UNESCO World Heritage Sites Part 2: Jaipur

The walled city of Jaipur was declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July last year. The second Indian city to be given the title, Jaipur is full of little charms and wonders that makes one awe at the sight and ambience. Rightfully one of the tourist hotspots in the country, it is one of the must-visit cities in the subcontinent.
So here we are with a short list of all the places you can see and all the things you can do in the Pink City of marvels! Ready? Let’s go –

HAWA MAHAL

Everyone knows Hawa Mahal whether or not they have been to Jaipur. It is one of the major landmarks of the city and stands at the intersection of the main road. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799, it was meant to be used by the women of the royal family and is made of red and pink sandstones.
Its unique structure is quite well-known, having as many as 953 tiny windows, allowing wind to enter the palace and keep it cool even during summers, hence the name ‘Hawa Mahal’.

AMER FORT

Standing on the top of Aravali Hill, Amer or Amber Fort was built in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh. Made up of pink and yellow sandstone, it is a magnificent site of historical as well as cultural value. It used to be the residence of the Rajputs back in the day and its architectural excellence attests to the fact. Apart from enjoying the fort’s maze like hallways, large gateways and paved paths, you can also ride an elephant up the stairs and enjoy a light show every evening.

JANTAR MANTAR

Another popular landmark and a well-known one- Jantar Mantar is the largest stone astronomical observatory in the world. It is located near City Palace and is not only historically and culturally but scientifically important as well. Built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh during the years 1727 to 1733, it has as many as 19 stone instruments to aid in the observation of the sky. Also, apart from being structurally and scientifically brilliant, Jantar Mantar houses the world’s largest sundial. And there is a light show here every evening too!

ALBERT HALL MUSEUM

The oldest museum in Rajasthan built in 1876, Albert Hall Museum boasts of an extensive collection of artifacts from all over the world. It is a must visit place if you love history and arts. Like most of the structures you will see in Jaipur, the museum is quite brilliant from the architecture point of view as well.

CITY PALACE

Another awe-inspiring site, City Palace which used to be the seat of Maharaja of Jaipur, takes up to one-seventh of the entire walled city of Jaipur. It was built during the years 1729 to 1732 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Jaipur. It has everything you would expect to see in a place built for royalty from numerous courtyards to beautiful gardens to well-crafted structures.

CHOKHI DHANI

Chokhi Dhani is a resort village established in 1989. It is one of the main tourist attractions of the city and offers a pleasant experience imbued with traditional Rajasthani and modern luxury elements. You can dine here and stay in the numerous cottages boasting of both good architecture on outside and a beautiful interior.

JAL MAHAL

You will find the Jal Mahal or the water palace in the center of Man Sagar Lake, surrounded by Nahargarh Hills just outside Jaipur. Built in the 1750s by Maharaja Madho Singh, it presents a magnificent sight with its beautiful structure and awe-inspiring surroundings. Though you can’t go inside, just its view from the lake is enough especially at night, when it shines with lights.

Apart from these, Jaipur has a number of famous temples as well including Akshardham Temple, Digambar Jain Mandir Sanghiji, Garh Ganesh Temple, Govind Ji Temple, Galtaji Temple, Moti Dungri Temple and Birla Temple. The local bazaars are a must-visit as well as the numerous cultural and handicraft museums. And of course, the baoris in and around the city are a sight to see as well.