Architecture in Jaipur

The origin of Jaipur, the pink city, can be traced back to 18th century. Today a bustling city, Jaipur still retains much of its old character and culture. With the extensive pink plastered stone, architecture in Jaipur is a treat to watch.

Hawa Mahal still stands a major example of architecture all over the world. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799, it was a late addition to the city palace. This building dedicated to Radha and Krishna, is almost built entirely of red and pink sandstone. A five-storied, pyramid-shaped structure, it is made up of 953 small casements. Each encasement has delicately sculptured lattice worked pink windows, small balconies and curved roofs with hanging cornices, which circulate cool air even in summer. If you want to see it, best time would be dawn, when the first rays of sun through the latticed windows give it a glow.

The City Palace built in the capital of Rajasthan has a blend of traditional Rajasthani and imperial Mughal architecture. Originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh, this sprawling complex occupies almost occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur. Many additions have been made later. The first courtyard, the Mubarak Mahal contains a magnificent gateway. The Diwan-e-Khas is an open hall with a double row of columns with scalloped arches. Two large silver vessels (featured in the Guinness Book for their size) are on display here. Afghan and Persian carpets, with intricate decorations in deep red and gold, miniature paintings, astronomical manuscripts in Persian and Sanskrit adorn the Diwan-e-Aam. The graceful seven storied Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace), house of the present Maharaja, is flanked by gardens and decorated by paintings, floral decorations, mirror walls and ceilings in the traditional style. The Sukh Nivas (Hall of Rest) includes drawing and dining room of the Maharaja and contains Mughal miniatures, European silver, glass dining tables and peep holes decorated with gold leafs. Opposite to the Chandra Mahal is the Badal Mahal adorned by a system of fountains and includes the Govind Devji Temple.

A major name in architecture of Jaipur is the Jantar Mantar. A collection of astronomical observatories was built by Raja Jai Singh 2 between 1727 and 1733 in northern India of which the Jaipur observatory is the largest. There are fourteen major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits, ascertaining the declinations of planets, and determining the celestial altitudes and related ephemeredes here. The largest instrument is 90 feet high Samrat Jantar, its shadow carefully plotted to tell the time of day.

Jaipur is a city bursting with culture and heritage and you can find exquisite architectural marvels any turn of the street.