JAIPUR A Fun Place Even By Night

Gone are the days when a tourist had to languish in his hotel room after sunset in Jaipur.Now they have many options to enliven their evenings besides just having dinner and going to bed.

How would you like to spend your Evening?

Would you like to shop some more?

Head to Guarav Towers,Malviya Nagar and you will find branded shops full of Shoes,Clothes,Music,Movies on DVD, Books,Coffee Bar,Bargains for Rs.99/-,Bakers, Restaurants including the Mac.If you want some more choice step across to  yet another mall just a  stones throw away.

If you do not believe in the mall culture and like to practice the art of bargaining then Bapu Bazaar,Nehru Bazaar,Hawa Mahal Bazaar and other Bazaars in the walled city are for you.Window shop at a leisurely pace amongst the bustle of the people, hawkers, rickshaws, autos,urchins,cows and the ever present honking traffic. And a mute witness to it all are these Red lime washed walls of monuments of times no more and you .

In the mood for a long drive-head for The Chokhi Dhani-Ethnic Village Restaurant( 0141-2770556) on the Tonk Road.The menu and service is traditional rajasthani.There are potter,folk dancers,snake charmer,madaari and a future reading parrot.Camel and elephant rides.Lac bangles for sale.

If you do not feel up to the long drive but want a good north Indian meal under the belt head for “Shree Thal”  restaurant behind the New Vidhan Sabha,near jyoti nagar police station.If in mood for top of the line multi cuisine vegetarian fare head for the “Four Seasons” on Subhash Marg,C-Scheme(0141-2374601).

How about some Chaat?  Chawala’s in Raja Park is the place for you.

Are you thinking Non-Vegetarian?No visit to Jaipur is complete without a meal at the Niros (0141-2374493)on the M.I.Road. Another choice - Copper Chimney (0141-2372275),opp. G.P.O. Spice Court (0141-2220202)on Jacob Road.

Or just feeling like a Pizza-Pepsi only? There is Pizza Hut(0141-2388627),Ganpati Plaza,M.I.Road and Dominoes(0141-2378526),near Raj Mandir Cinema Hall.

Looking for a Gujarati meal-there is “Anapurna” behind Raj Mandir-near the gujarati samaj complex. And the Rajdhani Restaurant above the Mac on Panch Batti Circle.

A south indian meal is readily available at” Sankalp” and “Dasaprakash” (0141-2371313) on the M.I.Road.

And we must not forget the little lady and the young master with you. MacDonald’s has three out lets in jaipur-Near Raj Mandir, Gaurav Tower & Crystal Palm on bais godam circle.(1600-11-00-99)

But the night is still young.What night ends without pubbing.

Geoffrey’s the pub (0141-2360202)at the Park Plaza and Bar Code at The K.K.Square on Prithviraj Road,Steam (0141-2211919) at The Rambagh Palace and Back to Basics at Country Inn & Suites (0141-5103300) on khasa kothi circle.

Or just looking for a cup of that perfect coffee before you turn in for the night -Barista in Mall 21,opp.Raj mandir. Mr.Beans(0141-2223650) & The Rock (0141-2360622)on the Sardar patel Marg,C-Scheme.

If you think no holiday is complete without a hindi movie-we have just the place for you-The Raj Mandir Cinema Hall(0141-2379372).In this day and age of multiplexes-a single screen theater-built like no other and worth a visit.

For the culturally inclined-Birla Auditorium & Planetarium  (01412385224) on Statue Circle, Jawahar Kala Kendra (0141-2705879),opp.Commerce College or Ravindra Manch (0141-2619061) in the Ram Niwas Garden.These places come alive during the yearly fixtures of  Jaipur Festival & Rajasthan Day celebrations conducted by the RTDC and The Jaipur Virasat Foundation.A not to be missed yearly event is the increasingly high profile  Jaipur Literature Festival with writers galore.

Rajasthan Development Corporation Ltd. has started a Pink-City-By-The-Night Tour.(6.30 to 10.30 Pm.) Offering lit up monuments of Jaipur with Vegetarian Dinner at The Durg Cafe,Nahargarh.(Rs.250/-Per Pax Drinks Optional Extra) Contact: R.T.D.C. Tours & Travels,Government Hostel,Opp.G.P.O, Jaipur (P) 01412375466

 ...

