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Exotic.
Fascinating. Historic, amazing, colourful- all are soubriquets applied with (more often
than not) gay abandon to the many Indian cities that form part of the average
traveller’s itinerary. But one city, at least, where these appellations are
singularly appropriate is the `Pink City’ of Jaipur. A strikingly beautiful city,
historic and interesting, dominated by the imposing 16th century Amer Fort, a brooding
bastion of pavilions and palaces, looking down over Jaipur. Amer (or Amber) was once the
capital of the Kachhwaha rulers of the state of Dundhar, all of seven hundred years before
the city of Jaipur came into existence. |
The Amer Fort itself owes its
construction to three rulers: Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh-
and took a full two centuries to build, much of it having been made in the 1500s. Looking
at the splendour of the fortress, one can well imagine why it took so long to complete: it
is, to put it simply, exquisite. The citadel rises above the waters of the Maotha Lake,
and although a motorable road leads to the main gate of Amer, the touristier alternative
is to ride an elephant up to the gate. Once inside, you’ll get the chance to see one
of India’s best-preserved medieval citadels, a stunning complex of gardens, temples,
pavilions and courtyards. The Amer Fort is, in roughly equal proportions, a
pleasure-palace, a former centre of administration and a military stronghold- all worth
seeing.
The fort’s first courtyard
is a wide expanse, dominated by two buildings- the pillared red sandstone Diwan-e-Aam (the
Hall of Public Audience) and the intricately painted double-storeyed Ganesh Pol gate.
Beyond these lies a series of pillared corridors, centring around a typical Mughal
`charbagh’ garden, bounded on one side by Sukh Niwas and on the other by Jas Mandir,
a lovely piece of architecture which combines Rajput and Mughal features: delicate mirror
work, stucco, paint and carving (look out, especially, for the exquisitely carved jaalis
or screens). The Amer Fort’s pièce de resistance, though, is the exquisite Sheesh
Mahal- the Mirror Palace- which is, as you’d imagine, liberally mirrored. Patterned
mosaics, coloured glass and mirror decorate the Sheesh Mahal from floor to ceiling,
creating a palace of almost unbelievable beauty.
Fountains and waterways, gardens and courtyards spread out across the rest of the fort,
the ramparts of which actually weave their way into the mountains for miles around.
Best time to go
The best time to visit Jaipur is between October and March. During this period, the heat
of the desert sun is less intense, the weather is cool and it is the best season for going
sightseeing. The Elephant Festival and the Gangaur Festival are held in Jaipur at the tail
end of March; another good reason to plan a trip as winter is on the wane and summer is
yet to set in.
Getting there and around
One of India’s hottest tourist destinations, Jaipur’s well-connected to the rest
of the country: the domestic airport has regular flights to and from all across India, and
trains link the city to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and a host of other cities in Rajasthan,
Gujarat and other nearby states. Besides that, buses (regular as well as deluxe and
air-conditioned) are operated from neighbouring states, and within Rajasthan, by the
Rajasthan State Roadways. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (the RTDC), also
run special daytrips to Jaipur from Delhi, Agra and elsewhere.
Getting around Jaipur is best
done by autorickshaw, tourist taxis or cycle rickshaws, as public buses are usually
crowded and uncomfortable. Alternately, you could try hiring a car: chauffeur -driven
jeeps, buses, cars, minivans and MUVs are readily available for hire within the city and
to the attractions round about.
Accommodation
Visitors to Jaipur
can chose from the luxurious splendour of regal palace hotels and deluxe modern hotels
with all the facilities to modest three star ones down to economical lodges, guest houses
and tourist hostels run by government agencies. For those looking for the ultimate in
Rajasthan exotica, a stay in a heritage hotel is highly recommended- check out the Samode
Palace, which has been rated as one of the world’s best heritage hotels.
Within each segment of hotels, a
wide variety of accommodation and price options are available as Jaipur is a prime tourist
destination. The RTDC can also arrange for home stays for those visitors who would like to
stay with local families. The contact address is:
Department of Tourism , Art & Culture, Government of Rajasthan, Govt. Hostel Campus,
Paryatan Bhawan, M.I. Road, Jaipur - 302 001(Tel. : 5110595-7)
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