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Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City.
It is also the capital of the state of Rajasthan. It is one of the most
visited tourist places of India. The old city of Jaipur is partially encircled
with seven gates - the major gates are Chandpol, Sanganeri, and Ajmeri.The
Capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is steeped in history and culture. Here the
past comes alive in magnificient forts and palaces, blushed pink, where
once lived the Maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, Famous for Rajasthani
jewellery, fabric and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are surely
a treasure trove for the shoppers.
Arrive at 00.00 in Jaipur the Pink City, known for
it's colourful and fascinating Architecture. Your tour begins at the Hawa
Mahal or the Palace of Winds, followed by a visit to the Amber Fort, riding
on canopied elephants in pomp and royal style of ancient maharajas. After
indulging oneself in shopping at Rajasthali, the State's Handicrafts emporium
for souvenirs and crafts, an exotic and sumptuous lunch awaits you at
the majestic Rambagh Palace. The home of the erstwhile rulers, The City
Palace, now a museum, full of royal splendor and the amazing Jantar Mantar
- Astronomical Observatory, are to be explored at leisure. In the evening
after a cultural program of enthralling dance and music, dinner is a celebration
under the canopy of the star-lit skies at exotic Jai Mahal Palace. The
train departs from the Pink City at 17.30 hrs.
Jaipur became the capital of the Kachchwaha
dynasty when they shifted here from their hilltop fort of Amber. It was
built according to the principles laid down in the ancient Architectural
Treatises, but with all the opulence deserving to a royal city. At its
center rose the seven-tiered palace of the royal family, and around it
came up gardens and temples, its Astronomical Observatory and the myriads
of mansions and business houses. Jaipur also offers a greats shopping
experience since the city is the country's capital as far as handicrafts
go - and they include a very extensive range - as well as a major international
center for the cutting and polishing of gems and stones. It also has a
large number of palace hotels, and both Rambagh and Jai Mahal, which are
the venues for their lunch and dinner, are intimately linked with the
history of this former princely state. Rambagh, in fact, was the last
palace in which the former maharaja and his glamorous Maharani, and now
Rajmata or Queen Mother of Jaipur, the popular Gayatri Devi, resided.
The palace not only has most of the original furnishings and artifacts,
but its famous Polo Bar also has pictures of the last maharaja with English
Aristocracy and other important guests.
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