Hawa Mahal

Chand Baori or Abhaneri Step Well is a stepwell located in the Abhaneri village near Jaipur which is a favored tourist destination.With many national as well as international tourists visiting it,  Abhaneri Step Well is considered to be an architectural wonder.The stepwell is around 30m or 100ft. deep and is one of the deepest and largest step well in India. Stepwells are very common in Rajasthan because of its arid and dry climate. Located in the eastern dryer parts of Rajasthan, the stepwell was primarily built to store water.Not only the step well stores water, it is also useful in groundwater harvesting. This marvelous and distinctive quality of Abhaneri Step Well makes it one of a kind in India.  Abhaneri Step Well is regarded amongst the most picturesque step wells in the world. The unique structural formation of the stepwell with its peculiar design has attracted a lot of attention. The stepwell can be seen in movies like Bhool Bhulaiyaa and the internationally acclaimed ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. The beauty of Abhaneri Step Well lies in its history as the stepwell has been in existence since the 8th Century. Till date, the step is functional but not up to its total limits.  Located around 100km from the capital city of Jaipur, Chand Baori is older than some major monuments like the Taj Mahal and ancient temples like Khajurao Temples and Chola Temples.  History of Abhaneri Step Well -  With its history dating back to the 8th Century, Abhaneri Step Well was built by Raja Chanda.  Raja Chanda belonged to the Nikhumba Dynasty which ruled the region for almost 400 years.  Raja Chanda had his faith in Harshat Mata, the goddess of joy and happiness. To please Harshat Mata and help the people in his kingdom, Raja Chanda built this step well. Also, there was a temple attached to the stepwell dedicated to Harshat Mata.It was partially razed in the 10th century but with time, the temple was repaired. Due to its geographical setting and climatic resolutions, the region often faced water scarcity.  To cope up with this problem, Raja Chanda started the construction of the stepwell. In its original setting,  Abhaneri Step Well was only a step well with steps leading to the bottom. In the 18th century when the Mughals invaded the region, they rebuilt the stepwell and constructed walls and built some galleries around the well.  Abhaneri Step Well houses the annual Abhaneri festival which occurs before the Sharad Navratri. The  festival is celebrated to embrace and thank Goddess Harshat Mata in a period of 3-days. During the festival, a diving competition is conducted where the young men of the village participate. Also, the step well is very popular globally that it attracts more international visitors than national.  The Harshat Temple near the stepwell is older than the stepwell and was built around the 7th century. The name of the village, Abhaneri is said to be originated from the blessings of Harshat Mata who endowed to spread brightness (abha) in the lives of the people.  The Architecture of Abhaneri Step Well -  The geometrical setting of the step well is so unique that this setting cannot be seen in modern times. Abhaneri Step Well is 100 ft deep and takes around 3,500 steps to go the bottom. The stepwell has steep steps on its three sides and the fourth side consists of galleries on two floors. The total 3,500 steps are built sideways and not straight on all three sides. The fourth side, which faces the stepwell houses some idols of Lord Ganesh and Mahisasurmardini and acts like a pavilion comprising of some wonderfully carved jharokhas. The 3,500 steps of the stepwell make it look like a magical structure and if viewed from a particular distance, they look like an optical illusion. With shadow falling on the steps and sunlight playing its game, the steps of Abhaneri Step Well give a very mystic look.  In ancient times, the step well was more than a step well. At a period in history, the stepwell housed an upper palace and the small palace thing had a few rooms.  Though with the years gone by, the palace of the stepwell began to deteriorate and now only a section of it can be seen. The step well had the ancient water system and the water was used for several purposes.  This ancient form of the water storage system was disregarded by the Britishers and citing the reason that the water in Abhaneri Step Well is used for drinking as well as other reasons like bathing and washing, they installed the system of pipes and tanks. This led to the fall of the old-fashion water system in the Abhaneri village.

