pink city blues

anar

i will be in jaipur soon for a limited period. i will have enough time to see just one place of interest properly - about one whole day.

question (to all those who have been to jaipur): which is the one place you visited in jaipur that you felt was unmissable?

i leave in a week's time, so any replies before then greatly appreciated.

wonderwomanusa

I saw the Jaipur Museum 35 years ago and still remember things in it!

Brisso

Museum is good - is that the one in the Maha's old palace?

Amber Fort is impressive also - but plenty of other forts in India if you are short of time.

SitaParityaga

Thats the one. I found the palace/museum more interesting than the Amber Fort: Jodphur and Jaisalmer forts were my favorites. And forget the Palace of the Winds....although the neighborhoods around it were fun to walk in.

anar

thanks for the input! a local of jaipur recommends nahargarh (with jaigarh on the way). that would take up a whole day though. i like the sound of the museum. no one's mentioned 'jantar-mantar'.

atala

The one thing to see for a foreigner would be the Govinda-temple in the gardens of the Royal Palace early mornings, around 4:30 a.m till about 7 a.m. The atmosphere there is absolutely unique for all of India that I have seen. And wait until the visiting Rajasthanis start to sing their devotional songs during an arati. It is extremely touching, an emotional experience of the most exquisite kind. there is also the custom there to distribute the prasad that one buys at a stall. It brings you in "personal" touch with everyone, and everyone will eat what you gave, which is extraordinary for brahmin Bharat (India).

I understand Jaipur was actually built for the purpose of protecting these Murtis from Muslim onslaught. They were originally placed in Vrindavan which was marauded by the son of the builder of the Taj.

Since you are Indian, I think, I do not know whether such a visit would interest you. I would recommend it at any rate, and it fits into your plans, as you are free for the day later.

Mickey S

This sounds absolutely wonderful, atala. Is that the temple that appears in my guidebook as Govind Devji? (The guidebook says nothing about it). Is there singing every morning? What is the best time to go?

I shall be taking my (ageing) mother to Rajasthan in December, and I want every day to be an experience she will never forget. I think this might fit the bill beautifully. Thank you so much for the idea.

anar

it interests me greatly, atala. many thanks - be a wonderful way to start my day of sightseeing!

ranjan154

Wish you a great, memorable time in Jaipur.

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anar

thanks, so nice of you!

machadinha

Well, here go: Jantar Mantar

Go there if you can. I found it amazing (didn't even like Jaipur, but it's another story, which I've probably done before).

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npjai

I would sat Amber Fort. Get there around 0730 am if you want an elephant ride up to the fort (Cost Rs 700 for 2 persons). Visit the fort, the Shila Mata Temple and go all the way to the back where they have found a secret passage to Jaigarh. The walk down the back gate to the old mahal, Jagat Shiromani Temple and all the way to the Sagar Gate for the Anokhi Museum (all about hand block printing). There a nice cafe at Anokhi. You can go upto the Sagar Lake if you wish or walk back out to the main chowk to catch the bus/taxi back to Jaipur. Outside of the fort, youll find no tourists, just peace and quiet.

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anar

got back from my week in jaipur and managed to do far more sightseeing than i thought i'd be able to:

amber fort - top of my list - amazing place;

sisodia rani ka bagh (queen sisodia gardens) - special gem of a place, on the outskirts of the city - well worth the trip;

city palace - again, a must;

jantar-mantar - went late afternoon (just before 4pm), great light for photos, a bit crowded;

a walk around statue circle - off the tourist track, gentle pleasure;

tea at rambagh palace - expensive (rs1350 for two) but had to be done and no regrets;

lmb (laxmi mishthan bhandar) on m i road - a rajasthani thali treat (plus all the stand-up delicacies in the outside area - wow!).

stayed at arya niwas - excellent - inexpensive, unobtrusive, great home-cooking restaurant on premises. however, changed downstairs room for an upper floor one (small and dark and not so nice on ground floor).

govindji ka temple was closed when we went - saw the birla temple instead - not worth the effort.

solesouljoy

Amber Fort. or city palace (has interesting armoury).