An Ultimate Travel Guide to Jaipur - The Pink City of India
Each state within India has a unique identity of its own. They all host different cultures, natural scenery, landscapes, and climates than others. This has led to tourists describing their tour in India as a tour of many countries. Among the illustrious states of India is the state of Rajasthan.
This state is a mostly desert-like state with the Thar desert covering around 70% of the state’s total landmass. Despite this, the state has many amazing tourist destinations for people to enjoy like the city of Udaipur. Among these places is the city of Jaipur, otherwise known as the pink city of India.
It is also the capital of Rajasthan which houses a lot of significant monuments and is one of the most popular places in all of India. So, keep reading to learn the travel guide to Jaipur, the pink city of India.
Why Is Jaipur Called the Pink City?
A question that all of you might be asking is, why is Jaipur called the Pink City. The reason behind this name is due to the pink color that is present on every building in the state that is also made in uniformity around the entire area. In the state of Rajasthan, the color pink is associated with hospitality and thus the city was colored pink.
It is also said that the city was colored pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria of Britain to the country. This feature of Jaipur has made it one of the most recognizable and memorable places in all of India.
What Languages to Expect from the Locals In Jaipur?
Since Jaipur is located in the state of Rajasthan, the state's regional language Rajasthani will be the most common language you will get to hear from the locals. Hindi being the most common language of India is also very commonly spoken by the locals. Other languages like Urdu may only be recognized in some areas of the state.
Luckily, English is also well known in most parts of Jaipur, especially in city areas where your itineraries will be present.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Jaipur?
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan which is a desert state. This means that the ideal time of the year to visit the city of Jaipur is during the Winter season. Many of Jaipur's most popular travel destinations are large open areas that require you to walk long distances to explore properly.
Jaipur also has an incredible market complex where you can purchase all sorts of trinkets, souvenirs, and other items.
The weather in Jaipur is almost always a clear sky which means you will be walking directly under sunlight which can quickly build up heat. So, the Winter season, when the sunlight is welcome to protect against cold, is the best time you can visit Jaipur. The winter season in India starts in October and ends in February.
So, the best time to visit Jaipur is between October and February. As a side note, try to plan your visits to popular travel destinations in Jaipur during the dawn or dusk. Both of these times of day experience the least amount of tourists in these places which provides a more open and free exploration experience.
How to Reach Jaipur?
Jaipur is well connected via main highways and railways which allow a passage into the city from almost everywhere in India. It also has an airport of its own which allows air travel from a lot of far away places like Chennai and Mumbai. The Jaipur International Airport is around 13 KM away from the main city, but several taxis and cabs are available to take you into Jaipur.
The best way to reach Jaipur is via the National Highway that connects Jaipur to Delhi or by boarding a train going towards the Jaipur Junction Railway Station from anywhere in the country. These 2 options will take around 5-6 hours if you are traveling from Delhi.
Popular Tourist Places In Jaipur
When it comes to tourist places present in Jaipur, you will find all sorts of forts, palaces, and if your time of arrival is fortunate, the festivals of the city. Some of these popular tourist destinations are mentioned below:
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal, otherwise also known as the Palace of Winds, is one of Jaipur's most popular places for tourism. The entire palace structure was built in the shape of a honeycomb with a 5-floor interior and around 953 small windows being created all around the palace complex.
These windows also called Jharokhas were designed to allow the women born in royalty to witness the festivals of the kingdom without being seen by the common folk.
Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal, otherwise known as the Water Palace is one of the most unique tourist spots ever built in the city of Jaipur. The whole palace is built in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. It is made from using red sandstone and is a five-story structure with four of these stories submerged under the water.
Tourists are allowed to explore the outside of the visible part of the palace freely without any charge. However, the inside of the palace is restricted from tourist exploration. The Man Sagar Lake is also surrounded by the popular Aravali hills that give this entire place a picturesque appearance.
Jal Mahal has elements of both Rajput and Mughal architectures in its design which is reflective of the rich history associated with it. If you want the best experience of exploring the Jal Mahal, visit this place during sunrise or sunset.
This palace looks gorgeous with the sun's light passing through its redtone and the water of the Man Sagar Lake reflecting a beautiful image of the palace.
Albert Hall Museum
Albert Hall Museum is one the oldest remaining structures in the city of Jaipur. It was designed to house several artifacts, jewels, sculptures, and paintings. This museum went under a complete overhaul and was re-opened in 2008. After the overhaul, Albert Hall Museum has become one of the most advanced museums in all of India.
Govind Dev Ji Temple
Govind Dev Ji Temple is a holy place of worship in Hindu culture which is located inside the City palace. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha and it is said that the deities worshiped in this temple were brought from Vrindavan to this place.
The City Palace
The City Palace in Jaipur is one of its largest tourist destinations which contains temples, gardens, courtyards, and pavilions. This palace also provides a great insight into the rich history and culture of Jaipur with remnants of British, Mughal, and Rajput influence scattered around the entire complex.
India is composed of many states, all of which have something that gives them a separate identity of their own. From the cold mountains of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to the Coastal beaches of Goa and Maharashtra, a tour of India is capable of providing a whole bunch of experiences within the same country.
One of these states that make India such a unique country is the state of Rajasthan. The capital of this state, Jaipur is one of the most unique and memorable places in all of India. It boasts excellent hospitality and many tourist destinations that allow tourists to look into its rich history.
So, if you wish to visit the Pink City of India, prepare your Indian tourist e-visa and pack your travel essentials for the journey.
Check your eligibility for Online Indian Visa and apply at least a week before your scheduled trip to India. Citizens of many countries including Austrian citizens, Bahamian citizens, Bolivian citizens, Italian citizens, Greek citizens and Korean citizens are eligible for India e-Visa.