Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Amber Palaces Jaipur

As one enters the palace area, Diwan-I-Aam, a fort pillared beautiful pavilion made of marble and red sandstone can be seen. This pavilion was built by Mirza Raja Jai Singh and is notable for intricate carvings on the pillars. To the south of Diwan-I-Aam is an imposing gateway. The Ganesh Pole, which has a beautiful carved statue of Lord Ganesha. On top of the gate is Suhag Mandir, the windows of this chamber has marble grills, from where the ladies of the royal family used to watch the proceedings at diwan-I-Aam.

The Diwan-I-Khas or hall of the Private Audience is decorated with beautiful mirror work and has intricate carvings on the walls and ceilings. It also has miniature murals made of the colored glasses depicting Radha and Krishna, which resembles the stained glass windows of European cathedrals. The Sukh Niwas or the Hall of Pleasure, is located opposite to the Diwan-I-Khas. The air-conditioning effect created by the cool breeze blowing across the channels of waters is the special feature of this hall. Adjacent t the Sukh Niwas is the Jai Mandir or the Hall of Victory, which displays a fine blend of Hindu-Muslim architecture at its best. Its houses the famous Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Mirrors, which is totally encrusted with small mirrors. When a candle is lit here with closed doors and windows it seem as if stars are twinkling in the sky. Above the Sheesh Mahal is the Jas Mandir or the Hall of Glory, has a beautiful Jali work of the alabaster windows from where scenic view of Maota Lake and Kesar Kyari can be enjoyed. Behind the palaces there are well maintained gardens, where lies the Zenana or women apartments.

Man Singh’s dozen queens lived here and each of them had a separate suite. These suites are beautifully decorated with murals of Radha and Krishna. There are private chambers of the queens with windows having latticed screen through which the ladies could watch the proceedings of the royal court in private. From the back of the courtyard, there is a path leading to the old Amber town. Standing nearby are the chhatris dedicated to the rulers of Amber. The Archaeological Museum is also located nearby.

How To Reach Jaipur

By Air : Jaipur Airport, Sanganer is at a distance of around 11km from the city center. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and domestivc carriers operate regular flighta to and from Jaipur. There are direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, and some other cities from Jaipur.

By Rail : The train service to Jaipur is available from all the major parts of the country. An excellent connection from Delhi is Shatabadi Express that provides a fast, air-conditioned rail service. Other direct connections to Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad, Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta.

By Road : Jaipur is well connected by road to various parts of India. Delhi-Jaipur national highway is one of the finest roads in India. Rajasthan roadways runs excellent regular service of AC and Deluxe Coaches from Delhi.

Safaris In Jaipur

Jeep Safari are organised in every part of Rajasthan, but safaris organised to the Bishnoi village near Jodhpur have a special attraction for tourists. Motorcycle and Bicycle safaris can also be done in every part of Rajasthan. For those who want to turn cycling into a keenly contested game, there is Cycle Polo too. This year cycle polo was organised at Nawalgarh , Shekhawati.

Eelephant Ride are exciting for those in search of an experience of a lifetime. Some tour operators organise elephant safaris between Jaipur and Pushkar. An exciting sport is Elephant Polo which provides a spectacle for the audience and enjoyment to the participants. The bulky animals move around with surprisingly speed and poise.

The Jaipur Vintage Car Rally held annually in the month of January has beocme a big draw for carl lovers, sports lovers, vintage beauty lovers and tourists alike. A keenly contested event, this rally is an inimitable display of well-maintained cars of yesteryears.Among the vintage models which had come in from different cities of India to take part in the 1997 Vintage Car Rally, one could spot the 1903 Humber, 1919 Fiat 501, 1923 rover, 1936 Mercedes Benz 170 V,1938 Morris 8, 1923 Austin and the 1926 Erskine. Some of these are available on hire for pleasure rides and marriages.

History Of Jaipur

The pink city of Jaipur has been named after its founder, the great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Jai Singh II, who ruled the city form 1688 - 1744. Belonging to the powerful Kachhawaha clan, Jai Singh fortified his position by aligning himself with the Mughals and gaining victories over Marathas.

