Jaipur, The Pink City!

LordBrar · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 1

Though originally not from here, I live in Jaipur, also called the Pink City, and am also starting a site about the city. Because I couldn't find any specific threads about this beautiful city in here, I thought about making one :)

The History -

Jaipur, was founded in 1727 AD by the astronomer king Sawai Jai Singh. And the whole city was actually painted pink to create an impression of red sandstone buildings of Mughal cities.

Jaipur was India's first planned city designed by the architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya.

The city was planned in a gird system with wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of the main roads, all arranged in nine rectangular city sectors. The city is surrounded by a wall having seven gates and was built as a protection against invading armies and the wild animals.

The city is surrounded by the following forts (I would write about them later :p and perhaps scan the snaps I've got and post em here)-

Amer Fort
Jaighar Fort
Naharghar Fort

:oops: Before I continue with this thread, I would like to know that what exactly would you be interested in knowing about Jaipur? This way, I will be able to make this thread of direct value to you.

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Sounds excellent, LordBrar! Jaipur was one of the cities I didn't make it to when I visited India, but is on my list of places to visit next time 'round!

I'd like to read info about the forts. How long one should plan to spend in the city in order to see all the noteable sites. Info on local delicacies. Transport there(i.e. would one go there from Delhi/how long would the trip take & do you recommend air or rail?). Maybe some info on accomodation or if you know a link that can list some good places to stay or perhaps the sightseeing bureau there. Looking forward to hearing more!

Kenny · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 18

Very nice history there.. it sure sounds like a nice place .. :)

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

I just saw a really cool documentary on Jaipur last night. It included the coverage of a festival in which people smear each others' faces with colorful powder(what a MESS that was!) The news crew then went on to Jodhpur, the "Blue City".

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

cocodrilo wrote: Transport there(i.e. would one go there from Delhi/how long would the trip take & do you recommend air or rail?).

I don't know how long it takes but India has a couple of EXCELLENT domestic airlines. My husband goes to India two or three times a year on business, and most often flies domestic routes on JetAirways. He also has flown domestically on Air Sahara. As far as two/from India goes, he's used Air India, Singapore, and Lufthansa. I think his favorite is Lufthansa, but that's because he gets Star Alliance Miles and the routing through Frankfurt is the fastest from San Francisco.

India has an extensive rail network, and some of the routes are really pretty. But some of the distances are quite long, and it's just a lot faster and simpler to fly. We were going to take the train from Pune to Goa once, and decided that a very short flight beat something like 14 hours on the train (it took so long because of having to make a connection through Mumbai).

I think you can't go wrong either way, it really depends on travel time versus price.