Discover Jaipur

Amber Fort:

Situated in a strategic location a few kilometres from the town of Jaipur is the remarkable Amber Fort.  It was (and still is) an imposing and rugged defensive structure on the outside which was in stark contrast to its ornate and lavish interior as befitting the Maharaja’s and their families who lived there.  Amber’s gates are gigantic; designed to allow elephants to pass during stately ceremonies,  and once inside there are four main courtyards, each situated on a different level. The main areas to be visited are the Diwan-i-Aam, or “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-i-Khas, or “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate was artificially created by winds that blew over a water cascade within the palace. It is worth heading up to the Jaigarh Fort for the views that it offers over the valley and the fort below.

City Palace & Museum:

The city palace in Jaipur is a sprawling blend of Rajasthani and Mughal and even some aspects of European architecture, located in the centre of Jaipur.  The ruling family moved here from their previous home, The Amber Fort in 1727 and a portion of the palace is still home to the current royal family of Jaipur. However,  a large part of it has been converted into a wonderful museum – full of exquisite miniature paintings, royal manuscripts, Mughal carpets, musical instruments, royal costumes and weaponry. It also houses two giant silver vessels which have made it into the Guinness Book of Records as being the largest in the world. Half a day can easily be spent exploring this magnificent palace, its courtyards and audience halls.  In the evenings there is also a sound and light show and the relatively newly opened restaurant, The Baradari is a great place for dinner.

Jantar Mantar:

The observatory is the largest and the best-preserved among the five built in India by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the 18^th century.  UNESCO’s World Heritage List describes it as “an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince…” What is extraordinary about this observatory is that it still tells the time accurately to this day. As well as being a fascinating monument to visit, it is spectacular in its design and therefore allows plenty of scope for photographers, budding and professional alike.

Hawa Mahal:

Known as the ‘Palace of Winds’, the Hawa Mahal was designed in the form of the crown of Lord Krishna, the Hindu god. Its unique five-storey exterior resembles a honeycomb and it contains 953 small windows decorated with intricate lattice work as befitting the royal lady’s for whom it was constructed; the original intention of the lattice was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life on the street below without being seen. It is only the façade that can be seen today but being unique, and a beautiful piece of architecture it has become an essential stop on a tour of Jaipur for that obligatory photo!

Jewelry:

At one time, eighty percent of the world’s precious and semi-precious stones would pass through Jaipur for shaping and polishing on their way to market and still today, Jaipur is renowned at the Gem Capital of the world. Many world-renowned designers come here to buy their jewels and have their own designs made.  The jewellery shops in town reflect this rich heritage and offer extraordinary pieces and private collections which can be viewed on request. However, Jaipur also offers a dazzling array of gems and jewels and has something for every budget.  The bustling bazaars of the old city are packed with all sorts of treasures, visit Chameliwala Bazaar (silver market) and Maniharon ka Rasta (lac bangle lane) and the world famous Meenakari jewellers.

Block Printing:

The block-printed cottons of Jaipur have been renowned for their exquisite patterns and colouring for at least two hundred and fifty years. The traditional prints and designs can determine which village you were from or marital status etc and the prints favoured greatly by the Mughal Emperors and their imperial courts, featured delicate floral sprays, spaced evenly on a white, pastel blue or yellow ground of fine cotton. The tradition of hand block printing has continued to exist on a parallel universe, stubbornly resistant to industrialization, and is to this day practiced without the aid of mechanization or computerization. It is this defiant indifference to mechanization that gives block printing the aura of a pure craft form and makes block printed textiles so highly regarded throughout the world.

Close to Jaipur are the famous towns of Sanganer and Bagru, both renowned for their block printing yet both places having their own unique styles and prints.

Blue Pottery

The blue pottery of Jaipur has influences from Persian,Turkish and Chinese Pottery but it originally came to Jaipur via Kashmir.  Over the years it has developed and modified, taken influences from the local culture making it uniquely recognised as coming from Jaipur. It is made from Egyptian paste, is glazed and low fired. This pottery is opaque and mostly decorated with animal and bird motifs. It can be found in many places around the city and is a lovely souvenir to take home.

