Jaipur

The rich heritage and architecture of Jaipur have rendered it to the name ‘Paris of India’, and Jawahar Kala Kendra is no different. It resides at the heart of this Pink City and attracts many tourists due to its cultural significance. It is en route the Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg. The architectural design of Jawahar Kala Kendra was laid out by the renowned MIT graduate Mr Charles Correa. The structure of this building is similar in appearance to the nine grids of our solar system.The walls and high ceilings are interspersed with elegant artwork from ancient and modern times, which only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the place. Theatres of Jawahar Kala KendraThe theatre at Jawahar Kala Kendra hosts frequent performances by artists, students and scholars that make for an engaging platform of profound creativity. It is constructed out of three theatres – 1 open and two closed. Most of the youngsters come to the open theatre and perform or act out their dramas, dance forms or other culturally eloquent forms of acting. The other two theatres are called Rangayan and Krishnan. Rangayan is mostly a haven for modern plays and playwrights debuting their dramas on-stage. On the other hand, Krishnayan hosts various Rajasthani festivals inviting artists from all across India. This theatre hosts distinct performances in varying styles and outcome and a major tourist attraction of Jaipur. Kala Galleries, Exhibitions and MuseumThe Alankar Museum is one of the most popular museums in Rajasthan and is situated within the peripherals of Jawahar Kala Kendra. They have a repertoire of music that stirs the soul, artworks and sculptors decorating these galleries and museums, enhancing every instrument required to produce a masterpiece. The exhibitions held portray exquisite craftsmanship and blue pottery items available on sale.  

Standing tall overlooking the city of Jaipur, Nahargarh Fort is a monumental edifice built by Sawai Madho Singh in the eighteenth century. The fort is situated on Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) and Nahargarh means “abode of tigers”. Nahargarh fort along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort once formed a strong defense around the city of Jaipur. However, Nahargarh fort was also used as a summer retreat by the Jaipur kings considering that there are several palaces, temples and landscaped gardens within its complex. There is an extended wall at Nahargarh Fort which connects it to Jaigarh Fort.The Madhavendra Palace is the hotspot attraction at the fort which has an opulent suite for the king and nine suites for his concubines. The Madhavendra palace looks spellbindingly magnificent and the walls of the suites are intricately designed with delicate fresco paintings.Within the fort lies the famous Nahargarh Biological Park and a zoo that gives tourists a sneak peek into the wilderness of the regions like Asiatic lions and Bengal tigers. Another huge attraction is the Sculpture Park that has astounding pieces of sculpture on display at the Madhavendra Palace. The fort complex even has two restaurants that offer breathtaking views of the city below and serves zesty Indian cuisine.History of Nahargarh Fort Nahargarh Fort was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in the year 1734. Interestingly, the fort was never attacked during the entire history. But, historical events in the eighteenth century like the signing of treaties with Maratha forces happened at the fort.The fort also has another intriguing history attached to it. During the construction of the fort, something things strange used to happen every single day; whatever was built during the day used to collapse at night. The King believed that the construction work was hindered by the restless spirit of Rathore prince, Nahar Singh Bhomia. So, based on the advice of astrologers, the king decided to build a temple devoted to him and also name the fort on his name to honor him. After doing so, the construction works of the fort went unhindered.The architecture of Nahargarh FortThe imposing Nahargarh Fort has been built in the Indo-European style of architecture and is decked up with scalloped archways, domed ceilings, and sprawling gardens. The tall exterior walls of the fort run for several kilometres and the main entrance of the fort, Padi Gate stands as a testimony to the magnificent architecture. The most prominent structure within the Nahargarh Fort is Madhavendra Bhawan aka Madhavendra Palace. This two-story palace was built by King Sawai Madho Singh for himself and his nine queens. The palace features one majestic suite for the king himself and nine identical suites for his nine wives. The suites are lavish with bedrooms, lobby, kitchen, and a store. An open-air corridor connects all the suites. Interestingly, the suites are built in such a way that the king can visit one of his nine wives without the knowledge of the other eight wives. Another amazing structure is the Diwan-i-Aam, which is a sprawling hall where the king addressed the grievances of his subjects. There are also two temples within Nahargarh Fort - one for the deity of Jaipur rulers and another one for Rathore prince, Nahar Singh Bhomia.

