Jaipur City Guide
About
Jaipur is the fast-moving capital of Rajasthan and one of the most visited places in India. Many of the buildings within the walled city are painted pink. Hence the city is known as the “Pink City.” When one enters this city, one is charmed by the old-world, picturesque atmosphere.
Jaipur is known for its Royal Palaces and magnificent architecture. The city is also famous for its handicrafts. The lacquer bangles from Jaipur are famous all over the world. A tourist can visit forts, haveli’s and colourful bazaars in Jaipur.
Climate
Temperature
Summer – Average Max 44.6°C, Average Min. 25.8°C
Winter – Average Max. 20.0°C Average Min 8.3°C
Average rainfall- 64 cm
Best Season- September to March
Weather of Jaipur can be termed as warm, being situated in the desert area. The city is situated at an altitude of 431m above sea level.
Jaipur has extreme type of Climate. Summers are extremely hot with shining sun whereas winters are comparatively cool. However, the nights in winters are cold. The climate and weather of Jaipur is usually hot. The summer season persists from Mid-March to June reaching to the maximum temperature of 45º C.
The Monsoons come usually in the month of July. The city doesn’t receive much rain. During the post-monsoon season in September, Jaipur gets hot spell once again. In winters, the city of Jaipur observes bright and pleasant sunny days, though the temperature can reach a low of around 5º C during the nights. Winters arrive from the month of October till the month of March.
Jaipur Facts & Figures |
|
| Area: | 200.4 sq. km. |
| Geographic Location: | Jaipur is located at 26.92 degrees N and 75.82 degrees E. |
| Altitude: | 431 m above sea level. |
| Climate: | Three main seasons – summer, monsoon and winter. |
| Summers (March to June) | |
| Winters (November-February) | |
| Monsoon (July-September) | |
| Maximum Temperature: | 45 degree centigrade |
| Minimum Temperature: | 5 degree centigrade |
| Rainfall: | 556 mm |
| Languages: | Rajasthani, Hindi and English. |
| Religion: | Hinduism is the major Religion observed here. Other religions include Islam, Jainism, Sikhism and Christianity. |
| Best Time to Visit: | Winters |
| STD Code: | 0141 |
Local tours by bus
The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) organizes half day and full day sight seeing tours of Jaipur and Amber. The eternities of the tour includes City Palace and Museum (except Fri), Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, and Jantar Mantar.
The full-day tour also includes Nahargarh Fort, Birla Mandir and the doll Museum. The full day tour is advised to the tourists.
The bus tour departs from the railway station, but you can be picked up at any RTDC hotel. The full-day tour goes from 9 am to 6 pm. The hours for the half-day tour are: 8 am to 1 pm, 11.30 am to 4.30 pm, and 1.30 to 6.30 pm.
On Saturdays and Sundays the RTDC organizes a bus tour from 6 PM to 10 PM to Nahargarh Fort and Chowkhi Dhani.
Places to Visit
Jantar Mantar (Astronomical observatories)
It was built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It means the “instruments for measuring harmony of the heavens”. It is the largest stone observatory in the world. Jai Singh also built observatories in Delhi, Varanasi, and Ujjain. There are eighteen gigantic instruments in the observatory.The observatory has the Jaiprakash Yantra, Samrat Yantra, Ram Yantra and the Composite instrument, which comprises of a sundial and a massive hemisphere. The Jantar mantar in Jaipur is the most famous one among the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh and is located close to the gate of the famous City Palace of Jaipur. So when you are in Jaipur, do not miss the opportunity to check out the biggest stone observatory in the world.
Timing 9.00 to 16.30 hrs, Entry Fee Rs. 10.00, Phone: 2610494
Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal was built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh; it is the most famous monument of Jaipur. The Mahal is 5 storied & semi-octagonal in shape. It has 152 windows; hence it is called as “Hawa Mahal”.It was originally designed for the royal ladies to watch & enjoy the processions and other activities on the street below.
