Galta Ji Temple
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Urbanaut
A Hindu pilgrimage site a short distance from Jaipur, renowned for its numerous temples built into a ring of hills. The beautifully decorated and carved pink sandstone is flanked by rugged rock, making for a mesmerising view.
Jaipur Blue Pottery Art Centre
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Urbanaut
When in Jaipur, it’s a given that you must immerse yourself in the craft of the Pink City. There’s no better place to do this than at the pottery centre, which specialises in all things blue pottery (which, coincidentally, is Turko-Persian in origin). The store and workshop has been in owner and craftsman Anil Doraya’s family for years, and the attention to detail and exquisite work is worth watching as it happens. Luckily, the staff are friendly and ever-ready to indulge your questions. If you’d rather pick up a few souvenirs, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Oh and, their clientele is a star-studded one. Ask around and you’ll see.
Soul Connect Experiences
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Urbanaut
To completely do justice to your time spent in Jaipur, you must immerse yourself in things beyond the average tourist spot — in the craft, traditions, music, cuisine and bolthole getaways. Soul Connect is the best place to go to get started, as they create bespoke cultural experiences for the discerning traveller. Whether it’s the traditions you want the lowdown on or the food, they beautifully trace authentic Rajasthani traditions and legacies with the help of artists and performers.
Johri Bazar
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Urbanaut
Lend an ear to the sounds of hawkers and buyers and you’ll be led straight to Johor Bazaar, Jaipur’s bustling commercial complex. It’s best known for the scores of jewellers who’ve set up shop down the colonnade for years now — indeed, ‘Johri’ translates to ‘jeweller’. But it’s also home to textile shops with bountiful piles of gorgeous fabric and sarees, as well as artisans creating bed linen, quilts et al in traditional styles. Nudge your way into the sidelines to watch trained craftspeople at their trade or find incredible bolthole shops laid away from tourist eyes.
City Palace
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Urbanaut
When Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II moved his court from Amber to Jaipur in 1727, he had the opulent City Palace built to serve as his new home and royal office. The palace is both historically and architecturally significant — it is a grand display of the Mughal-Rajput design amalgam that has come to define Jaipur’s heritage buildings. Inside the complex, a gorgeous layout of gardens, courtyards and buildings captivate the eye and warrants at least half a day of exploration. All the while, keep in mind that the complex is still home to the Royal family of Jaipur.
Hawa Mahal
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Urbanaut
An architectural marvel cut from sandstone and towering a dizzying five stories over Jaipur streets, Hawa Mahal is without a doubt one of the Pink City’s most iconic landmarks. The honeycomb-like structure is a hat tip to Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s wish to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the world go by without being seen themselves. The interiors are richly decorated as only regal buildings can be — when you get to the top, you’ll be rewarded with jaw dropping views over the City Palace and Sireh Deori Bazaar.
Garh Ganesh Temple Trek
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Akshat Ghiya
Park here and trek an easy 20 minutes upto the Ganesh Temple for beautiful views of the city, the lake palace, and the hills of Amer.
Amrapali Jewels and Museum
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Urbanaut
This globally renowned luxury jewellery brand has its roots in the Pink City, and dates back to 1978. In a way, their jewellery collection matches Jaipur in description — regal and full of old-world charm without losing touch with modernity and contemporary India. House of Amrapali also helms the Amrapali museum, which houses pan-Indian jewellery and jewelled objects dating back to decades ago. It’s inspiring to see the ebb and flow of the Indian jewellery scene on display; we dare say you’ll also be bewitched by the jewelled daggers, elephant head sceptres and gold-plated shoes.
Patrika Gate
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Urbanaut
Jawahar Circle’s towering gate was eye-catching enough, but walk through it and you’ll find yourself looking at a series of opulently painted gates as far as the eye can see. From a distance, the kaleidoscopic bright colours are mesmerising. When you look closer, you’ll find painstakingly painted details depicting the story of Rajasthan, in the traditional art styles of the state. We dare say you’ve seen this on Instagram if you’ve fallen down a hashtag rabbit hole, but the photos don’t do justice to the arches. And while you’re there, take a stroll through the Jawahar Circle Park because that’s just as iconic!
Samode Haveli
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Urbanaut
This traditional Indian mansion is a stunning example of Indo-Sarcenic architecture, and was built more than 125 years ago. Today, it’s home to 50 beautifully decorated rooms, each with a distinct character and link to the past. The exquisite open-air dining courtyard and the glittering pool are luxurious perks that add to the experience.
Nila House
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Krati Sharma
Nila House is a place that celebrates the marriage of traditional craft of Indigo dyeing with a modern design approch. The store is a lifestyle and apparel store with products designed around the craft of Indigo dyeing. There is a space in the house that showcases the step-by-step process of Indigo dyeing. The lower ground floor also has a museum that showcases Indian building and craft material. If you're someone who loves craft and modern design, this place could be a very Zen like experience for you.
