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The original Old City is divided into buildings and courtyards, with the seven-storey Chandra Mahal, or Moon Palace, at its center.  Though the city has expanded far beyond its original borders, a good bit of the original wall is still intact. Today, though the ground floor and outer courtyards of the Palace are devoted to a museum, the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, a former maharajah still occupies a portion of it the palace.  The museum has an extensive collection of rare manuscripts, Moghal and Rajasthani miniature paintings, Moghal carpets, costumes and textiles, arms and weapons and other royal objects.

Astronomy in Jaipur

The Maharaja Jai Singh’s interests included the study of astronomy and he sent scholars abroad to study existing observatories before beginning construction in 1728 of the Jantar Mantar observatory, which today is still of keen interest for visitors.    He filled the observatory with numerous instruments with which to study the stars; look for the magnificent sundial with a 30 meter high gnomon (the piece that casts the sun’s shadow to show the time) which is said to cast up to a 4 meter shadow. Of the five observatories he constructed, this one is the best preserved. 

More in Jaipur

Other structures of note in Jaipur include the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, built in 1799 and designed by the architect Lalchand Usta.  The five-story structure looks over the heart of the old city and is an excellent example of Rajput work.  Maharaja Sawaj Pratap Singh built this palace so that ladies of the court could look out at the bustle of the city but not be seen from the street.  The Central Museum south of the old city is housed in Albert Hall in the Ram Niwas Gardens.  Expect to see many aspects of Rajasthani life on display, including materials from the rural areas.  The Gardens include a zoo.

Shopping

Expect to see people dressed colourfully and often wearing similarly colourful enamel jewelry called meenakari. Happily, you can buy what you see! Jaipur offers excellent shopping and is especially well-known for semi-precious gemstones. One can also readily buy miniatures, handicrafts, clothes, as well as silver and lac jewelry.

Festivals Throughout the Year

Jaipur hosts several festivals throughout the year, the most prominent being the Elephant Festival in March on the eve of Holi, the festival of colors.  The Gangaur Festival is held annually in honor of the goddess Gauri, several days after Holi.  Married women pray for their husbands; unmarried girls pray to get a husband. The women chant hymns to the goddess Parvati.  The Teej festival celebrates the beginning of monsoon season during July and August and is dedicated to the goddess Parvati.

Near Jaipur – Amber Palace and Nahagarh Fort

Only 11 km from Jaipur is Amber Palace, the ancient capital of Jaipur state, built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh.  It is an excellent example of Rajput architecture, perched on a hill, overlooking Maota Lake.  The Jai Singh family completed it before moving to the plain below. The majarajah’s apartments are on the upper terrace.

Overlooking Amber is the Nahagarh Fort, about 6 ½ km away, built by Jai Singh II in 1734, also provides a magnificent view of Man Sagar Lake. The Jaigarh Fort, built in 1726 by Jai Singh is on top of a cliff with a great view of the plains.  Inside walkways offer excellent views from all sides.