Three and a half hours by local bus from Pushkar, I arrived in Jaipur, the Pink City. Named for its salmon coloured walls, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan. In truth, it was a bit of a shock arriving in the bustling capital after having been in peaceful Pushkar for the last few weeks. With a little boy fast asleep with his head on my shoulder, the bus made its way through the suburbs with its expensive cars and shopping malls. But, as we moved further towards the center of the city, horses and traps took the place of cars and other means of transportation and delivery.
Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal)
Created by one of the Maharaja's for the ladies of royalty to be able to watch the processions and other events. Lattice screens and little windows enabled the ladies to watch the outside world in privacy.
Palace of the Winds
City Palace
Home to the Majaraja of Jaipur and to the Kachwaha Rajputs. Building began in 1729.
Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audiences)
An astronomical playground and observatory created by Jai Singh in 1728.
Largest sundial in the world.
Accurate by two seconds
Smaller Sundial
Accurate by two seconds
Narivalaya Equatorial sundial
Tracks the position of the sun and marks the month and date
And, there are instruments for astrological signs too!
The Amber (Amer) Fort
Hindu and Rajput architecture with construction starting in 1592 by Raja Man Singh I. 11 km from Japiur and once the home to the Rajput Maharajas.
Hindu and Rajput architecture with construction starting in 1592 by Raja Man Singh I. 11 km from Japiur and once the home to the Rajput Maharajas.
Amer
Monkey Temple (Galtaji)
Hindu pilgrimage site with bathing tanks.
Hindu pilgrimage site with bathing tanks.
Ladies on their way to the Sun Temple (Surya Mandir).
Chock-a-block full of pilgrims and monkeys.
Monkeys having a bit of a swim.
Feeding the monkeys brings good karma!
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