jaipur, India
Explore Jaipur
Khamma Ghani! Welcome to the land of palaces, lakes, alluring architecture and the Rajputs. Offering a perfect blend of old world charm and new world comfort, Jaipur – The Desert Capital of India is unlike any other city in the country. The magnificence and grandeur of the city comes alive with its rich culture and the glorious past. If you are an architecture junkie and crave to have an insight on the expertise of old artisans, Jaipur is the city for you. The city's infrastructure is elegant and tremendously royale - so much so that it attracts travellers from India and abroad, alike.
Getting There
Jaipur being one of the major cities of the country is well connected to almost every part of India by different means of transport, including air, rail and road. Though the most convenient way to reach Jaipur is by air, you can opt for other means as well. Sanganer airport, located at a distance of 10 kilometers from the city is the nearest airport to Jaipur. The airport has flight connectivity from major cities, like Mumbai and Delhi. You can also travel to the 'Pink City' by bus. Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC), Volvo and Deluxe buses run regularly between Jaipur and Kota, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Vadodara and Udaipur. For a royal travel experience, you can travel to Jaipur on a train. Palace on Wheels is one of the luxury trains connecting Delhi to many other cities in Rajasthan. There's also Shatabdi Express, Ajmer shatabdi, Jaipur Express and Adi SJ Rajdhani to choose from. Hop on and get going!
Where To Stay
Homestays are the ultimate lodging destination in Jaipur, which are packed with a range of amenities and give you a handful of insight into the culture and religion of the town. Diverse progenies of this royal land have transformed much popular and extremely delightful architectural gems and heritage properties to Jaipur homestays. There are over 25 homestays in Jaipur offering a variety of accommodations from luxury properties to romantic escapes, to guest houses ideal for families and best value accommodations. Curating the best among the heritage stays in Jaipur, some awe-inspiring havens are Rawla Rawatsar, Dera Rawatsar, Dera Mandawa. If you are looking for villas in Jaipur, you can browse through properties like Palm34 in Civil Lines, and Home Away From Home and Bassi House Homestay in Vaishali Nagar. All these properties are equipped with modern amenities and offer complete comfort to its guests. In addition to villas and heritage homes, you can also find lavish apartments, comfortable B&Bs and luxurious guest houses in Jaipur. The properties have been categorised as per the localities and landmarks. Some of the popular localities with homestays in Jaipur are Bani Park, Jawahar Nagar, Vaishali Nagar and Civil Lines. The homestays in these areas welcome all kind of travellers; be it a backpacker, a business traveller, a tourist, a solo traveller or a group of friends. Where customer satisfaction is the ultimate goal of the hosts at the homestays, there are also various arrangements made to cater to their work and pleasure needs.
What To See
At the city's heart, the City Palace is a serene amalgamation of rich Rajasthani and Mughal architecture housing vast courtyards, gardens, a museum and an art gallery. Another popular tourist attraction in Jaipur is Amer Fort, which has got a sudden spotlight after a popular movie Bajirao Mastani. You can take an uphill elephant ride to the fort's entrance and back to Amber to see the charmingly lit chowks and mahals in the evening. Heading a little towards the Aravali Hills, you can visit Nahagarh Fort. The fort is popular for its enchanting sunset view overlooking the entire city of Jaipur. You can head here with your family and friends, and enjoy the sunset as you grab some snacks and drinks at a cafe situated within the fort. Since Jaipur is a gateway to Rajasthan, there are some more enthralling sites where you can get a peak into the flamboyant lifestyle of the past rulers, including Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Rambagh Palace. For some religious inspiration, you can head to Birla Mandir, Galtaji Temple and Govindji Temple.
What To Eat
The food scene in Jaipur is as rich as the culture, churning the best from the royal kitchens. Heavy use of grains and pulses sets the authentic Rajasthani cuisine apart from the rest. Some of the popular food items from Jaipur are
Dal Bathi Churma, Dai Shorba, Ghevar, Pyaz ki Kachori, Ker Sangri, Gatte Ki Sabzi, Mava Kachori, Mirch Vada, Laal Maas, Mawa Naan and Gajak.
Where To Shop
Jaipur is a hub for traditional and handicrafts' shopping. Some of the best places for retail therapy are Johari Bazar (for gems, handcrafted items, jewellery, art and furniture), Tibbati Market (for pickels, jackets, knits, yarns and handlooms), Tripolia Bazar (for brassware and ironware utensils, lac bangles and jewellery, furniture, carpets and rugs), Aravali Bazaar (for handicrafts, ethnic handicrafts, puppets and decoration pieces), Chandpole Bazar (for colourful fabrics, jewellery and knick knacks), Bapu Bazar (for Mojari, fabrics, dress material and bedspreads) and Nehru Bazar (for textiles, perfumes and footwear).
Insider's Tip
Take a Jaipur heritage walk and work closely with the local artisans to understand the rich tradition and culture of the city, and to get connected to the local of living.
