Jaipur Things to Do Tips by Donna_in_India

52 Turns up to the Fort Nahargarh or Tigerfort Review

From Jaigarh Fort, it was 52 turns within 2 km. up to Nahargarh Fort. It stands on the edge - a sheer ridge - of the Aravalli Hills. The views over Jaipur and Man Sagar Lake are absolutely spectacular. The fort was built in 1734 by Jai Singh.

I especially loved the windows and doors and shadows there. What was unique about this fort was that the Madhavendra Bhawan housed the Maharaja Ram Sing and his 9 wives. Each wife had her own room – all being the exact same – and linked by a maze of corridors. Although the entire fort is not intact, some of the rooms still have delicate frescos, as well as toilets and kitchen hearths.

You can make a day out of visiting Amber, Jaigarth, and Nahargarh Forts, starting at the bottom with Amber. I think Amber rates as #1, Nahargarh as #2, and Jaigarh as #3.

Nahargarh is open daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Admission is Rs 5 for Indian citizens and Rs 20 for Foreigners

Extra Camera Fee

Address: 9 kms up the hills from Jaipur

Directions: Accessible by bus, taxi or rickshaw

A Serene Palace

From the road between Jaipur and Amber Fort, you will see the beautiful Jal Mahal (Water Palace) which is located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. The palace was built in red sandstone by Madho Singh in 1799 century to be used for a pleasure palace for the royal family and duck hunting parties!

The palace looks best when the lake is full and you can catch a reflection in the water. Unfortunately the first floor of the palace is submerged under water and the palace is closed. It is still a very pretty sight.

Address: On the road between Jaipur and Amber Fort

Monkeys at Galta Temple Monkey Temple Review

I just adore monkeys and there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity to go to Galta Temple. After stopping for a very late lunch we went to Galta Temple – also known as Monkey Temple.

At sunset (around 5p.m.) hundreds of monkeys converge on the temple. Our driver brought loaves of bread to feed them and we bought peanuts at the gate. There were monkeys all around eating bananas, bread, and peanuts. Of course they were adorable, especially the babies. Obviously they had no fear of humans but these monkeys were the most gentle we have encountered anywhere in India.

The temple itself - nicknamed the Jewel of Jaipur - is perched between the cliff faces of a rocky valley and the complex features many pavillions, holy bathing pools, and shrines. The temple houses sacred tanks whose water is claimed to be seven elephants deep. The walls are decorated with frescoes although many have been ruined. We climbed up to the temple passing worshippers bathing in the water along the way.

If you continue to climb you will reach Surya Mandir (Temple of the Sun God). It was built in the 18th century by Rao Kriparam, a courtier of Sawai Jai Singh II. There are nice views of the suurounding plains and Jaipur from this point.

Even without the monkeys, I recommend a visit and especially a climb to the Surya Mandir.

Address: Just beyond Sisodia Rani-ka Bagh, on Agra Road

Directions: About 10-20 kms from Jaipur. Accessible by taxi/rickshaw.

Other Contact: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e

Website: http://www.galtatemple.com/

Must Do/See in Jaipur! Amber Fort Review

We had a guide for the city and our first stop was Amber (pronounced Amer) fort. A steep ramp led to the entrance, at which point you could walk up or take an elephant ride up. There is some controversy about the treatment of those elephants so we walked up to the fort.

The fort was built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh I. It was built in white marble and red sandstone and is really stunning, the outside being a stark contrast to the inside. It was more a palace then a fort with a huge (magnificent) courtyard, small temple - the Kali or Shila Mata Temple - with gorgeous silver doors, various residence areas including that of the maharaja, and mosaics, hand paintings, marble columns, sculptures, and some great doors. The highlights included wonderful carvings and minute mirror work.

There were long views of the surrounding watchtowers and loverlooking Maota Lake. There was room for the king, queen, and the king’s 300 concubines.

This is definitely a must see in Jaipur. I would allow a couple of hours to explore.

You can make a day out of visiting Amber, Jaigarth, and Nahargarh Forts, starting at the bottom with Amber. I think Amber rates as #1, Nahargarh as #2, and Jaigarh as #3.

Admission is Rs 10 for Indian citizens, and Rs 50 for foreigners.

Camera fees Rs 40 for Indian citizens, Rs 25 for foreigners.

The fort is open daily except Holi from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Address: On Delhi-Jaipur Highway, 11 km from Jaipur

Directions: Take a local bus from Jaipur or hire a taxi/rickshaw

An Old Treasury... Jaigarh fort Review

Jaigarh Fort was built in 1726 by Jai Singh. It was originally constructed to tighten the security of Jaipur and Amber Fort which is located just below. Since it is located high on a high hill you will have spectacular views of Jaipur and also of Amber Fort. The two forts are actually connected by passages although you cannot go through any of them. Most interesting about Jaigarh Fort is that almost all its original facilities are intact.

