The Jewel of Jaipur
Who really wears the crown?
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The real jewel of Jaipur? Jaipur, also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, the city today has a population of more than three million. Jaipur is the first planned city of India, located in the semi-desert lands of Rajasthan. The city which once had been the center of royalty, is now the capital city of Rajasthan. The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal families. Jaipur is a major business center with all the requisites of a metropolitan city. The Palace quarter encloses a sprawling palace complex, (Hawa Mahal), formal gardens, and a small lake. Nahargarh Fort, which was the residence of the King Sawai Jai Singh II, crowns the hill in the northwest corner of the old city. There are currently four contenders for the crown of Jewel of Jaipur. 1. The Hawa Mahal - also known as the Palace of Winds is a palace built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, and designed by Lal Chand Usta in the form of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god. 2. The Rambagh Palace Hotel - home of the Jaipur royal family until 1957, when it was first converted into a luxury hotel by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. Owned and operated by the Taj hotel group 3. The Oberoi Rajvillas Hotel - uber luxury hotel set in 32 acres of landscaped gardens with pavilions and reflection pools that encapsulate the romance and grandeur of Rajasthan. Owned and operated by the Oberoi hotel group. 4. Galta Temple (aka The Monkey Temple) Galta Temple website Take a tour and decide for yourself. |
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