These include textiles, jewellery, paintings, photographs, inlay works and stone wear. Architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya built the city using Vaastu principles, and it is also the first planned city of India. Take a detour from here to head to Galta Temple on a route that is full of peacocks. Jaipur is a great introduction to the majestic state of Rajasthan and its sights and sounds are bound to stay with you much after your trip here is done. Hawa Mahal Set against the backdrop of the Nahargarh and Jaigarh Fort, the city was established by Jai Singh II, and dates back to 1727..Off the Beaten TrackWhile many of these sights are well known, Jaipur has several offbeat and non-touristy experiences that make a visit here culturally rich. For starters, get up early and drive to the Nahargarh Fort located outside the city. Also check out the Masala Chowk’ where the street food of Jaipur comes alive in 21 street food stalls.

This is the place to shop for fabrics, joothis (traditional shoes), handicrafts including figurines of animals and birds as well as the famed Rajasthani puppets.— Photographs by Bindu Gopal Rao. Being in a city with a royal heritage, a visit to the Amber Palace,a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must. The bright blue pottery of Jaipur is among the best souvenirs to take home, and the best place to check these pieces out is at Mirza Ismail Road (MI Road). The sensory overload of beautiful sights and sounds is bound to leave you bewitched. And to sample some local authentic fare, a visit to the legendary LMB or Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar is a must for its large thali full of regional flavours.. Do not miss the large puppets on display here. The complex has several buildings including temples as well as places for other religious activities, and is inhabited by monkeys! And if you are a bird lover, stop at the Jal Mahal, a large water body that is inhabited by several species which can be spotted almost through the day.

The five storied structure has small latticed windows called jharokhas locally that allow fresh air inside, bringing cool breeze in the hot months. The Maharani’s Palace is where you can see Rajput weaponry and beautiful ceiling paintings.Sights and SoundsStart your tour by visiting the iconic Hawa Mahal that translates to Palace of Winds, and was built in 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh as a place where the ladies of the royal family could see how everyday life unfolded while not being seen themselves. To understand the local culture, stop at The Museum of Legacies that is housed in a close to 200-year-old building that houses artefacts from private collections that have been made accessible to the public for the first time. The City Palace Complex houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum where you get a peek into royal costumes, Pashmina shawls, Benaras silk saris and folk embroidery. At Tripolia Bazaar, buy lac jewellery and bangles as well as the famed Bandini tie and dye fabric. The pink sandstone structure is best viewed from the outside but you can also climb up for beautiful views of the city. China Single door refrigerator manufacturers ‘Jai’ ho from the pink city THE ASIAN AGE. Known for gems and jewels as well as precious stones of different kinds, Johari Bazaar offers a plethora of choices.