One Afternoon In Hawa Mahal

While I started from my hotel, it was late afternoon. The sun was about to set. But the red shadows still hovered over the firmament. I called a rickshaw puller to take me to the famous visiting places nearby. The Rajasthani rickshaws have a typical outlook. Generally, their sizes are larger than found in any other places. They are also painted with different dazzling colours. As my rickshaw was moving slowly, it was better for me to realise and enjoy the traditional lifestyle and culture of Rajasthani people. Ya.... the modern trend of jeans and capri haven’t engulfed the generation totally. I found most of them wearing long Kurtas and pajamas. The women sect were found dressed with conventional garments. The traditional sound coming out from the flute, enchanted me a lot. The roads were almost clean. There was no traffic jam on my way. But the air was still hot. Gradually, we arrived in front of the Hawa Mahal. I was just spellbound at its outlook. A grand existence having a superb blending of Rajput architectural essence and Mughal artistry, won my heart at its first sight. As it was my first time visit to Hawa Mahal, therefore, it was very much natural for me to get wondered. I told the rickshaw puller to wait outside because I wanted to have a closer look of this supercilious existence.

As I stepped inside, I found that it was comprised of five floors. The caring attitude of the Rajput Rulers for their wives was really great. Hawa Mahal is the living instance. At those contemporary days, women could not be appeared directly infront of the outer world. To make them aware what was going on outside, the Hawa mahal was built. In those contemporary days, women peeped through those casements and became aware what was happening outside. I wandered like a child throughout the Mahal. Even I didn’t forget to peep through the windows to enjoy the outside view. It was a marvellous experience for me. Moreover, I would like to mention about the maintenance of the entire palace by the concerned authorities. The floor is polished too much that any one could be slipped if he/she was not careful. Everything was neat and clean. Decades have passed, but Hawa Mahal seems to me as a newly built palace. How speedily two hours were elapsed away there, I could not recall that. Then I returned back to my hotel.

Still now, when I lay on my divan in leisure hours, the mellifluent sound of Rajasthani flutes reverberates in my ears. While I reminisce about my experience there, I find that as a lively one.

Jaipur – The City in Pink

Hi, I am Sameer Dutta from New Delhi,an accountant by profession. Travelling is my favourite hobby, usually, during my vacations I use to visit popular tourist destinations of India. Last month I managed one week holiday from my busy work schedule and set out for Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur. When I reached Jaipur, I understood completely why the city is called pink city, it is due to pink coloured houses, shops and institutions. After enquiring about good hotels from locals, finally I booked a room in a budget range hotel. After that I moved outside my hotel for sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. I found that the entire city is fenced by a lofty wall and there are seven royal gates for entrance and exit.

In fact, Jaipur is a city of amazing variety, I found an excellent blending of Mughal and Rajput essence of architecture and culture in old buildings here. Most of the lofty palaces are made of red and white sandstone and white marble.

At first I visited the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 AD. A five storeyed building, Hawa Mahal is made of red and pink sandstone and motif's are painted of quick lime. One of the finest examples of Rajput architecture and artistry, Hawa Mahal really enchanted me a lot. My tourist guide acknowledged me that the building was designed by Lal Chand Usta and is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha.

Just beyond the Hawa Mahal, the unique solar observatory, Jantar Mantar is located. It was also constructed by the founder of the city, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. After passing one hour in Hawa Mahal I returned back to my hotel for lunch. By 5’O clock in the evening I moved outside my hotel for exploring the markets of Jaipur. Traditional handicrafts, jewelleries, leather items etc. are some of the highlights of Jaipur. I bought three pairs of leather shoes and jewelleries for my family members at very cheap rate. I also got a good opportunity to interact with local people and returned to my hotel by 8 p.m. After having my dinner I went to my bed with the sweet memories of the day.

Next day, first I visited the City Palace which also has an incredible museum. In the City Palace museum I found the most amazing treasures held by the Jaipur royal family. From here I proceed to Amber Fort, just 10 kms from the main town. I enjoyed the Elephant Safari at Amber Fort which was once in a lifetime experience for me.

Apart from these, I visited a lot of interesting destinations in next two days which filled my mind with boundless joy. The serene outlook of Shila Devi temple, Jagat Shiromani temple and Narsingh temple enchanted me a lot. Besides, the tranquil Panna Meena Ki Baodi (stepwell) provided me an essence of the medieval culture. My tourist guide also showed me the resting places of the rulers and their wives, located at Gaitor and Maji ki Chhatri, generally known as Maharani’s cenotaphs.

The Jaigarh and Nahargarh Forts are located close to Jaipur city, so I didn’t forget to visit them. Jaigarh Fort, a rugged fort is situated in the hilly areas and has wonderful water storage system. Amazingly, the largest canon on wheels in the whole world- the Jai Van is located here. My tourist guide told me that the Fort of Nahargarh was named after a local deity Nahar Singh. I stayed for four days in Jaipur, I enjoyed every moment of vacation, I am sure that after going through my article you will also plan a trip to Jaipur. If you are still confused, don’t think, just plan a trip to Jaipur next vacation, I am assuring you that you will really remember the trip to Jaipur forever.

History of the city : During my Jaipur trip my travel guide me described the brief history of Jaipur city before me, that I want to share with you people. He told me the city was founded by the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the year of 1727. More interestingly, throughout the world, Jaipur is the only city which has been built on the principles mentioned in the ‘Shilpa Shastra.’ He also mentioned that the founder of city Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (ruled from1688 AD to1744 AD) was himself a great mathematician, astrologer, astronomer and a great warrior too. With the wish to turn his dream of constructing an architectural wonder into reality, he recruited one eminent Bengali town-planner and architect, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, who extracted one planned city from the breast of desert.