It took about eight hours to relocate to my next destination – Jaipur, located in semi-desert lands of Rajasthan (east of Jodhpur). A road trip across rural India was fun, monsoon- not so much :) Jaipur consists of two totally different towns: New and Old. A new one is a modern city with business centers and billboard advertising; roads of an old one taken by elephants, camel carriages, and monkeys flying over the roofs of 300 y.o. buildings. When I passed through the entry gates of the Old City, I really felt like I was a passenger of a time machine.

I stayed for three days in Amer- a town with an area of 4 square kilometers (1.5 sq mi), 11 kilometers (6.8 mi) uphill from Jaipur. Amer was the initial capital of the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amer from 1037 to 1727 AD. The capital was shifted to Jaipur in 1727 when the construction of the city started. Today Jaipur is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan with a population of 3,910,570 (2011).

Jaipur is also popularly known as the Pink City. In 1876, Jaipur dressed itself pink to welcome Prince Albert and Queen Elizabeth II, and thus the name “Pink City” stuck to it.

Pink City has a number of forts and monuments like Hawa Mahal (a.k.a. Palace of Winds), Amer Fort (a.k.a Amer Palace, Amber Fort), Jal Mahal (a.k.a. Lake Palace), Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Rambagh Palace, and others.

The Great Wall of Amer. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

The Great Wall of Amer. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

The Generations. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

The Generations. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Best Friends. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Best Friends. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

The Goat, Monkey and Pigeons. Jaipur. Rajasthan, India

The Goat, Monkey and Pigeons. Jaipur. Rajasthan, India

Snake Charmer. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Snake Charmer. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Parked Camel. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Parked Camel. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Elephant Ride. Amer, Rajasthan, India

Elephant Ride. Amer, Rajasthan, India

Traffic Princess :) Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Traffic Princess :) Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani Woman. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Rajasthani Woman. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Bird's Eye View of Jaipur. Rajasthan, India

Bird’s Eye View of Jaipur. Rajasthan, India

Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Traffic Jam in Jaipur. Rajasthan, India

Traffic Jam in Jaipur. Rajasthan, India

A Goat in Amber Fort. Rajasthan, India

A Goat in Amber Fort. Rajasthan, India

Indian Boys. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Indian Boys. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Indian Girl. Amer, Rajasthan, India

Indian Girl. Amer, Rajasthan, India

Indian Schoolboys. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Indian Schoolboys. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Snake Charmers. Amer, Rajasthan, India

Snake Charmers. Amer, Rajasthan, India

Dancing Girl and 100 Indian Rupees. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Dancing Girl and 100 Indian Rupees. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

The Great Wall of Amer. Rajasthan, India

The Great Wall of Amer. Rajasthan, India

Woman taking Rickshaw. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Woman taking Rickshaw. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

The Street of Jaipur. Rajasthan, India

The Street of Jaipur. Rajasthan, India

Traffic Leaders. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Traffic Leaders. Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

View other posts from my trip to India >>

gmeanm3r