Art, History and Art History: LBB’s Jaipur Cultural Guide

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A city where an opulent heritage meets contemporary trappings, there are plenty of historical attractions in Jaipur to see. Especially if you’re a history aficionado, Jaipur has a number of monuments, forts and shrines to touch upon. We’ve narrowed down a list of places you could visit on your next trip {especially if it’s during JLF :D}

Nahargarh Fort

Perched at the edge of the Aravali Hills, Nahargarh Fort, also known as Tiger Fort, serves as an ideal location to watch the sun set. We recommend you make your way up to the top of Nahargarh Fort and settle yourself in one of the gazebos at the charming, open-air restaurant – Café Padao. A meal would cost you around INR 1,500 for two.

Where: Narghard Road, Krishna Nagar, Brahmpuri, Jaipur

Price: INR 20 {Indian}, INR 50 {Foreign Nationals}

Timings: 10am - 5.30pm

City Palace

citypalaceImage courtesy: Jaipur Love

Located in the heart of Jaipur, the City Palace is where the erstwhile Maharaja reigned from. Although it’s been converted into a museum housing artefacts from medieval Jaipur, a part of it houses the current royal family. If you’ve always wondered how kings and queens lived, the City Palace is a must-visit. They also have a bunch of shops inside, though we recommend you check out the government emporiums and our shopping guide here. We also recommend going for the Light and Sound Show, while you’re at it.

Where: Jalebi Chowk, Near Jantar Mantar, Tripolia Bazar, Jaipur

Price: INR 100 {Indians}, INR 400 {Foreign Nationals}

Timings: 9.30am - 5pm

Contact: 0141 408 8855

Check out their website here. 

Chokhi Dhani Village

chokhidhaniImage courtesy: Padhaaro Blog

What can we say about this venue that hasn’t already been said in any and every guide book. What we will tell you though is to not be put off by the overly-touristic vibe, and make the drive here for authentic Rajasthani cuisine. The warm Rajasthani hospitality comes replete with staff in colourful turbans, camel rides, and folk singers and dancers, all in a thematic village setting.

Where: 12 Miles Tonk Road, Via Vatika Jaipur

Price: INR 1,600

Contact: +91 97990 45666

Check out their website here. 

Jawahar Kala Kendra

An international art and culture centre in Jaipur, the Jawahar Kala Kendra is an analogue of the original city plan of Jaipur, as conceptualised by the Maharaja, and each of the 9 blocks is based on attributes of one of the 9 planets. The massive complex houses museums, theatres, libraries, studios, an arts display room, as well as a cafeteria. This is an autonomous body of the government and

Where: Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg

Price: Free

Timings: 10am - 6pm

Contact: 0141-2706641, Find all numbers here.

Check out their website here. Check out their Facebook page, here.

Anokhi Museum of Hand Block Printing

anokhiSituated in the precincts of the Amber Fort, lot of tourists are now visiting this quaint little spot to gain some hands-on hand-block knowledge. Dedicated to the collection, preservation and interpretation of block printed cloth, exhibits and educational programming give you an insight into this ancient craft. After a museum visit, pop in to the Anokhi Café located in the museum forecourt.

Where: Chanwar Palkiwalon ki Haveli {Anokhi Haveli}, Kheri Gate, Amber

Timings: 10.30am - 5pm {Tuesday-Saturday}; 11am - 4.30pm {Sunday}

Contact: 0141 2530226 / 2531267

Check out their website here.

Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh had a royal garden constructed for his beloved queen, complete with foliage, fountains, pavilions and galleries. You’ll find a lot of pictorial representations of Radha-Krishna’s love story; the garden was built as a testament of his eternal love. Look out for the exquisite Mughal designs and fountains.

Where: NH11, Lal Dungri, Jaipur

Price: INR 5 onwards

Timings: 8am - 5pm

Contact: 01426 214 084

Fid more info here.

Jaigarh

jaigarhOne of the three hilltop forts nestled in Jaipur, Jaigarh offers a panoramic view of the entire city. Inside, you will find an armoury, a museum, the assembly hall of warriors, as well as the palace complex. It is also famous for housing the world’s largest canon on wheels.

Where: 4 km from Amer fort, 20 minute walk uphill

Price: Included in ticket for Amber Fort

Timings: 9am - 5pm

Follow them on their Facebook page, here.

Raj Mandir Cinema Hall

The Raj Mandir Cinema, a meringue-shaped cinema hall that opened in 1976, continues to run till today. From its stunning chandeliers, to the royal pink décor and opulence it is now synonymous with, this hall is considered India’s equivalent of the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Where: B-16, Panch Batti, Bhagwan Das Road

Price: Shows priced from INR 100 - INR 350

Contact: 0141 237 9372

Check out their website here. 

Check out their Facebook page, here. 

Amer Fort {Amber Fort}

amerfortSituated 11 km from Jaipur City, the Amer Fort sits atop a hill and showcases a stunning amalgam of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Built in red sandstone and marble, it has beautiful paintings and intricate carvings depicting medieval India. They also have a pretty cool elephant ride inside the fort and a Sheesh Mahal full of mirror work.

Where: Amer, Jaipur

Price: INR 25 {Indian} INR 200 {Foreign Nationals}

Timings: 8am - 6pm

Contact: 0141 253 0293

Check out their website here.

Dera Amer

Situated behind the hills of the famous Amer Fort, Dera Amer is located at the foothills of the Aravali Range and surrounded by the wilderness of a reserved forest. It offers fun recreational activities including Elephant Polo {pre-booking advised}, apart from provisions for all meals. Camel safaris, jeep safaris and living with elephants are the order of the day here. They also have tent accommodation.

