Jaipur – Abundance of Royalty, Part 1 | Exploring the Pink City’s Timeless Charm

WHY JAIPUR

Jaipur – the capital city of Rajasthan, also known as the “Pink City” – still looks as young and royal as it might have been centuries ago, during the times of the ancient kingdoms.
The vibrant and colourful city surprises every traveller through its forts, gardens, and the entire cityscape that leaves everyone in awe. Some of the forts may take hours to explore and understand, and one of them even stands inside a lake. Some fabulous gardens are so attractive, including one that appears to float on the water.

Jaipur also boasts one of the gigantic astronomical observatories ever built – Jantar Mantar. Constructed centuries ago, it remains one of the rare observatories from that era still in working condition. It even houses the world’s largest sundial (a post is coming soon about this observatory alone!). Hence, a visit to Jaipur can always be taken for granted for its excitement and entertainment.

WHERE IS JAIPUR

Out of the many places or states that lie around Delhi, the capital of India, Jaipur seems to be the nearest and most easily approachable. Frequent buses make it a first-choice destination for many travellers, both Indian and foreign alike.

Approximately 240 km from Delhi, and soon after crossing Gurgaon – the plush city bordering the Delhi NCR region – a straight drive will get you to Jaipur, known as the Pink City. It can also be called the Gateway to Rajasthan.

Due to heavy traffic and bottlenecks, an overnight journey from Delhi to Jaipur is best started soon after lunch, allowing a good night’s sleep before exploring the city the next day.

IT WAS NOT ALL GOOD TO START WITH

The best way to utilize limited time in such a city-oriented trip is with the help of a guide. The hotel staff was very helpful in arranging a person to act as a driver-cum-guide for us. Despite it being early morning, the temperature had already reached an unpleasant level before we even left the room. But we didn’t let that bother us — the purpose of the visit was to enjoy the city rather than curse something beyond our control. After a hurried breakfast, we were out in town in the taxi.

WHY JAIPUR IS KNOWN AS THE PINK CITY

Our knowledge about this city was limited, except for the fact that the rulers were rich and very fond of it. The exclusive big forts, gardens, havelis, and temples built by them many centuries ago still exist as proof.

Jaipur is also known as the “Pink City.” Any newcomer won’t fail to notice the pink hue spread everywhere in the cityscape, making it easy to understand why the name fits so well. Every building, barring a few, was built with pink stones — a tradition dating back to the 19th century. Even today, it is regulated by law to use only pink stones for new structures, keeping the “Pink City” identity alive and well.

FIRST DESTINATION – AMER FORT

Our first stop was a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage site in the Fort category – the Amer or Amber Fort. The 400-year-old structure is built with red sandstone and white marble. It remains one of the most important attractions in Jaipur, having survived every kind of destruction that came its way. A nearby lake enhances its beauty. The fort is located about five kilometres from Jaipur city.

As the fort itself is huge, different areas were constructed in different styles, depending on their use. The sections are separated by gigantic gates with distinct names such as the Sun Gate and Ganesh Gate. Courtyard-like open spaces are common to each part.

THE JALEBI CHOWK

The first section of the fort is known as Jalebi Chowk. Don’t confuse the name — it is derived from an Arabic word related to the army. This place was used by the king to meet and discuss matters with his military personnel. It was part of his daily routine to collect details related to governance and daily affairs. Screened windows around the area allowed royal women to witness the proceedings without being seen.

A few steps from this courtyard lead to the second one, with a temple along the way. The silver doors of this temple are its main attraction. The temple is known as Shila Devi Temple, and this area is referred to as the Hall of Public Audience, supported by numerous pillars.

THE PALACE OF MIRRORS

The third portion was reserved exclusively for the king, and it features another entrance called the Ganesh Gate. This area is remarkably different from the rest, showcasing true royal grandeur through decorated arches and mirror-studded walls and ceilings.

Since mirrors of various sizes are used throughout, this section is famously called Sheesh Mahal or the Palace of Mirrors. Nearly every part — walls, pillars, ceilings — glitters with mirror work.

One unforgettable piece of craftsmanship is the set of marble pillars featuring seven intricate designs — lotus, lion’s tail, scorpion, hooded cobra, fishtail, corn, and elephant trunk. Each can be viewed by covering parts of the pillar with your hand to reveal the others. From this area, one can also enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding lake, gardens, and landscape.

Opposite to it lies Sukh Nivas, constructed mainly using ivory and sandalwood. The most fascinating feature here is its naturally air-conditioned environment — achieved centuries ago through ingenious water circulation systems that cooled the breeze flowing across the area.

THE LADIES-ONLY SECTION

The most interesting part for many visitors is the fourth section — the ladies’ quarters. The rooms were designed in such a way that when one wife went to meet the Maharaja, the others could not see her, even though they shared a public corridor.

Finally, no royal structure would be complete without a garden, and here too, a beautifully designed garden forms part of the fort’s landscape. With its bright colours and clever layout, it looks almost as if it’s floating — the perfect finishing touch to a magnificent fort.

Some reference links. 1) Wikipedia 2) Government of Rajasthan Page

How to Reach Jaipur

By Air:
Jaipur International Airport (around 12 km from the city center) is well connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata. You can easily get a taxi or cab from the airport to your hotel.

By Train:
Jaipur Junction is one of the busiest stations in Rajasthan. Several express and superfast trains connect Jaipur to Delhi, Agra, and other big cities. The Shatabdi Express from Delhi is one of the most convenient options.

By Road:
Jaipur has great road connectivity through NH48. It’s about a 5-hour drive from Delhi — smooth roads, scenic views, and plenty of places to stop for food make it a nice weekend road trip. Regular Volvo and deluxe buses also operate between Delhi and Jaipur.

Travel Tips

• The best time to visit is October to March, when the weather is pleasant for sightseeing.
• Start early for places like Amer Fort to avoid the heat and crowd.
• Keep a hat, sunscreen, and a bottle of water handy — Jaipur sun can be quite strong.
• Hire a local guide at the forts — they share interesting stories that you might miss otherwise.
• Don’t miss exploring local bazaars like Johari and Bapu Bazaar for souvenirs and traditional crafts.
• Try local Rajasthani dishes like Dal Baati Churma and Ghewar — they’re part of the royal experience!