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Monuments of Rajasthan
Duration : 8 Days/7 Night
Destinations covered : Delhi - Jaipur - Jodhpur - Kharda - Narlai - Kumbhalgarh
- Udaipur - Delhi
Rajasthan
has some of the world's finest examples of architecture that reflects itself
in its architecture. There are distinct influences of Rajput architecture along
with the considerable influences of the Mughal architecture and the marks of
the aristocratic British Raj in its structure and sophistication. Some of the
well-known monuments have been covered here:
City Palace, Jaipur: An amalgamation of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal
architecture, City Palace complex has several palatial structures. Maharaja
Jai Singh built the outer wall but there have been many additions since then.
It sprawls over one-seventh of the area of the walled city and is in part of
the palace still serves as a royal residence. The highlights of the palace are
Chandra Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
Havelis, Jaisalmer: The beautiful sandstone mansions of Jaisalmer's wealthy
merchants are known as 'havelis'. Patwon ki Haveli is the most convoluted and
outstanding of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It stands in a narrow lane and one
of its apartments is painted with stunning murals. Salim Singh ki Haveli was
built about 300 years ago and a part of this is still being used as residence.
It was owned by Salim Singh, a former prime minister of the state of Jaisalmer
and has a arched roof with superb carved brackets inn the form of peacocks.
Nathmal ki Haveli of the late 19th century was also a prime minister's house
and two brothers carved its left and right wings, which are similar in their
looks. Its highlights are yellow sandstone elephants that stand majestically
at its entrance and the intricately carved front door.
Lake
Palace, Udaipur: One of the most romantic holiday spots of the world, this
erstwhile summer residence of the royalty of Udaipur, it an island palace situated
in the scenic waters of the Pichola Lake. Made up of white marble, it has now
been converted into a fabulous heritage hotel with beautiful pavilions, landscaped
gardens and legends that are an inseparable part of any Rajasthani marvel.
Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur: Built in 20th century, Umaid Bhawan Palace is
made up of a particular type of sandstone used, which does not get weathered.
An important part of Jaisalmer tourism, parts of the Umaid palace has now been
converted into a hotel and a museum.
City Palace, Udaipur: Originally started by Udai Singh, additions have
been made to this building in such an ingenious manner that it is difficult
to imagine that the building was not conceived as a whole. Standing on the shores
of Lake Pichola, one can reach the palace through 'Hathi Pol' (the Elephant
Gate), the 'Bara Pol' (the Great Gate) and the Tripolia (the Triple Gate). Complete
with resplendent pavilions, terraces, corridors and hanging gardens, the highlights
of the place are Sheesh Mahal, Krishna Vilas, Chini Chitrashala, Mor Chowk and
the Amar Vilas.
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur: Hawa Mahal is a multi-layered palace with a beehive
structure built by Sawai Pratap Singh (grand son of Sawai Jai Singh and son
of Sawai Madhoo Singh) in 1799 and was designed by Mr. Lal Chand. The beautiful
use of red and pink sand stones outlined with delicate white borders and motifs
are simply out of this world.
Manak
Chowk, Jaisalmer: Manak Chowk outside the Jaisalmer fort is the centre of
local activity and is also a landmark through which one can reach the lanes
where the famous carved havelis of Jaisalmer mentioned-above are to be found.
Built mainly during the 18th and 19th centuries, Patwon-ki-Haveli is the best
with a beautiful latticed façade, Salim Singh-ki-Haveli has an arched
roof held up by well-excluded brackets shaped like peacocks while Nathmalji-ki-Haveli,
has two wings, quite similar to each other but facing opposite sides guarded
by elephants made up of yellow sandstone.
Vijay Stambh, Chittorgarh: Translated as the Victory Tower, it is a nine-storeyed
37 metres high structure with sculptures of a secular nature to ornate the exteriors.
Maharaja Kumbha built it in commemoration of his victory over the Muslim rulers
of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440.
Deeg, Bharatpur: 34 km from Bharatpur, Deeg is an ancient city known
for its famous palaces, gardens and fountains and ruins of the old fortress,
which contributed considerably in the making of the Jat principality. Deeg was
the first capital of the newly carved out Jat state, when Badan Singh ascended
the throne ruler in 1722. It is said that the Jat rulers of Deeg and Bharatpur
impressed by the grandeur of the Mughal courts of Agra and Delhi, brought all
items like gates, stone slabs, beam, from Mughal areas and used them in the
construction or decoration of their places.
Jantar
Mantar, Jaipur: Jantar Mantar of Jaipur, the 'Yantralaya' of Sawai Jai Singh
II built on his designs, is the largest of five astronomical observatories founded
by him in 1716. The others are at Delhi, Ujjain, Mathura and Varanasi. It is
a marvel in itself with its huge masonry instruments of extraordinary precision
that can still be used quite efficiently.
Palace of Padmini, Chittorgarh: The palace is situated in the Chittorgarh
fort and was built in the 13th century for the legendary Queen Padmini whose
beauty resulted in the historic battle between Allauddin Khilji and Rana Ratan
Singh. As the legend goes, Rani Padmini self-immolated herself in a ritual fire
pit to save her honor from the enemy with all the pride attributed to a true
Rajput lady.
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