Jaipur Tourist Attractions
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Top Tourist Attractions in Jaipur
Jaipur is the pink capital of Rajasthan with many hilltop forts and beautiful palaces. Jaipur was founded in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, who laid out the city according to the principles of Shilpa-Shastra - an ancient Hindu architectural exposition. In 1876 Maharaja Ram Singh requested that the entire city be painted pink, a sign of hospitality, to honor the visit of the Prince of Wales.The Old City of Jaipur, surrounded by walls, is the main attraction for tourists. Within the Old City are numerous attractions.Jantar Mantar is an observatory that began in 1728 and was built of stone and marble. Each instrument on display had a specific purpose and was scientifically designed. The Ram Yantras were used for gauging altitudes and the huge sundials calculated time as the sun's shadow fell on various points.The Shree Sanjay Sharma Museum is a collection of items dedicated to the memory of Shree Sanjay Sharma, who died as a boy. His memory is honored with games, bookstands, photographs of yoga poses from the 18th C and over 125,000 manuscripts.The Museum of Indology comes from an extensive private collection of folk-art and oddities. Nahargah Fort or Tiger Fort as it is also known was built on a cliff overlooking the city of Jaipur. It offers spectacular views!
Amber Fort
The delicate pink fortified palace was built in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh I. Amber, pronounced Amer, was the ancient capital of Jaipur.Amber Fort is among one of the best hilltop forts in India, it is carved into the hillside and the reflection of the fort is vivid in the Moata Lake. Tourists can climb up to the fort from the road or take a turn in the jeeps that travel up regularly or for even more excitement, ride one of the elephants.The Jaleb Chowk is the first court inside Amber Fort and it is filled with souvenir shops and decorated elephants. Next is the Shila Devi Temple, dedicated to the goddess of war, Kali. To the left of the temple is the Hall of Public Audience (Diwan-i-Am) with decorated walls and terraces that are frequented by monkeys.Further in the Fort is the Sukh Niwas (Hall of Pleasure), next to the third courtyard filled with flowers, that has a channel that used to carry cooling water. The Temple of Victory (Jai Mandir) is near the Maharaja's private apartments. The decorative panels and colorful ceilings are noteworthy and Jai Mandir provides excellent views of the palace and the lake below.Just above Amber Fort is the Jaigarh Fort, built in 1726 by Jai Singh. The lookout towers have remained intact, the formidable walls are still standing and Jaigarh has the world's largest wheeled cannon.
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