Jaipur

Jaipur

Jaipur is the capital and largest city of the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan. As of 2011, the city had a population of 3.1 million, making it the tenth most populous city in the country. Located 268 km (167 mi) from the national capital New Delhi, Jaipur is also known as the Pink City due to the predominant colour scheme of its buildings in the old city. Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh II, the Kachwaha Rajput ruler of Amer, after whom the city is named. 

It is one of the earliest planned cities of modern India, designed by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. During the British colonial period, the city served as the capital of the Jaipur State. After Indian independence in 1947, Jaipur was made the capital of the newly formed state of Rajasthan in 1949. Jaipur is a popular tourist destination in India, a part of the Western Golden Triangle tourist circuit along with Delhi and Agra. The city serves as a gateway to other tourist destinations in Rajasthan such as Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Udaipur, Kota, Mount Abu and has two World Heritage Sites of Amer Fort and Jantar Mantar. On 6 July 2019, the city was named in the list of World Heritage Cities. It is also called the Paris of India. Its beauty led C.V. Raman to call it the "Island of Glory.

Culture and urban landscape

Tourism

Jaipur is a major tourist destination in India that is a part of the Golden Triangle. Jaipur was ranked the seventh best place to visit in Asia in the 2008 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Survey. According to TripAdvisor's 2015 Traveler's Choice Awards, Jaipur was ranked first among Indian destinations of that year. The Presidential Suite of the Raj Palace Hotel, which costs US$45,000 per night, was ranked second in CNN's list of the 15 most expensive hotel suites in the world in 2012. Jaipur was ranked eighth in the "Top 15 Cities in Asia"

Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC) is Rajasthan's biggest convention and exhibition center.

 Visitor attractions

The Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur is the oldest museum of the state and functions as the state museum of Rajasthan, India. The building is situated in Ram Niwas garden outside the city wall opposite New gate and is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.

The Hawa Mahal is a palace in the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Built from red and pink sandstone, it is on the edge of the City Palace, Jaipur, and extends to the Zenana, or women's chambers.

Jal Mahal (meaning "Water Palace") is a palace in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, India. The palace was originally constructed around 1699; the building and the lake around it were later 

City Palace, Jaipur, Jaipur is a royal residence and former administrative headquarters of the rulers of the Jaipur State in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Construction started soon after the establishment of the city of Jaipur under the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, 

Amber Palace  is a fort located in Amer, Rajasthan, India. Amer is a city with an area of 4 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi), located 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. 

Jantar-Mantar is a collection of 19 astronomical instruments built by Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The monument was completed in 1734. It houses the world's largest stone sundial and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nahargarh Fort is situated on the edge of the Aravalli Hills and towers over the city of Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Along with the Amer Fort and the Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh was once a strong defence ring for the city. 

Jaigarh Fort is situated on a ridge called Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) of the Aravalli Range; it overlooks the Amer Fort and Maota Lake, near Amer in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. 

Birla Mandir, Jaipur (Laxmi Narayan Mandir) is a Hindu temple located in Jaipur, India and is one of the many Birla Mandirs. It was constructed by the B.M. Birla Foundation in 1988 and is made entirely of white marble.

Galta ji , also known as Monkey Temple , is an ancient pilgrimage center in Jaipur , Rajasthan. Located amidst the Aravalli Hills , the lush green landscape with temples, pavilions and holy pools makes it a delightful place to visit.

Govind Dev Ji Temple is a significant Hindu temple dedicated to Radha and Krishna, located within the City Palace complex, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. The temple was established in 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur,

Garh Ganesh Temple is a Hindu temple located on the Aravalli hills near Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is known for its unique idol, which does not feature a trunk-an uncommon representation of the deity 

Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple is a Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Ganesha in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It was built in 1761 under supervision of Seth Jai Ram Paliwal. The temple is a popular tourist attraction in the city and is located next to the Birla Temple.

Gator Chhatri Sisodia Rani Bagh consists of multi-level gardens lined with fountains, water canals, and painted pavilions and meeting rooms.

Sanghiji (Shri Digamber Jain Atishya Kshetra Mandir) is an ancient Jain Temple in Sanganer, Rajasthan made of red stone. The ancient Shri Digamber Jain temple of Sanganer is 16 km from Jaipur. 

