Jaipur

Situated in the City Palace complex, the temple of Govinddev ji enshrines the idol of Lord Krishna (along with Radhaji) who is patron deity of the Jaipur’s royal family. The image of the deity was brought here from Vrindavan by Raja Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur.

The architectural evaluation of the temple brings out nothing much to wonder about but still everyday it attracts a huge crowd whose devotion, with which they collectively chant the hymns, is definitely noteworthy. The arties (prayers) are performed 7 times a day and each time the costumes of the idols are changed and bhogs are offered. The activities in the temple reach the peak during ‘Janmashtmi’, a festival to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna.

At a distance of 11 km from Jaipur, on the mighty Aravallis stands the sprawling Amber fort palace. Raja Man Singh started its construction in late 16th century. Few additions were made by subsequent rulers. This palace built mainly in red sandstone and marble is an excellent example of fusion of Hindu and Muslim style of architecture. The strong exterior of the fort symbolizes the might of the Rajputs while the delicate interiors (the fine lattice windows, frescos, finely sculptured pillars) speak about their refined taste.

In front of the fort was the ‘mawatha’ lake, which sheltered the crocodiles to protect the fort. In the midst of the lake area lies the Mughal style saffron garden. In the fort, the ‘Diwan-i-am, the Diwan-i-khas and the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ with exquisite mirror work catch attention. The technical water cascade cooling system and the sandalwood door in the Sukh Mahal are very appealing. Besides, the Kali Temple is also worth paying a visit.

The most distinctive feature of the fort is the elephant ride that you can opt to climb up the fort but for it you have to shell out some money.

This comparatively small but sturdy fort at Jaipur was built on a hilltop by Sawai Jai Singh in 1734 to strengthen the defense of Amber. The fort offers a picturesque view of Jaipur. The view of sunset from this place is especially spectacular. Inside the fort are 9 apartments, one for each of the 9 queens of the king. They are arranged in such a manner that the king could visit any of his queens without the knowledge of the other.

Legends have it that the fort is named after a prince Nahar Singh whose spirit lived at the site of the fort and hindered its construction. When some special prayers were performed it agreed to leave the place but only on the condition that the fort be named after him. Some say it is called so because the place abounded with tigers at that time and ‘Nahargarh’ literally means abode of tigers. Anyway, now the place is absolutely safe to visit. The famous advertisement for Lays (a snack) featuring Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was shot at this spot.

Jaipur is the proud owner of the best preserved and also the biggest of the 5 observatories built throughout the country by Raja Sawai Jai Singh. At first sight it appears to be consisting of weird geometrical figures, built in stone and marble, lying in an open area. But a careful observation will give you an idea of their significance and also allow you to appreciate the genius of Sawai Jai Singh.

The words Jantar Mantar are derived from Sanskrit words Yantram (meaning instrument) and Mantram (meaning calculation). So, this observatory is actually a place where huge stone instruments were used to trace the movements of the celestial bodies so that the king could perform his rituals at the most auspicious moment. Like the ‘Samrat Yantra’, the biggest sundial in the world records the local time of Jaipur to an accuracy of upto 2 seconds; the ‘Dhruva Yantra’ helps in finding out the position of the Pole star at night and also those of the 12 zodiac signs.

Get awed or get jealous by the flamboyance of the Royal heritage, which, with its tastes and achievements, has been having a pronounced influence on the region and its people.

City palace Museum or Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II museum (or SMS museum!!) captures and showcases such a heritage of affluence and social position in its part of the City palace premises, which itself is a royal residence since the 18th century.

Strong- and delicate-work of ‘those’ periods are still resplendent in its clothing, paintings, recreational instruments, manuscripts, chariots, photographs & photography instruments, armoury, and arts and crafts and, of course, the Rajput(Rajasthani) architecture complimented by that of Mughal style, that houses these invaluable valuables.

These artifacts have been treasured inside different museums depending upon their type.

The Costume and Textile Museum at Mubarak Mahal:

“Apparel oft proclaims man” and to a greater extent the Royal Gentleman and Lady. A walk and surf through the royal-wears-section at the first floor of the Mubarak Mahal or the Auspicious Palace, which once was the place for the entertainment of the guests, can get one a peek into the princely fashion quotient.