City Palace is situated right in the middle of Old Jaipur which covers one-seventh of that area. The construction of the palace dates back to 1732, but it still looks fresh and crisp as it always would have been. The entire palace is divided into distinct parts which includes courtyards, gardens, palaces and more. A portion of the palace has also been turned into a museum where you can witness all the antiques and belongings of the royal family.This beautiful palace represents the rich culture Jaipur still holds on to. You will find a perfect blend of the Rajputana with Mughal and European style of architecture. The vast property represents the grandeur and heritage of the royal families of the bygone era. The walls are beautifully sculpted and decorated with mirrors and hand paintings. You will also witness how detailed the carvings are done on the roofs of the palaceThe entire palace becomes a window which gives you the privilege to peek into the stories of the past and the true sense of the authentic culture adopted by Jaipur.You can buy some souvenirs from the market just outside the palace to take a part of the richness of the local culture along with you and cherish the journey from present to 1732 and so on.History of City Palace - Jaipur is considered to be the first-ever city from medieval times, which was planned well. The City Palace is the one-seventh part of the entire old Jaipur. The idea of constructing this beautiful palace erupted in the mind of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. He called the Bengali architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya and Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob to design the Jaipur city. They infused Mughal and European style of architecture with the traditional Rajputi architecture. The construction began in the year 1729 and lasted till 1732. The entire palace has small palaces, well-maintained gardens, beautifully carved courtyards, open terraces and more.Further Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar were added in the premises along with the outer walls of the palace. The complete structure represented the rich culture and heritage of the ancient state. Though this palace was completed, the process of making it more beautiful lasted until the early 20th century. It is still preserved carefully along with all the belongings inside the palace put on display.Architecture of City Palace - The City Palace is a marvellous blend of Rajputi, Mughal and European style of architecture. The design of the property follows the ‘Vastu Shastra’ which is said to be facilitating the art of living and the atmosphere inside the house. The entire palace is structured in ‘Grid Style’ having four gates to enter and exit, namely ‘Tripolia Gate’, ‘Udai Pol’, ‘Virendra Pol’, and ‘Jaleb Chowk’. It also consists of various palaces, gardens, courtyards, temples, terraces, balconies and patios which are beautified by latticework, jali work, carved marbles and inlaid ornamentations. The walls reflect the authentic Mughal style which features distinct murals, mirrors and latticework. A unique feature found in Pritam Niwas Chowk is that it has four gates, which depicts all the four seasons. First one is Mor Gate which portrays Autumn Season, then it is Leheriya Gate which represents spring season followed by Rose gate drawing winters and Lotus gate painting a picture of the summer season. All this makes the entire palace a remarkable structure left behind by history.

