By Savio D'costa
Rajasthan conjures images of the desert, sand dunes, brave Rajputs, battles, Haveli’s, Palaces, Forts, camels and the warrior queen “Rani of Chittor”. At one corner of the Golden triangle, Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan is one of the most visited cities by foreign tourists coming to India. Lying about 260 km from Delhi and 245 km Agra it forms part of the world famous Golden Triangle.Damodar my guide, operator, friend and a Rajput accompanies our group on our tour of Jaipur. Rajputs were famed for their valor, integrity and honesty. At our hotel we get the traditional Rajasthani welcome. Rose petals are sprinkled on us and we are garlanded as we enter the hotel. We are also offered a soft drink and a vermillion red tikka is applied to our forehead. This hospitality is an eye opener to our students from Goa!
Jaipur is known the world over as the pink city. Why Pink? Damodar says that one story says that the city was painted pink before the arrival of the Prince of Wales in 1853. Another says that the contractor employed to get the job done could only get pink for that great a supply. Yet another story was that Pink was the favorite color of Maharani Gayatri Devi one of the most beautiful women in the world at that time, hence pink. No matter, it is this that adds to the allure of Jaipur.
Jaipur was built over 280 years ago by Maharaja Jaisingh II from whom it gets its name. This planned city was built according to Vastu Shastra the Indian Feng Shui. The city was built with wide straight roads, streets and lanes with uniform rows of shops on either side of the main road and arranged in nine rectangular sectors. The city was surrounded by a strong wall with seven gates to protect it from invading armies.
Damodar organizes our lunch at a park at the foot of the Amber fort. Speakers hidden among the trees emit roars of animals making it fun for our students. The fort came into the limelight during filming of the bollywood film ‘Veer’starring Salman Khan. A part of the fort wall collapsed during the filming. From the top of the fort we get a panoramic view of the hillside. The highlight of our visit to the Amber fort is the Sheesh Mahal, the hall of victory with glittering mirrors. Inlaid with bits of mirrors, candles disperse light throughout this hall making for a very romantic evening!
The next day we are off to the Maharaja’s city palace. Located in the heart of the city it covers a large portion of the old city area. It is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The highlight here are the twin silver jars which were used by the Maharaja to carry Gangajal ( holy water from the river Ganga )which he used for drinking during his visit to London for King Edward the VIIth’s coronation in 1902. They figure in the Guinness book of world records as the largest silver vessels ever made. 14000 silver coins were melted to make each jar. The jars height is 5’ 3” inches and its circumference is 14’ 10”.We then visit the Hawa Mahal in the old city. It was built in 1799 and is the face of Jaipur. It has 152 windows with over hanging latticed balconies and was designed for royal ladies to watch processions unobserved on the street below.
The astronomical observatory, the Jantar Mantar built in the 18th century is a must see. Huge masonry instruments are used to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. It is listed among the UNESCO world heritage sites.
Shopping in the crowded bazaar is a treat. You can find a wide range of handicrafts, Mojari( The local shoe ), Batik (Block printed), tie & die fabrics, sandalwood, stone and marble carved items and brass workmanship.
Jaipur is world famous for precious and semi-precious stones and also for the cutting, polishing and setting of these stones, particularly that of diamonds, topaz, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. You can buy these stones at the local shops but be prepared to bargain.
As we bid goodbye to Damodar for our return to Goa, I cannot help feel that with all its grandeur, and romantic charm of a bygone era and despite the city not looking quite as pink as you expected, your visit to Jaipur will definitely not leave you disappointed.