Known originally as Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Birla Mandir is located at the base of Moti Dungri Temple, Jaipur. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site among the Hindu devotees. Made of sparkling white marble, the structure looks incredibly marvelous.  Lush green gardens surround the temple on the sides and give the structure a truly dreamy touch.  Birla Mandir has a total of three domes, each one representing a different perspective of religion. The temple features stunning carvings and drawings all around its body. The walls of the structure are adorned with mythological quotes and holy charms from the Hindu holy book of Geeta. In addition, various mythological events and happenings are also carved on the shrine’s interior walls. The temple’s architectural beauty is totally admirable and appreciable.  The most important part of Birla Mandir is the beautiful monolithic figurine of Lakshmi Narayan. The temple also houses an idol of Shri Ganesha, which is equally stunning and appreciable. You will also find pictures and sculptures of various other Gods and Goddesses, which strike a religious charm in the air inside the temple. The temple even shelters the pictures of legendary personalities, such as Zarathustra, Jesus Christ, Gautam Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates. Birla Mandir is also home to a beautiful museum that stores and exhibits all the ancestral assets of the respected Birla family. All these elements combine to make Birla Mandir a perfect destination for spiritual seekers of every religion. The temple gets a lot of visitors all through the year and the crowd becomes even bigger during important festivals. History of Birla Mandir Jaipur - In accordance with the popular historical belief, Birla Mandir at Jaipur in Rajasthan is built on the land that was handed over to the country’s reputed Birla family by the respected Maharaja of that time in exchange for just INR 1. The construction of the temple began back in the year 1977 by the B.M. Industrial Foundation.  The structure was developed over a total time period of around eight years and the construction work finally ended in the year 1985.  In reference to historical facts, Mahatma Gandhi was invited to inaugurate Birla Mandir. However, Gandhi stated that he would only accept the invitation if the temple would be open to devotees of all the castes of society. The temple’s consecration ceremony finally happened on February 22, 1985. Since then, Birla Temple is open for visitors irrespective of the caste and creed they belong to.

The rich heritage and architecture of Jaipur have rendered it to the name ‘Paris of India’, and Jawahar Kala Kendra is no different. It resides at the heart of this Pink City and attracts many tourists due to its cultural significance. It is en route the Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg. The architectural design of Jawahar Kala Kendra was laid out by the renowned MIT graduate Mr Charles Correa. The structure of this building is similar in appearance to the nine grids of our solar system. The walls and high ceilings are interspersed with elegant artwork from ancient and modern times, which only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the place. Theatres of Jawahar Kala KendraThe theatre at Jawahar Kala Kendra hosts frequent performances by artists, students and scholars that make for an engaging platform of profound creativity. If is constructed out of three theatres – 1 open and two closed. Most of the youngsters come to the open theatre and perform or act out their dramas, dance forms or other culturally eloquent forms of acting. The other two theatres are called Rangayan and Krishnan. Rangayan is mostly a haven for modern plays and playwrights debuting their dramas on-stage. On the other hand, Krishnayan hosts various Rajasthani festivals inviting artists from all across India. This theatre hosts distinct performances in varying styles and outcome and a major tourist attraction of Jaipur. Kala Galleries, Exhibitions and MuseumThe Alankar Museum is one of the most popular museums in Rajasthan and is situated within the peripherals of Jawahar Kala Kendra. They have a repertoire of music that stirs the soul, artworks and sculptors decorating these galleries and museums, enhancing every instrument required to produce a masterpiece. The exhibitions held portray exquisite craftsmanship and blue pottery items available on sale.  

Appu Ghar, the recreational city of India, is situated in the backdrop of Aravali mountain range in Jaipur city. The park spreading over sprawling 300 acres offers entertainment, exhilaration, respite, and escapade. Appu Ghar is also referred to locally as “Happy Adventure” is a 2-day vacation haven, suitable for people of all ages.   Appu Ghar, the most excellent water park in Jaipur city is adrenaline on the rocks with numerous breathtaking rides and water slides. The park is developed by IAL (International Amusement Limited) and Mr. Gian Vijeshwar, considered the Father of Indian Amusement Industry, as a third venture after Rohini Amusement park and Noida Entertainment city. It encompasses picturesque villas, world-class recreational facilities, star hotels & MICE amenities, and integrated mall with global brands. A perfect outing for people to get away from the hustle-bustle of the busy metropolitan and mundane lifestyle and freak out doing what one likes best.  Helicopter ride, Toy train ride, Piggy ride, Monkey bars, and trampoline keep the kids amused the whole time. Mechanical Bull Ride, ATV Rides, Bungee Trampoline, Dirt Biking, etc. sets adults’ palpitations racing and uncertainty and anxiety about capabilities peaking before each activity. Team games like Cricket Pool, Air Hockey, and Rope Courses build the spirit among the team members. Online Video Games zone with Playstation and Xbox and 24-lane Bowling alley offer unlimited hours of joy and excitement to the millennia.The scenic 9-hole golf course at Royal Golf Club spread over 58 acres with Aravali Mountains in the background offers a pleasant ambiance to enjoy the game. 

