I prefer having an idea of the things I want to explore so I do not miss out on anything of significance. That is what I used to think until I made a trip to Jaipur. My travels to Jaipur changed my pre-conceived notions of travelling as to how I wanted to approach new places and encounter new experiences
It was in July 2007 when, unexpectedly, I got a few days free while I was in Delhi. On a whim I decided to go to Jaipur. I have never been more delighted on having made such an impulsive decision. To put it simply, I ended up having a fabulous time exploring the place on my own.
Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of the State of Rajasthan in India. Founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber in 1727, it is regarded as one of the best planned cities, when compared to other towns of that period. Keeping in mind the Hindu architectural books involving geometric planning, Jaipur was planned by the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II together with the famous Hindu priest architect, Guru Vidyadhar.
The present population of Jaipur is estimated to be approximately 2.7 million. The City is very popular among the tourists, both within India and those visiting India. Jaipur is well connected to the rest of the country by railways, road transport and by air. I boarded a bus from Delhi to Jaipur and the journey was uneventful. Despite it growing into a bustling metropolitan city, Jaipur still continues to retain its historical character. It is a city with a pleasant mix of the past and modernity. Having explored Jaipur, I can now confirm that it is indeed one of the most important heritage cities of India.
Here I shall write briefly on the Jaigarh and Nahargarh Forts of Jaipur, and the City Palace. I shall start with the latter in this post.
City Palace
One of the major landmarks and famous tourist attractions of the Pink City is the City Palace Complex. The City Palace stands apart for its excellent art and architecture. The architecture of the City Palace is a delightful combination of Rajasthani and Mughal style.
The City Palace complex covers a huge area and comprises of many palatial edifices, courtyards, gardens and buildings. There are many splendid small palaces and halls in the complex, such as the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal and Badal Mahal. There is also a famous temple called the Shri Govind Temple and a museum inside, named the City Palace Museum.
Originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs, additions have been made to the Palace Complex by his successors.
To the north-west is the elegant seven storeyed Chandra Mahal, or the Moon Palace, home to the present Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Bhavani Singh Bahadur (nicknamed Bubbles). The Chandra Mahal provides a fine view of the gardens and the city. Paintings, floral decorations, mirror walls and ceilings in the traditional style adorn the palace.
Some More pics. Click them to see a large version.
To sum up, the City Palace is a structure of historical importance and a souvenir of the regal past. The palace, with its royal grace stands as a symbol of magnificence.
Thanks for your lively description of City Palace, Jaipur, a brilliant piece of architecture.
I think the Art Gallery, located in the Diwan-I-Aam, which displays some of the invaluable and ancient handwritten original manuscripts of Hindu scriptures, especially miniature copies of the sacred Srimad Bhagwat Gita, some delicate miniature paintaings pertaining to the Rajasthani, Mughal and Persian schools and some of the rarest tapestries, also are well worth a visit.
Welcome aboard Celine. Bubbles, :), very interesting. On to Nahar and Jai Garh.
Ghumakkars – some of the photos are appearing jagged. I tried doing few things but in the interest of sharing, Celine and me decided to rather share them now, before we get into a new week. Blame is all mine, if you click them, you would see a bigger version of them and they should appear fine.
Ram,
Thank you for being the first to comment on my first posting on ghumakkar, and I am delighted that you found it lively.
As I indicated at the beginning, my trip to Jaipur was unusual since, unlike my other trips prior to that, it was a short one, not planned and no details of the places to see etc were checked out prior to setting out. Nonetheless, it turned out to be such an interesting place with so much to see that I intend to return to thoroughly explore it again.
Thank you for the extremely interesting information on the Art Gallery. Readers here should if they have not already, and I would certainly, include the Gallery in my list of must-see places when there next.
Nandan,
Thank you very much for the welcome, and for taking care of my photographs for this post.
I’ve read that as the first male heir born to a reigning Maharaja of Jaipur for generations (many others, including his father were adopted), Bhavani Singh’s birth was a celebrated event in Jaipur, and the royal palaces flowed with champagne in his honor. So, Bubbles like the bubbles of the champagne!
Celine,
Welcome on board. Its a nice post with beautiful photographs. I liked the second one and the fourth one a lot. Specially the composition of second one is wonderful. It seems to be the one of those which create illusions of moving circle even though everything is stationary.
Are you sure that bubble refers to bubbles of Champagne, or it was written in lighter note ?
Waiting for your posts on Jaigarh and Nahargarh fort.
Manish,
Thank you very much for the welcome and the compliments.
Those are my favourite pictures too. The guns have been arranged so in the Hall (shown in the fourth picture) of the City Palace. I also like the illusion of a whirling wheel that it creates and have in fact used this picture in a creative way in one of my blog post and it got chosen as the Post of the Day by a Melbourne journalist. If you wish to check it out: http://indicaspecies.blogspot.com/2007/10/guns-n-roses.html
Regarding Bubbles, I have not met Bubbles or his representatives personally so cant vouch for that..haha! I write about what I have read. I guess it was his nanny who nicknamed him so. Bill Clinton and Mick Jagger would perhaps be able to confirm since they are his friends.
Will post on the other Forts shortly. :)
I checked and loved the way you have created the effect of Guns and Roses and the poetry under it was marvelous.
Sorry for my bad knowledge of English poems/songs. Have you written it, or it was quoted by you. Anyway a person who has such a nice collection of poem/songs deserves high regards from me (Its very beautiful song).
Bubble – I thought that you would ring Bill and confirm it. Its ok if you decided not to disturb him. He is so busy in Hillary’s campaign, so its understandble :)
I know a few people with a nick name of Bubble (Which may be shorter and more lovable form of Babloo).
Hi Celine,
Its great to re read your posts here and see the beautiful pictures as well..I did a day trip to jaipur too and came back feeling that I shd have spent more time ..
-lakshmi
Manish,
That’s okay yaar. Thank you very much for your kind words.
The lyrics under reference is a rock ballad of the 1990s by Guns N’ Roses called November Rain. It is a great track and one of my favourites. I’d suggest you listen to it, if you haven’t already.
I do write a bit of poetry, and a few poems are spattered across on my blog.
Lakshmi,
Thanks a lot. There’s always a next time.
November Rain. :) I am poor on this but this got quite an attention, right ?.
More so since its really a long song, almost 9 minutes, done in that typical restrained voice (scream but keep low kinds).
Jha,
Yes, the same track of almost 9 minutes, lead singer Axl Rose sung for their 1991 album. The video is interesting as well, and specially so because of the mystery surrounding the death of the bride.
Hey cellu,
JUst one word to describe you – Genius:)
You are great at everything you do because i am sure you give your 100% to whatever you do.
I am glad that we are a family.
all the best
mwh