Walking Tours:

The old, walled city remains a heady mix comprising a labyrinth of fascinating, colourful and hectic bazaars.  Beyond the main avenues, we encourage you to take a walking tour into the labyrinthine streets, to the uninitiated a seeming maze, but where you can discover a host of unexpected treasures. Men, in tiny workshops, firing gold rings and polishing priceless precious stones, diamonds, emeralds and rubies for Jaipur’s famous jewellery industry as well as a workshop for world class enamel work. Visit just a few of the 4500 temples it houses, there are even public ones in private houses, experience the wedding bazaar with all manner of paraphernalia and also sample some of the street food that India is famous for!

Cycling Tours:

An early morning cycle tour is a great way to explore Jaipur. This is when the city is waking up, flowers are being delivered to the traders, milk is being collected for distribution, even huge blocks of ice are wheeled around the streets for those wanting to buy. Early morning ceremonies are taking place at temples and the streetfood and chai stalls are already open and doing business to catch these early markets.  A cycle tour is a great way to learn a lot about the local culture.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris

A hot air balloon safari enables you to gain a unique view over Jaipur.  On your hour long flight, you will also get to enjoy the incredible views as you fly over the city and beyond to the countryside and its villages.  This literal birds eye view over the villages of Rajasthan gives a wonderful insight into rural life, women lighting fires on rooftops to make chai and breakfast, cows being let out to roam, yoga taking place and hoards of excitable children shrieking, waving and chasing the balloon as you pass over head.

Beyond the City

Within an hour and a half’s drive of the city are fascinating monuments, rarely visited by tourists intent on following the main tick list.  The deserted town of Bhangarh, allegedly India’s most haunted destination is a beautiful place to visit and the Chand Baori step well at Abhaneri is one of Rajasthan’s most impressive sites, and is well worth the photo opportunity.

Fairs & Festivals

Festivals in India despite often being boisterous and noisy affairs, are traditionally colourful, vibrant and full of joy. Many are for religious purposes, with each religion celebrating each religious festival, whether their own or not, whilst others can be for other specific reasons ie: camel trading horse fairs. What most of them have in common is that they follow the lunar calendar meaning that the dates change every year. Jaipur has many festivals throughout the year and we have listed the main ones for you with their dates.

As India is developing, so people are realising its potential in many different areas and now-a-days, many fairs are coming up which specialise in different aspects of its culture:
The Jaipur Literary Fair is now the largest literary festival in Asia. From Nobel laureates to local language writers, Man Booker prize winners to debut novelists, every January the most remarkable, witty, sensitive and brilliant collection of authors come together for five days of readings, debates and discussions here in Jaipur.  The Fair is held in January every year.

Polo

The origin of Polo, also known as the ‘The Sport of Kings’, goes all the way back to Persia. The game first played in Persia dates back to the 5th century BC or much earlier. Because of which most of us may have almost forgotten how strange a thing it is that so huge and powerful and intelligent an animal as a horse should allow another, and far more feeble animal, to ride upon its back.

Regardless of your age or riding experience Horse Riding, polo Chakkars, Polo Stick and Ball at The Rambagh Polo Club.
It may also be possible to watch how the professionals train these horses and interact with them. Observe how a polo pony is trained, it is carefully selected for quick bursts of speed, stamina, agility and manoeuvrability. Temperament is critical; the horse must remain responsive under pressure and not become excited or difficult to control. Watch and maybe learn how they are trained to be handled with one hand on the reins, and to respond to the rider’s leg and weight cues for moving forward, turning and stopping.

Indian Cookery Classes

Learn to cook authentic Indian food with Manjul Kumari one of the owners of the beautiful Mandawa Haveli.
Each class will give you an opportunity to not only learn an authentic Indian meal but also interact with Manjul and her family and learn about the spices and cooking traditions of India along with delightful insights into the culture and traditions of Rajasthan.

Each cooking class of a minimum of 1-2 hours:-

3-4 dishes including a dessert.
Lunch or Dinner (depending on the time booked.)
Bottled water
Non-alcoholic beverages
Printed recipes to take home.
The cooking demonstration can be either vegetarian or non vegetarian and ends with a meal.

For enquiries please contact the Hotel Reception