We continue with the second episode of the Golden Triangle, this time we are in Jaipur. If you want to read the previous article about the city of Agra, click on this link .
After spending a wonderful night in Agra we arrived in Jaipur after about 4 hours drive. Jaipur , also known as the Pink City , is the capital of the state of Rajasthan . The city was built in pink stucco to imitate sandstone, and this color has become a symbol of Jaipur. Its beauty, charm, and historical importance have led to it being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Jaipur is a model of a pre-modern city in terms of the regulation of its streets, with neighborhoods divided by avenues and latticed streets. In addition, its architecture, palaces, and gardens make it one of the most visited cities in India.
The hotel in Jaipur
Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Jaipur we stayed three nights at the Sarovar Premiere Jaipur hotel, a 4-star hotel from a well-known hotel chain in India : Sarovar. This was our longest stay of the second leg of the trip (you can read more about how we started this adventure by clicking on this link ).
This hotel also met our expectations 100%. The Sarovar Premiere has a restaurant on the ground floor and a bar with a chill-out terrace that, although not part of the hotel, is just outside. The rooms were comfortable, clean and spacious, as were the common areas of the hotel.
Shri Jagat Shiromani ji Temple
He Shri Jagat Shiromani ji Temple is a 250-year-old temple in Jaipur dedicated to Lord Krishna. It was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century. Showcasing a blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles, this temple houses a sculpture of Lord Krishna and is a venue for religious festivals and events. Apart from its spiritual significance, the temple is an example of Rajasthan's cultural heritage.
On our trip, we had the opportunity to visit this temple because our guide was a devotee of the temple. He took us to the sacred place where his brother was officiating a religious event. We were asked to help out at the event, which turned out to be a truly authentic experience. This visit not only allowed us to experience the architectural beauty and rich history of the temple, but also gave us an intimate insight into the religious practices and devotion of the local community. It was, without a doubt, an experience that brought us closer to the true essence of Rajasthani culture and traditions.
Amber Fort
Amber Fort is a palatial complex located in Amber , 11 km from Jaipur . This impressive fort sits high in the mountains surrounding Jaipur and stretches across Maotha Lake . It houses massive gateways, courts, staircases and pillars, recalling the glory and opulence of Amber's association with the Mughals . Amber Fort is a historically and culturally significant site, and tourists can climb the fort from the base of the hill on an elephant. During the walk, one can admire the beautiful views of Jaipur, Maotha Lake and the original city wall, the third largest wall in the world and currently closed to the public due to the incursion of panthers and other wild animals after Covid. It is notable for the Hall of Mirrors : When royalty lived here, at night, when they needed to pass through this room, they would light a single candle, and thanks to the design of small mirrors, the entire room would be illuminated .
Jal Mahal
The Jal Mahal or Water Palace is situated in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake, near Amber Fort. It was built around 1699 , and the building and its surrounding lake were subsequently renovated and expanded in the early 18th century by the Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber. However, this palace is currently only accessible by boat, the lake is polluted and the palace is uninhabited and unmaintained.
Hawa Mahal
One of the most SPECTACULAR buildings in all of India. The Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds is located in the center of the city. It was built in the year 1799 by the Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and designed by Lal Chand Usta . It is part of the Jaipur Palace and served as an extension of the zenana or women's chamber intended for the harem. The original function of the building was to allow royal women to observe daily life on the city streets without being seen.
The Hawa Mahal is built in red and pink sandstone, with inlays made of calcium oxide. The façade facing the street has a total of 953 small windows . The wind that circulated through these windows gave the palace its name. This wind kept the palace cool even in summer. Unlike other Indian palaces, the Hawa Mahal is not surrounded by gardens, but is located in the centre of one of the main streets of the city. Its exterior structure is reminiscent of the tail of a peacock, an animal of great symbolism in India.
Jaipur Palace
He Jaipur Palace , also known as City Palace , was built between 1729 and 1732 by Sawai Jai Singh II , the founder of Jaipur. The palace incorporates a large number of courtyards, gardens and buildings, and displays a fusion of Indian Shilpa Shastra architecture with Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles. Today, part of the palace has been converted into a museum, but most of the palace is still a royal residence.
Within the palace complex is the Baradari Restaurant & Bar . Owned by the royal family of Jaipur , this restaurant offers a variety of Indian, Asian and European dishes in a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere. At this restaurant you can enjoy a meal or just a drink without leaving the palace, although you can also make a reservation without having to buy a ticket to the palace. The restaurant is known for its quality food and excellent service – a true oasis of luxury. Without a doubt, if you visit the Jaipur Palace, I recommend that you eat or drink something at its restaurant, as it provides a unique experience combining beauty, history and delicious Rajasthani cuisine.
Patrika Gate
The Patrika Gate It is the entrance to the Jawahar Circle Garden , one of the largest circular parks in Asia, located south of Jaipur. This majestic and colorful gate is located very close to the Jaipur airport. Patrika Gate is famous for its striking pink colouring, which predominates throughout the structure, and is adorned with other brightly coloured elements.
The gate is made up of nine doors with their nine pavilions, each of them nine feet wide, making a total of 81 feet wide (9×9), while the height is 108 feet. Inside, traditional life in Jaipur is depicted, with images of kings and rulers, jewels, forts, monuments, battles, weddings and gods. All the pillars and parts of the gate are hand painted, making it a magical place to photograph. Also, at the back are the giant letters of Rajasthan, another good place to take some posing photos.
Transportation Tips in India
In India, the two most common options for getting around the country are: hiring a private driver or traveling by train. We were able to experience both methods of transportation, but on this last trip we decided to hire a private driver from the company RAJASTHAN DRIVER TOURS , run by Ranjeet.
The advantages of hiring a private driver include flexibility in planning your trip, freedom from train and/or flight schedules, comfort and safety. The disadvantages may include loss of immersion in Indian culture and higher cost compared to travelling by train.
The truth is that we had no problems with Ranjeet and he advised us and booked all the guided tours, he met all the schedules and welcomed us perfectly.
The trip cost us €155 per person (there were 5 of us) for 7 days with airport transfer. Choosing a private driver is definitely the best option, especially if they make things as easy for you as Ranjeet does.