Top Tourist Attractions in Jaipur to Visit in 2012

The ‘Pink City’ of Rajasthan, Jaipur, is a major tourist destination of the country with its grand palaces, forts, cultural ethnicity, princely ambience and amazing colorful markets. A lot of tourist attractions like the havelis, monuments, museums, gardens, lakes, temples, heritage hotels etc are spread around. It is a bright and lively city and the hospitality of the city will leave you spellbound. The place is replete with historical references and vividly reflects the rajputana heritage of the nation. These are the prime attractions of the city.

City Palace: It is the main landmark of the city, and is a perfect combination of Rajput and Mughal architecture. It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It is a huge complex which covers a remarkable portion of the city and includes various gardens and courtyards besides many buildings inside the complex. The royal family still resides here and mughal and rajasthani miniature paintings, mughal carpets, royal costumes and textiles, arms and weapons are on display at the ground floor rooms which houses the Maharaja Sawai Mansingh II Museum.

Amer fort and amber palace: Built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh, it is named after the town of Amber. The pastel yellow fort is styled in Rajput and Mughal Architecture. The most fascinating area is the Sheesh Mahal where mirrors are used as tiles on walls and ceilings and they form brilliant reflective patterns. Jai Mandir, Sukh Niwas and Ganesh Pole are the main areas of interest. An elephant ride to the fort is a unique experience.

Hawa Mahal: The multilayered palace of Hawa Mahal features a peculiar architecture. Characterized by latticed windows and stone screens it is also known as the ‘Palace of Breeze’. An area earmarked as the female section of the palace by the name of zenana afforded the royal ladies a slice of daily city life through the veiled screens of the 950 windows of the palace.

Nahargarh Fort: It was the capital residence of Raja Sawai Jai Singh in 1734 and was strategically built to ward off the enemy. The stone built walls and the high-rise rooms captivate the tourists and enthrall them. With the Aravalli Hills as a backdrop and the chambers for the queens and the dancing hall heavily adorned with intricate interior work on the ceiling, the Nahargarh Fort comes alive in the evening and leaves the tourists spellbound.

Jai Garh Fort: The fort is famous for Jaivana, the largest wheeled canon in the world, built in the year 1726 by Sawai Jai Singh it also features three water tanks, a museum besides the stunning views of the city of Amber below.

Jal Mahal: It is an 18th century pleasure palace perched amidst Mansagar Lake, noticeable features being the complicated and majestic structural design. A causeway flanked by cenotaphs leads to the Jal Mahal Palace.

Jantar Mantar: Between 1727-1734 Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of the city built many astronomical observatories, Jantar Mantar happens to be one amongst these. The building has many devices to measure time, trace motions of stars and planets.

Ram Niwas Bagh: It was built by Sawai Ram Singh II in 1868 as a famine relief project; the place is famous for its brilliant garden and exotic zoo. Museums, greenhouse and sports grounds are the other attractions.

Besides visiting imposing forts, monuments, palaces and havelis one can enjoy shopping in the colorful markets of Jaipur, while there shop for the world famous kundan jewelry, brassware, textiles, quilts and footwear. Jaipur is also famous for its colorful and vibrant festivals; try and visit the city during a festival to see the original charm of the place. An exciting elephant or camel ride can be a rewarding and unforgettable experience on the Jaipur tour.