The Pink City: Jaipur

Jaipur, the pink city, is located in the most beautiful part of India, Rajasthan. The renowned pink city has a rich culture and heritage with a strong sense of identity. Jaipur was founded by Rawal Jodhaji in 1727 and is now the capital of Rajasthan state. Jaipur is populated by fountains that make it look like a fairyland. This was named by the British as ‘Pink City. The city is around 80% residential, with 1.5 million. It is the largest city in North-Western India in terms of geographical size.

Jaipur: The pink city of India

Jaipur is the “pink city” for its majestic and romantic pastel-coloured buildings. Jaipur is located in the southern part of Rajasthan. It has a hot and dry climate with heavy summers and mild winters.  When locals are asked to talk about their favourite place in Jaipur, they will invariably say that it is the windy old quarter of Hawa Mahal with its narrow alleys and stairways. The narrow lanes inside this section form a maze, and it is not uncommon for people to get lost inside. Jaipur is also famous for its rickshaw (a vehicle pulled by a man who sits behind the driver) on one side of Aabel Chowk, the main road from Jodhpur to Jaipur. Rickshaw boys will stop and smile at you as you walk toward them. Their offers of rickshaw rides or auto rental in Jaipur are irresistible.

A popular saying goes, “Jaipur is heaven for vegetarians and hell for those who love meat.” The city has many restaurants specialising in non-vegetarian cuisine, but they are not as popular as vegetarian dishes. To eat like an authentic Rajasthani in Jaipur, you need to know these local favourites:

1) Aloo Tikki: This is like a potato burger or sandwich, but with a twist. It consists of a boiled-and-mashed potato patty placed on a slice of bread. It is topped with spicy egg curry and garnished with coriander leaves, onions, tomatoes and green chillies. 

2) Bajre ki Roti: This is another famous local favourite in Jaipur made of flatbreads wheat flour covered with garlic chutney, butter or oil, and green coriander onions. It tastes best when it is served hot.

3) Sabut Masoor Dal: This is a creamy lentil dish that is very different from the one you are used to in the West. It is made with red lentils and has a lot of vegetables.

4) Paneer Palau: This is an egg curry cooked with fresh cubes of paneer (soft cow’s cheese). You mix onions, tomatoes, green chillies, and spices such as fenugreek seeds and coriander leaf. You can serve this with various local loaves of bread or with rice.

While eating in Jaipur, you do not need to fret about the food because most dishes are extremely affordable and tasty. You should, however, avoid eating at restaurants near the Hawa Mahal because they charge a lot of money and give poor quality food. It is better to ask around before choosing a restaurant in Jaipur.

Places to visit in Jaipur pink city

Hawa Mahal-Palace of winds.

Hawa Mahal is a world heritage monument considered one of the most romantic places in Jaipur. It was built by the Wazir of Amber, Nawab Kelach Khan Sur, in the 17th century, and it was completed nine years later. The building faces a lake with a marble bathhouse at its centre. The surrounding wall is adorned with intricately carved rose motifs and floral arches.

Jaigarh fort. Jantar Mantar, Rambagh hotel and gardens, Albert hall museum

Popular festivals of The pink city

Gangaur Festival, Teej Festival, Kite festival and Karthik Poornima are some of the most popular festivals celebrated in Jaipur. Gangaur is a month-long festival celebrated by women who wish for a long life for their husbands by worshiping Gauri (one of the incarnations of Parvati). The Teej festival is traditionally celebrated by women who worship Parvati for a healthy and disease-free life.

The Kite Festival and Karthik Poornima are very popular because they are celebrated with enthusiasm. Another popular festival of Jaipur is the “Jhoolan Mahotsav.” It is held in honour of the late ‘Jhoolan Seth’ who was an ardent lover of music and dance.

Conclusion

Jaipur, the Pink city, is the epitome of India’s rich heritage and culture. History, architecture and the great hospitality of Rajasthan are some of the reasons why people visit the city. Jaipur is also a business hub of India and attracts entrepreneurs from across the world to do business or participate in seminars and conferences. The city has a lot to offer tourists and travellers and is on every traveller’s must-visit list. One can easily reach these famous landmarks in Jaipur quickly by taking public transport such as an auto-rickshaw (Rickshaw), cab or an autorickshaw (auto).