Imbibed in the grandeur of a rich traditional past that jauntily plays along with the elements of today, Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan is a destination of vibrant and chaotic beauty that runs along its roads and paints interesting reflections upon the windows of its enthralling palaces. Known as the Pink City, there’s an anecdote behind how the city earned that nickname for itself. In 1876, it so happened that Prince Albert of Wales and Queen Victoria visited India on a tour and planned a stopover at Jaipur. So, to welcome the guests, the then Maharaja Ram Singh repainted the entire city in terracotta pink. The Prince is said to have exclaimed the words “Pink City!” upon his visit, thus giving the city its much renowned nickname. Places to Visit: Amer Fort: Located in the town of Amer, 11 kilometres away from Jaipur, this magnificent fort encompasses a vast palace complex built from yellow and pink sandstone, and white marble. The fort is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. Although a mere 10 minutes’ walk from the road will take you the fort, the most preferred manner of getting there is a ride atop an elephant’s back, something that is recently being frowned upon by animal welfare groups. Jantar Mantar: Begun by Jai Singh II, a lover of astronomy, Jantar Mantar was built for measuring the heavens. The name is derived from the Sanskrit yanta mantra, which means “instrument of calculation”. In 2010, Jantar Mantar was added to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. If you’re someone looking to learn more about the fascinating mechanism of the instrument, you’ll definitely require a local guide to run you through the technicalities of the historic observatory. Hawa Mahal: A monument that is almost
Imbibed in the grandeur of a rich traditional past that jauntily plays along with the elements of today, Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan is a destination of vibrant and chaotic beauty that runs along its roads and paints interesting reflections upon the windows of its enthralling palaces. Known as the Pink City, there’s an anecdote behind how the city earned that nickname for itself. In 1876, it so happened that Prince Albert of Wales and Queen
