WHY IS JAIPUR KNOWN AS THE PINK CITY?
The Maharaja also oversaw the construction of a grand concert hall, naming it Albert Hall, in honour of Prince Albert. Today, the building is the Albert Hall Museum and is the oldest museum in the state of Rajasthan. The building itself is a stunning display of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Venture inside and you’ll find a collection of treasures including paintings, crystal sculptures and jewellery.
In 1877 The Maharaja Ram Singh took the pink obsession one step further. After the Queen of Jaipur declared herself a fan of the pink, he passed a law stating that any future buildings in the city must be painted the same colour. The law has remained, with almost all buildings, from bazaars to temples, adopting the same lovely shade of terracotta pink. And, while times have changed, the Pink City continues to open its arms to the world with the same generous hospitality it always has.
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A PINK PARADISE THAT WAS AHEAD OF ITS TIME
Jaipur was also a city that was ahead of its time, as it was India’s first planned city. When Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II founded the city in 1727 as Rajasthan’s capital, he designed the streets on a grid, using early urban planning principles. Today you’ll find that the streets of Jaipur are a pleasure to navigate, with wide main streets running north-south and east-west.
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THE MOST FAMOUS PINK BUILDINGS IN JAIPUR
HAWA MAHAL
You’ll visit Hawa Mahal with Insight and explore the City Palace Museum. You can also choose to visit the royal observatory or see Jantar Mantar, home to the world’s largest stone dun dial. You might also like to join your Local Expert for a walk through the city’s old laneways and watch artisans working with ancient techniques.
EXPERIENCE IT: Classical India with Nepal
CITY PALACE
AMER FORT
Don’t miss the dazzling Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors). The walls and ceiling are covered in mirror, mosaics, and ornate flower carvings. The king at the time had it built so the Mahrani (queen) could stargaze whenever she desired, since the Mahrani wasn’t allowed to sleep outdoors. The light from a single candle gives the illusion of thousands of stars and it’s oh so romantic.
EXPERIENCE IT: Classical India with Nepal