Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal From Outside

Facade From Inside

One Of The Window From Inside

Inside View Of Hawa Mahal

Back View Of Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal is a major landmark and a famous tourist attraction of Jaipur. The Palace offers a beautiful sight to behold. The splendid Rajputana architecture of Hawa Mahal, still speaks the glory of the royal family. However, one can also find a glimpse of Mughal architecture, which is blended perfectly to make it different from others. The literal meaning of Hawa Mahal is Palace of Winds. Hawa Mahal was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799.
Hawa Mahal is a pyramid-shaped facade with five stories. It has 953 small windows decorated with tiny lattice work.These pink sandstone windows commonly known as "Jharokhas" are constructed in such a style, that it looks like a giant honeycomb. The air circulation through windows represents the marvelous touch of Mughal designing, which keepsthe Palace always cool. The small screened balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices enhance the beauty of the Palace. The Pyramidal outline and replication of pattern makes it more attractive in appearance.
As a matter of fact, Hawa Mahal is believed to build for the women of the Royal Families, since they had to observe strict "purdah" (cover). The small windows and screened balconies serve the women to watch processions and differentactivities taking place on the streets. In this manner, the women could enjoy a sense of freedom without showing themselves.
Early morning is considered as the best time to visit the Palace, when it is drenched in the golden light of the Sun. At this time, Hawa Mahal appears incredible. One cannot possibly describe the beauty of the Palace in words. The golden light of the early morning sun floats beautifully through the windows of this palace creating a wonderful sight for one and all. The palace has to be visited to experience the true beauty.

Gaitore

Gaitore Means Resting Place Of The Departed Souls

A Look Back At All The Cenotaphs Honoring Jaipur's Maharajas

More Recent Cenotaphs

A Cenotaph And The City Wall

Very Detailed Marble Carving On Every inch

Extremely Intricate Elephants Carved In Marble

Female Figures Adorn One Of The Larger Cenotaph

Gaitore is situated on the Jaipur-Amber road, about 15 kms from Jaipur. Gaitore is a royal cremation site of the majestic rulers of Jaipur. There is a cenotaph for each Maharaja, built in his honor. These royal cenotaphs of the Maharajas are commonly known as 'Chhatris'. The royal chhatris are engraved with typical Rajasthani carvings. Gaitore is regarded to be the mispronounced form of a Hindi phrase 'Gaye ka Thor' which means 'resting place of the departed souls'.
The cenotaphs are erected with a perfect blend of architectural essentials of Islamic tomb architecture and Hindu temple architecture. Amongst all the cenotaphs, the one dedicated to Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II appeals the most. This Chhatri is built in pure white marble, ornamented with delicate carvings, peacocks and beautiful designs. Although all the Maharajas of Jaipur were cremated here, but Maharaja Sawai Ishwari Singh was an exception to this ritual. He was cremated behind the Chandra Mahal in the City Palace complex, so his cenotaph was built there with the due respect.
The designs carved on each Chhatri represent the taste of the particular Maharaja, in whose honor it was built. This cremation ground of the Kachhawaha rulers of Jaipur stands there, since the time of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II,the founder of Jaipur. The Cenotaphs, which were built in the honor of Maharanis of Jaipur, are located in the Maharani Ki Chhatri complex near to Ramgarh road crossing.
Gaitore is a special place with its own charm, displaying the royal past of Jaipur and its imperial rulers. Gaitore Chhatris with its beautiful artistry and majestic history attracts tourists from India as well as abroad.

Jaigarh Fort

View Of The Fort From The Way

Way Leading To The Fort

Walls of The Fort

Jaivan- The Massive Cannon

Seating Area Of The Palace

Garden Palace

Jaigarh Fort is located on the top of the hill, by the name of Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles). Jaigarh Fort is also known as the 'Victory Fort', located at a comfortable distance of 15kms from Jaipur. Jaigarh Fort is considered as one of the spectacular forts in India. This Fort is on top of the hill, while Amber Fort is at the bottom. Many people regard the two as one complex however both of them are well connected with well guarded passages. Jaigarh Fort positioned centrally in the thorn-scrub hill, leaves a stern impact on the spectator at once.
Jaigarh Fort was made to tighten the security of Jaipur and Amber. Due to this fact, one may not find this fort as artistic as other forts and palaces, but it certainly has its own charm. The Fort has many structures of medieval India, which are worth exploring. It has several palaces, granary, well-planned cannon foundry, several temples and a tall tower. Jaigarh Fort used to serve as the center of artillery production for the Rajputs.
The highlight of this Fort is the massive cannon by the name of Jaivan, which was made in the same production house.Jaivan, the cannon, is believed to be the largest cannon in the World and the main attraction of the Jaigarh Fort.The Fort discloses the mastery over architecture of the former age. Jaigarh Fort has many wide water channels, which were a part of a rainwater harvesting system. The Fort also has 3 underground tanks, the largest one of which can store 60, 00,000 gallons of water. One can plan to visit the armory and museum, which are worth seeing.
The museum has a remarkable collection of coins, puppets, photographs of the royal kings, buildings, processions and even a circular pack of cards besides many other remnants of the past. The armory has numerous swords, shields, guns, muskets and even a 50 kg cannon ball, which would take you back to the gallantry days of the Kings. One can also see a few weather beaten sedan chairs and drums at the Shubhat Niwas or the Meeting Hall of Warriors. Above all,the Fort offers a wonderful view of the city below. Jaigarh Fort is a perfect destination for a traveler, interested in the majestic past of India.

Jantar Mantar - Largest Stone Astronomical Observatory

Architectural Astronomical Instruments

Samrat Jantar

Celestial Instrument

Son On The Central Pole Projects On The Side Panels

Some Other Statistical Instruments

Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is the largest stone observatory in the World and this feature makes it, a special destination for a traveler. Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. During the period between 1727 and 1733, Jantar Mantar took its form and structure. Initially Jantar Mantar was named as Yantra Mantra, which means instruments and formulae, but due to mispronunciation of the term, it is changed to the recognized name.
Jantar Mantar has a remarkable collection of architectural astronomical instruments. It portrays noteworthy attempt of the ancestors, who were interested in astronomy and knowledge of celestial bodies. Above all, this observatory still, provides accurate information, which can be compared with today's modern instruments undeniably. The compound instruments, whose settings and shapes are scientifically designed depicts the forte of Medieval Indian Astronomy.
Jantar Mantar is wholly constructed with stone and marble. The observatory has fourteen statistical instruments for measuring time, predicting eclipses and to ascertain other astronomical events. Amongst all the instruments, the Sundial usually attracts the maximum attention of people, which tells the time to an accuracy of about two seconds in local time of Jaipur. Jantar Mantar was carefully renovated in 1901 and was declared a national monument in 1948.Today, Jantar Mantar has become a major tourist attraction in Jaipur.