PREFACE

This is the second part for Jaipur – A city with so much to explore and much variety for every visitor. Some of my readers suggested making my write-ups shorter. So I split lengthy blogs into two or three parts. I also made some photo features to make my readers enjoy some of the beautiful sceneries of those places without the burden of reading.

And here is the second part of Jaipur Series.

Missed and/or would like to revisit the first part. Check it out here. JAIPUR – ABUNDANCE OF ROYALTY.

A SHORT INTRODUCTION AGAIN

Jaipur still holds a true picture that reflects the luxurious royalty of the kings that ruled here around 400 to 600 years ago. It is also special by the fact that it is known by the reflection of a particular color as the identity of the cityscape. Apart from many Forts and gardens. exploring a traditional Rajasthani culture and food in an artificial village is also part of the itinerary for many. The particular place is known as Choki Dhani. These are all in addition to the buzzing local markets, wonderful handicrafts that adds the value of each visit.

WHERE IS JAIPUR & HOW TO REACH 

Jaipur is one of the major tourist attractions close to the capital city of India. It is well connected by road, rail, and air. Please refer to a comprehensive guide on how to reach Jaipur here. 

FIRST HALT ON THE SECOND DAY – PALACE OF WHEELS

This may be the only city with regulation that was in place to use a particular color for the buildings and structures. The pink color is so predominant with the identity of the cityscape. Even a newcomer to the city would make a statement that this is a Pink city. 

One such building was the first point where the driver took us. We were still in the heart of the city then and in front of an old gigantic three-storied building. The building was Pink in color and it was known as the Palace of Winds. We heard about the Palace of wheels earlier. A luxury train but the Palace of Wind was new. It is a more than 200-year-old monument in a pyramid shape.

ONLY 950 WINDOWS IN A BUILDING

What makes the Palace of Wind building unusual is the number of windows that are visible from the street. With more than 950 in numbers, and is helpful in air circulation within the building.  That is the reason behind the name Palace of Wind too. The purpose was to keep the palace cool even in the summer season.

These windows and screened balconies were exclusively for Rajput royal women who never come out in public. And they used to see the daily royal processions moving across the street through these windows. The size of the windows is too small like a peephole. So it was never possible for anyone from outside to see the faces of Royal women while they look outside standing behind the window. It was a funny thought though when thinks about the number of royal women if all the windows were being occupied at the same time.

CITY PALACE 

There is no scarcity of forts and palaces within the city of Jaipur. And all those lies within a few minutes of driving between them. The name of the next point of the visit was itself City Palace. As the name says, it is situated right inside the heart of the city. Within the exhausted and congested City of Modern Jaipur, a palace is occupied in a vast area that may be equivalent to the city outside without any similarity between them. That was an exaggerated thought though.

The size and the effort in the construction of its boundary wall would give some insights into the huge area that fort occupied inside the cityscape. It is worth mentioning since the recorded history has a special mention on it. This palace was built because Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh who was ruler then was in need of another capital while ruling from Amer fort. It was mainly because of the increased population and water shortage. Hence he started the construction according to Vaastu Shastra and the completion was credited to the many of his successors.

HOW THE HUGE PALACE IS DIFFERENTIATED

The huge complex consists of different gates for entry reserved for separate purposes. They are mainly entry for Royal people, common man, etc. As per the guide, there are three huge gates known as Puls. The inside area also boasts of many uniquely constructed palaces, gardens, temples. The most notable portions for the visitors now are Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Museum, and a temple.

MUBARAK MAHAL

Mubarak Mahal which also means welcome is converted to a museum that exhibits a variety of royal clothes worn by Kings and Queens. The most notable one was one set of huge size dresses belongs to Raja Madho Singh who was weighed around 250 Kgs and short in height.

CHANDRA MAHAL

Walking through another gate which decorated with the monolithic statue of an elephant on the sides will lead to Chandra Mahal. It is a seven-storied building where much of the area is still using by the current generation of the royal family. From there the main attraction is Diwan –e – Khaas or the hall of Public audience. It is rectangular in shape with beautifully made arches that open to all four sides. Specially made chandeliers were also seen, This added the aesthetic beauty of the building.

A CONTAINER WITH GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS

One of the important items here is two huge silver jars that can hold around 4000 liters. With a height of approximately 5 feet, and it used to keep water from river Ganga. It is known as Gangjali too due to the same reason. It is included in the Guinness book of records for being the biggest silver container made as a single piece without any soldering or fabrication. This is manufactured to carry Ganga water, while Maharaja traveled to London as he never uses water from any other sources.

There was another exclusive area for Diwan e aam. Here many personnel weapons and armory and chariots can be seen. The Cannons used then were also on display.

PRITAM CHOWK

Next was Pritam Chowk, a courtyard boast of with absolutely stunning designs of gates on the four sides. The four gates represent four seasons. The gates are named as peacock. rose, Lotus, and green gate. And they built accordingly to mesmerize the onlookers with an awe-inspiring fashion of craftiness and equally matching doorways.

Another day was gone in the city of Jaipur with the visit to these two wonderful locations. There was still plenty on our list that has been pushed to the next day.