Nahargarh Fort
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Urbanaut
On the edge of the Aravalli Hills, commanding a stunning panorama of Jaipur, is the majestic Nahargarh Fort. It was built in 1734 to defend the area, as is evident in the imposing field guns and the seemingly impenetrable stone facades. There are plenty of stories in the walls of the fort — one says that the fort was named to appease the spirit of a prince Nahar Singh Bhomia, which interfered with the expansion of the fort until a temple was dedicated to the prince. We’re not putting our weight behind that, but we can guarantee that you’ll enjoy the breathtaking views of the Pink City laid out like a carpet below. Don’t skip out on the sculpture park and stunning frescoes in Madhavendra Palace!
Hotel Narain Niwas Palace
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Urbanaut
Featuring glorious architecture and delicately decorated walls and ceilings, Narain Niwas Palace is by far one of the finest heritage hotels in Jaipur. The rooms are painstakingly preserved to reflect the handiwork of the past; some upgraded suites have gorgeous stone-carved balconies and French windows that open to sweeping courtyards. You’ll probably spot a well-known name or two, so don’t bat an eyelid — the luxury hotel is high on the list for many eminent people, too.
Jawahar Kala Kendra
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Urbanaut
This stunning multi arts centre in Jaipur is a study in architecture, designed way back in 1986 by the acclaimed architect Charles Correa for the Rajasthan Government. The result is a massive expanse of nine squares informed by the Vedic ‘nine planets’ design (which, coincidentally, also informed the plan for Jaipur itself). The galleries showcase Indian art and culture; the café is a great excuse to stop by on a sunny day, if only to soak in the atmosphere and take a few deep breaths.
Anokhi Museum
by
Krati Sharma
A world-class, mesmerizing selection of block printed textiles alongside a documentation of the history of this ancient craft. For someone who loves and cherishes fashion history and clothing, this museum will not disappoint. It's quite the visual treat and the haveli it's designed in has been magnificiently restored.
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
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Urbanaut
If, when thinking of Jaipur, you envision proud pillared edifices with stately arches and lattices windows, Rambagh Palace comes wonderfully close to representing that. The luxury heritage hotel, under the wing of the Taj Group, is set in an eponymous converted palace that dates back to 1835. It took on many forms through history, from being a royal guesthouse and hunting lodge to becoming the residence of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and Maharani Gayatri Devi. It’s even hosted the likes of Prince Charles and Jackie Kennedy. Naturally, staying in one of the 78 rooms and suites in the palace, we dare say you’ll feel like royalty for the duration of your stay. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Amber Fort
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Urbanaut
The former seat of Rajasthan’s capital is a stunning fort and palace with sprawling gardens and water bodies cut into the craggy hills of Amber. It was built entirely of red sandstone and white marble — a striking contrast to the rugged and battle-ready exteriors. The Sheesh Mahal is by far its most renowned attraction; and the scale of the Hall of Mirrors inside is such that it can be illuminated by a single candle alone. The Maota Lake, in front of the palace, augments the beauty of the area, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you spent a few minutes dreaming of residing here like the royals of lore.
Gem Palace
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Urbanaut
Gem Palace’s reputation invokes expressions of awe in both locals and travellers alike. It is the oldest jeweller in Jaipur — the jewellers to kings and queens — and houses some of the most extravagant gems you’ll ever lay eyes on. The grand yet very traditional showroom is bursting at the seams with jewellery and accessories of all shapes and forms. There are decades-old diamond necklaces and photographs of international and National royalty, who’ve visited the palace, in the same room. A trip there will take you back in time; we dare say you’ll find yourself lost in daydreams of gleaming jewels on Rajasthani royals and Russian Czars alike.
Ambikeshwar Mahadev Temple
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Urbanaut
If you’re feeling the urge to get of out Jaipur for a bit, we have just the spot for you — the Ambikeshwar Mahadev Temple near Amber (also called Amer). It’s said to date back to the 10th century, although the locals will have you believe it’s at least 5000 years old, if not more. The weathered doors and crumbling architecture are testament enough to what the temple walls have seen. Aside from the main temple — which houses the famous Shivling uncommonly placed below floor level — the complex is also home to other, smaller temples.
The Art Ghar
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Urbanaut
This tasteful space is an art studio and homestay set in a 50-year old restore bungalow. Their eight rooms are each themed differently, art plays a role in every corner and their workshops and studio space are great if you’re looking for alternative things to do. It’s an especially lovely place to go to with kids. The staff are warm and helpful and your little one will be well taken care of and creatively occupied!
Cafe Quaint
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Urbanaut
Even if you’re visiting Jawahar Kala Kendra (although you’d be missing out), the aptly named Quaint Cafe within the premises is worth a visit. Tuck in to waffles, pancakes, good coffee, and some great sandwiches (they bake their own bread) in their charming outdoor area.