Bhangarh Fort

According to Foxnews, the Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan is one of the world's 9 most haunted tourist destinations.  Bhangarh is a village in Alwar district, on the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve.  It is located over 80 kms east of Jaipur,  which would take about a 2-hour drive by road.  Bhangarh is a popular tourist destination, known for its historic ruins.

Quite a few myths and legends surround the Bhangarh Fort, one of which goes that the royals and residents of the palace were cursed to death by a tantrik (wizard), with their spirits haunting the fort forever.  Locals believe that the ghosts of the tantrik and the palace dwellers still haunt the fort, which is why entry is prohibited to tourists during dark hours, that is after sunset and before sunrise.

Besides the haunted fort, the town is also famous for some pre-historic Hindu temple ruins.

For the list of the world's 9 most haunted tourist destinations, check out: http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2014/10/08/9-haunted-tourist-destinations/

Nahargarh Biological Park

Nahargarh Biological Park safari is the latest addition to Jaipur's adventure tourism attractions.  The Park is located on the Jaipur-Delhi highway in the vicinity of the Nahargarh Fort.  Located along the ridge of the Aravalli Hills, the Park was closed for years, as it was a designated Rescue Centre.

The safari is a guided tour of the 720 hectare forest land which is mainly tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorn forests, on rocky land dotted with granite and quartzite.  Riding through the paved roads of the forests offers spectacular views of the natural landscape, complete with rich flora and fauna, and also some heritage property dating back ages, including a stepwell.  Besides, there is also a hilltop point for viewing sunrise/sunset and the cityscape.  Some of the exotic animals known to inhabit the park are tiger, leopard, lion, panther, sloth bear, caracal, deer, gharial, crocodile, pangolin, jackal, wild dog, wolf, hyena, civet, ratel, otter, fox, rhesus monkey and langur.  A variety of reptiles and rare birds also find home in the jungles.

The safari tour is an hour and half ride into the sanctuary.  There is also a hiking/walking combined safari tour of moderate level intensity at the park which would take about 6 to 7 hours.  Yet another option of enjoying the Park is by an elephant ride.

Jal Mahal Palace

The famed Jal Mahal Palace, which has for long remained an abandoned dilapidated 18th century palace in the midst of the murky Man Sagar Lake, has finally been restored and is soon to be open to tourists. Rather than having just glimpses of the monument, travellers can now partake of tours of the mystical Jal Mahal, starting with a boat ride through the serene lake

Restoration of the historic palace began in 2005 with a major clean-up of the 310-acre Man Sagar lake by de-silting and by preventing rain water and sewage from entering it. The lake's depth was also increased by 1.5 metres.

To restore the four-storey palace, the team of historians and conservation architects first set about researching the monument’s history which was very inadequately documented. It took a year for team to locate a ledger document at the Rajasthan State Archives in Bikaner which stated the cost and year of building the Jal Mahal: 30,000 monetary units in 1730 AD during the time of Jai Singh’s rule.

The renovation project included the workmanship of local artisans in restoring the domes, arched pavilions, latticework and murals - which are the hallmarks of Rajput architecture. An additional feature has also been added in the form of "char bagh" - a garden of jasmine and frangipani flowers.

Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Hot-air Balloon ride over Jaipur!!!

A relatively new tourist attraction in Rajasthan is Sky Waltz's Hot Air Balloon rides. This unique and adventurous balloon safari was launched in Jaipur in January 2008, and has successfully flown over 1,500 passengers since then. The safari rides are now also available over Ranthambore, and the tourist season in late 2009 will see the addition of more destinations in Rajasthan, including Udaipur (starting November 2009) and the world-famous Pushkar Camel Fair.

Prices for an hour-long balloon ride over Jaipur are (as of June 09, 2009):

1-2 persons: 300 US$ per person for Foreign Nationals.
Rs. 12,000 per person for Indian Nationals.

3-6 persons: 250 US$ per person for Foreign Nationals.
Rs. 10,000 per person for Indian Nationals.

7 or 7+ persons : 200 US$ per person for Foreign Nationals.
Rs. 8,000 per person for Indian Nationals.

The above package includes-
-Approximately 60 minutes of a balloon flight.
-Pick-up from and drop to the hotel to be provided by the operator.
-Witnessing the exhilarating sight of the balloons being inflated and prepared for the flight.
-Tea/Coffee and Cookies served at the launch site.
-A Certificate of First Flight signed by the pilot.

