Story of My Stories: Neelesh Misra introduced by Rahul Pandita at Front Lawn
2:30pm to 3:30pm – Olympus: Devdutt Pattanaik introduced by Amrita Tripathi at Mughal Tent or Suspected Poetry: Gulzar and Pavan K. Varma in conversation at Cox and Kings Charbagh.
Visit
After the 3.30pm session, hit the road to see some iconic spots in Jaipur. Visit the City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar (3km from Diggi Palace, directions here). As they are all situated in close proximity to each other, you can easily walk to one after the other. Near here is the famous market of Choti Chaupar, which you should definitely check out.
After this, head directly to the evening music event at JLF, which starts after 7:30pm at Hotel Clarks Amer. There is a buffet (charges extra) available on the concert grounds, but if you don't want to spend extra then carry some light snacks or have an early dinner in the main city before heading for the venue.
January 22, Sunday (Jaipur Literature Festival Day-4)
Breakfast
Due to the massive popularity of the ancient LMB hotel (2.5km from Diggi Palace, directions here), people tend to find it overrated. But a good experience at LMB is something that lasts a lifetime, so do visit this almost 300-year-old sweet shop.
Programmes
11:15am to 12:15pm – The Forever War: Despatches from the War on Terror: Dexter Filkins introduced by Max Rodenbeck at Cox and Kings Charbagh.
12:30pm to 1:30pm – The Girl Who Chose: Devdutt Pattanaik introduced by Ashok Ferrey at Samvad
Visit
From 1:30pm till 5:15pm, you will have enough time to visit the grand Amber Fort via Nahargarh Fort (directions here). Nahargarh Fort even has a cafe on its terrace; have a couple of drinks here as you enjoy the panoramic view of Jaipur city and then move forward for a quick visit of the Amber Fort.
Programmes
5:15pm to 6:15pm – Mallika Dua: #nofilter: Mallika Dua at Cox and Kings Charbagh.
Today you can skip the concert entirely, and head out in the city to stuff yourself with some delicious authentic Rajasthani cuisine.
Dinner
Peacock Rooftop Restaurant (3km from Diggi Palace, directions here) not only offers a terrific view from the terrace, but is also tactfully lit up with beautiful scented candles that makes tourists go gaga about the place. Definitely try the Laal Maas here.
Even if you don't follow the itinerary strictly, make sure to have a great time at Jaipur and Jaipur Literature Festival, both with plenty of experience and information to offer. When you are back, share how you went around Jaipur and your itinerary.
If you have a better and faster way of experiencing Jaipur, share your experience with us.