JAIPUR:The Pink City of India:A Tourists’ Paradise and the very epitome of Hospitality & modernity still maintaining its medieval cultural heritage.City’s heart still beats in its fairytale palaces & rugged fortresses perched on the hills yonder.

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R A J A S T H A N :

The name evokes visions of royal splendor & tales of valour & sacrifice .Its a land of Kings,queens ,artisans,camel- herders,snake charmers,refined living & gentle ways.Its a magical land of heroism & chivalry where bloody battles were fought with utter ruthlessness,the land where jauhars were committed for the sake of pride.Land is known for the great sacrifice of Panna Dhai, bravery of Jaimal& Patta and Chivalry/Valour of great warriors Maharana Pratap & Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan & many more.In Rajasthan cities sprang up around citadels!They still retain their medieval flavour with Forts/Palaces and Havelis for people to stay in ,with temple/Mosques for people to pray. Vibrant Bazaars,selling fabrics and jewellery ,art and crafts that are millenia old.Yet here tradition goes hand in hand with the contemporary. Here Industry & commerce are flourishing very well.Come to Rajasthan,you will be mesmerized by the folk dances that have a unique rythem, ballads sung magically in the air. Temple bells chime to declare faith of the believers.Pilgrims throng to dedicate their belief to the Almighty above.Rajasthani art is a school by itself.Exquisite miniature painting & frescoes fit for the most discerning of Connoisseurs. Pamper your taste buds by enjoying the mouthwatering cuisine of the region-ranging from deserts to royal dishes.On your visit to Rajasthan, stay where the maharajas lived once.A wide range of accomodation is available all over the state to suit all budgets.Royal havelis transformed into heritage hotels with impeccable service fit royalty.We can also go for mid range budget accomodation key being the comfort of your room.Rajasthan is well connected through air ,rail& road with all major cities of the country. Conducted sightseeing tours,tourist taxies& RTDC Buses are available.Please come with time on your hands to soak in the charms of Rajasthan-a tourist paradise which stretches to the limits of your imagination.

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RAJPUTANA : The State of Rajasthan was part of Rajputana alongwith some parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The main settlements to the west of the Aravali hills came to be known as Rajputana early in the medieval period.This name was adopted by the British in year 1800 AD until it was replaced by ‘THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN’ in the CONSTITUTION of 1949.

JAIPUR :

The capital of Rajasthan takes its name from its founder Maharaja Jai Singhji.Renowned as the Pink city its one of the most beautiful cities of India with great cultural richness and heritage .Jaipur is the very epitome of vibrant and colourful living traditions and its magic attracts one and all whether native or a foreigner-lover of art ,history and architecture.Shopping ,glammer of polo,film shoots to traditional art forms ,wildlife to urban lifestyle.Its a modern city retaining its medieval charm.Owing to citys strategic location,excellent infrastructure ,connectivity,low cost of transportation and living,its a mix of modern and talented manpower are ideal elements favouring its phenomenal riseas a leading business centre..Its developing into a perfect destination for real estate business for developers as well as indivisual invester.Also it is attracting investment in future fields of IT,ITES,BPO &KPO Services.Its the first planned city of northern India.Medical and healthcare services have come up in a promising way.World class hospitals like Fortis Escorts,Narain Hridayala,Reliance healthcare,EHCC, Bombay hospital ,Manipal group, Mahavir cancer hospital, SDMH, SMS Hospital, Jaipur Foot have come up very well providing destinations for medical tourism being very cost effective for foreigners.Its also destination for traditional & alternative medicines like Ayurveda,Homeopathy and other holistic methods like Accupressure. The pink colour of the city is related to hospitality .Jaiput offers a pink carpet for the visitors. Planning of city was done by Architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya built by Sawai Jaisingh II in 1727AD.Laid in a grid system with straight avenues ,roads ,streets,lanes criss cross the city with rows of shops on either side of the main bazaar arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (chowkris).Planning of city followed the principles of Shilpshastas ,an amazing monument of Hindu architecture.Displaying remarkable harmony,the heart of city still beats in the fairytale palaces and fortresses perched on the hills.Its encircled by a formidable wall .Jaipur is a blend of tradition & modernity .Beatifully laid out gardens & parks interperse the timeless appeal of its colourful bazars where one can stop for Rajasthani handlooms &sovernirs.A night spent at a heritage hotel,once the residence of Maharajas, takes one back to the royal times thus making yr trip a truly memorable one.