There are several launch sites to choose from:
Samode Bagh and Palace
Amber Fort
Shiv Vilas
Jal Mahal
Delhi Road
Madhogarh Fort
or Others depending upon wind conditions

SkyWaltz is the first and only commercial hot-air balloon operator licensed by the Indian Government. The pioneers of hot-air ballooning in India follow high safety standards - the project has been set up under the guidance of one of the world’s best consultants, with world-class imported equipment, and the balloons are flown by highly experienced international pilots from the UK and USA.

For more information, visit their website - www.skywaltz.com

Where to eat in Jaipur?

LMB restaurant

While in Jaipur, you simply can't miss dining at the ever-so-popular restaurant called LMB, located in the heart of the city in Johari Bazar. Short for 'Laxmi Misthan Bhandar', LMB is operating since the 1950s and is a wholly vegetarian eatery serving Indian (Rajasthani, Mughlai, South Indian) and Indo-Chinese cuisine. The Rajasthani Thali is highly recommended. The restaurant accepts credit cards; with an average meal of delicious spicy Indian food costing about Rs. 500 for two persons. The place is always bustling with locals and foreigners alike, with weekends more crowded than usual. The restaurant cum hotel also includes a mithai (sweetmeat) shop with a wide selection of delectable Indian milk sweets.

Handi restaurant

For the more carnivorous of the eaters amongst us, there is no eatery offering a better value for money than the Handi Restaurant on Mirza Ismail Road. The unimpressive interiors is totally forgotten once you dig into their kababs, tandoori dishes, mutton and butter chicken. Besides these Mughlai specialities, the restaurant also serves vegetarian dishes (so the lone vegetarian travel mate in your group won't be left out). Be warned that they don't accept credit cards, but you won't need to fill you pockets with stacks of cash, because a meal for two would average only about Rs. 250.

Jantar Mantar undergoing renovation

Jaipur's world-renowned Jantar Mantar observatory is undergoing renovation since January 2007 -- but is still open to visitors. The restoration efforts were required to fix the various openair architectural astronomical instruments and allied aids, which were deteriorating in condition. The structures were becoming brittle, breaking, some on the verge of collapse; the cemented plaster (mortar) on the devices were coming off and glass coverings were damaged.


The renovation, undertaken by the government, has displeased traditional Indian astrologers who say that some of the ancient gadgets are being dislocated and disturbed by the inexperienced workers who lack knowledge about astronomy and astrology.

Astrologers through hundreds of years have been using these monumental instruments as fixed tools - using their shadows to make forecasts. Dislocating these would lead to distortions in astrological calculations and upset the accuracy which has prevailed for hundreds of years.

Well, I only hope that if the structures are indeed being displaced, then somebody do something about it and right the wrongs!! Definitely not worth spoiling something that has stood and worked for hundreds of years...

Amber Fort

The Amber Fort (pronounced “Amer”) located about 11 kms from Jaipur is amongst the best hilltop forts in India. Set in a picturesque hillside overlooking the Maota Lake, Amber was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachhawa clan for seven centuries, before the capital was shifted to present day Jaipur. Built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the fort was modified over a period of 150 years by successive rulers and was completed by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II. The fort thus stands rich in its archaeological history spanning several centuries. Built in red sandstone and white marble, the architecture is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles.

The imposing and rugged exteriors of the building hides a warm and exquisite interiors which include magnificent temples, ornate palaces, opulent halls, intricate courtyards, pavilions, detailed carved paintings along walls set with precious stones and mirrors, and mighty gateways (ensuring protection of the fort against invasions).

How to get there?
From Jaipur, you can reach Amber Fort by a taxi. The hilltop has to be climbed on an elephant back or you can also go walking. But naturally, the more fun way would be an elephant ride which gives you a feel of royalty, while enabling you to absorb the breathtaking views of the city along the way.

