Rajasthan serves as a gateway to a bunch of tourist destinations such as Jodhpur (Blue city), Jaisalmer (Yellow city) Udaipur (Lake city) and Jaipur (Pink city). Jaipur is also the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan and it is located on the North-western part of India.
#HawaMahal
Besides its dominant pink colour scheme of its buildings, Jaipur is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Jantar Mantar and the Amer Fort.
#JantarMantar [Ancient clock]
#Amerfort [Palace of the Jai Singh II]
History
The city of Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the Ruler of Amer who ruled from 1699 to 1743. He planned Jaipur based on the principles of Vastu shastra and it is a popular tourist destination in India that forms a part of the west Golden Triangle tourist circuit along with New Delhi[capital of India] and Agra[Taj Mahal].
Why Pink!
Jaipur is a standout amongst the most socially rich legacy urban areas in India. During the rule of Sawai Ram Singh I, the city was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, in 1876. Many of the avenues remained painted in pink, giving Jaipur a distinctive appearance and the epithet Pink city.
Culture
Downtown Jaipur Jaipur has many cultural sites like Jawahar Kala Kendra formed by Architect Charles Correa and Ravindra Manch. Government Central Museum hosts several arts and antiquities. There is a government museum at Hawa Mahal and an art gallery at Viratnagar. The prior rulers of Jaipur patronised a number of arts and crafts. They invited skilled artisans, artists and craftsmen from India and abroad who settled in the city.
Some of the crafts include bandhani, block printing, stone carving and sculpture, tarkashi, zari, gota-patti, kinari and zardozi, silver jewellery, gems, kundan, meenakari and jewellery, miniature paintings, blue pottery, ivory carving, shellac work and leather ware.With a wonderful combination of ancient royal heritage and ultra-modern life method Jaipur displays a cool presentation of urban lifestyle.
Cuisine
Typical dishes include Dal Baati Churma [Flour dough and lentil], Missi Roti, Gatte ki Sabzi, Ker Sangri, Makke ki Ghat, Bajre ki Ghat, Bajre ki Roti and variety of dessert like Ghevar, Feeni, Mawa Kachori, Gajak, meethi thuli, Chauguni ke laddu, and Moong Thal.
Before you start planning your holiday to this amazing cultural land, language is the first thought that might strike you now, but don't worry! The main language of Jaipur is Rajasthani, Dhundhari, Marwari, Hindi and English.
So its really time to pack your bags now to visit this splashing pink historical city!