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HISTORY OF JAIPUR :

Raja Man Singh Kachhawah of Amber(Reign-1590 to 1614)was the chief of Mughal Army and Jaipur was a powerful regime. Kachhawas belong to the Ksatriya or warrior caste of the Hindus but they trace back their origin to the sun via Kush who was the twin son of Lord Rama. Jaipurs history dates back to the 12th century when Kachhawah clan of Rajputs arrived at the old fort palace of Amber in the Aravali hills. They ousted the Susawat Meenas who became the hereditary royal guards. Kachhawas with their brilliant soldiering and knack for lucrative alliances they developed with Moghuls that brought them real power,influence and wealth.Arriving from Jaipur through the narrow pass in the hills,you are presented with a view of the honey coloured Amber Fort palace that conforms to every expectation of a royal fort located on a rugged hill reflected in the maota lake below.The elephants plod up the ramparts roads and the Amber villagewhich clusters around the hill.Man Singh erected the renowned Amber fortin 17th century.Raja Jai Singh a scholor,architect,astronomer ,mathematician and a talentedresearcher succeeded him!He united he rajputs and the state of Amber flourished and in 1727,Sawai Jai Singh decided to move his capital to Jaipur.The power to create such a strong fort enclosing such beauty was built over several generations.Raja Biharimal made the first move.Recognising Mughal power,he paid homage to Emperor Humayun and led a 5000 strong army for him and made sure he was the first Rajput presented in Akbars court.His real chance came when Akbar made his first Annual Pilgrimage to Ajmer which lay in kachhhawa territory.On visiting Akbar,Biharimal gave his adopted grandson into royal service.Next ruler Bhagwan Das cemented the alliance as Man Singh was leadingGeneral under both Akbar and Jahangir and Jai Singh I was commanding the Moghul force for Jahangir and fought all over the Moghul Empire for Shah Jehan to become Auranjebs most prized commander later on Jai Singh II came to the throne and Auranjeb awarded him the title Sawai meaning one quarter apart from his soldiering abilities.He fulfilled his other passions -the art and Science where he devised the stone instruments for open air observatory at Jaipur, Delhi ,Varanasi &Ujjain.After asending the throne he shifted his capital to Jaipur.He consulted the best mathematician, astronmer and Shilpashastras before making a blue print of the new city. After building close bonds with Moghuls he envisaged his dream project -the building of Jaipur. The foundation was laid in 1727 and eminent architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya was asked to design the Pink city.The city was surrounded by ten Gates arranged in nine sectors(Chokris).The pink city symbolises warm ‘Welcome’ to receive guests whom they consider uGods.Also considering the intense hot glare of the sun,the buildings are painted rose pink.

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MAIN PLACES OF TOURISTS ATTRACTION:

1)The CITY PALACE COMPLEX : comprising the Diwane-aam, Diwane-khas, Chandra mahal & the museum. 2)GOVINDEVJI TEMPLE,3)JANTAR MANTAR,4)HAWAMAHAL,5)MOTI DUNGARI FORT, 6)LAXMI NARAIN BIRLA TEMPLE,7)JANTAR MANTAR-a medieval astronomical observatory.7)JAGAT SHIROMANI TEMPLE,8)JAIGARH FORT, 9)NAHARGARH FORT,10)JAL MAHAL,11)AMBER FORT &PALACE COMPLEX(with light & sound show),12)SWARGHASULI/ISHARLAT,13)RAMNIWAS BAGH & ZOO 14)DOLLS MUSEUM,15)SISODIA RANI BAGH,16)ALBERT HALL & Museum ,17)VIDHYADHAR GARDEN, 18)GAITORE,19)STATUE CIRCLE,20)GALTAJI,21)BIRLA PLANETORIUM, 22)ANOKHI MUSEUM OF HAND PRINTING ,23)TALKATORA.,24)MOTI DUNGRI GANESH MANDIR

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GUIDED WALL CITY TOUR:(Including 10 gates)1)Ajmeri gate ,2)Sanganeri gate,3)New gate,4)Chandpole bazar,5)Panch Batti,6)MI Road,7)Statue of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singhji,8)Rajmandir,9)Chhoti Chaupad,10)kishanpole bazar(known for its texlile and tie dye Bandhani and Loharia ,11)Maniharon ka Rasta,12)Tripolia gate, 13)Jantar mantar,14)Swarsguli or Ishar Lat,15)Joravar Singh gate,16)Surajpole gate, 17)Ghat Gate,18)Jaleb chowk,19)Tripolia bazar, 20)Chandpole,21)Hawamahal,22)Badi Chaupad.

