JAIPUR The "pink city" and Rajasthan`s colourful capital, is full of things to see and do.The capital of Rajasthan was founded by Swai Jai singh 11 in 1727 A.D. He was not only a great ruler, but also a renowed mathematician and astrologer. Jaipur is also called as the first planned city of the country. It was designed by vidyadhar bhattacharya as per the hindu treatise, shilp shastra.

There are impressive monuments, an excellent range of handicrafts, a wide verity of cuisine, and entertainment that can keep you enthralled for days. In fact, you will find yourself wanting to extend your holidays. It`s a city that can cast its spell on you from the moment you arrive.

The old capital of JAIPUR The important places to see are the city palace, Hawa mahak, Rambagh palace, jantar mantar, central Museum , Dolls Museum, and Laxmi Narayan Temple etc. Jaipur is also a shopper`s paradise, with its rich treasure of bewitching jewelers.

Jaipur is also a city of contrasts- the new city has spacious roads alotted with narrow congested streets, bazars and artisan`s quarters. This part of town is a facinating place to wander around, especially at sunset. Providing a stunning backdrop to the city are the ancient forts and palaces which create a dramatic picture of a bygone era.

CITY SIGHTS
AMER FORT (11 KMS.) It was the capital of Kachhwahas for six centuries before the foundation of Jaipur. Amer, stands a top a range of craggy hills. The fort is remarkable as much for the majestic grandeur of its sourranding as for its sturdy battlements and beautiful places. It is a fine blend of Hindu and muslim architecture.

A beautiful complex of places , halls, pavellions, garden and temples built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about two centuries still stand in magnificent state.

CITY PALACE The City Palace complex lies at the heart of the city. Getting in is simpler than it once was. Though the erstwhile maharaja and his family and close friends use the triple-arched Tripolia Gate to enter their section of the palace, most visitors are ushered in through Atish Pol which is located close to the royal stables. At the heart of the complex is the seven-tiered Chandra Mahal where the erstwhile royal family is still in Residence, though only a small part of the apartments are occupied. However, it is only the buildings around Chandra Mahal that are open to the public, and these also form part of a museum which includes everthing from grand outfits (including one with 18 kilos of golden thread woven into it) to swords and two silver urns that are believed to be the largest silver objects in the world. The architecture seems to consist of a number of arched., pillared halls, while courtyards with painted doorways are a prominent feature.

HAWA MAHAL (The palace of winds )
Located to one side, but a part of the City Palace complex, Hawa Mahal is best viewed from the street outside. If it were not for the bustling bazaar all around, it would have been easy to mistake it for a film set, so exqusitely is it proportioned, and so incongruous is its delicacy. Hawa Mahal consists of five tiers of corridors on the inside, with pierced screen windows that overlook the street below. It is believed that women of the royal zenana would sit concealed behind these screen to see life in the city beyond the walls of the palace.

A stone observatory, part of the City Palace complex, Jantar Mantar is one of several other astronomical observatories created by Maharaja Swai Jai singh 11 (others are in delhi, Banars, Ujain). Jai singh 11 had a passion for astronomy and used astronomical inventions from different cultures in the creation of these observatories, the largest of which is in Jaipur.

is housed in the Albert Hall in the Ram Niwas Public Garden, south of the old city. Exhibts include models of yogis adopting various positions , tribal ware, dioramas depicting various Rajasthani dances and sections on he decorative arts, musical instruments and tribal costumes. To the right of albert Hall is the Durbar Hall and it houses a collection of old carpets, some 400 years old.

The park supports a population of 375 species of birds, numerous mammals and reptiles. With the onset of winter, migratory birds from all over world come here. They arrive by August and leave in early March. Visitors include Coot Snipes, Spanish Sparrow, Red Crested Porhard, Rosy Pelican and Flamingo & Indian sarus. The special attraction, however, remains the arrival of the rare Siberian Crane. The park is also rich in Pythons, Spotted Deer, Sambhars, Blue Bull, Black Buck, Jackals, Otters, Fishing Cats, Monitor Lizards.

AJMER: It is the holy city of Rajasthan is located 131kms. It is famous for the Tomb of the Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, the Dargah Sharif. The city was founded by the Chauhan ruler, Ajaipal, during the 11th century and is dominated by the Taragarh Fort built by Prithviraj Chauhan. Some 800 years ago, a splendid embankment was built by Anaji by the lovely lake, Ana Sagar and some 500 years later. Shah Jahan erected 5 beautiful marble pavilions.

PUSHKAR: It is 11kms from Ajmer along the picturesque pushkar Lake lies the tranquil town with deep religions significance `Nag Pahar` or snke Mountain forms a natural boundary between Ajmer and Pushkar The lake with 52 ghats and an array of temples along the banks is an important pilgrimage center of Hindus.

FESTIVALS OF JAIPUR
Festivals hold an unusual lure for the Rajasthanis, and they find any number of reason to celebrate. While some of these are traditional festivals. However, some of the larger and more and more important celebration are listed below.

Elephant Festival ( MARCH )The unsuals event of celebrating with ellephants, while the rest of the country plays with colours at Holi.

Gangaur Festivals ( April ): Idols of Issar and Gangaur, manifestation of Shiva and Parvati are worshipped by women, and particularly those unmarried who pray for a consort of the like of Shiva.

Teej Festival ( August): The celebration of the monsoons is also the time to renew the ties of fidelity for married couples in Rajasthan, and special sweetmeats, and swing rides are characteristic of it.

SEASONS: The best season to visit Jaipur (Rajasthan) is (September to March)

SHOPPING: Jaipur is a treasure trove for the shopper, and there is everything here that the heart desires. As a major gems and jewelers center you can count on finding some of the country finest`s jewelry here usually in a traditional stale called Kundan, .or enam-ebled ware besides, hand-block printed Sanganeri and bagru cotton fabrics, brassware, exotic blue-pottery made from crushed quartz, leather footwear and more.

ACCESS: Jaipur is connected by Air from Delhi, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Aurangabad. Jaipur`s Sanganer Airport is 15km from downtown, a drive of 30 minutes from most hotels.

By Road :- Jaipur is well connected by road. Delhi-260 kms, Agra-232 kms., Bikaner-321 kms, Ranthambore-114 kms, Sariska-115 kms, Udaipur-405 kms.