The Colors Of India: Exploring The Vibrant Streets Of Jaipur
If Europe has Paris, then South Asia has Jaipur. Known as “the pink city” due to the prominence of pink paint on its historical structures, Jaipur is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. It is the capital city of Rajasthan state in India and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want to visit there, below are the things you need to take note of.
What To Explore In Jaipur
Jaipur is such a unique city with so much to offer. You get no shortage of tourist spots to visit or admire, and jubilant places to enjoy. The list will be long if you want to try exploring the entirety of the city. It’ll be better to prioritize the following suggestions below in order to maximize your limited time.
Tourist Attractions
As mentioned, Jaipur is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the amount of preserved structures with historical and religious value. But did you know that the city has 2 places that are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites? It is like a gift within a gift. Those 2 places are the Amber Fort and the Jantar Mantar.
Amber (or Amer) Fort is a solid fort sitting on top of the hill near to Maota Lake. It was built at the end of the 16th century using sandstone and marble. Centuries passed by and the place still stands proudly. It boasts rich Rajasthani or Rajput architecture. Aside from its beauty, the stories and legends you’ll hear can be very captivating.
The other UNESCO World Heritage Site found within Jaipur is the Jantar Mantar. It is a unique place that houses a collection of 19 large astronomical instruments, including the world’s largest stone dial. The famous observatory was built in the 18th century. Although the instruments are outdated, their construction and appearance are simply inspiring.
Overall, Jaipur boasts many beautifully constructed and decorated palaces such as the symbolic “City Palace” and the aesthetic “Hawa Mahal”. Both palaces are just architectural marvels with a rich history behind them.
And, since India is one of the countries that hold religion with the highest regard, you can find many amazing temples in Jaipur. One of them is the “Birla Temple” which is a Hindu temple made from white marble. Another amazing Hindu temple is the “Galta Ji”. It is situated between cliffs and is home to hundreds of friendly monkeys.
Of course, a historical visit will not be complete if you won’t go to a museum. With a city rich in historical tidbits, it is obvious that there will be a number of great museums existing. You can visit the gorgeous “Albert Hall Museum”, which is the oldest museum in the Rajasthan state. For admirers of intricate antique jewelry, do not miss out on the “Amrapali Museum”.
Good Food
The city of Jaipur is also filled with eateries that offer local cuisine and authentic Indian food. You can try the deep-fried pyaaz kachori in “Rawat Misthan Bhandar”, which is located on Station Road, Sindhi Camp. Other dishes that you have to consider also are kachoris, ghewas, and mirchi badas.
If you are looking for local cold treats, you can visit “Pandit Kulfi” for their creamy kulfi falooda. The store is located on Link Road of Bapu Bazar. The establishment “Laxmi Misthan Bhandar” also offers great desserts such as doda barfi and mawa kachori.
Cafes are also abundant in Jaipur. Aside from the views they offer, each of them has their own best-sellers. For a warm masala chai, you can visit “Wind View Café”. For the best coffee roasters in the city, you have to try them at “Curious Life Coffee Roasters”. If you want purely organic products, “Anokhi Café” can provide you with that.
Fancy a formal dinner? Try the “Bar Palladio”, a resto-lounge place located in the prestigious Hotel Narain Niwas Palace. If you want a more varied menu, you can head to “Shikaar Bagh”, which is also located in the same hotel. After fine dining, you may want to visit a pub. The “Ta Blu” in Hotel Clarks Amer is recommended for its lively ambiance and sophisticated interior.
Shopping Destinations
The Pink City can give you that needed retail therapy. There are countless souvenir shops wherein you get antique jewelry, unique pottery, elegant textiles, and the famous Rajasthani puppets. One of the go-to places for all kinds of souvenirs is the “Rajasthali Handicrafts Emporium”.
For shining and glittering souvenirs, the “Johari Bazar” is the perfect place to shop. Whatever budget you have, you can surely find something of equal value. A few blocks from the jewelry paradise, the “Bapu Bazar” can be found.
If you need handcrafted trinkets and exclusive textiles, Bapu Bazar is a must-visit. Also, you can find there bandhani fabrics of the highest quality. If you are encouraged to buy leather jootis, the “Nehru Bazar” offers the best products at affordable prices.
For camel leather, the go-to shopping place is the “Deori Bazar”. Lastly, while blue pottery may be of Turko-Persian origin, you will find it very common in Jaipur’s local culture. The best place to buy excellent blue pottery is at “Kripal Kumbh”.
Fun And Entertainment
When it comes to experiencing Bollywood cinema, nothing beats watching a film at the “Raj Mandir Cinema”. The interior is very unique wherein it has an unusual ceiling design and pleasing lighting fixtures.
Want to try another version of fun? Try visiting the step-wells of “Panna Meena ka Kund” and “Chand Baori”. Not only you will enjoy strolling around, you get to capture pictures that cannot be replicated by anyone outside of Jaipur.
Jaipur is also a city of festivals. It seems there can be more entertaining events in the city that you can handle. One unique festival that you have to experience is the “Elephant Festival”. Happening in either February or March, this festival showcases well-trained tusked animals in extravagant props and costumes.
Conclusion
Jaipur is such a colorful and vibrant city. If you plan to visit there, make sure you allot enough time period so that you can fully explore the aforementioned suggestions. With so many beautiful structures, one visit may not be enough.