Where To Shop When In Jaipur

In this day and age of globalization when on holiday one does wonder-what to buy? What to take home?Because a franchisee is selling just the thing you are going to buy today back home too. What he can not sell you is the proud comment from your six year old-my mother got it for me when she went for  a business trip to Jaipur.So buy you must for somebody back home.Or for yourself-no harm came from spoiling ones self just a little bit.

Let us start in the walled city where it would seem all of Jaipur comes to shop all at once.

Tripolia Bazar – Stationery items,Utensils,Hardware,Tin Trunks

Badi Chaupar-Turbans,Tie and Dye Fabrics

Chandpole Bazar-Grocery and Electric goods,Pickles and Sherbets

Chaura Rasta-School and College Text books and Jaipuri Quilts,Namkins,Traditional ladies Tailors

Outside Hawamahal-Mojari,Handmade Crackers,Costume Jewellery

Goplaji ka Rasta-Semi precious stones

Kashinath Ji Ki Gali-Wholesale Market for Wedding Cards

Lal Ji Sand Ka Rasta-Sarees(Lahareya), Ready-made Garments

Gheewalaon ka Rasta and Haldiyon Ka Rasta-Sweets,Churans,Supari

Pitaliyon Ki Galli-Jewelery,Garments,Indian snacks

Partaniyon Ka Rasta-Precious & Semiprecious Stones

Barah Gangaur Ka Rasta-Lac Bangles,Jaipuri Quilts,

Johri Bazaar -Jewelery,Textiles,Bandhani Sarees,Lehariya,Zari,Gota work

Agrasen Market, Johri Bazar,Sarees with Zardozee,Resham,Sequens work,Bhandej, Natural Georgette

Khajano Walon Ka Rasta-Marble Idols of various Gods

Maniharon Ka Rasta-Lac Jewelery and Bangles

Kishan Pole Bazar-Silver jewelery,Ayurvedic Medicines,Kites,Crackers,Cots

Bapu Bazaar & Nehru Bazar-Rajasthani Print Textiles,local perfumes,Suparies & Churans,Camel skin shoes.

Koli Basti-Carpets

Kumharon Ki nadi-Pottery

Nahargarh Road-Local musical Instruments

Raisar Plaza-Mobile & Computer Accessories & Ready made Garments

M.I.Road-Jewelery,Ready-made Garments,Handicrafts,Books,Restaurants,Bangles,

Rajasthali-A Government Emporium offering all that is the best of Rajasthan in one place.

Chameliwala Market-Electricals, Silver items

Saraogi Mansion- Imported stuff,Sarees,Footwear,Cosmetics

Jayanti Market-Electronics,Electricals,Mobiles,Computers

Jalupura-Wholesale Iron Market,Second Hand Vehicles Sale Purchase and Modification.

Sanganer-Handmade paper,Block Print Sarees,Furnishings

Bagru-Vegetable Dye Block Print Sarees,Furnishings

Lavan-Colorful Daris

Besides these traditional bazaars there are malls all over Jaipur which offer a particular item.And some shops are in colonies.If you shop in the day time(Happy Hours) when there is less rush some  Malls & Restaurants may give discounts or gifts.

Neerja International Inc.( 2224395)S-19 Bhawani Singh Road Blue Pottery Items Jewelery Top of The Line.

Anokhi,Block Print Garments and Furnishings (4007244),C-11,K.K.Square,Prithviraj Road,C-Scheme

Fab India,(5115991)C-69, Prithviraj Road,C-Scheme

Central Cottage Industries And Emporium,(2710680)Tonk Road,Near Glass Factory

Soma,Jacob Road,Civil Lines

Mojari,Shiv Heera Path,Chomu House,C-Scheme.

Ratan Textiles(2223185),Papriwal cottage,Ajmer Road

Bhuramal Rajmal Surana (Mfrs)( 2570429)J.L.N.Marg,Near police Memorial. Top of the line Jewelery

.

Samanvai Art Gallery,Ganpati Plaza,M.I.Road(5114400)

Satguru’s,Raja Park

Kalpana Handmade Paper Ind,bawari ka bas,nashion ka rasta,Sanganer(2732115,2731084)

 

...

Jaipur - The Pink City

...

