Discover the luxury and grandeur of Rajasthan at the City Palace in Jaipur. This palace is an architectural wonder and a symbol of royalty. It was built between the years 1729-1732 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. The palace served as the royal residence for the Maharaja. The last ruler to reside in this palace was Raja Man Singh II.
The architecture of the City Palace is a mix of Rajput, Mughal and European style. The entire structure is made of pink and red sandstone. Inside the palace, you will get to see huge courtyards, tall pillars, statues, walls with intricate carvings and paintings.
The royal palace is divided into separate sections. The entrance courtyard is called Pritam Niwas Chowk which has four small gates representing four Hindu deities, Vishnu, Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha. Mubarak Mahal was built to welcome the guests of the Maharaja while the Chandra Mahal has seven separate floors and a grand peacock carving at its entrance. The armoury displays full body armour and collection of weapons used by the Rajputs during war. Diwan-e-Khas was the royal darbar for the private audience whereas Diwan-e-Aam was an open hall for the general public.
Highlights
• Marvel at the opulent City Palace in Jaipur and admire its architecture brilliance.
• Explore several sections of the palace like Diwan-e-Khas, Armoury and Chandra Mahal.
• Learn interesting facts about the city’s history as well as the royal family.
• Pose against the backdrop of beautifully designed walls of the palace for aesthetic pictures.
• Visit nearby popular attractions such as Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and Tripolia Gate.
How To Reach
By Car : The City Palace is located at a distance of around 5 km from the city centre of Jaipur. It will take approximately 15 minutes via the Ajmer Road and Mirza Ismail Road. You can easily get a taxi for the City Palace from any corner of the city or you can also choose to drive yourself.
By Bus : The nearest bus stop to the City Palace is Tripolia Bazar bus stop. The bus stop is located at a mere distance of 550 metre from the attraction. You can either take a rickshaw or easily cover the distance by an 8 minute walk.
By Metro : The nearest metro station to the City Palace is Badhi Chaupar station which is at a distance of 550 metre from the attraction. You can either take a rickshaw or enjoy an 8 minute walk to Jantar Mantar.
Best Time To Visit
The City Palace is an all-year round destination and it is open for tourists throughout the year.
Best Day of the Week : Plan your visit to the City Palace during the weekdays if you wish to avoid crowds and explore the place at your own pace.
Best Time of the Day : Instead of the peak hours, you can visit the City Palace during early hours to avoid crowds and long queues.
Other Essential Information
Visitor Tips :
1. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you will be required to walk a lot to cover the palace.
2. Carry water bottles to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
3. Avoid disposing of garbage inside the palace to maintain the cleanliness of the premises.
4. Photography and videography is restricted in certain areas so keep an eye on the sign boards.
5. There are wheelchairs available at the palace for the elderly and the disabled.
Admire the Royal Architecture
The City Palace is nothing less than an architectural masterpiece. The royal palace was mainly designed by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, an Indian architect. The European touch was given to this palace by Samuel Swinton, an English engineer and architect. The entire palace was constructed with pink and red sandstones. The beauty of the palace was enhanced by adding gorgeous pillars, jali work, statues, marble detailings and paintings. The gates of the palace are decorated with carvings of rose, peacock and symmetrical patterns. Additionally, the palace has several huge courtyards, lavish rooms, galleries and a beautifully maintained garden.
Explore the sections of the palace
The entire City Palace is divided into subsections, each having a separate function. You will first come across Pritam Niwas Chowk, the entrance courtyard. This courtyard has four separate gates, leading to separate directions and dedicated to four Hindu deities.
Next, the Mubarak Mahal was a hall where the Maharaja welcomed his special guests. The Chandra Mahal is a separate building with seven floors, each decorated in a unique way. You will need to purchase an additional ticket to enter Chandra Mahal as it is still the residence of the royal family. Bagghi Khana is where you can see the royal chariot and a European-styled car, gifted by Queen Victoria. The other two sections are Diwan-e-Khas, which was built for the private audience of the Maharaja and Diwan-e-Aam, for the general public.
Witness the weapons of the Rajputs
Another must-visit section of the City Palace is the Armoury. This is where you will get to witness the real weapons and armour of the warriors. As soon as you enter the armoury, you will be amazed to see life-size horse structure, wearing horse body armour. The armoury has a huge collection of weapons which were used in wars by the Rajputs. Some of these weapons on display include knives, riffles, knuckle braces, lances, daggers and shields. Some of these weapons date back to the 15th century and some have intricate carvings on them.
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