Jaipur – Abundance Of Royalty. Part 2

PREFACE

This is the second part of Jaipur – A city with so much to explore and many varieties for every visitor. Some of my readers suggested making my write-ups shorter, so I decided to split lengthy blogs into two or three parts. I also added some photo features to let readers enjoy the beautiful scenery of these places without feeling burdened by too much reading.

A SHORT INTRODUCTION AGAIN

Jaipur still holds a true reflection of the luxurious royalty of the kings who ruled here around 400 to 600 years ago. It is also special because it is known by the reflection of a particular colour — pink — that gives the city its unique identity. Apart from the many forts and gardens, exploring traditional Rajasthani culture and food in an artificial village called Chokhi Dhani is also part of many itineraries. These experiences, along with buzzing local markets and wonderful handicrafts, make every visit worthwhile.

WHERE IS JAIPUR & HOW TO REACH

Jaipur, the gateway to Rajasthan, is one of the major tourist attractions close to India’s capital city. It is well connected by road, rail, and air, and lies around 200 km from Delhi. Frequent buses are available throughout the day.

PALACE OF WINDS, JAIPUR

This may be the only city where a regulation is in place to use a particular colour for all buildings and structures. The pink colour is so predominant that even a newcomer can easily call it the “Pink City.”

Our driver first took us to one such old, gigantic, three-storied building in the heart of the city. The structure was painted pink and is famously known as the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal). “Palace of Wheels” — the luxury train — was familiar, but the “Palace of Winds” was something new for us. It is more than 200 years old and built in a pyramid shape.

ONLY 950 WINDOWS IN A BUILDING

The unusual number of small and medium-sized windows all over the façade may surprise many. The building has around 950 windows, designed with a specific purpose by the architects of that time. These windows allow constant air circulation, keeping the building naturally cool even during summer. That’s the reason behind its name — Palace of Wind.

These screened balconies were meant exclusively for royal Rajput women, who never appeared in public. They used to watch royal processions and street activities through these windows. The openings are so small — almost like peepholes — that no one from outside could see the women’s faces. It’s a funny thought to imagine all the windows being occupied at once!

CITY PALACE

Jaipur has no scarcity of forts and palaces, most lying just a few minutes’ drive apart. The City Palace was our next stop, located right in the heart of the city. Within the busy and congested modern Jaipur, this palace occupies a vast area that feels like a city within a city. It may sound exaggerated, but the contrast was clear — a calm, peaceful atmosphere inside the palace walls and the noisy, busy life just outside.

The size and length of the boundary walls give an idea of how massive the complex is. Historical records mention that Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who ruled from Amer Fort, decided to build a new capital here due to the growing population and water shortage. The construction followed Vaastu Shastra, and later successors added to its glory.

HOW THE HUGE PALACE IS DIFFERENTIATED

The palace complex consists of different gates meant for different purposes — separate entries for royals, commoners, and special guests. According to our guide, there are three main gates, known as Pols. Inside, the palace boasts several sections with unique architecture, gardens, temples, and museums. The most notable ones are Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, the Museum, and a temple.

MUBARAK MAHAL

Mubarak Mahal means “Welcome Palace,” and it now serves as a museum showcasing royal garments worn by kings and queens. The most striking exhibit was the huge set of clothes that belonged to Raja Madho Singh, who was said to weigh around 250 kg and was short in height.

CHANDRA MAHAL

Passing through another gate adorned with monolithic elephant statues leads to Chandra Mahal, a seven-storied building. Much of it is still used by the current generation of the royal family. One of the main attractions here is Diwan-e-Khaas, or the Hall of Private Audience. It’s a rectangular hall with beautifully carved arches opening on all four sides. Grand chandeliers add to its elegance and royal charm.

A CONTAINER WITH A WORLD RECORD

One of the fascinating items here is a pair of huge silver jars, each capable of holding around 4,000 liters of water. Standing nearly 5 feet tall, these jars were used to store water from the Ganges River, known locally as Gangajal. They were made from single sheets of silver without any soldering — earning them a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest silver containers ever made. Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II carried these jars to London so he could continue using water from the Ganga during his travels.

Another area, Diwan-e-Aam, displays weapons, armory, and royal chariots — even cannons that were once in use.

PRITAM CHOWK

Next came Pritam Chowk, a courtyard with stunningly designed gates on all four sides. Each gate represents one of the four seasons — the Peacock Gate, Rose Gate, Lotus Gate, and Green Gate — all built to impress visitors with their detailed craftsmanship and artistic beauty.

Another day came to an end in the city of Jaipur after exploring these two wonderful places. There was still plenty left on our list, waiting for the next day’s adventure.

Missed Part 1? Click here to read the first chapter of my Jaipur adventures