Situated in the state of Rajasthan, Jaipur is an important tourist destination attracting visitors from around the world. The city was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II on 18 November 1727. Jaipur comprises a rich history, culture and immense natural beauty. Also known as the Pink City, Jaipur serves as a gateway to other prominent tourist destinations of the state such as Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer.
About Jaipur
The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur covers an area of 484.64 square kilometer. With a population of 3,046,189, as of 2011, Jaipur is India's tenth most populous state. The density of population in the city is 6,300 per square kilometers. Hindi is the official language of the city, while Rajasthani is a major regional language. It is bounded by Sikar and Mehendragarh district (in State of Haryana) in the north, Tonk district in the south, Alwar, Sawaimadhopur and Dausa district in the east and Nagaur district in the west.
Demographics of Jaipur
As per 2011 census, Jaipur had a population of 3,046,189. The population comprises Hindus, Muslims, Jains and others. The literacy rate of the city is 76.44%.
History of Jaipur
The foundation of the city dates back to 1727. The city was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, a Kachwaha Rajput, who ruled Jaipur between the years 1699 and 1743. Earlier, the capital was located at Amber some 11 kilometers away; however, an increasing population and scarcity of water led to the king transferring the capital to Jaipur. It is believed that Jaipur is the first planned city of the country. The king took the help of Vidyadhar Bhattacharya to build Jaipur. Bhattacharya was a Brahmin scholar from Bengal well-versed in the disciplines of science and mathematics. The origin of the name Pink City goes back to 1878 when the Prince of Wales paid a visit to the city. To welcome the prince, the city was painted in pink color and hence came to be called the Pink City.
Places of Tourist Interest in Jaipur
Jaipur is a major tourist destination with many places of historical and religious importance. Some of the important tourist attractions are:
- Hawa Mahal-Hawa Mahal is one of the important hallmarks of Jaipur that attracts tourists from all over the world
- City Palace-This is one of the architectural wonders that reflects a perfect blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural style
- Jantar Mantar-This famous observatory was built to study the movements of stars and planets
- Albert Hall-This magnificent building is the store house of artifacts and paintings of the past
- Jaigarh Fort-This fort gives a birds eye view of Jaipur
- Rambagh Palace-This is the former residence of Maharaja of Jaipur, and now one of the luxurious hotels in Jaipur
- Amber Fort-Built by Meenas and later ruled by Raja Man Singh I, this fort witnesses numerous tourists all through the year
- Birla Mandir-It is a wing of several Birla Mandir located across the country. Also known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, this temple looks stunning at night.
The city of Jaipur looks vibrant and colourful with its unique architecture and natural surroundings that makes it the most sought after destination of India.
Famous Cuisines in Jaipur
As we think about Jaipur, our shopping spree gets doubled, and the princely charm in the city amaze us. However, when we are in Jaipur something that should not be taken so lightly are the salivating cuisines that can make the trip to this city even better. Some of the most famous cuisines of Jaipur that should not be missed out are Dal Bathi Churma, Gatte ki Sabzi, Ker Sangri, Pyaz ki Kachori, Ghevar, Mava Kachori, Gajak, and many more.
Shopping in Jaipur
When you are in the beautiful pink city of India, you can ditch the malls. The open markets are enough to woo you and add some amazing collection of clothes to your closet. Some of the popular market places in the city are Johari Bazaar (for various jewellery, Jaipuri quits and lehengas), Tripolia Bazaar (for lac bangles, brass-ware, and carpets), Bapu Bazaar (for mojari shoes, handicrafts, camel leather products textiles and Rajasthani souvenirs) and Nehru Bazaar (for perfumes and ready-made garments).
Fairs & Festivals in Jaipur
- Gangaur Festival: This is a festival in which Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped by married women for the husband's well-being and by unmarried girls for a suitable partner. This is one of the most colourful festivals celebrated in this city.
- Teej Festival: This is another festival in which women pray for their husband's well-being and bright future. Goddess Parvati is worshipped in this festival.
- Kite Festival: Kite festival is celebrated every year on 14 January during Makar Sankranti. People fly kites on this festival after taking bath in Ganga river and donating things to people who are in need.
- Elephant Festival: This festival is celebrated in the month of February or March. The event is organised a day before Holi.
Education in Jaipur
Jaipur is the nucleus of Education in Rajasthan. The city houses several reputed colleges that attract students from different parts of the globe. Apart from the professional degree colleges, there are numerous colleges in Jaipur that offer degrees in arts, commerce and science. Some of the important colleges are; Satya Sai College for Women, Shree Khandelwal Vaishya College, Vedic Kanya College for Girls, Government Maharaj Acharya Sanskrit College, Biyani College, Bharat Law College and many more.
Transport in Jaipur
Jaipur is well-connected by road, rail and air. The city railway station and airport are the major points of entry and exit to the state. The Jaipur Airport is located at a distance of 13 km from the main city. Most of the domestic and international airlines operate to and from Jaipur. Flights to Jaipur from Delhi and Mumbai are frequent. The regular international flights operate mostly from Jaipur to Sharjah, Muscat, Dubai, Bangkok and other destinations.
The Jaipur Railway Station is one of the main stations of Rajasthan. Most of the cities and towns in India are connected to Jaipur by railway. There are a number of trains that run almost on a daily basis to and from Jaipur. Some of the important trains to Jaipur are; Shatabdi, Mandore Exp., Jammu Tavi Exp., Ashram Exp, Ahmedabad Mail, Ibadat Exp., etc.
MOI.AB.03.03.17
Last Updated on : March 7, 2017
About Jaipur