Also known as the ‘Pink City’, Jaipur is the capital city of the state of Rajasthan. It was founded in the year 1727 A.D by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. Named after its founder, the city is one of the first planned cities in India . Jaipur is a sought after tourist destination in the state, owing to its rich historical past and age old grandeur. The royal fervor can be evidently experienced from the ancient monuments dotting the city, lifestyle of the people, culture and the food. Surrounded by three magnanimous forts, carpeted with lush gardens and splashed with serene lakes, a visit to Jaipur is a sheer delight for visitors. To know some of the major tourist attractions and places to see in Jaipur, read on.

Places to See in Jaipur

City Palace

Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the palace is an excellent blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. On entering the palace complex, the first structure is Mubarak Mahal, built by Sawai Madho Singh in 19^th century. It now houses a museum dedicated to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, showcasing royal costumes and bulky clothes worn by former rulers. The Diwaan-e-aam houses an art gallery displaying rare manuscripts, scriptures and paintings.

Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal is the main landmark of Jaipur. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the five storied pink sandstone structure is known as the Palace of Winds, as it boasts of 953 intricately carved windows overlooking the busy bazaar street. Originally, constructed for the royal ladies, this is an excellent example of Rajput architecture. Apart from providing an extensive view of the city, the sunset viewed from its latticed windows is an unforgettable experience.

Jantar Mantar

Another intriguing monument in the pink city is Jantar Mantar. It is one of the five observatories in India and was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. Providing an insight into the fields of numerology and astronomy, it 

houses ancient astronomical instruments chiseled out of stone. The most interesting instrument here is the Sundial. The shadow cast on it helps in the determination of local and meridian pass time. Besides, varied attributes of the heavenly bodies can also be calculated with the help of it.

Birla Mandir

Also known as the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, it is located near the Moti Dungri Fort. Built entirely out of white marble, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The temple has three domes which represent different approaches to religion. A major tourist attraction, the temple is highly crowded during festive time.

Albert Hall Museum

One of the oldest museums in the state, Albert Hall museum is situated amidst the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh garden on the outskirts of Jaipur. The museum combines the fine elements of English and north Indian architecture and was opened in 1980s. It houses rare royal artifacts, miniature paintings from different schools of Rajasthan, carpet by Mirza Jai Singh I from Shah Abbas of Persia and an Egyptian mummy belonging to the Ptolemaic Epoch.

Kanak Vrindavan

Situated on the foothills of Nahargarh Hills, these are beautiful landscaped gardens with an intricately craved temple made of beige stone. The sprawling complex is laid with terrace sites, marble columns and lattices. The place is quite popular amongst picnickers and film makers owing to its splendor. The ideal time to be around here is during monsoon, as it sparkles after being washed from the rain water.

Amber Fort

Popularly known as the Amer Fort, it is one of the most magnificent monuments, situated on the outskirts of the city. The ruling fortress of the Kachhawa clan of Amber, it is an excellent blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The interiors of the palace are laid with expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings.

Other Attractions

Some of the other places worth visiting in Jaipur include Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal, Govind Dev ji Temple, Galtaji, Gaitore, Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh, etc. Besides, Jaipur is a paradise for all those, who love shopping and food. The ethnic items showcasing the traditional and royal art are a must buy here. Furthermore, you can pamper your taste buds with delicious Rajasthani cuisine and delicacies. In effect, Jaipur has proved to be a must visit tourist destination in the desert yet enigmatic state of Rajasthan.

Accommodation

Owing to the fact that Jaipur is a popular tourist destination, it houses a number of varied accommodation options catering to visitors from all economic backgrounds. The 5 star hotels in Jaipur include Le Meridien, Hotel Clarks, Hotel Mansingh, Oberoi Rajvilas etc. Apart from this, there are a host of heritage and budget hotels in the city.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport is situated 10 km from Jaipur, which is known as the Sanganer Airport. It operates domestic flights which connect it with Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Udaipur.

By Train

Jaipur is well connected to all the major cities of Rajasthan and India by trains. There are regular trains to cities like Delhi, Agra, Chennai, Jodhpur, Mumbai, Udaipur, Bikaner and Ahmedabad.

By Road

A well-developed network of road connects Jaipur to important places in Rajasthan and north India. Private as well as government buses ply from here at regular intervals which connect Jaipur to all the nearby major cities such as Delhi and Agra.

...