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Jaipur is a city where royalty
still lives in the grandeur of its palaces, where fighting
for the honour of the clan has never been a need but a way
of life, and where treating guests as gods has been a tradition
from time immemorial. The city is located at a distance of
around 258 km from Delhi and 232 km from Agra, making it a
part of the famed Golden Triangle tourist circuit of North
India. Jaipur got its name from its founder Sawai Jai Singh
(1693-1743), who had the vision to create a meticulously planned
city as his capital. All the houses in the old city are painted
pink, including the famous Hawa Mahal, thereby giving
the city its alternative name, the Pink City.
Sightseeing
Jaipur offers a plethora of touristic attractions to the traveller.
The City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for
its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away
is the Central Museum with its large collection of
woodwork, jewellery, costumes, brassware, and pottery. Another
monument near the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, is the largest
of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa
Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal
ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen.
Amber Fort, situated just outside the city, is perhaps
the most beautiful example of Rajasthani forts and gives a
grand view of the city down below. Other attractions include
the Jaigarh Fort, Birla Mandir, and Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh.
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