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EXCURSIONS TO DESTINATIONS AROUND JAIPUR:1)Sanganer (block printing & garment Industry visit),2)Bagru( block printing & garment Industry visit),3)Ramgarh lake,4)Bairath,5)Sambhar salt lake(for details readers may kindly visit my blog on Sambhar lake),6)Karauli mataji ,7)Samode palace,8)Mehndipur ke balaji,9)Ranthambhore fort/national park & Tiger safari,10)Kaila devi,11)Bisalpur dam,12)Madhavgarh Tunga,13)Abhaneri, 14)Tonk, 15)Bhangarh ruins.16) Sariska

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15)Golden Triangle tour of Delhi/Agra/Fatehpur Sikri/ Jaipur(6-days tour) Day-1.Reach Delhi early morning stay at Hotel.After refreshments proceed for sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi Day-2.Drive to Agra (203km/4.5hrs)Overnight at hotel. Day-3.Sightseeing of Agra monuments and worthvisiting spots. Day-4.Leave for Jaipur (250km/5.5hrs) Overnight at a heritage Hotel. Day-5.City tour of Jaipur spots & monuments. Day-6.Excursions to the nearby tourist destinations of Jaipur.

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DELHI :

Its a city of booming urban civilization,of Moghul splendor,of a colonial past. Delhi was ‘capital of 7 Empires’in Indian history and has over 60000 recognised monuments built over several millenia.King Angadpal Singh Tomar founded Delhi and later Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Angadpal to take the throne. Prithvi Raj Chauhan also built Surajkund near Tuglakabad.As per the Archealogical survey of India,it is believed that the site of Indraprasta, founded by the Pandavas of the Mahabharata more than 3000yrs ago.Delhi is now a throbbing metropolis with architectural marvels, traditional bazaars offering a unique shopping experience.Polo grounds ,imperial gardens& much more.The historic architecture of Delhi are its main tourist attractions. There are fascinating ruins of tombs, palaces & mosques.It depicts a picture rich in culture, architecture ,human diversity, monuments ,museums,galleries. Main tourist attractions :1)Birla temple,2)Akshardham temple,3)Gurudwara Bangla Sahib,4)Gurudwara Sisgang sahib,5)Humayus tomb,6)India Gate,7)Qutub minar,8)Jama masjid,9)Jantar mantar,10)Lotus temple,11)Rashpati bhawan,12)Rajghat ,13)Rajpath,14)Mehrauli park,15)Purana quila,16)Red Fort,17)Chandni Chowk, 18)Connaught place,19)Dilli haat,20)Janpath,21)Baba Kharak Singh marg with shopping complexes.22)Cottage Industry Emporium.

AGRA :

When we think of Agra,we invariably think of the Tajmahal. One of the seven wonders of the world, built entirely of white marble, Tajmahals architectural beauty, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra are famous sites. Agra is testimony to the legendary Moghul empire in the architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the grandeur of its forts& palaces & exquisitively laid out courts and gardens which are over 600yrs old. Craftsman of Agra are renowned for elegant Gold thread embroidered patterns, meticulously, crafted leather shoes and famous marble work. Places of interest:1)Agra Fort, 2)Tajmahal, 3)Akbars Tomb in Sikandra,4)Fatehpur Sikri,5)Sikandra, 6)Panch mahal.

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Jaipur Cultural Events: Rich tradition of customs and rituals.Kathak has its own famous as Raj Gharana,timeless tradition of of theatre play attracts audience at Ravindra manch ang the Jaipur Kala kendra for performances.Dhrupad singers and Rajasthani music has its own place with people from diverse religions , regional & educational backgrounds. Western influences have made inroads but Jaipur has not compromised with its culture and heritage.

