5 Things about Jaipur You Should Know before Your Visit
“See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream.” This quote by Ray Bradbury exactly fits in the context of Jaipur, the city which feels no less of a dream.
What comes to mind when we hear about Jaipur? Jaipur - the Pink City, is one of the richest cultural and historical sites in the world, a royal city with huge architectural palaces and monuments. That’s the first thing that we visualize about Jaipur. It's more than that. This city is known for its beauty, variety, and cultural diaspora. Founded in 1727 by Maharaj Jai Singh II, the Rajput ruler of Amer, it is one of the earliest planned cities of India. Jaipur is now a flourishing city with a growing infrastructure and population. The lively traditional culture of Jaipur, with a beautiful blend of its ancient royal heritage and ultra-modern life, makes it more appealing and attractive. Once you enter into this historic city, you will find beauty in its diversity.
Here’s a list of the 5 things about Jaipur’s culture you should know before you plan your trip to this enchanting land:
1. Architecture & Sculpture of the Local Culture
“One of the great beauties of architecture is that each time, it is like life starting all over again.” - Renzo Piano.
Jaipur city’s rich and bountiful culture mirrors in the way the city is laid out - the temples, royal forts, and palaces, the timeless monuments that feel authentic to only the Pink City. A visit without exploring and admiring the architectural and sculptural designs and craftsmanship doesn’t make sense and will feel incomplete. Throughout history, the rulers of this city supported the growth of architecture and sculpture leaving behind such enriching and fascinating sculpture work, a big part about Jaipur’s culture, which will leave you speechless and awe-inspired.
• Marble CravingsThe marble carvings and sculptures can be noticed everywhere in Jaipur. The artisans of Jaipur are well known for carving images of deities with marble. Jaali or latticework is also quite prevalent on the sculptures that increase the beauty as a whole. The Birla Temple located in Jaipur is a live example of the creative work of the artisans crafting an eye-soothing architectural masterpiece.
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• Forts and Palaces
Where else can you admire the architectural beauty other than in the forts, temples, and palaces of Jaipur city? The intricately carved designs and the stonework are the reasons behind the flawless beauty of the majestic forts and palaces across Jaipur. The City Palace of Jaipur, the Mehrangarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort, Rambagh Palace, and Nahargarh Fort are the best places to visit which speak volumes of the magnificent and rich history of this city. Embellished with delicate carvings, exquisitely designed stained glass windows, carved corridors, and staircases make it a scenic beauty of all times and an attractive and popular tourist destination for people from all over the world.
Apart from marbles, sandstone and garnet are used for carving sculptures of Jaipur. A combination of marble and sandstone is evident in Jantar Mantar, the temple of Govind Dev Ji, and Tripolia Gate that places these sites on the international tourist maps and are eye-catching up to this date. Well, Jaipur has a reason to boast of some of the most prominent sculpture traditions which depict the richness and quality design of the city.
2. The Taste of the Exotic Food
The food serves as a cultural marker in unifying people from all over the world. Nothing brings people together than the warm delicious cuisines spread generously. Rajasthani food is famous for its varieties of cuisine and sweetness. You can never be out of food options when in Jaipur. But the best way to engage with the food culture is to try out the local street food.
There are beautiful narrow lanes that lead to Jaipur’s famous street food vendors serving mouthwatering local food delicacies like Gol Gappas, Omelette, Kathi rolls, Mutton Tikka, Chaats, Crispy pakora, Jalebi, Shrikhand, Kulfi Faluda, and the list goes on. Often visiting the city, people get confused with the variety of options of dishes. At established food joints spread across the city, you will be served with the popular traditional dishes like Dalbati - a famous Rajasthani food comprising of dal and wheat flour kneaded with yogurt and dressed in ghee, Missi Roti, and Gatte ki Sabzi. There are a lot of vegetarian options available in the food market in Jaipur because you will find a lot of people in this city are vegetarians.
There are many traditional beverages like Masala Chaach, Lemon Shikanji, Lassi, Orange Mania, Aamras, Thandai, Bale Juice, and Kulhad Milk. These are a must-try when exploring the soft drinks shops in Jaipur.
Read more about 10 Best Jaipur Foods to Try
3. Festivals and Fairs
Though Jaipur is one of the liveliest places to visit, the fun doubles when you land up in the city during the festive season. The fun and frolic of the festivities make you forget your worries of life and breathe in the festive air leaving you with more energy and enthusiasm. Some of the famous festivals and fairs showing Jaipur’s culture listed below should definitely be on your bucket list while visiting Jaipur:
• Teej Festival
One of the most celebrated and delightful festivals in Jaipur is the Teej festival. This festival holds significant importance for women. They fast for the whole day, praying to the Goddess Parvati for their husbands’ good health and prosperity. These women dress up in their traditional attires and wear nice jewelry that makes them look like a newly married bride.
• Elephant Festival
Indian Elephant Festival
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• Gangaur Fair
Almost a hundred-year-old tradition, the Gangaur Fair is one of the oldest traditional festivals of Jaipur. It is one of the most colorful festivals that is celebrated with vehemence where women worship the Goddess Gauri, the wife of Lord Shiva. This festival marks the onset of spring and the harvesting season.
• Kite Festival
The international kite festival is held on January 14 every year which attracts a lot of participants from all over the world. This festival is marked by a myriad of kites flying in the sky. Lamps and fireworks light up the night skies along with the kites which makes it more mesmerizing.
• Jaipur Literature Fair
The Jaipur Literature Festival which started in 2006, has now become the largest literary festival in the Asia-Pacific region. This five days festival usually held in January marks the presence of famous authors both from the national and international communities. So, if you are interested in reading books and getting autographs from your favorite authors, this is the place where you need to be.
• Jaipur International Film Festival
The Jaipur international film festival launched in 2009, has raised the popularity of Jaipur on a global level. It usually takes place from January 27- January 31 each year. Actors, directors, and cinematographers from across the globe participate in this festival, exchanging information and creative ideas on movie making and provides a platform for the upcoming artists to gain creative ideas on filmmaking and improving the cultural bond among various countries.4. Folk Music Dance and Art
Folk music dance and art is a part you cannot miss about Jaipur’s culture. In the past, many rulers have ruled Rajasthan, so each region has its own folk culture. But Rajasthan assimilates all the varieties of dance form or folk music and presents it in a culture-oriented manner. While visiting Jaipur, you should take a sip of the Rajasthani culture from the vast ocean of its cultural diversity of folk music and dance. Manganiyars and Langas are the two prominent groups that have contributed to Rajasthani folk music (See also Rajasthani Folk Arts). They perform ragas to call forth the rain. The dance in Rajasthan differs among different tribes. They were mainly for the entertainment and merriment for the people and the king. Ghoomer, Bhopa, and Tejali are some of the dance forms that have gained international appreciation and recognition.5. Handicrafts
Jaipur Handicrafts
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The city of Jaipur has witnessed many historical episodes and has contributed a lot in securing and preserving the secular cultural fabric of India. Every corner of Jaipur holds an interesting and refreshing touch of the tradition and cosmopolitanism which you can experience only by visiting this magnificent and charming city.
Read more about Jaipur's Best Handicraft Markets