Timing 10.00 to 16.30 hrs, Entry Fee Rs. 5.00: Phone: 2618862
Jal Mahal
The Jal Mahal Palace, Jaipur is noted for its intricate architecture.
The Palace was developed as a pleasure spot. This small palace is set in the middle of Man Sagar Lake; hence it’s called as “Jal Mahal”.
Dolls Museum
It’s a collection of beautiful dolls from all over the world; it is situated on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg.
Timing 10.00 to 16.00 hrs, Phone: 2619369
Nahargarh Fort
Beyond the hills of Jaigarh, stands the fort of Nahargarh like a watchful sentinel guarding Sawai Jai Singh’s beautiful capital.
Nahargarh Fort is also known as the Tiger Fort and was built in 1734. The fort overlooks the city of Jaipur and is flood lit at night. There is an outstanding view of the valleys below. To reach the fort one has to take a winding 8 km road from Jaipur. Alternate routs is a difficult 2 km walk up from the northwest part of the city.
Open daily 10 to 5 pm, admission Rs 5 and camera Rs 50.
There is a cafeteria next to the fort where you can get snacks and fast food.
Jaigarh Fort (15 kms.)
standing on a hilltop, overlooking the palaces and city of Amer. The world’s biggest cannon on wheels- the Jai Ban is positioned here, built during reign of Maharaja Sawai Jaisingh. It has a twenty feet long barrel and pumped in the cannon for a single shot. Timing 10.00 to 16.45 hrs,
Entry Fee for Indians Rs. 15.00 & for foreigners Rs. 20.00
City Palace and S.M.S. II Museum
It is situated in the heart of the old City, it occupies about one seventh of the old city area. The palace is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture; it houses a seven storied Chandra Mahal in the centre, which affords a fine view of the gardens and the city. Diwan-E-Am (Hall of public audience) has decorations and collection of manuscripts, Diwan-E-Khas (Hall of private audience) has a marble pawed gallery Mubarak Mahal has a rich collection of costumes and textiles. Much of the palace cannot be visited because it is used as the home of the current Maharaja, Sawai Bhawani Singh. The palace was opened to tourists in the 1950s.
Timing: 9.30 to 16.45 hrs.
Entry Fee for Indians: Rs. 35.00 and for foreigners: Rs.150.00 inclusive of entry to Jaigarh fort.
Vegetarian Restaurants in Jaipur
Hotel LMB in Johari Bazar, is one of the famous restaurants in Jaipur. No onion or garlic is used in the cooking here. It is well known for its famous Indian sweets. At night there is live Indian classical music.
Natraj, on MI Road, has excellent Indian and Chinese food (11 am to 2 pm & 7 to 10 pm).
Surya Mahal, next door is a recommended higher-class place, which has very good Indian, Chinese and pizzas.
Annapurna, nearby behind Raj Mandir Cinema, has good Gujarati dishes at economical prices.
Woodlands, in the Hotel Meru Palace, Sawai Ram Singh Road, is a first-class South Indian restaurant.
Shopping in Jaipur
Jaipur is a great place to shop. A tourist will find a wide range of camel leather items, carpets, handicrafts and jewellery. Bapu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar are the main places to buy cloth. Johari Bazaar is famous for jewelry and gems. Also on two alleys off Johari Bazaar, Gopalji Ka Rasta and Haldiyon Ka Rasta (near Hawa Mahal), there are semiprecious stone shops and assorted silversmiths.
Tripolia Bazaar, Kishanpol bazaar, Bapu and Nehru Bazaar are the various markets of Jaipur, where you can find fabrics and carpets.
Jauhari Bazaar is the one of the best markets to buy tie and dye items in Jaipur.
One can also buy best buy Jaipuri quilts from the shops located near Hawa Mahal. A tourist can explore Amber Road that lies between Zorawar Gate and Holiday Inn to see the range of hand-block prints, blue pottery, handicrafts and antiques.
The marble carvers are in the Kheje Walon ka Rasta area, which is southwest of the old city, just south of Chandpol Bazaar.
Content updated in January 2023