Jaipur Sights

Hawa Mahal
The signature landmark of Jaipur, which features on every brochure, guide book and poster of Jaipur, is Hawa Mahal. Its importance comes from the extraordinary design of this pink stone edifice. It is called a palace but it was never meant for residential purpose. Its five storied pyramidal structure and its numerous carved balconies made the historians and architects to conclude that it was meant for the royal women to have a glimpse of the proceedings in the outside world, without being noticed. Its strategic location, facing one of the busiest streets of Jaipur, confirms this conclusion.

This fine honeycombed structure was constructed by Pratap Singh in the year 1799. It is a part of the City Palace and houses a museum that exhibits historic relics, paintings, arms and other priceless artifacts of the royal era. One can enter the palace only from a door on the hindsight.

Nahargarh
Nahargarh Fort, also known as the Tiger Fort, is situated on a high cliff of the Aravalli Hills. A winding 8 km long road from Jaipur runs towards the fort. It was built in 1734 by Sawai Jai Singh and renovated in 1868 by Maharaja Ram Singh to gift his wives. The legend behind the fort says that the fort was named after a dead prince, whose spirit didn't allow the mason to complete the fort structure, until it was named after him.

Designed by the famous architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, it has some striking features including its nine identical chambers, meant for the King's wives and a royal suit for the king himself. The palace is equipped with western styled comforts in kitchens, bathrooms, corridors and suits.

Royal Gaitor
The royal Gaitor contains cenotaphs of the members of the royal families of Jaipur from the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Jai Singh II to the last Rajput ruler, Maharaja Man Singh II. It is situated amidst the valleys of Nahargarh. You can spend a moment of peace here in the unusual silence of the surroundings and the beautifying marble structures. The tombs here are made of creamy and translucent marbles, which are intricately carved and painted with soothing colors.

Jal Mahal
A dream like water castle built upon the blue carpet-like waters of Man Sagar Lake, and enveloped by green gardens and brown hill elevations, served as a summer resort for the royals of Jaipur. Built by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh in 1799, this masterpiece is still considered to be a landmark heritage of Rajasthan. Enjoy a luxuriant and refreshing experience here, as the soothing winds and sparkling waters meet the carved architectural extravaganza.

Sisodia Rani Palace & Vidyadharji-ka-Bagh
Sisodia Rani Palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in 1728, to gift his second wife, the princess of Sisodia from Udaipur. Facing the palace is an exuberant garden called Sisodia Rani ka Bagh were the princess used to spend her leisure hours in nature's scenic creations. The garden is beautifully laid out in Mughal fashion and contains theme based sculptures and frescoes of the immortal love of Krishna and Radha.

Close to the Sisodia Palace lies another lush garden, abundant with seasonal blossoms and plantations. It is called Vidyadharji ka Bagh, which was built by Maharaja Jai Singh for his chief architect Vidyadhar. You can commute from Ghat Gate to this place by a bus or autorickshaw, which are available at regular intervals.

Galta & Surya Mandir
At a distance of 10 km from Jaipur, on the Jaipur-Agra road, is situated a Hindu pilgrimage spot where sage Galav is known to have meditated. Surrounded by rocky cliffs, low hills and natural reservoirs, the area contains several temples like the Galta Temple, Lord Balaji Temple and the 18th century Surya Temple. Lord Galtaji's temple is made of pink stone and exquisitely painted walls, though most of these paintings have faded due to heavy rains.


On the highest peak of the area is the Surya Temple, which was built by Rao Kriparam. The temple has some beautiful frescoes and offers a splendorous view of the plains. There are several tanks in the area, which are fed by a natural spring originating from a cow's mouth shaped rock shelve. These tanks used by pilgrims to take a holy dip, specially on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. The most sacred of all tanks is the Galta Kund, which never dries up.

Iswari Minar Swarga Sal
Near Tripolia Gate lies a tall minaret named Iswari Minar Swarga Sal, after Maharaja Jai Singh's son Iswari. One of the important landmarks of the old city, this towering structure is sometimes referred to as the 'heaven piercing minaret'. Prince Iswari Singh, who built this monument, killed himself in a rather gruesome way, to prevent from surrendering in front of the Maratha army. After his death, his 21 wives performed the traditional ritual called jauhar, in which the wives used to die on their husband's pyre.