The museum built in the year 1876, lies within the Ram Niwas Garden, Jaipur, and the oldest one in the state of Rajasthan. It was first envisaged as a concert hall, bearing a resemblance to Victorian architecture and Albert Hall Museum, London.  The museum boasts of a wide range of objet d'art collected from various parts of the world and displayed over 16 galleries. With sundown, Albert Hall Museum assumes a completely new look because the whole building glimmers with brilliant yellow lights, looking stunning and spectacular. The museum is the epitome of the rich history and culture of India.  Bordered by verdant gardens, the museum is a sight to behold for travelers flocking to Jaipur from all over the world.  The museum galleries feature numerous works of art and antique items including marble art, antique coins, Egyptian mummy, carpets, and pottery.  Besides, you can also see varied paintings, portraits, woodwork, brassware, and sculptures on display.  The museum also houses some of the best fineries, especially ceremonial dresses, worn by the royal family members. The museum is a must-visit for history buffs. The Indo-Saracenic style domes and elaborately engraved arches built of sandstone are sure to leave you awestruck.   Albert Hall also features an aviary, a greenhouse, as well as a zoo to delight tourists.  History of Albert Hall Museum - The foundation of the museum was set when Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur in the year 1876.  There was no certainty as to how the museum would be used, and therefore, on the recommendation of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II, a temporary museum was constructed in 1881. It then exhibited the works of art created by the local artisans. Swinton Jacob, an eminent architect of that time, completed the construction of Albert Hall in 1887. It was then that the artifacts from the temporary museum were moved to the newly built Albert Hall.  By the year 1890, the museum stood complete with the Mayo Hospital within a public park, thus embodying the vision of the earlier Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh. His descendant Sawai Madho Singh realized the Maharaja’s dream, thus depicting a new Jaipur city progressing into the contemporary age.   The Architecture of Albert Hall Museum -  Albert Hall Museum resembled the splendid Indo- Saracenic architecture, the hallways or corridors adorned with murals of diverse styles. It resembled the history and culture of the Egyptian, European, Greek, Babylonian, and Chinese civilizations.  Albert Hall soon became the centre stage for teaching the history of different civilizations. The museum-inspired artisans to hone their artistic skills as well as preserve traditional art, architecture, and craft forms of India.  When it comes to the architecture of the museum, the Egyptian mummy is a feast to travelers’ eyes as well as history aficionados.  The architecture of Albert Hall is the fusion of elaborate Islamic architecture and Neo-gothic style. The unique architecture of the museum used by the British in India and implemented in most public and government buildings. The decorative and stylish components of this museum are one of the classic examples of architectural elegance and finesse of that period. If you have a penchant for design and architecture; you will love Albert Hall’s elaborate carvings as well as the distinctive ‘Chatri’ style towers that resemble impeccable artistry. Gallery of Albert Hall Museum -  One of the striking features of Albert Hall Museum is its galleries displaying works of art, treasures, and antiques belonging to the nineteenth century. The popular galleries are:  1. Clay Art Gallery It houses beautiful, delicate clay models of nineteenth-century displaying sociological themes, different yogic postures, and art of craft making.  You will find a clay model depicting judicial execution of that time, a plaster-cast clay model of a female leg painted with geometrical designs in red, a saint in a yogic posture, and many more.  2. Carpet Gallery Visit this gallery to feast your eyes. The Persian Garden Carpet is the superlative example of stunning Persian carpets around the world. Bought during the times of Mirza Raja Jai Singh I, the rare carpet represents a scene from a Persian garden. The work of art has four parts and numerous sub-sections.  Each part has varied colors that make the carpet look stunning. Birds, fish, turtles, and other Chinese animals are depicted on this carpet. The gallery also houses circular carpets as well as doormats representing flowery and Mughal patterns.   3. Jewelry Gallery You can see most of the low-cost jewelry worn by the peasants of that time. Most of the ornaments were made of brass and silver.  The popular items of jewelry include rings, anklets, bracelets, necklaces, and hairpins.  4. Coin Gallery  If you have a passion for coins, you must visit this gallery. Take a tour of this place to see a huge variety of coins of the British and Mughal age. You will love the punch-marked coins, which are ancient in history.  You can see numerous coins of the times of Jahangir, Akbar, Aurangzeb, and Shah Jahan. These coins were discovered from different parts of Rajasthan. They were collected and preserved in the museum gallery.  5. Musical Instruments Gallery  You will find ancient Indian musical instruments in this gallery of Albert Hall. The popular instruments include Dhap, Shehnai, Masak Baja, Karana, Rabab, and Pungi Ravan Hatha to name a few.  6. Marble Art Gallery  You can see some of the best exhibits of the nineteenth-century sculptures designed by the artisans of Jaipur in the Marble Art Gallery of Albert Hall. The popular works of art include Dasa Avatar and Mahisasur Mardini, Nav Grahas and Ganesh, Shiv Pariwar, Jain Tirthankars, Vaishnav and Brahma Parivar.  7. Pottery Gallery  Albert Hall houses some of the finest pottery collections of the nineteenth century, representing diverse range, intricacy, and vitality of the craft tradition of India.  The gallery houses a range of flower vases. The most prominent one is the white quartz clay vase showing the king and queen on either side with cobalt blue and copper designs. You will also love to see the Kagazi (water bottle) doubled-handled surahi featuring a triangular design on the rim.  8. Arms and Armour Gallery  The gallery houses Mughal, Rajput, Afghan, Arab, Turkish hilts, swords, helmets, tiger knives, spears, clubs, and shields, in silver and gold.  The popular collections include Arabian dagger, Qama or knife, Goad, gun powder horn, tiger claws, Gauntlet, and more. 

Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is an astronomical observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh II. Besides this one in Jaipur, India owns 4 more Jantar Mantar across different states. Featuring the world’s largest sundials, the astronomical observatory of Jaipur marks its prominence amongst UNESCO’s world heritage sites.  Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar comprises of some astounding stone structures which once were used for locating the exact positions of the celestial bodies in space.  There are around 19 instruments carved out from stone and brass. As it aids in calculating the local time, this massive structure attracts geographers, architects, and historians. Even time has failed before the brilliance of this engineering marvel. The observatory still holds its significance in the same manner as it did a thousand years ago.  The main motive behind the existence of this structure was to gather and study information related to the universe, time and space. The instruments present refers here to those used in the Egyptian study of Ptolemaic astronomy.  The observatory is known to work on the principles laid down by the classical celestial coordinates. They are a horizon-zenith local system, ecliptic system, and finally the equatorial system. These three systems aid the researchers and geographers to track the position of the heavenly bodies.  Here at the Jantar Mantar Jaipur, you get to witness a hybrid mixture of different astronomical and architectural instruments.  The 19 geometric devices present here to contribute towards understanding local time, ascertaining the declination of planetary systems, predicting eclipses, and tracking orbital stars.  Besides, it also aids in the determination of celestial altitudes. The entire observatory covers a land stretch of 18700 metres.Samrat yantra, Ram yantra, Jai Prakash yantra, Narivalya yantra, Karnti yantra, Raj yantra, Unnsynhsmsa yantra, Chakra yantra, Disha yantra, Dakshina yantra, and Rasayas yantra are some of the instruments found here.  History of Jantar Mantar Jaipur - Sawai Jai Singh II was a renowned scholar of his time. Once a while, Emperor Muhammad Shah assigned him a task to confirm and rectify the currently available data on the position and movement of celestial bodies. Sawai Jai Singh was desperate to refine the tables of ancient Islamic zij to determine the exact time. In short, he aimed to create a well-defined calendar. He was keen on making accurate astrological predictions for the benefit of mankind. To bring his dream to reality, he decided that he would construct Jantar Mantar in the year 1718. For the same, he set out on a mission to extensively study the cosmological principles as laid down by the philosophical findings of Hindu, Islamic, European, and Persian civilization. In this way, five different astronomical observatories were constructed across various states in India. The largest amongst all was built in Jaipur in between the period 1727 to 1733. After that, it underwent frequent renovations with the lapse of time. The available instruments have a broad range of cosmological applications. In the year 2010, this astronomical observatory got featured in the list of UNESCO’s world heritage sites. The architecture of Jantar Mantar Jaipur – The astronomical observatory of Jaipur – Jantar Mantar, is a collection of both astronomical and architectural instruments. In all, you may find around 19 major geometrical devices here. Each one of them has got its own specific application.  These devices are used to measure time; ascertain the declination of the planets and the planetary system; prediction of the eclipses; determination of the celestial altitudes, and tracking of the orbital stars.  Sheltering so many instruments, the entire observatory extends to a land stretch of 18700 metres. Interestingly, some of the instruments available here are amongst the largest in their own species.  The instruments of this astronomical observatory were carved out purely from stone and marble as they have got a tremendous potential to withstand climatic changes. Some of them were designed by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II himself.  A few of these instruments were carved out from copper and still are recognised for their undeniable accuracy. In terms of its dimensions, the Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is the largest of all its counterparts present elsewhere in India. 

