The City - Jaipur

THE BUSTLING METROPOLIS WITH AN EXOTIC CHARM
Hosting India Stonemart 2009 is a fitting tribute to Jaipur - the Pink City, which is not only the capital of Rajasthan province but a living example of stone architecture. Palaces, forts, temples, hotels and many other modern and old buildings are the testimony of age-old practice of using natural stones. The city with its timeless beauty and appeal not only attracts tourist from world over but a throbbing centre for stone quarrying, processing and stone handicrafts.

JAIPUR, a fortified city, with seven gateways and surrounded by embattled walls with rugged hills on three sides is among the most picturesque cities in the world. Founded in 1717 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, city was built in accordance with the principles of town planning laid down in "Shilpashatra"- an epochal. treatise on Hindu Architecture.

Jaipur epitomises the adventurous sprit of Rajputana. In spite of growing into a busy metropolis, it still retains its character & rich cultural heritage- a beautiful fusion of past and modernity.

The city has irresistible appeal for visitor, attractions include majestic city palace, Jantar Mantar- the astronomical observatory, Hawa Mahal, Royal Amber place, Jai Mahal etc.

There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur's colorful bazaars where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms and trinkets. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvelous heritage hotels, once the residence of maharajas are worth admiration. Not to mention the ambling camels and cheerful people in multihued consumes that make your trip to the pink city a memorable one.
Area : Jaipur City (Municipal Limits 64.75sq Km. Pink city 9.8sq. Km)
Altitude : 431 meters
Climate : Mean Max Mean Min.
Summer : 45.0C 25.8C
Winter : 22.0C 0.3C
Rainfall : 64CMS
Best Season : September-March
Clothing : Summer Light tropical
Winter Light woollen
Languages : English, Hindi, Rajasthani

PRIME TOURIST SPOTS IN JAIPUR
SHEER SYMPHONY IN PINK

CamelsThe picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is colour washed pink-the colour assoicated with hospitality in Rajput culture.

Built in 1727 AD by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur displays a remarkable harmony and architectural splendor. The ancient heart of the Pink City still been in its fairy-tale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city. The only planned city of it's time, Jaipur is encircled by a formidable wall.

A young Bengali architect, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya formalized the city's plans in a grid system. The wide straight avenues, roads, streets, lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of main bazaars were arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (Chokris), in accordance with the principles of town planning set down in the 'Shilpa Shastra' an epochal treatise on the Hindu architecture.
PRIME SITES - THE CITY PALACE

City PalaceIn the heart of the old city is the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The carved arches are supported by grey-white marble columns ornate with floral motifs in gold and colored stones. Two carved elephants in marble guard the entrance. The retainers whose families have served generations of rulers serve as guides.

The palace houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chased handles, some of them inlaid with enamel and embellished with jewels and encased in magnificent scabbards.

The palace also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit, acquired by Sawai Jai Singh II to study astronomy in detail.
PRIME SITES - JANTAR MANTAR

Jantar MantarA stone observatory. Largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments, whose settings and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy. The most striking of these are the Ram Yantras used for guaging altitudes.
PRIME SITES - HAWA MAHAL

Hawa MahalBuilt in 1799 AD the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds is a major Rajput landmark. This five storey buliding along the main street of the old city is in pink splendour with semioctagonal and delicately honey combed sandstone windows.

The monument was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions of the city.
PRIME SITES - RAM NIWAS BAGH
Ramniwas BaghA lush spacious garden with a zoo, an aviary, a greenhouse, a herbarium, a museum and popular sports ground.

It was built by Sawai Ram Singh II in 1868 AD as a famine relief project. The Albert Hall fine example of Indo-Sarcenic style of architecture designed by Sir Swinton Jacob, was opened later with an exquisite collection of sculptures, paintings, decorative wares, natural history specimen, an Egyptian mummy and the celebrated Persian carpet. Recently, the Rabindra Manch with an auditorium, a modern art gallery and an open air theatre, has been added to promote cultural events.
PRIME SITES - AMER PALACE AND SHILA MATA TEMPLE
Amer PalaceA beautiful complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about centuries still stand in magnificent state.

The palace complex emerges dramatically from the placid waters of the Maotha Lake and is approachable only through a steep path. Tourists often ride on the elephant back to the Singh Pol and the Jaleb Chowk. Two flights of stairs rise from one end of the chowk, one leading to the Shila Mata Temple and other to the palace complex.

The image of the patron goddess, worshipped by thousands of devotees, was brought from Jessore in East Bengal (now in Bangladesh) by Raja Man Singh, to be installed here.

Amer PalaceA spectacular pillared hall Diwan-e-Aam and a double stroyed pained gateway. Ganesh Pole dominate the front courtyard. An elegant tiny garden in Charbag style beyond the corridors, has Sukh Niwas to is right and Jas Mandir to its left. The latter combines the Mughal and Rajput architecture, seen in its beautiful interior with intricately carved Jali screens, delicate mirror and stucco work and painted and carved dadoes. The well proportioned Mohan Bari or Kesar Kyari in the center of the Maotha Lake and the Dilaram Bagh at its north end provides a spectacular view of the palaces above.
PRIME SITES - THE OLD CITY

Once settlement of nobles, craftsmen and common folks, the city of Amer is now in ruins. The remnants of its rich past are the beautifully carved and planned Jagat Shiromani Temple, a Krishna temple associated with Meerabai, an ancient temple of Narsinghji and a magnificent step-well, Panna Mian-ka-kund.
PRIME SITES - JAIGARH
JaigarhOne of the few military structures of medieval India, retaining its ancient splendour in palaces, gardens, reservoirs, a granary, an armoury, a well planned cannon foundry, several temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted cannon the Jai Ban, one of the largest in the country are preserved here. The extensive parkotas (walls),watch tower and gateways of Jaigarh dominate the western skyline.
PRIME SITES - NAHARGARH
A sentinel to the Pink City is Nahargarh Fort, situated beyond the hills of Jaigarh. Although much of it is in ruins, the lovely building added by Sawai Ram Singh II and Sawai Madho Singh II provides interest to the fort.
PRIME SITES - BM BIRLA PLANETARIUM ( time 1200 hrs to 1900 hrs)
BM BIRLA PLANETARIUMThe Planetarium offers unique audio-visual educational and entertainment with its modern computerised projections system. For school groups concessions are acailable. Closed on last Wednesday of every month.
PRIME SITES - JAL MAHAL
Jal MahalJal Mahal was built by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 AD in the midst of the Man Sagar Lake as a pleasure spot. The Lake was formed by constructing a dam between the two hills by Sawai Man Singh I. During the winter months one can see a large number of migratory birds at the lake.
EXCURSIONS - SANGANER (12 KM)
SanganerLocated on the Tonk road. In addition to its ruined palaces, Sanganer has exquisitely carved Jain temples. The town is entered through the ruins of two tripolias (Triple gateways). The town is an important center for crafts industry and produces some of the finest hand printed textiles from unit of block and screen printers. This textile is popular all over the country and abroad.
EXCURSIONS - RAMGARH LAKE (32 KM NORTH EAST)
RamgarhA huge artificial lake created by constructing a huge dam amidst tree covered hills. While the temple of Jamwa mata and the ruins of the old fort are some of its antiquities, its beautiful landscapes, specially during monsoons, make it an idyllic picnic spot.
EXCURSIONS - SAMOD (40 KM NORTH WEST)
SamodThe beautiful Samode Palace, has been rebuild and renovated and provides a fine example of the Rajput Haveli architecture and is an ideal spot for outings.