Jaipur is one of the most popular touristic destinations in India. Every year it attracts millions of domestic and internationals tourists. Not without a reason. The city hosts dozens of world-class monuments, has a rich history and is surrounded by the beautiful natural landscape. In this post, we will showcase the most interesting places in Jaipur. The forts, other interesting sights of Jaipur, were covered in the other blog post, which you can find here.
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal is Jaipur’s most iconic and distinctive monument. Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, with its Rajput style of architecture, it contains more than 900 windows facing Pink City’s streets. Its main purpose was to allow the royal family’s harem to observe life in the city while being unseen, but also to cool down the temperature in building during the hot summers. Now everyone knows, that facade of the building, that is being most frequently photographed, is actually the back of the building. Cafes are located in front of the edifice for visitors who want to get a better shot. Shops surrounding Hawa Mahal can be more expensive than elsewhere, so it’s recommended to be vigilant and not buy from them unless you’re a good bargainer.
Entrance Fee: 200 INR for foreign tourist, 50 INR for local
Opening hours: Everyday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Visit Duration: 1 hour
Royal Gaitor
If you’re more of a fan of historical and spiritual places, you should definitely visit Royal Gaitor while being in Jaipur. Situated in an isolated corner of the city and surrounded with slums, nonetheless it’s safe to go there in daylight by either Tuk-Tuk or Taxi. The site has a heavy cultural and historical meaning, because it is where the Maharajahs Pratap Singh, Madho Singh II and Jai Singh II’s rest, and where locals honor them. Therefore, visitors should respect the holiness of the site. Pictures are allowed.
Entrance Fee: 30 INR
Opening hours: Everyday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Visit Duration: 30 - 60 minutes
The Monkey Temple
The temple owes its name to the sheer amount of monkeys roaming the place. Effectively, you can buy nuts for 10 rupees to feed them, but you should be careful as males can get provoked easily. Many people reach from the main entrance located on the other side of a hill but It is much cheaper to use the entrance next to Galta gate, that is closer to the city and the Sun Temple. This small temple also deserves one's attention as it lies majestically on the top of a hill in the outskirts of Jaipur, and it is a perfect spot to enjoy sunset with Jaipur's panorama.
Entrance Fee: For free, but expect to pay donation of around 20 INR
Opening hours: from dusk till down
Visit Duration: 1 - 2 hours
The City Palace
Situated in the heart of Jaipur's pink city, the palace comprises numerous edifices, vast courtyards, attractive gardens, and represents a souvenir of the majestic history. The Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal and Pitam Niwas Chowk are just few of the significant structures in the complex. The city palace housed the throne of the Maharaja of Jaipur who was the head of Kachwala Raiput clan. The palace and its structures have been designed combining the architectural elements of mughals, Europe and the shilpa shastra of India. Perfect blend of colours, design, art and culture can be seen in every nook and corner of this amazing place.
Entrance Fee: 500 INR for foreign tourist, 190 INR for domestic
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Birla Mandir
Birla Mandir, Jaipur is a Hindu temple located in Jaipur and it is an example of just several Birla mandirs scattered around India. It is also known as Laxmi Narayan temple. Before 1985 it was more a religious site than a touristic attraction. Then, as the legend says, the deity was invoked and the temple was opened for public to visit. The temple is dedicated to the preserver Lord Vishnu (Narayan), and his consort Lakhsmi, the Goddess of wealth. Many of deities of Hindu pantheon are depicted inside of the building. The sculptures outside of walls show great historical figures from all other religions, including Socrates, Zarathustra, Christ, Buddha and Confucius, among many. Birla Mandir is a great example of India's religious tolerance.
Entrance Fee: 150 INR for foreign tourist, 190 INR for domestic
Opening hours: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Comments