A majestic fort with a hilltop setting and an opulent palace within its premises – that’s Amber Fort and Palace for you. One of the most iconic forts in Jaipur, Amber Fort is steeped in history and remains a glorious example of architectural brilliance. The fort includes magnificent structures like the Sheesh Mahal, Shukh Niwas, and the Diwan-e-Khas or Hall of Private Audience. The light and sound show held here every evening brings alive the fort and its history, which is something you must not miss out on.
The rocky ridges of the Aravali Hills cradle Nahargarh Fort, a majestic monument that overlooks Jaipur and offers a stunning view of the city’s landscape. Built in 1734 by Jai Singh II, the then Maharaja of Jaipur, Nahargarh Fort was part of the city’s defense circle, along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort. The fort served as a hunting retreat for the royal family. Today it is a splendid viewpoint to watch glorious sunsets over the Pink City.
When you are making a list of must-visit places in Jaipur, you can’t leave out Jaigarh Fort. Standing at a height of 500 feet above the sea level, this 18th-century fort adorns the Cheel Ka Tila or the Hill of Eagles in the Aravali Range like a crown. Rugged beauty defines this fort that boasts of red sandstone construction. It was a prominent center of artillery production for the rulers of this land. One of the main attractions of Jaigarh fort is the Jaivana cannon, which was once the world’s largest cannon on wheels.
Located in the heart of the city, the City Palace is one of the most remarkable tourist attractions in Jaipur. The architecture of this palace is a splendid blend of Rajput and Mughal styles. Flawless engravings and fine artworks lend this place a distinct beauty. Adorned with sprawling gardens, courtyards, halls, royal residences, and art galleries, every part of this palace reflects Rajputana glory. The palace also houses a museum where you will come across the royal garments used by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I.
Hawa Mahal is a five-storied pyramidal edifice constructed out of red and pink sandstone and is among the most popular tourist places to visit in Jaipur. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799, it features 953 small windows and looks like a honeycombed hive. The interior chambers of this building enjoy a cooling effect due to the breeze blowing in through its incredible lattice of windows. If you climb to the top of the Hawa Mahal, you can get amazing views of the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar from there.
Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory that dates back to 1734 and was built under the commands of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It houses the world’s largest sundial made out of stone, in addition to nineteen other architectural astronomical instruments. This place has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and a visit to Jantar Mantar definitely deserves to be on your list of
Standing in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake, Jal Mahal is a spectacular five-storied palace that features the Rajput style of architecture. It was built as a hunting lodge for the rulers of this land. When the lake is full, four of these stories remain submerged under the water and only the top one remains visible. The palace is off-limits for visitors, but you can always enjoy its picturesque view by taking a boat ride in the lake.
Palaces and forts are not the only historical places to visit in Jaipur. Albert Hall Museum, the oldest museum in Rajasthan, is a treasure trove of artifacts that give you a glimpse into the region’s rich history and heritage. Named after the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, this museum has a rich collection of jewelry, paintings, ivory items, sculptures, crystal works, carpets, and metal artifacts. An Egyptian mummy housed here counts among its main attractions.
Touted as one of the most enticing sightseeing places to visit in Jaipur, Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh is a picturesque garden that symbolizes the everlasting love between Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and his second wife, Rani Sisodia Jai Singh. This multi-level garden is dotted with beautiful fountains, lovely watercourses, and spectacular pavilions highlighted with wall paintings of Lord Krishna.
Amar Jawan Jyoti is a memorial built to honor the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the nation during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971. The simple structure with the upturned rifle is a big draw among tourists and locals alike. Once the sun goes down, the memorial stands brightly illuminated against the dark sky, making it one of the best
Jaipur Zoo is home to around 50 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. If you are traveling with kids, a visit to the zoo will be one of the most
Also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple, the Birla Temple is one of the most magnificent. . Built with resplendent white marble stones, the temple stands against the backdrop of lush greenery and presents a breath-taking sight. The walls of the temple are ornamented with various scenes and quotes from the Bhagavad Gita. This grand place of worship looks spellbinding when illuminated at night.
The Galta Ji Temple is one of Jaipur’s famous places and is recognised as a highly sacred destination with enormous historical value. The temple complex is essentially a cluster of temples, with Galta Ji serving as the main temple. The temples are constructed within a tiny mountain pass gap in the Aravalli hills. Galta Ji is also referred to as Galwar Bagh or the Monkey Temple due to its large population of monkeys. The langur monkeys and rhesus macaque are the species of monkeys that you can see at Galta Ji. The monkeys in this area are notorious for robbing tourists of their goods and meals. They are so infamous that if they spot someone carrying food, they will simply steal it from them. It becomes important to carry all items in a bag and to avoid eating anything in the open. The ideal time to go to Galta Ji in Jaipur is from February to March, and between October and December. It is not advisable to visit Rajasthan during its unbearably hot and unpleasant summers.
Govind Devji Temple is a famous and revered place of devotion in Rajasthan, as well as the most significant in terms of Rajasthani rulers’ history. The temple is devoted to Lord Govind Devji, one of Lord Krishna’s incarnations on Earth, who is revered as the main god of the Kachwaha Dynasty of monarchs of Amber/Amer. The ceilings of the marble and sandstone construction of the Govind Ji Temple are coated with a golden layer. The temple’s design is a synthesis of Rajasthani, Muslim, and Classical Indian styles. As befits a structure constructed next to a royal palace, exquisite paintings and chandeliers adorn the walls. The temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden called Talkatora.
Moti Dungri is a hilltop temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha. The shrine dates back to 1761 but the idol is believed to be more than five centuries old. The idol here has its trunk positioned in the right direction, which is a rare thing. The serene ambiance and the unique idol are the main attractions of this place.
On three sides, there are hills around the Khole Ke Hanuman Temple. This temple was built in 1960 and is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Hanuman. It is a must-see with its amazing views of the Aravallis and serene atmosphere. This Hanuman temple is a Jaipur famous place and gets a lot of visitors every day of the year, particularly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Persons from all religions, local residents, and tourists visit the temple. The best time to visit the temple is around 7:00 PM when the evening aarti is performed.