Where: Village Khurad, Kukas, Tehsil - Amer, Jaipur

Price: Booking enquiry here. 

Timings: 11am - 10pm

Contact: +91 90015 12512

Check out their website here.

Jantar Mantar

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPart of a series of five observatories built in medieval India, the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is considered the largest, housing on its premises the world’s largest sundial.

Where: Near City Palace, Tripolia Bazar

Price: INR 40 {Indian} INR 200 {Foreign Nationals}

Timings: 9am - 4.30pm

You can visit their website, here.

Walled City

A walk through the Walled City will take you back through the ages as, inside the little known lanes, the old ways of life continue uninterrupted. From women bargaining over saris and old men smoking their hookahs, to pops of colour in the form of traditional art and craft, this walk will be worth your while at the least, and enlightening at the most.

Right opposite Hawa Mahal, you will find a middle-aged, toothy gentleman with a rickety, vintage, tripod camera. Tikam Chand has carried forward his family’s legacy of over two generations – using what is now a 150-year-old camera, to take beautiful vintage-style pictures of anyone who’s been lucky enough to spot him. It’s well worth the wait {the instrument takes time to develop}, as the final product makes for a lovely souvenir to take back home. As a special treat for our readers – you can call Tikam Chand at +91-9828072800/ 9324715885.

Albert Hall Museum

Low angle view of a museum, Government Central Museum, Jaipur, Rajasthan, IndiaThe oldest Jaipur museum, it’s located in Ram Niwas Bagh and also goes by the name Central Museum. It’s a life size example of Indo-Saracenic architecture {an architectural style movement by British architects in the late 19th century}. Dedicated to promoting and preserving the local art and craft of Jaipur, it houses a rich collection of artefacts like paintings, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures and colourful crystal work.

Where: Ramniwas Bag, Near Birla Mandir, Jaipur

Price: INR 40 onwards. Find more info here. 

Timings: 9am - 5.30pm; 6.30pm - 9pm

Contact: 0141 257 0099

Check out their website here. 

Ram Niwas Bagh and Zoo

Built so that the Central Museum {Albert Hall} would be surrounded by greenery, the Ram Niwas Garden houses several cafes, a bird park, the Ravindra Rang Manch Theater and Jaipur’s oldest zoo. A lush green garden in the middle of the Pink City, it’s a welcome change from all the at-times overwhelming forts and palaces.

Where: Museum Road, Ramniwas Bagh, Jaipur

Price: INR 10 onwards

Timings: 8.30am - 5.30pm

Contact: 0141 261 7319

Birla Planetarium

birlaRemember school trips to Nehru Planetarium? Ditch the Milton bottles and visit the Jaipur version. It holds regular sky shows, propagates basic concepts of astronomy and also focuses on the evolution of earth and the exploration of Mars and other planets. For a day of science or to reminisce about Rachel and Ross’ first date, Birla planetarium should be on your itinerary. There’s also a science museum and a research lab {and a telescope!} as an added incentive.

Where: Near Statue Circle, Prithviraj Rd, Rambagh, Jaipur

Price: INR 40

Timings: 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 6pm and 7pm {all shows are in Hindi}; It’s closed on Mondays.

Contact: 0141 238 5367

Check out their Facebook page, here. For more information, look here.

Galtaji

If you’re in the mood for a mini road trip, Galtaji is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site about 10 kms from Jaipur city. Built within a mountain pass, you’ll get to see several temples and sacred kunds {water tanks} that pilgrims bathe in. Rumour has it a saint named Galav lived here, practiced the art of meditation and served penance. The temple is also known for its natural water springs.

Where: 10 km from Jaipur, Jaipur-Agra Highway, near Sisodia Rani ka Bagh

Timings: 11am - 10pm

Elefun

elefunAn elephant sanctuary in Jaipur, Elefun is devoted to creating a safe and natural environment for Elephants. You get to learn about their basic food habits, life and traditional decoration. Bathe them, feed them or just water them; Elefun allows you to watch them in their natural habitat and, for animal-lovers, interact with this gentle giant!

Where: Narsingh Colony, Ward No 1, Amer, Jaipur

Timings: 10.30am - 7pm

Contact: +91 9982886474, +91 9887173419

Follow their Facebook page here.

Shree Sanjay Sharma Museum and Research Centre

Home to an array of artefacts, you can expect to find more than 100,000 different manuscripts, and a wealth of folk and miniature paintings. This memorial museum was constructed by the parents of Shree Sanjay Sharma, who died as a little boy. The museum has a number of rare manuscripts, illustrated alchemy books and yoga manuals.

Where: Thatheron Ka Rasta, Chaura Rasta, Jaipur

Price: INR 100

Timings: 10am - 5pm

Contact: 0141 2323436

Step Well {Panna Meena Ka Kund}

pannameenaImage courtesy: HolidayIQ

A step well 100 metres before the Anokhi Museum, it’s been featured on the Amazing Race Australia! Sneak a peek on your way to the museum. This is an eight-storey staircase and people usually come here to sit for  bit and talk.

Where: Near Amber Fort, Jaipur

Ishwar Lat

Swarg Suli or Heaven Piercing Minaret, this tower near Tripolia gate, built by Maharaja Ishwari Singh, offers one of the most breathtaking views of the city.

Where: Tripolia Bazar, Jaipur

Timings: All day

Find more to do here. 

Also check out our shopping guide and food guide.

Feature image courtesy: Famous Places