Jal Mahal is one of the most splendid architectural palaces sitting in the centre of Man Singh Lake on the outskirts of Jaipur. This masterful creation was earlier a shooting lodge for the Maharajas, but now it has become the most famous spot for sightseeing in Jaipur. Jal Mahal was built by Maharaja Madho Singh in the 1750s for himself and his companions to rest after their duck hunting endeavours. Jal Mahal is a four storeyed building built with red sandstone. It offers a breathtaking view of the Nahargarh hills and Man Sagar Lake that border it. The most alluring feature of this mahal is that four storeys of this site are submerged underwater, and only one storey lies above the water level. It has a garden at the top that consists of varieties of trees and beautiful flowers.Jal Mahal is extremely popular among the visitors for it’s striking architecture and detailed craftsmanship. This palace has been built by combining Rajput and Mughal style of architecture. Due to it’s alluring beauty and rich architectural magnificence it has also been touted as one of the most photographed sites in India. The entry is prohibited inside the fort but you can have a view of this magnificent fort from a considerable distance.History of Jal Mahal JaipurIn 1956 AD severe famine was experienced by the people of the area where Jal Mahal is currently standing. This led to an acute shortage of water, and the ruler of Ajmer, therefore, decided to build a dam to deal with the problem of scarcity of water. The dam was initially built with quartzite and earth in the eastern side of the breathtakingly beautiful Ajmer Hills. Later, it was renovated in the 17th century into a masonry structure.This dam is still standing today, and it’s 28.5-34.5 meters wide and 300 meters long. Three gates have also been built in the dam to release a sufficient amount of water to irrigate the nearby agricultural lands. This dam has undergone renovation and restoration by different rulers, but the final renovation was done by Maharaja Jai Singh 11. Other historical places and religious spots like Jaigarh Fort, Amer Fort, Kanak Vrindavan Valley, and Nahargarh Fort were built in the nearby areas of this lake. These are now connected with a tourist corridor of road networks. It is believed that Jal Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as a spot to relax after duck hunting. It is also surmised that this palace was built in 1750 by Maharaja Madho Singh 1. The beauty of this palace was later amplified by Maharaja Jai Singh 11 who completely renovated this palace and added a few more striking structures to it. It is also believed that the Man Sagar Lake was also built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh after constructing a huge dam that served as a source of water for the people in that area. The architecture of Jal MahalJal Mahal is known for its exquisite architecture and splendid design that beholds the mind of the visitors. It is the finest example of excellent Rajput architecture, and the technical excellence that were not in vogue in the 18th century. The architectural grandeur of this palace comes to life, especially in the evening when the entire complex is covered by floodlights. The beautiful cravings on the shrines and the white marbles that have been used to build the palace make it look like a gem on its own. The reflection of the palace in the Man Sagar Lake gives an illusion of multi storeys standing over the water level.At the corner of the palace there are four octagon-shaped chhatris and beautiful domes. In the centre, there is a chhatri made in Bengali style. Twenty one decorative pillars are also located in this palace that are considered to be the cenotaphs of the royal family. A platform is there in the centre of the garden area where dance performances and recitals were organized. The original garden got damaged in the past but now it has been recreated again to captivate the attention of the visitors.

Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is an astronomical observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh II. Besides this one in Jaipur, India owns 4 more Jantar Mantar across different states. Featuring the world’s largest sundials, the astronomical observatory of Jaipur marks its prominence amongst UNESCO’s world heritage sites. Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar comprises of some astounding stone structures which once were used for locating the exact positions of the celestial bodies in space. There are around 19 instruments carved out from stone and brass. As it aids in calculating the local time, this massive structure attracts geographers, architects, and historians. Even time has failed before the brilliance of this engineering marvel. The observatory still holds its significance in the same manner as it did a thousand years ago. The main motive behind the existence of this structure was to gather and study information related to the universe, time and space. The instruments present refers here to those used in the Egyptian study of Ptolemaic astronomy. The observatory is known to work on the principles laid down by the classical celestial coordinates. They are a horizon-zenith local system, ecliptic system, and finally the equatorial system. These three systems aid the researchers and geographers to track the position of the heavenly bodies. Here at the Jantar Mantar Jaipur, you get to witness a hybrid mixture of different astronomical and architectural instruments. The 19 geometric devices present here to contribute towards understanding local time, ascertaining the declination of planetary systems, predicting eclipses, and tracking orbital stars. Besides, it also aids in the determination of celestial altitudes. The entire observatory covers a land stretch of 18700 metres.Samrat Yantra, Ram Yantra, Jai Prakash Yantra, Narivalya yantra, Karnti yantra, Raj yantra, Unnsynhsmsa yantra, Chakra yantra, Disha yantra, Dakshina yantra, and Rasayas yantra are some of the instruments found here.  