Jaipur Zoo is in the city of Jaipur in Rajasthan state in India. The zoo was opened in 1877 and is located near to the Albert Hall Museum and Ram Nivas Garden. It is divided into two parts: one for mammals and other for birds and reptiles.

Sisodiya Rani Bagh is a garden and palace located 6 km from Jaipur, the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built by Sawai Jai Singh in 1728. An Indian Hindi film Lamhe was also shot here in 1991.

Kanak Vrindavan is a garden in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. It is built in a valley surrounded by Aravali hills and is located on the way to the Amer Fort at the bottom of the Nahargarh hill. The place is approximately 8 kilometers north of the Jaipur city.

Panna Meena ka Kund Historic stepwell & rainwater catchment known for its picturesque symmetrical stairways.

Maotha Lake, is an artificial (man-made) lake located below the Amer Fort near Jaipur, which was built by the Kachwaha prince to increase the naturalness and security of the palace.

Ambikeshwar Mahadev Mandir located between the hills of Amber. This Temple is more then 5000 years old. 

Art Gallery (shopping paradise), Jaipur, Dive into a world of vibrant colors, intricate crafts and cultural splendor as we navigate you through the bustling markets that define Jaipur’s rich heritage. The Pink City of Rajasthan beckons shopaholics with a treasure trove of choices. 

Raj Mandir Cinema, Raj Mandir Cinema is a movie theater in Jaipur in Rajasthan state in India. Situated on the Bhagwan Das Road, near M.I. Road, the meringue-shaped auditorium opened in 1976, and over the years has seen many movie premieres of Hindi films, and has become a popular symbol of Jaipur.

Ram Niwas Garden, Ram niwas garden hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Ram Niwas Garden is a historic 33-acre garden in Jaipur, India, built in 1868 by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh as a famine relief project. 

History

Jaipur was founded on 18 November 1727 by Jai Singh II, a Rajput chieftain of the Kachwaha dynasty, who ruled the region from 1699 to 1743. He planned to move his capital from Amer, 11 kilometres (7 mi) away, to Jaipur, keeping in mind the growing population and increasing water shortages. Jai Singh consulted several architects while planning the layout of Jaipur and laid out the city on the principles of Vastu Shastra and Shilpa Shastra under the architectural guidance of Vidyadhar Bhattacharya.[18] Construction of the city began in 1726. During the rule of Sawai Ram Singh II, the city was painted pink to welcome Albert Edward, Prince of Wales in 1876. Many avenues are still painted pink, giving Jaipur a distinctive look and the nickname of the Pink City. 

In the 19th century, the city grew rapidly and had a population of 160,000 in 1900. Wide boulevards were paved and its main industries were metal and marble work, promoted by a school of art established in 1868. In August 1981, large areas of the city, including the airport, were flooded due to heavy rains caused by a cloudburst, resulting in eight deaths and much damage to the city's Dravavati River. On 6 July 2019, the city was added to the list of World Heritage Cities.

Etymology

Jaipur derives its name from Sawai Jai Singh II (1693-1744), the kachhwaha ruler of Amer, founded the city in 1727. 

In Sanskrit, variations of the word "pur" or "pura" are commonly used to refer to a city or town with "Jaipur" essentially meaning "The City of Jai" (Victory) or "Jai's City," paying homage to Maharaja Jai Singh II, established the city.

Languages

The official language of Jaipur is Hindi and the additional official language is English. 

The native and main dialect of the city is Dhundari, along with English, Marwari and standard Hindi dialects are also spoken.

Culture

Jaipur has many cultural sites like the Jawahar Kala Kendra, founded by Charles Correa and Ravindra Manch. The Government Central Museum houses many artifacts and antiquities. There is a Government Museum in the Hawa Mahal and an art gallery in Viratnagar. There are sculptures depicting Rajasthani culture all around the city. Jaipur has many traditional shops selling antiques and handicrafts, as well as contemporary brands reviving traditional techniques like Anokhi. The former rulers of Jaipur patronized some arts and crafts. They invited skilled artisans, artists and craftsmen from the country and abroad who settled in the city. Some of the crafts include bandhani, block printing, stone carving and sculpture, tarkashi, zari, gota-patti, kinari and zardozi, silver jewellery, gemstones, kundan, enamelling and jewellery, lac bangles, miniature paintings, blue pottery, ivory carving, conch shell work and leather ware.