This fort served as the treasury of the Kachhwahas and many people are convinced that there is still some of the royal treasure there. (We didn’t find any!) The fort with its maze of corridors has water reservoirs, palaces/residential areas, temples, a tower, and even a puppet theater.

At the cannon foundry is the world’s largest wheeled cannon, Jaya Vana. A pigeon couple were taking a break in the barrel of the cannon while we were there.

Although we normally don't make purchases at the tourist stops, we couldn't resist the great shop on the way out where we made some purchases including a gorgeous silk bedspread and a hand painted bedspread.

You can make a day out of visiting Amber, Jaigarth, and Nahargarh Forts, starting at the bottom with Amber. I think Amber rates as #1, Nahargarh as #2, and Jaigarh as #3.

Open daily 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Admission is free with a ticket to City Palace that is less than 2 days old, otherwise Admission Rs 15 for Indian Citizens, Rs 20 for Foreigners

Extra Charge Rs 20 for Camera

English guides are available near the entrance.

Address: About 15 kms outside of Jaipur

Directions: Take a bus, taxi, rickshaw from Jaipur. It's also possible to walk up from Amber Fort but it's a steep walk that will take about a half an hour.

Beautiful Palace City Palace Review

The City Palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh and is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It is surrounded by spacious courtyards, gardens, and temples.

There are several buildings in the complex including a very interesting arms & weapons museum located in the Maharani's Palace (which was once the queen's apartments). The Maharaja Sawai Mansingh II Museum has a fabulous collection of royal costumes, block printed materials, pashminas, embroderies, and fine silks.

The Diwan-i-Khas is the Hall of Private Audience done in marble. In the gallery are two huge silver vessels filled with holy Ganges water. The vessels hold 9000L, stand 160cm tall and are the largest sterling silver objects in the world.

The art gallery is housed in the former Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience). A few highlights there included a beautiful painted ceiling with semi-precious stone colours, a huge crystal chandelier, and a copy of the entire Bhagavad Gita handwritten in tiny script (as well as miniature copies of other holy Hindu scriptures).

With all of the exquisite things to see in the City Palace it is hard to pick a favorite, although I loved the archways and doors, and the Peacock Gate.

The City Palace is another must see in Jaipur. Allow at least a couple of hours depending on how much time you spend in the museums.

Open daily 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Admission Rs 35 Indian citizen, Rs 150 Foreigners

Address: In the heart of the Old City, next to Hawa Mahal

Directions: Access by bus, taxi, rickshaw

Jantar Mantar Observatory Jantar Mantar Review

The Jantar Mantar is the largest stone astronomical observatory in the world. It was built by Maharaja Jai Sawai Singh between 1727 and 1733.

The observatory has 13 different instruments for calculating the movement of celestrial bodies each with a different purpose including measuring the positions of the stars and calculating time. One of the most interesting and most visited is the Birhat Samrat Yantra sundial. Another instrument is the Yantra Raj, a multipurpose instrument which can help determine the positions of constellations and can calculate the Hindu calendar.

I thought one of the most interesting were the yellow Rashi Yantras. Each rashi/individual instrument represents one of the 12 zodiac signs. The gradient of each differs according to the particular sign and its postion in relation to the path that the sun appears to follow across the sky over the course of a year.

Most of the sculptures were so interesting – with great lines and curves and I enjoyed photographing them. If you're at the City Place walk over and check out the Jantar Mantar. You can spend about an hour here.

Open 9-4:30

Admission is Rs 10, additional fee for cameras.

Address: Just next to the entrance of City Palace

Directions: Easily reachable by bus, taxi, or ricksaw

Cenotaphs of Royal Gaitor

You can reach the Cenotaphs of Royal Gaitor using the Zorawar or Samrat gates at the northern wall. (A cenotaph is a tomb or a monument erected in honour of a person whose remains are elsewhere.) The cenotaphs are made of marble or sandstone. What is particularly interesting about the cenotaphs is that each has a different design and is styled according to the power and majesty of a particular king during his lifetime.

This was a beautiful, peaceful place that contained the cenotaphs of the maharajas of Jaipur from Jai Singh II (founder of Jaipur) to Man Singh II (last maharaja of Jaipur).

Open daily from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Admission is free, but you may be required to pay a small camera fee.

Directions: Just outside the city's walls.