Rajasthan Monuments
Jantar Mantar
At the entrance to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the 'Yantralaya' of Sawai Jai Singh II, the last great classical astronomer in India. The modernistic structures known as 'Yantras' are the unique creations of this astronomer-king designed by him and built by experts to observe the movements of sun, moon, planets and the stars. This is the largest of five observatories founded by him in 1716 AD. The others are at Delhi, Ujjain, Mathura & Varanasi. Its massive masonry instruments are of an extraordinary precision & can still be used to measure local time, the sun's declination, azimuth & altitude, the declination of fixed stars & planets & also to determine the time of an eclipse of the sun.
Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra and forms the most chosen tourism golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trapping of modern metropolis but yet flavoured strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller. The old Jaipur painted in Pink can grip any visitor with admiration. Stunning backdrop of ancient forts Nahargarh, Amer, Jagarh and Moti Dungri are dramatic testimonials of the bygone era and a reminder of their lingering romance.
Deeg Palace
Located 34 kms form Bharatpur is the ancient town of Deeg. It finds mention in Skanda Purana as 'Dirgha' or 'Dirghapura'. The place is now known for its famous palaces, gardens and fountains. The famous old fortress of Deeg, which contributed substantially in the making of the Jat principality, is now in shambles. Its formidable cannons now lie abandoned in the forlorn fort.
Deeg was the first capital of the newly carved out Jat state, when Badan Singh was proclaimed its ruler in 1722 AD. The royal palace, built by Badan Singh, on the southern side of the garden is now called as Purana Mahal or the old palace. Deeg, because of its strategic location and proximity to Mathura and Agra was vulnerable to repeated attacks by invaders. In 1730 AD, the Crown Prince Surajmal is reported to have erected the strong fortress with towering walls, bastions, a deep moat and high ramparts about 20 feet wide, in the southern portion of the town.
Jaisalmer Havelis
The beautiful mansions built by Jaisalmer's wealthy merchants are known as 'havelis' and several of these fine sandstone buildings are still in beautiful condition. Patwon ki Haveli is the most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It stands in a narrow lane and one of its apartments is painted with beautiful murals - unfortunately, at present, the building is closed up and not lived in. Salim Singh ki Haveli was built about 300 years ago and is still partially lived in.
Salim Singh was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of a princely state and his mansion has a beautifully arched roof with superb carved brackets inn the form of peacocks. The mansion is just below the hill and, it is said, once had two additional wooden storeys in an attempt to make it as high as the Maharaja's Palace. The Maharaja had the upper storeys turned down!
Manak Chowk
Outside the fort is the main market place called Manak Chowk, which is the centre of local activity. From Manak Chowk, one can walk into the lanes where the famous carved havelis are to be found. Each haveli's facade differs from other. Built mainly during the 18th and 19th centuries, the carving in the havelis of Jaisalmer is of a very superior quality. Patwon-ki-Haveli is one of the most exquisite havelis with a beautiful latticed facade. Salim Singh-ki-Haveli is just three centuries old, and is still inhabitated. Its arched roof is held up by well excluded brackets in the form of peacocks.
Nathmalji-ki-Haveli was built by two architect brothers, each concentrating on opposite sides. Yellow sandstone tuskers guard the haveli. These Havelis cluster along the narrow, cobbled alleys of the city, and their fine carved balconies all but one meet across the lanes of this picturesque town.
Hawa Mahal
Jaipur's signature building, the Hawa Mahal, a multi layered palace, was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Famous for it's beehive like structure, the Mahal is an interplay of red and pink sand stone, carefully and painstakingly outlined with white borders and motifs. The palaces and forts of yesteryears, which were witness to the royal processions and splendours are now living monuments, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyle of the people of the "Pink City".
Falling under the Golden Triangle, and being visited by millions of domestic and foreign tourists, the city of Jaipur is a place of high tourist interest. The Pink City, as commonly known, has all sorts of amenities for domestic and foreign tourists. Hotels ranging from 5 star to low budgets are available. The city is linked by Rail, Road, and Air and attracts high traffic in winters.
Padmini's Palace
The fort perched on a 180 mts. high hill, covering 700 acres, was constructed by Mauryan rulers in the 7th century. In the fort, this palace was built for Queen Padmini whose beauty was responsible for the battle between Allauddin Khilji and Rana Ratan Singh. Rani Padmini was a celebrated beauty and according to a legend, it was here that Rana Ratan Singh showed a glimpse of her to Allauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi. It overlooks a pool in which the 'Zanana Mahal' is situated, where Padmini stood when her reflection was shown to Allauddin Khilji in a mirror placed in the main hall.
Vijay Stambh
Vijay Stambh also know as Victory Tower. Synonymous with the tradition of valour and chivalry, Chittorgarh or Chittaur, the capital of Mewar, was under the Rajput rule from the 7th to the mid 16th century. Fiercely independent, it was ravaged thrice, and each time like Phoenix - it rose again. Allauddin Khilji was the first to plunder Chittaur in 1303 AD. Legend and history corroborate that this was because of his passionate desire to abduct queen Padmini. Yet, she, preferring death to dishonour, committed 'Jauhar' (self immolation) along with the other ladies of her court.