Jaipur has its own performing arts. The Jaipur Gharana for Kathak is one of the three gharanas of the North Indian classical dance form Kathak. The Jaipur Gharana of Kathak is known for its intensely complex dance forms, vibrant body movements and subtle abhinaya. Ghoomar is a popular folk dance form. Tamasha is an art form where puppetry is performed as a dance drama. Major festivals celebrated in Jaipur include Elephant Festival, Gangaur, Makar Sankranti, Holi, Diwali, Vijayadashami, Teej, Eid, Mahavir Jayanti and Christmas. Jaipur is also famous for the Jaipur Literature Festival, the world's largest free literature festival attended by authors, litterateurs and literature lovers from across the country.

Architecture

The city was planned in 1727 by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya according to Indian Vastu Shastra. The three gates face east, west and north. The eastern gate is called Suraj Pol (Sun Gate), the western gate is called Chand Pol (Moon Gate) and the northern gate faces the ancestral capital of Amer. The architecture of the city was heavily influenced by the 17th-century architectural renaissance during Mughal rule in northern India. The city was divided into nine blocks, two of which contained state buildings and palaces, the remaining seven being allotted to the public. Massive ramparts were built, with seven fortified gates. The city is unusual among pre-modern Indian cities because of the regularity of its streets and the division of the city into six zones by wide streets 34 metres (111 ft) wide. This part of the palace complex contains the Hawa Mahal complex, formal gardens and a small lake. The Nahargarh Fort, which was the residence of King Sawai Jai Singh II, stands on a hill in the northwestern corner of the old city.

Cuisine

• Dal baati churma
• Missi roti
• Gatta ki sabzi
• Garlic chutney
• Ker sangri
• Maize ghat
• Millet ghat
• Millet bread
• Red meat

Sweets

• Ghevar
• Fini
• Mawa Kachori
• Gajak
• Sweet Thuli
• Quadruple Laddu
• Moong Thaal

Transport

• Air Jaipur International Airport is located in the southern suburb of Sanganer, which is located 13 km (8.1 mi) from Jaipur.It is the 13th busiest airport in India in daily scheduled flight operations. The airport handled 363,899 international and 2,540,451 domestic passengers in 2015–2016.[110] Jaipur Airport also provides air cargo services. During winter, sometimes flights towards Indira Gandhi International Airport are diverted to Jaipur Airport due to heavy fog in Delhi. The airport was granted the status of international airport on 29 December 2005. The airport's apron can accommodate 14 aircraft, and the new integrated terminal building can handle up to 1,000 passengers at peak hours
• Rail Jaipur Junction railway station was built in 1875 and is situated at the centre of Rajasthan. Serving almost 35,000 passengers daily, Jaipur Junction is the busiest station in Rajasthan. The cornerstone of the existing Jaipur railway station building was laid on 4 May 1956 by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur, and construction took three years to complete. The station harnesses solar energy technology to power its operations. Jaipur is the headquarters of Jaipur Railway division and North Western Railway Zone of Indian Railways. Jaipur Junction is the busiest station in Rajasthan with more than 45,000 passengers daily. During Meter Gauge era, The fastest MG Train of India & the world, Pink City Express used to connect Jaipur with Delhi. Covering the 308.2 kilometres (191.5 mi) distance in 5 hrs 30 mins time, running at a record 56 kilometres per hour (35 mph) speed until 1997. In 1997 Pink City Express got replaced by now running 12015/12016 Ajmer Shatabdi Express
• Metro Jaipur Metro commenced commercial operation on 3 June 2015. Construction on the mostly elevated part of the first line, called Phase 1A, comprising 9.63 kilometres (5.98 mi) of route from Mansarovar to Chandpole Bazaar, started in November 2010, and was completed in 2014. The Jaipur Metro began commercial service between Chandpole and Mansarovar on 3 June 2015. The Jaipur Metro Rail system is India's sixth metro rail system. The Jaipur Metro is the first metro in India to run on a triple-storey elevated road and metro track. Phase 1-B, from Chandpole to Badi Chaupar, began operation on 23 September 2020. Phase-1A is operational between Mansarovar and Chandpole consisting of nine stations namely Mansarovar, New Aatish Market, Vivek Vihar, Shyam Nagar, Ram Nagar, Civil Line, Railway Station, Sindhi Camp and Chandpole.[116] The Phase-1B was constructed with an estimated cost of ?97.32 billion ($1.74 billion). It became operational on 23 September 2020.
• Road Jaipur is located on National Highway No. 48 connecting Delhi and Mumbai. National Highway 52 connects Jaipur to Kota and National Highway 21 connects Jaipur to Agra. RSRTC operates bus services to major cities of Rajasthan and other states New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Gujarat. City buses are operated by Jaipur City Transport Services Limited (JCTSL) of RSRTC. The service operates more than 400 regular and low-floor buses. Major bus depots are located at Vaishali Nagar, Vidyadhar Nagar and Sanganer. Jaipur BRTS was approved by the government in August 2006. Jaipur BRTS is managed by JCTSL. A section of the North-South Corridor from the bypass near Harmara to Pani Pech became operational in 2010. Jaipur Ring Road is a project of Jaipur Development Authority to reduce the increasing traffic of Jaipur city which connects NH-21 (Agra Road), NH-48 (Ajmer Road), NH-52 (Tonk Road) and NH-52 (Malpura Road) with a length of 150 km. Out of the 150 km long six-lane Jaipur Ring Road, 57 km work has been completed at a cost of Rs. 1217 crore. Bhawani Singh Road, which starts from Nehru Sahakar Bhavan and ends at Birla Mandir Chauraha