History of Jantar Mantar Jaipur - Sawai Jai Singh II was a renowned scholar of his time. Once a while, Emperor Muhammad Shah assigned him a task to confirm and rectify the currently available data on the position and movement of celestial bodies. Sawai Jai Singh was desperate to refine the tables of ancient Islamic zij to determine the exact time. In short, he aimed to create a well-defined calendar. He was keen on making accurate astrological predictions for the benefit of mankind. To bring his dream to reality, he decided that he would construct Jantar Mantar in the year 1718. For the same, he set out on a mission to extensively study the cosmological principles as laid down by the philosophical findings of Hindu, Islamic, European, and Persian civilization. In this way, five different astronomical observatories were constructed across various states in India. The largest amongst all was built in Jaipur in between the period 1727 to 1733. After that, it underwent frequent renovations with the lapse of time. The available instruments have a broad range of cosmological applications. In the year 2010, this astronomical observatory got featured in the list of UNESCO’s world heritage sites. The architecture of Jantar Mantar Jaipur –The astronomical observatory of Jaipur – Jantar Mantar, is a collection of both astronomical and architectural instruments. In all, you may find around 19 major geometrical devices here. Each one of them has got its own specific application. These devices are used to measure time; ascertain the declination of the planets and the planetary system; prediction of the eclipses; determination of the celestial altitudes, and tracking of the orbital stars. Sheltering so many instruments, the entire observatory extends to a land stretch of 18700 metres. Interestingly, some of the instruments available here are amongst the largest in their own species. The instruments of this astronomical observatory were carved out purely from stone and marble as they have got a tremendous potential to withstand climatic changes. Some of them were designed by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II himself. A few of these instruments were carved out from copper and still are recognised for their undeniable accuracy. In terms of its dimensions, the Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is the largest of all its counterparts present elsewhere in India. 

Located in the heart of Jaipur, the Dolls Museum is veritable dreamland for both kids and adults, who want to savor the unique taste of world culture. The museum comes with a wide range of toys and figurines, which exhibit various genres and styles. Along with the Rajasthani dolls, the museum also showcases numerous other figures, which belong from different parts of the world. So, if you pay a visit to the Dolls Museum, then you will get the rare chance to relish the cultural beauty of the whole world.The massive collection of puppets and figurines in the museum is displayed in five different galleries. All these galleries contain different dolls, which have been gathered from the different parts of India as well as the world. Among the figurines, the Indian dolls are displayed in special clothing items, such as bridal wear, dance costumes, and everyday apparel, which reflect the cultural vivacity of India.Along with the Indian dolls, the museum also exhibits a gorgeous collection of traditional dolls representing Japan. Most of these figurines have been made with wood. However, if you explore this museum carefully, then you will also be able to find a few other dolls that are made with whale teeth and paper. This delightful doll collection of Japan includes Kokeshi dolls, Tanabata dolls, Kamakura dolls, Namahage Dolls, and Kanto Matsuri dolls. Besides these, the museum also has another section, which showcases dolls from the other parts of the world, like Mexico, Mongolia, Uganda, Norway, Turkey, Italy, and Peru, etc.Features of Doll Museum - The Dolls Museum in Jaipur was built with the intention to exhibit the vivacity of the world culture through the dolls and their attires. Therefore, you can find numerous figures here, which have been collected from different parts of the world, including India. The following are some of the things that you can enjoy in this charming museum. Dolls with Bridal Attires The bridal dolls of the museum are particularly quite popular among the tourists. These puppets generally showcase the culture of numerous Indian states like Punjab, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Kerala. Dolls that Showcase Dance Forms Along with the bridal puppets, you can also find numerous other dolls that demonstrate various dance forms of India. From these figurines, you can learn about classical dance forms, such as Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, and Odissi, etc. Dolls from Other Countries Along with Indian dolls, you can also find puppets from different states and countries of the world.With these figurines, you will be able to taste the cultural essence of countries like Germany, Uganda, New Zealand, Malaysia, Afghanistan, etc. Besides these, the museum also exhibits small figurines of the children’s favorite cartoon characters and superheroes. A new English Puppet Gallery has also been introduced in the museum, which consists of dolls that are only two inches in size. 

