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Hawa Mahal
Also
known as the Palace of Winds was built in 1799 . It is a
part of the City Palace and was commissioned by Sawai Pratap
Singh. The Hawa Mahal was designed for the ladies of the
royal household to watch the goings-on on the street while
themselves remaining hidden from public view.
Amber Fort
About 11km north of Jaipur
stands the spectacular Amber Fort built by Maharaja Man
Singh. A wonderful example of Rajput architecture, it
overlooks a lake which reflects its many terraces and
pavilions. Amber is also known for the spectacular Sheesh
Mahal, Jai Mandir, Diwan-i-Am, Sikh Niwas and the small Kali
Temple.
Jantar Mantar
A
stone observatory, known as Jantar Mantar, was built by Jai
Singh II, a great astronomer. It is located near the City
Palace. It is the largest and the best-preserved observatory
of the lot. By means of the instruments here, astronomers
could measure the positions of the stars and calculate
eclipses.
City Palace
In
the heart of the old city is former royal residence built in
a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. A part of this
palace is now a museum. The rest of the palace serves as the
living quarters of the royal family of Jaipur. The palace
also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of
miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare
astronomical works.
Jaigarh Fort
Sawai Jai Singh built the
invincible fort of Jaigarh in 1726. Jaigarh was never
captured and is therefore in a pretty good shape. A giant
mounted cannon-the Jai Ban, one of the largest in the
country are preserved here. The extensive parkotas (wallls),
watch tower and gateways of Jaigarh dominate the western
skyline.
Amer
The
old capital of the Kachhwahas stands atop a range of craggy
hills. The fort is remarkable as much
for the majestic grandeur of its surroundings as for its
sturdy battlements and beautiful palaces. It is a fine blend
of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The solemn dignity of it
red sandstone and white marble pavilions, when reflected in
the lake at the foot hill, is a sight to behold. The
original palace was built by Raja Man Singh, the additional
extensions were built by Maharaja Mirja Raja Jai Singh and
Sawai Jai Singh lIthe last Maharaja of Amer, who built a new
city called Jaipur, where he shfted his capital in 1727.
Galta
This holy pilgrimage centre has
a temple dedicated to the Sun God (Which is the only one of
its kind in this part of the country) and natural spring. It
crests the ridge over a picturesque gorge and provides an
impressive view of the city. As the legend goes, sage Galav
performed a difficult penance here.
Nahargarh Fort
This
fort (15 kms.) cresting a hill about 600 ft.
above the city, the fort was built in 1734. The walls of the
fort run along the ridge and within are architectural
beauties like Hawa Mandir and Madhvendra Bhawan.
Moti Doongri and Lakshmi Narayan
Temple
Moti Doongari is a privately
owned hilltop fort built like a scottish castle. The Ganesh
Temple at the foot of the hill and the marvellous Lakshmi
Narayan Temple built in marbles a few years back, are also
noteworthy.
Jal Mahal
(6
kms) on the way to Amer, this small palace is set in the
middle of Man Sagar Lake. A paved causeway leads upto the
beautiful water palace.
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