Education

The city had three colleges, including a Sanskrit college (1865) and a girls' school (1867), which were opened during the reign of Maharaja Ram Singh II. Public and private schools in Jaipur are governed by the Central Board of Secondary Education or the Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan, International Board of Education and follow the "10+2" plan. The plan includes eight years of primary education and four years of secondary education. Secondary school includes two years of higher secondary education, which is more specialized and diverse than the two years of lower secondary education that preceded it. Languages of instruction include English and Hindi. Notable institutions in the city are: University of Rajasthan, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences, ARCH Academy of Design, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Law University, Rajasthan Sanskrit University, Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, LNM Institute of Information Technology, National Institute of Ayurveda, Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Subodh College, and Vedic Kanya College. Admission to many engineering colleges in Jaipur is through the Rajasthan Engineering Admission Process, many of which are affiliated with Rajasthan Technical University (Kota). Some of the colleges affiliated with Rajasthan Technical University include Maharishi Arvind Institute of Engineering and Technology, Poornima College of Engineering, and Arya Group of Colleges.

Communication

Major telecommunication providers include Airtel, Jio, VI (Vodafone-Idea), and BSNL which are providing mobile telephony and there are also various internet service providers in the city. The government of Rajasthan has started free WiFi at various public places like Central Park, Jantar Mantar, among others. Rajasthan's first ISP, Data Ingenious Global Limited still providing a large number of broadband customers and email services in the entire Jaipur

Media

Major daily newspapers in Jaipur include Amar Ujala,  Rajasthan Patrika, Dainik Bhaskar, Indian Express, Dainik Navajyoti and The Times of India. The state-owned All India Radio is broadcast both on the medium wave and FM band in the city. Private FM stations include Radio Mirchi (98.3 MHz), Radio City (91.1 MHz), My FM (94.3 MHz), FM Tadka 95 FM (95.0 MHz), Mirchi Love (104.0 MHz), Red FM 93.5 (93.5 MHz) and Gyan Vani (105.6 MHz). The city has a community FM channel in FM Radio 7 (90.4 MHz) by India International School Institutional Network. The public broadcaster Doordarshan (Prasar Bharati) provides a regional channel in addition to the private broadcasters.

Sports

The main cricket stadium in the city, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, has a seating capacity of 30,000 and has hosted national and international cricket matches. It is also the home ground of IPL team Rajasthan Royals. Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium, Chaugan Stadium and Railway Cricket Ground are the other sporting arenas in the city. A new stadium has been proposed for Chonp Village with a seating capacity 75,000. It would be the third-largest cricket stadium in the world after the Narendra Modi Stadium and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.  The city is represented in the IPL by Rajasthan Royals (2008–2016; 2018–present) and in Pro Kabaddi League by Jaipur Pink Panthers

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