Maharaja Man Singh II’s billiards dress and the Polo dress, probably donned while he won for India the 1957 Polo World Cup; the impressive Sanganeri Print; Pashmina Shawals; the all-encompassing ward-robe of 7-ft. tall and 4-ft. broad Maharaja Madho Singh I, where jaw drops and visitors spends sometime digesting this very ‘big’ fact!

Besides, the precious Pashmina Shawls, 17th and 18th century textiles, and sprawling fine gold-embroidered skirt…hang over in the mind space after visit.

The Armoury Museum at the Sileh Khana:

One of the finest Indian weaponry rests in peace in the Sileh Khana. The proud collection includes Rekhla(small canon); decorated Shields; Daggers; jeweled and ivory handled Swords of the Jaipur’s Rulers and the Mughals; gun powder pouches; Jujarba(camel Guns); Howdahs(seat on the elephant’s back)…

The Art Museum at the Sabha niwas, former Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of Public):

Inside this hall, intricately furnished in deep red and gold, what catches eyes are the huge 17th century Afghan and Persian carpets scrolled down, hanging dazzling chandelier, life-size portraits of Maharajas of Jaipur, esp. that of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, the chariots and coaches, original astronomical and religious manuscripts in Persian and Sanskrit, miniature Rajasthani and Persian paintings, 19th century Photographs and photography instruments, and other exquisite personal belongings and royal accessories.

The two big lustrous silver urns, acknowledged as the largest silver object by the Guinnes Book of Records, are displayed at the Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Private). Maharaja Madho Singh II carried holy Ganges water to England in 1901 in these lavish urns.

Besides, the flat palatial edifices, on paved square, with ornamented borders, arches, balconies and pillars, the open and spacious courtyards and gardens, the decorated gateways, the Pritam Chowk or the ‘Court of the Beloved’ with four doorways painted with motifs depicting four seasons, the turbaned caretaker in traditional attire, the view of the exterior of the 7 storeyed present royal residence, Chandra Mahal or the ‘Moon Palace’, the crafts emporium, bookshops well stuffed with books with enticing cover pages and titles all add up to a real royal feast!

A Destination worth a visit for the legendary charm surrounding a not-so-usual fort!

Overlooking the outlying region of Jaipur and the Amber fort is the ‘Victory fort’, which sprawls on the top of the hill of eagles (locally called ‘cheel ka tilaa’), and represented and reminds of the might of the Rajputs.

Majorly a sturdy military structure, it is well fortified by the extensive rugged walls, with flame-shaped battlements, running all around the 3 km spread bastion of early 17th century.

The fierce firepower of its days, and still, the world’s largest canon on wheels, Jaivan, is probably the most pictured at this fort. Its ‘vital-stats’ were enough to keep the enemies off, so the only time it fired was at its dramatic ‘test-firing’. The (test-) fired canon ball landing more than 35 km away had a killing effect on many houses and resulted in a lake like formation where it hit. Also, the lake near this canon is a deliberate and a strategic attempt to help the cannoneer escape as soon as he fired it.

Other legends include the huge capacity water tanks that used to treasure the loot of the Rajputs in the warfare. This buried fortune was the source of construction of old capital of Amber, and Jaipur. Presently, the fortune is sill buried in its legendary past, and one can treasure it via…!

Plus, the puppet shows with melodious shriek of the puppeteer and zigzagging waist and body of the puppets; 7-storeyed watchtower, Diva Burj, where the Jaigarh fort towers above all; the military engineering at the canon foundry; museums collections of swords, shields, 50 kg canon ball, too long guns, conks and containers for oil, coins, and wine, maps, photographs, paintings, and howdahs [elephant saddle] and also, once a vantage point to check the nearing enemy the fort is now a tourist’s viewpoint to see the snaking walls and the beaten tracks.

A modern catholic approach to religion is carved on the white marbles and architecture of Laksmi Narayan Temple. It is the gift of the Birlas [leading industrialists of India] to the pink city, hence the name Birla Temple. Placed at the foot of the Moti Dongri [the Pearl hill], the impressive view of the replica of Scottish castle called as Moti Doongri Palace topping the hillock and the calm surrounding alongside the busy road, makes it a cool place to hang out, and is visited especially by the locals.