While visiting the fort, don't forget to pay close attention and watch out for the following popular attractions:
Maota Lake – in front of the fort, where you can view the amazing reflections of the magnificent monument.
Dil-e-Aaram – A traditional Mughal Garden at the entrance to the fort.
Sheesh Mahal or the “Palace of Mirrors” - a big hall with walls inlaid with thousands of exquisite tiny mirrors. According to folklore, a single tiny candle would illuminate the entire hall. The intricate mirrors are well-preserved and look as royal as they did then.
Diwan-E-Aam or “Hall for the Public” - a pillared hall in the front courtyard, where the king received his subjects and listened to their problems and petitions.
Shila Devi Temple – A temple dedicated to Kali Mata, the Goddess of Victory, situated on the right side before the front entrance.
Sukh Niwas - the “pleasure” residence of the Maharaja. Note the ivory inlaid sandalwood door and the channel for water flow built to cool the palace during the hot summer months.
Zenana – a palace for the royal women. It includes a common corridor connecting all the rooms designed such as to provide privacy to the Maharaja while visiting his Queens, and also chambers from where the royal women privately watched the proceedings of the royal court.

There is some confusion regarding the Amber Fort and Jaigarh Fort. The structure today known as Amber Fort was initially a Palace Complex within the Fort of Amber which is today known as Jaigarh fort. Connected with Amber through fortified passages, Jaigarh fort is located on a hill above the Amber complex. The Jaigarh Fort offers stunning views of the foothills of the Aravalli mountains and houses a collection of medieval cannons including the “Jaivana” - believed to be the world's largest cannon on wheels. Historically this was the original Amber Fort, although it became known as Jaigarh from the time of Raja Sawai Jai Singh II onwards. Still confused? Don’t bother much – just visit both and be transported back in time to experience the legendary lives and times of the Maharajas!

The City Palace of Jaipur

The City Palace of Jaipur is a large complex of historic buildings which today houses a myriad of museums showcasing the grandeur of the royalty in the bygone era. Till today, a part of the palace is still home to the Royal family. The museums are spread across several buildings, each exhibiting a different aspect of the regal history, from the classic clothing worn, the extravagant palanquins, the vicious weapons used in wartimes, etc. It is really enchanting to see all these antiques and relics preserved in their timeless state and to know of their rich histories. Therefore visiting this place will not go in vain during your tour of Jaipur.

Travel Tip: Don't bother to get your digital cameras out here as (a) the fee is quite relatively and inexplicably high (b) most exhibits don't allow for photogtraphs to be taken (c) it is a museum! there is no point if you are going to see the place through a camera lens the whole time; so just enjoy without worrying about capturing the perfect shot of every turn you take or every interesting exhibit you set your eyes on!

Jantar Mantar

Another important attraction to include in your Jaipur itinerary is the Jantar Mantar - an astronomical observatory situated in Jaipur’s Palace Complex. Translated as the ‘Magical Device’ or ‘Instrument for Calculation’, Jantar Mantar was built in the early 18th century by Maharajah Jai Singh II, a leading astronomer of his times and the founder of Jaipur.

The observatory is a collection of many astronomical instruments built of stone and marble in a gigantic scale. Each device is in a unique and different geometric form with a specialized function for astronomical measurement. Because of their huge sizes and the way that they are permanently fixed to the ground, these astronomical instruments continue to give very accurate readings even today comparable to the modern technologically advanced devices. There are 14 major devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, ascertaining the exact position of the stellar and planetary bodies, calculating the lunar calendar, predicting the start of the monsoons, etc. However, the observatory's main purpose seems to have been casting horoscopes, which according to the principles of Vedic Astrology requires a precise knowledge of the positions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars at the moment of birth. Till today, Hindus still have their horoscopes or natal charts cast on the basis of the positions of the cosmic bodies at birth. These are used for making life predictions as well as ascertaining compatibility for arranged marriages.

Pictured above is the Samrat Yantra as viewed from Hawa Mahal. The triangular-shaped building is the main and largest instrument at 90 feet high; with its chief role that of a sundial plotted to tell the local time of day, as its shadow moves up to 4 m in an hour.

Hawa Mahal or the 'Palace of Winds'

A must-visit place of interest in Jaipur is the Hawa Mahal which translates as the Palace of Winds or Breezy Palace. From the street, this monument looks quite deceptive as if it is only a richly decorated wall, but only when you go inside that you realise it is quite a large building. It was built in the late 18th century by the then Maharaja or King with its sole purpose being to give the royal ladies the privilege to observe everyday life in the streets below without being seen and at the same time to get some fresh air, as the building keeps quite cool even in the hot summer months. True to its name, the palace is very breezy because of its 953 small windows on the side directly facing the street. While visiting the monument it is advised to stay away from the touts hanging around at the entrance. Pictured here is a view of the architechturally rich building from the counrtyard on the inside.