The city of Jaipur came into conception when the city of Amber started facing huge accommodation and water crisis. Hence Jai Singh decided to construct a new city to adjust the burgeoning population. So, the king along with a talented Bengali architect named Vidyasagar drew up the plan for the new city of Jaipur, which is recorded in history as the first planned city in modern India. Based on the principles of the ancient Hindu text on architecture, the Shilpa Shastra, Jaipur came into being in eight years. The magnificent City Palace and the famous Jantar Mantar were designed by the king himself.

Jaipur was not just an aesthetic triumph; the stout city walls also protected the city from would be invaders. Modern day Jaipur's cultural heritage was fostered during Jai Singh's rule as the king himself took a keen interest in arts, sciences and religions.

The death of Sawai Jai Singh II marked the glorious phase of Jaipur due to the bitter infighting between his successors. Gradually, the British entered into an alliance with the rulers who aligned themselves the English cause. Finally, after the Indian independence, the city was merged with other Rajput states to form Rajasthan and became the capital city of Rajasthan in 1956 Rajasthan Travel Agent offers information on the History of Jaipur and online booking for tours to Jaipur. To book a tour, or for more information, please fill up the form below.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Jaipur Travel Tips

Jaipur, located 262km from Delhi, is the Pink City of the state of Rajasthan. The sights here are spectacular as they embrace Rajput architecture in its finest glories and in the colours of red and pink sandstones.

The must-do sights include:-

1. Hawa Mahal aka THE PALACE OF THE WINDS which was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.

2.AMBER FORT & PALACE - The Amber Palace lies within this fort complex, and is one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. It's construction was started by Raja Man Singh I, and was completed over a period of about two centuries.

3. JAIPUR CITY PALACE - oozes the riches and grandeur of the Rajput dynasty and you can see it from the moment you step into the entrance. The sight that welcomes you is the graceful seven storeyed 'Chandra Mahal', or the Moon Palace.

4. JANTAR-MANTAR (ie instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens) or Astronomical Observatory. It is a scientific marvel and leaves you spell bound.

Weather
In Summer: 45 C (Max) - 25 C (Min)
In winter: 22 C (Max) - 8 C (Min)
Rainy Season : July to Mid Sept, and very humid (upto 90%)
Our suggestion: Best time to come: Oct to March

Jaipur Life and Travel Tips: Useful Contact Details - Jaipur, India, IN
Tourist offices are available at Jaipur Airport (tel: +91 0141 272 2647), on Platform 1 at the Train Station (tel: +91 0141 231 5714), on Platform 3 at the Bus Station (tel: +91 0141 506 4102) and also at the RTDC (Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation) Tourist Hotel (tel: +91 0141 237 5466).

Monday, January 12, 2009

Goa Holiday Budget Tour Package

Duration: 17 Nights / 18 Days
Destinations: Delhi- Agra- Jaipur - Udaipur- Delhi - Goa - Mumbai

Day 01 : Abroad - Delhi
Arrive at Delhi International airport. On arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi
This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort, built in 1648 and board the 'rickshaw ride' for a unique experience from the Red Fort, through "Chandni Chowk" or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy avenue heading west from the Fort.

Later visit the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 : Delhi - Agra
Morning drive to Agra (203 kms). Upon arrival in Agra - check into the hotel. Afternoon visit the famous Taj Mahal. Overnight at Hotels in Agra. .

Day 04 : Agra
Red Fort - which lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Afternoon visit the beautiful mausoleum of the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah. Overnight at Hotels in Agra.

Day 05 : Agra
Full day at leisure. Overnight at Hotels in Agra.

Day 06 : Agra- Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur (221 kms), en route visit Fatehpur Sikri. Thereafter continue drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival in Jaipur - check into the hotel.
Overnight at Hotels In Jaipur.

Day 07 : Jaipur
Morning tour of the impressive Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City.
Overnight at Hotels in Jaipur .

Day 08 : Jaipur
Full day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09 : Jaipur - Udaipur
Morning you would be transferred to the airport for your flight to Udaipur
Depart: Jaipur Arrive: Udaipur On arrival, you would be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at Hotels In Udaipur.