The museum built in the year 1876, lies within the Ram Niwas Garden, Jaipur, and the oldest one in the state of Rajasthan. It was first envisaged as a concert hall, bearing a resemblance to Victorian architecture and Albert Hall Museum, London. The museum boasts of a wide range of objet d'art collected from various parts of the world and displayed over 16 galleries. With sundown, Albert Hall Museum assumes a completely new look because the whole building glimmers with brilliant yellow lights, looking stunning and spectacular. The museum is the epitome of the rich history and culture of India. Bordered by verdant gardens, the museum is a sight to behold for travelers flocking to Jaipur from all over the world. The museum galleries feature numerous works of art and antique items including marble art, antique coins, Egyptian mummy, carpets, and pottery. Besides, you can also see varied paintings, portraits, woodwork, brassware, and sculptures on display. The museum also houses some of the best fineries, especially ceremonial dresses, worn by the royal family members. The museum is a must-visit for history buffs. The Indo-Saracenic style domes and elaborately engraved arches built of sandstone are sure to leave you awestruck.  Albert Hall also features an aviary, a greenhouse, as well as a zoo to delight tourists. History of Albert Hall Museum -The foundation of the museum was set when Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur in the year 1876. There was no certainty as to how the museum would be used, and therefore, on the recommendation of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II, a temporary museum was constructed in 1881. It then exhibited the works of art created by the local artisans. Swinton Jacob, an eminent architect of that time, completed the construction of Albert Hall in 1887. It was then that the artifacts from the temporary museum were moved to the newly built Albert Hall. By the year 1890, the museum stood complete with the Mayo Hospital within a public park, thus embodying the vision of the earlier Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh. His descendant Sawai Madho Singh realized the Maharaja’s dream, thus depicting a new Jaipur city progressing into the contemporary age.  The Architecture of Albert Hall Museum - Albert Hall Museum resembled the splendid Indo- Saracenic architecture, the hallways or corridors adorned with murals of diverse styles. It resembled the history and culture of the Egyptian, European, Greek, Babylonian, and Chinese civilizations. Albert Hall soon became the centre stage for teaching the history of different civilizations. The museum-inspired artisans to hone their artistic skills as well as preserve traditional art, architecture, and craft forms of India. When it comes to the architecture of the museum, the Egyptian mummy is a feast to travelers’ eyes as well as history aficionados. The architecture of Albert Hall is the fusion of elaborate Islamic architecture and Neo-gothic style. The unique architecture of the museum used by the British in India and implemented in most public and government buildings. The decorative and stylish components of this museum are one of the classic examples of architectural elegance and finesse of that period. If you have a penchant for design and architecture; you will love Albert Hall’s elaborate carvings as well as the distinctive ‘Chatri’ style towers that resemble impeccable artistry. Gallery of Albert Hall Museum - One of the striking features of Albert Hall Museum is its galleries displaying works of art, treasures, and antiques belonging to the nineteenth century. The popular galleries are: 1. Clay Art GalleryIt houses beautiful, delicate clay models of nineteenth-century displaying sociological themes, different yogic postures, and art of craft making. You will find a clay model depicting judicial execution of that time, a plaster-cast clay model of a female leg painted with geometrical designs in red, a saint in a yogic posture, and many more. 2. Carpet GalleryVisit this gallery to feast your eyes. The Persian Garden Carpet is the superlative example of stunning Persian carpets around the world.Bought during the times of Mirza Raja Jai Singh I, the rare carpet represents a scene from a Persian garden. The work of art has four parts and numerous sub-sections. Each part has varied colors that make the carpet look stunning. Birds, fish, turtles, and other Chinese animals are depicted on this carpet. The gallery also houses circular carpets as well as doormats representing flowery and Mughal patterns.  