If you’re planning a visit to India then you must add Jaipur to your list of places to see. Often called the ‘Pink City’, Jaipur is a popular draw card for both local and foreign tourists alike. Read on for our top ten reasons why you should visit Jaipur in addition to important information to help you plan your trip to this charming city.

 

 

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Jaipur

  1. Jaipur is the capital and largest city of Rajasthan
  2. It sits within the golden triangle route of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur making it easy to get to
  3. Jaipur makes for a perfect tourist destination as it has held on to its rich heritage, culture and architecture which can be seen in its splendid and majestic monuments, brilliant bargain-filled bazaars, and delicious, mouth-watering Rajasthani cuisine
  4. The city is filled with many beautiful attractions – from stunning forts and glorious palaces to tranquil temples and beautiful havelis
  5. Jaipur has some of the best restaurants serving traditional Rajasthani food
  6. There are several transport options available making it easy and affordable to get around Jaipur
  7. The shopping in Jaipur is second to none – the city specialises in producing exquisite handicrafts and spectacular jewellery
  8. Jaipur has some of the best festivals in Rajasthan which bring colour, life and revelry to the city
  9. There are so many things to do and places to see that it is possible to spend several days here and still not see it all
  10. Given its location, Jaipur serves as a stepping stone for travellers heading to other Rajasthan cities of Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur

 

 

Brief History of Jaipur

Located 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra, Jaipur is the capital and largest city of Rajasthan. Established in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur is India’s first planned city.

Jaipur is often called the ‘Pink City’ due to its distinctly coloured pink buildings in the old city which were originally painted pink to replicate the red sandstone architecture of Mughal cities. The buildings were subsequently repainted to the current earthy red colour for a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876. The tradition has been maintained and today all residents in the old city are compelled by law to preserve the pink colour.

 

 

Key Statistics of Jaipur

Population: 3.4 million (2014)

Area: 623 sq. km.

Elevation: 431m (1,414 ft)

Area code: 141

Primary language spoken: Hindi

Primary religion: Hindu

 

 

Jaipur Festivals & Events

It is worth scheduling a visit to Jaipur during one of their fairs or festivals that are held on a grand scale as the city is the most colourful and liveliest at this time. There’s the Elephant Festival in March, Gangaur is celebrated in March/April and Teej celebrations occur in August. Diwali, celebrated between late October and early November, is the biggest Hindu festival in India. These festivals are very impressive and many tourists make it a point to visit Jaipur during these months. Be prepared for throngs of tourists, both local and foreigners, during this time.

 

 

Jaipur Transport Options

Getting to & from Jaipur

Jaipur is well connected to other Indian cities via rail, air and bus services.

By Air – Jaipur International Airport is in the satellite town of Sanganer, 10 km from the city centre, and offers sporadic service to major domestic and international locations.

By Train – The Indian Railways network is one of the best and cheapest in the world. Daily trains connects Jaipur to the neighbouring cities of Delhi, Agra, Ajmer, Alwar, Udaipur and Jodhpur as well as the main Indian cities of Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Coimbatore, Chennai, Jamshedpur, Nagpur, Gurgaon, and Chandigarh.

By Bus – Regional bus services run from Jaipur to neighbouring cities including Delhi, Agra, Pushkar, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.

 

Getting Around Jaipur

Several modes of transport operate throughout the city making it easy and affordable to get to and from the Jaipur tourist places. For the budget traveller, there are three main bus routes within Jaipur that connect the old city to outer suburbs as well as Ajmer. For travellers who require more comfortable travel options, there are taxis and auto rickshaws which are easily available from anywhere in the city. Private cars with chauffeurs can also be booked through hotels in the city. Jaipur Metro, a rapid transit rail project is under progress. It began trial runs in September 2013 and is expected to start operating from June 2014.

 

 

Tell us what you think. What attracts you to Jaipur? If you’ve already visited Jaipur, what did you like best about this city? 

We love to hear from you so please leave your comments below. 

 

 

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