Day 10 : Udaipur
Thereafter, city tour of Udaipur - the romantic Lake City in Southern Rajasthan, famous for the stunning white marble Palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola. It was the former Palace of the Maharana and now converted to one of the most glamorous hotels in India. The tour will cover the magnificent City Palace, the Jagdish temple, the pleasure gardens and a drive around the other nearby lakes. Overnight at Hotels In Udaipur.

Day 11 : Udaipur
Morning excursion to Ranakpur temples - a visit to the famous Jain Temple, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Hotels In Udaipur.

Day 12 : Udaipur
Full day at leisure. Overnight at Hotels In Udaipur.

Day 13 : Udaipur - Mumbai
Morning you would be transferred to the airport for your flight to Mumbai
Depart: Udaipur
Arrive: Mumbai On arrival, you would be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 : Mumbai
Morning, one hour boat ride across Mumbai Harbour brings you to the lush green Elephanta Island. Here, visit some of the huge and intricately carved Elephanta Caves that date back to the 8th century. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 : Delhi - Goa
By Flight
After breakfast transfer to Airport for flight to Goa. Arrive Goa. Afernoon City Tour. Overnight at Hotel

Day 16 : Goa
By Flight
Day at Leisure for Beach Activities

Day 17 : Goa - Delhi/ Mumbai
By Flight
Breakfast at hotel. Day activities in Goa. Afternoon transfer to Airport for onward flight to Delhi/ Mumbai for onward journey

Day 18: Mumbai - Departure

Transfer to the international airport for flight back home.
Depart: Mumbai.

Rajasthan Budget Tour Package

Duration: 04 Nights / 05 Days
Places to See: Jaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Jaipur.

Day 1: Jaipur - Jodhpur
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for Jodhpur. Reach and check in at hotel. Relax in the evening or proceed for shopping. Overnight at Hotels in Jodhpur.

Day 2: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for Jaisalmer. Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight at Jaisalmer.

Day 3: Jaisalmer- Camel Safari
Proceed on camel backs early in the morning into the desert and reach midway between Jaisalmer and Khuri. Camp for overnight stay.

Day 4: Jaisalmer - Camel Safari
Proceed back to Jaisalmer on camel back. Check into hotel and stay overnight at Jaisalmer.

Day 5: Jaisalmer - Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Jaipur and reach by evening. Transfer to airport or station in time for flight or train or leave by surface for the next destination.

Southern Splendors Budget Tour Package

Duration : 7 Days / 6 Nights
Destination Covered :
Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Pondicherry - Trichy - Madura

Day 1 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram
Arrive in Chennai, transfer to Mahabalipuram (55 kms / 1.5 hrs) the former capital of the Pallava Kings. Later this afternoon, visit the magnificent Shore temples of Mahabalipuram built in the seventh century. Stay overnight.

Day 2 : Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram
This morning, visit Kanchipuram and the Kailshnatha Temple. The afternoon is at leisure to shop for the famous Kanchipuram silk sarees & fabrics. Stay overnight.

Day 3 : Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
Proceed to Pondicherry (134 kms / 3 hrs), the colonial capital of the French in India since the 17th century. Afternoon, visit the Aurobindo Ashram, also visit Auroville, the planned city of the new world. Stay overnight.

Day 4 : Pondicherry - Trichy
Today, you will proceed to Trichy by road (203 kms / 4-5 hrs) enroute you will visit the Nataraja temple at Chidambaram dedicated to the dancing Lord Shiva, later you will stop at Tanjore to visit the famous Brihadeshwara temple. Stay overnight.

Day 5 : Trichy - Madurai
This morning, you will visit the famous Rock Fort and the Srirangam Island, a living example of the ancient temple towns of the south. You will then proceed to Madurai (142 kms / 3 hrs). This evening take visit to the Meenakshi Temple for the Aarti ceremony. Stay overnight.

Day 6 :
This morning proceed on a full days excursion to Rameshwaram. Stay overnight.

Day 7 : Madurai
Transfer to airport / railway station. Tour ends with sweet memories.