Place: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Temple: Shri Govind Dev Ji.
Museum: Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Museum
Other attractions: Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal
Mahal, Sukh Nivas & Shobha Nivas, Chhavi Nivas & Mukut
Mahal.
Nearest Airport: Sanganer Airport - Jaipur (domestic
flights)
Best time to visit: October to February
Timings: Open 9.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. (open daily except on
public holidays)
Entry Fee: for Indian: Rs. 35.00, Foreigners Fee: Rs.150.00
The City Place of Jaipur is a major tourist attraction in
Rajasthan. The City Palace or the main palace is an imposing blend
of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal art and architecture. The City
Palace complex houses several palatial structures constructed by
many legendary rulers. Sawai Jai Singh was resposible for making
many edifices within the complex and later on additions in the
structure were made by his successors. The city palace is divided
into two parts- one houses Sawai Man Singh museum and other is still
the residential palace of the former maharaja.
The complex consists an excellent museum, an armoury, sprawling
gardens, buildings and several fine halls. The museum of Maharaja
Sawai Man Singh II has an extensive collection of art, carpets,
enamelwares and 15th century weapons.
Other significant attractions within the City Palace complex are
the Textile, Art Gallery, Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal,
Sukh Nivas & Shobha Nivas, Chhavi Nivas & Mukut Mahal, Shri
Govind Dev Temple.
Mubark Mahal
Mubark Mahal is an enchanting building inside the City Palace
Complex, built by Maharaja Madho Singh in nineteenth century. It has
a beautifully carved marble gate with heavy brass doors on either
side of this gate. Some other interesting sections in the palace are
the Diwan-i-Am or hall of public audiences including decorations and
manuscripts in Persian and Sanskrit, the Diwan-i-Khas or hall of
private audiences with a marble paved gallery.
Chandra Mahal
The Chandra Mahal, or the Moon Palace is the centre of the palace,
which provides a fine view of the gardens and the city. On the
fourth floor of the Chandra Mahal is the 'Shobha Nivas' or "Hall
of Beauty" with mirror encrusted walls having exquisite blue
tiled and mica decoration. The Shobha Nivas and the Sukh Nivas is
still occupied by the present Maharaja.
Chhavi Nivas
The fifth floor is the 'Chhavi Nivas' or "Hall of Images",
with a polished floor of blue and white painted walls, the maharajas
retreat in the rainy season. The sixth floor has rows of double
columns with mirrored ceiling through which one can have a
magnificent view of the rugged hills.
Mukut Mahal
The uppermost storey is called the 'Mukut Mahal' or the Crown
Building. Opposite the Chandra Mahal lies the 'Badal Mahal' and the
Govind Devji Temple stands between the Chandra Mahal and the Badal
Mahal. In the middle of Chandra Mahal and the Badal Mahal, a very
delightful system of fountains is placed.
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