Located in the heart of Jaipur, the Dolls Museum is veritable dreamland for both kids and adults, who want to savor the unique taste of world culture. The museum comes with a wide range of toys and figurines, which exhibit various genres and styles. Along with the Rajasthani dolls, the museum also showcases numerous other figures, which belong from different parts of the world.  So, if you pay a visit to the Dolls Museum, then you will get the rare chance to relish the cultural beauty of the whole world. The massive collection of puppets and figurines in the museum is displayed in five different galleries. All these galleries contain different dolls, which have been gathered from the different parts of India as well as the world.  Among the figurines, the Indian dolls are displayed in special clothing items, such as bridal wear, dance costumes, and everyday apparel, which reflect the cultural vivacity of India. Along with the Indian dolls, the museum also exhibits a gorgeous collection of traditional dolls representing Japan. Most of these figurines have been made with wood.  However, if you explore this museum carefully, then you will also be able to find a few other dolls that are made with whale teeth and paper. This delightful doll collection of Japan includes Kokeshi dolls, Tanabata dolls, Kamakura dolls, Namahage Dolls, and Kanto Matsuri dolls.  Besides these, the museum also has another section, which showcases dolls from the other parts of the world, like Mexico, Mongolia, Uganda, Norway, Turkey, Italy, and Peru, etc. Features of Doll Museum -  The Dolls Museum in Jaipur was built with the intention to exhibit the vivacity of the world culture through the dolls and their attires.  Therefore, you can find numerous figures here, which have been collected from different parts of the world, including India.  The following are some of the things that you can enjoy in this charming museum.  Dolls with Bridal Attires  The bridal dolls of the museum are particularly quite popular among the tourists. These puppets generally showcase the culture of numerous Indian states like Punjab, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Kerala.  Dolls that Showcase Dance Forms  Along with the bridal puppets, you can also find numerous other dolls that demonstrate various dance forms of India.  From these figurines, you can learn about classical dance forms, such as Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, and Odissi, etc.  Dolls from Other Countries  Along with Indian dolls, you can also find puppets from different states and countries of the world. With these figurines, you will be able to taste the cultural essence of countries like Germany, Uganda, New Zealand, Malaysia, Afghanistan, etc.  Besides these, the museum also exhibits small figurines of the children’s favorite cartoon characters and superheroes. A new English Puppet Gallery has also been introduced in the museum, which consists of dolls that are only two inches in size. 

City Palace is situated right in the middle of Old Jaipur which covers one-seventh of that area. The construction of the palace dates back to 1732, but it still looks fresh and crisp as it always would have been. The entire palace is divided into distinct parts which includes courtyards, gardens, palaces and more.  A portion of the palace has also been turned into a museum where you can witness all the antiques and belongings of the royal family. This beautiful palace represents the rich culture Jaipur still holds on to. You will find a perfect blend of the Rajputana with Mughal and European style of architecture. The vast property represents the grandeur and heritage of the royal families of the bygone era. The walls are beautifully sculpted and decorated with mirrors and hand paintings. You will also witness how detailed the carvings are done on the roofs of the palace The entire palace becomes a window which gives you the privilege to peek into the stories of the past and the true sense of the authentic culture adopted by Jaipur. You can buy some souvenirs from the market just outside the palace to take a part of the richness of the local culture along with you and cherish the journey from present to 1732 and so on.History of City Palace - Jaipur is considered to be the first-ever city from medieval times, which was planned well. The City Palace is the one-seventh part of the entire old Jaipur. The idea of constructing this beautiful palace erupted in the mind of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. He called the Bengali architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya and Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob to design the Jaipur city. They infused Mughal and European style of architecture with the traditional Rajputi architecture. The construction began in the year 1729 and lasted till 1732. The entire palace has small palaces, well-maintained gardens, beautifully carved courtyards, open terraces and more.Further Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar were added in the premises along with the outer walls of the palace. The complete structure represented the rich culture and heritage of the ancient state. Though this palace was completed, the process of making it more beautiful lasted until the early 20th century. It is still preserved carefully along with all the belongings inside the palace put on display.Architecture of City Palace - The City Palace is a marvellous blend of Rajputi, Mughal and European style of architecture. The design of the property follows the ‘Vastu Shastra’ which is said to be facilitating the art of living and the atmosphere inside the house. The entire palace is structured in ‘Grid Style’ having four gates to enter and exit, namely ‘Tripolia Gate’, ‘Udai Pol’, ‘Virendra Pol’, and ‘Jaleb Chowk’. It also consists of various palaces, gardens, courtyards, temples, terraces, balconies and patios which are beautified by latticework, jali work, carved marbles and inlaid ornamentations. The walls reflect the authentic Mughal style which features distinct murals, mirrors and latticework. A unique feature found in Pritam Niwas Chowk is that it has four gates, which depicts all the four seasons. First one is Mor Gate which portrays Autumn Season, then it is Leheriya Gate which represents spring season followed by Rose gate drawing winters and Lotus gate painting a picture of the summer season. All this makes the entire palace a remarkable structure left behind by history.