3. Jewelry GalleryYou can see most of the low-cost jewelry worn by the peasants of that time. Most of the ornaments were made of brass and silver. The popular items of jewelry include rings, anklets, bracelets, necklaces, and hairpins. 4. Coin Gallery If you have a passion for coins, you must visit this gallery. Take a tour of this place to see a huge variety of coins of the British and Mughal age. You will love the punch-marked coins, which are ancient in history. You can see numerous coins of the times of Jahangir, Akbar, Aurangzeb, and Shah Jahan. These coins were discovered from different parts of Rajasthan. They were collected and preserved in the museum gallery. 5. Musical Instruments Gallery You will find ancient Indian musical instruments in this gallery of Albert Hall. The popular instruments include Dhap, Shehnai, Masak Baja, Karana, Rabab, and Pungi Ravan Hatha to name a few. 6. Marble Art Gallery You can see some of the best exhibits of the nineteenth-century sculptures designed by the artisans of Jaipur in the Marble Art Gallery of Albert Hall. The popular works of art include Dasa Avatar and Mahisasur Mardini, Nav Grahas and Ganesh, Shiv Pariwar, Jain Tirthankars, Vaishnav and Brahma Parivar. 7. Pottery Gallery Albert Hall houses some of the finest pottery collections of the nineteenth century, representing diverse range, intricacy, and vitality of the craft tradition of India. The gallery houses a range of flower vases. The most prominent one is the white quartz clay vase showing the king and queen on either side with cobalt blue and copper designs. You will also love to see the Kagazi (water bottle) doubled-handled surahi featuring a triangular design on the rim. 8. Arms and Armour Gallery The gallery houses Mughal, Rajput, Afghan, Arab, Turkish hilts, swords, helmets, tiger knives, spears, clubs, and shields, in silver and gold. The popular collections include Arabian dagger, Qama or knife, Goad, gun powder horn, tiger claws, Gauntlet, and more. 

Known originally as Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Birla Mandir is located at the base of Moti Dungri Temple, Jaipur. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site among the Hindu devotees. Made of sparkling white marble, the structure looks incredibly marvelous. Lush green gardens surround the temple on the sides and give the structure a truly dreamy touch. Birla Mandir has a total of three domes, each one representing a different perspective of religion. The temple features stunning carvings and drawings all around its body. The walls of the structure are adorned with mythological quotes and holy charms from the Hindu holy book of Geeta. In addition, various mythological events and happenings are also carved on the shrine’s interior walls. The temple’s architectural beauty is totally admirable and appreciable. The most important part of Birla Mandir is the beautiful monolithic figurine of Lakshmi Narayan. The temple also houses an idol of Shri Ganesha, which is equally stunning and appreciable. You will also find pictures and sculptures of various other Gods and Goddesses, which strike a religious charm in the air inside the temple. The temple even shelters the pictures of legendary personalities, such as Zarathustra, Jesus Christ, Gautam Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates. Birla Mandir is also home to a beautiful museum that stores and exhibits all the ancestral assets of the respected Birla family.All these elements combine to make Birla Mandir a perfect destination for spiritual seekers of every religion. The temple gets a lot of visitors all through the year and the crowd becomes even bigger during important festivals.History of Birla Mandir Jaipur -In accordance with the popular historical belief, Birla Mandir at Jaipur in Rajasthan is built on the land that was handed over to the country’s reputed Birla family by the respected Maharaja of that time in exchange for just INR 1. The construction of the temple began back in the year 1977 by the B.M. Industrial Foundation. The structure was developed over a total time period of around eight years and the construction work finally ended in the year 1985. In reference to historical facts, Mahatma Gandhi was invited to inaugurate Birla Mandir. However, Gandhi stated that he would only accept the invitation if the temple would be open to devotees of all the castes of society. The temple’s consecration ceremony finally happened on February 22, 1985. Since then, Birla Temple is open for visitors irrespective of the caste and creed they belong to.