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FESTIVALS:1)Ramnavami ,2)Budhpurnima, 3)Mahavir Jayanti, 4)Baisakhi, 5)Teej, 6)Rakshabandhan, 7)Janmastami, 8)Dussehra, 9)Durga pooja ,10)Diwali, 11)Guru parab ,12)Gangaur,13)Christmas, 14)New year,15)Muharram, 16)Idul Fitre, 17)Elephant festival with Polo matches ,procession of Elephants playing with colors, 18)Horse Polo.

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FAIRS :1)A Weeklong Annual foundation day is a cultural extravaganja starting on 30th march with musical evenings, craf exposition,food bazars,rural sports and dance performances all very colourfully celebrated,2) Gangaur festival Procession,

Heritage Hotels :1)Hotel Bissau Palace,2)Fort Chandragupta Hotel, 3)Hotel Diggi palace,4)Hotel Jais, 5)Hotel Meru palace,6)LMB Palace, 7)Vesta Maurya palace,8)Hotel Meru Palace, 9)Jas Vilas, 10)Maharani palace, 11)Hotel Ratnavali, 12)The Solitair palace,13)The Wall street, 14)Park Inn, 15)Hotel Man Singh,16)Le Meridian,17)Jal mahal palace,18)Umaid Haveli,19)Clarks Amer, 20)Pride Amber Vilas. 21)Chokhi Dhani

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Budget Hotels: 1)Arya niwas, 2)Jaipur Inn,3)Hotel Eurasis, 4)Hotel Pearl palace, 5)Rajdhani hotel,6)Hotel Red fox hotel, 7)Hotel Sai regency,8)Tara niwas. Restaurants :Dasaprakash, Garden Cafe,Fresh Flowers, Geetanjali, Gardiana,Handi, Indian coffee house,Jal mahal, Natraj Neel mahal,Niroj,Kanjee sweets, Rangoli,Ripples, Spices sances,Oasis, Pink city Restaurants,Suvarna mahal, Tulsi,Rang mahal.

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Shopping Malls :City pulse ,Crystal mall, Cryatal court, Crystal palm, Titan mall, GTC Mall, Ganpati plaza, Gaurav tower, Mall-21, Big bazar, Vishal mega mart, Reliance fresh, Cotton by century, Lifestyle, Shoppers stop, John players, Adidas, Arrow, Koutans, Lacoste, Lee, Lewis, Monte Carlo.Archies gallery, Mufti ,Nike, Pepe Jeans. Amusement Parks : Aapno Rajasthan,Chokhi Dhani, Fun kingdom,Kanchan Kesari, Pink Pearl, Purple..

Garments /Furnishings : Amrapali Exports, Abhinandan,Anokhi,Zari, Curio, Chandni Crafts, Fab India, Indi soul, Ateliar,Rasa, Ratan textile, Somendra textiles, Sri Neelkantha exports,Soma shop, Nikhar fashions, Taluka stores.

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Fashion &Jewellery : Casa de Plata, Dwarikas, Kothari Jewels,Sohit traders,Sunrise Silver Palace,Takat, Gem India, Alankriti,Birdichand Ghanshyamdas , Bhuramal Rajmal Surana, Divine jewellers, Gem paradise, Gem plaza, SJ jewllers, Jeypore Jewellers, Sanchi jewells, Tanishq -the Jewellers.

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Block Printing : 1) Sanganeri Prints, 2) Bagru Prints

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Pottery :1)Bharat potteries, 2)Kuber Handicrafts

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Climate : Jaipur is located at 413 mts above msl, Max. temperature in May/Jun is 45*C & mean temperature is 25*C. Dec./Jan is cold with min. temp. around 8.3*C and mean temp of around 22*C . Best time to visit Jaipur is from Sept. to April .

‘Aapno Rajasthan’ , ‘Atithi Deva Bhava’ & ‘Padharo mhare desh’ are the welcome themes of tourism in the state of Rajasthan

My readers please note that all information on the above writeup has been collected from authentic sources & discrepancy if any may kindly be poited out on this site so that necessary corrections may be made!My sincere gratitude to the Visitors Guide India,Discover Rajasthan & Mercury Travels for the related information & the photos!