Jaipur

What do you want in Jaipur? (poll)

Pink City — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:21:27 +0000

Anti Encroachment Drive in Jaipur

Pink City — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:06:52 +0000

There is an Anti-Encroachment drive in progress in Jaipur. While it is something that we all appreciate, we wonder how could they do something like this.

The red circle is a small building that was supposed to be a Water Hut (Pyau) and was almost as old as the city itself. The super active Engineers who turn deaf and blind to encroachment in plain sight, found this structure to be an encroachment and demolished it this morning. This is not the first time that they have destroyed a piece of heritage. They have done this to the Amber Mahal in the past as well.

Super Active or Idiots?!?

Comments Welcome

Cultural Sensitivity and Jaipur

Pink City — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 23:39:18 +0000

Life in India is not as it is in any other country and Jaipur is no different. The city has its own beauty, however it may shock a first time visitor. Jaipur has a different culture and the city has evolved over the years. The people are used to seeing domestic and foreign visitors and therefore are more culturally sensitive than any other city in India. This doesn’t mean that you should not expect a complete stranger to come to you and say Hi, or ask you to take a picture with him! They don’t mean any harm, they are only curious.

India has a more ‘touch friendly’ culture. It may be because of the number of people, but people may walk past you, brushing against you, or you may find men holding hands with men. It is not an indication of their preferences but because of their upbringing, where they do not find it inappropriate. Do not feel embarrassed when someone wants to shake hands with you and you are not willing. Bend your elbows and put your palms together, smile and say ‘Namaste’. They will like it.

People may stare at you. It is normal and is not considered impolite. They are not trying to look for something in particular, they are only curious. Foreign tourists are generally more ‘interesting’ subjects because they look different. If you find a pair of eyes following you, it may be better to ignore and not make contact. A contact or a smile may appear inviting and they may come to you to say hello and shake hands, leading to a Namaste!

It is normal to throw garbage on the road and you may not find many bins. A heap of garbage in the street may be common. Hygiene and civic sense have a different meaning in India. Jaipur is much better than most cities in the country (winning the cleanest city in Asia award in 2006). It is suggested that you do not expect much on these fronts. The nice and friendly population will make up for it.

People in Jaipur are very friendly.The city gets a great share of revenue from tourism and international exports, and a lot of people have travelled abroad. They understand the problems faced by a visitor in a new country and the importance of tourism in the economy. They will be genuinely willing to help. It is recommended to ask men as women are shy in the male dominant society and may not speak much. This is not to say that they are any less in the society or they cannot help. Women are respected and hold a high position in the Jaipur culture.

If you want to indulge in anything that requires money, learn the art of negotiating. There is a strong possibility that a cab driver may charge you twice the amount or a shopkeeper may ask you for more money than printed on the bottle of water. With all its good, Jaipur still has people who may want to cheat you. If you are confused, ask for help from a local citizen. Police is also a good option, you may find men wearing khaki or white and blue uniforms in most areas. Ask them to help you figure the right price or to negotiate for you.

Credit cards are yet to find a place in India and may not be accepted at all places. Always keep cash with you and try to keep most denominations. General rules like not keeping a lot of cash visible, keeping change in a separate pocket etc apply. If you really want to give(strictly disapproved), it is alright to give 1 rupee to a beggar, who you may find aplenty. It is a business for them, do not consider this as a donation.

Major Attractions in Jaipur

Pink City — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 23:38:16 +0000

Jaipur is the second most famous tourist destination in India, after Agra, the Taj Mahal. It is estimated that one out of every three tourists coming to India visits Jaipur. The Golden Triangle of Jaipur, Delhi and Agra is one of the best bet for any tourist. Jaipur has quite a lot to offer for any tourist. There are forts, palaces, wild life sanctuaries, heritage monuments, temples and resorts, which make Jaipur a destination for the casual traveller and the tourist with a reason.

Major attractions in Jaipur are the City Palace, Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Birla Temple, Albert Hall Museum etc. Jaipur is also famous for its Bazaars offering traditional clothes, junk and precious jewelry, shoes, home furnishing, marble and wooden artefacts and a lot more. The neatly aligned shops that look alike because of the architecture are a feast to the eyes of any traveller.

There are various tours organized by the RTDC, Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, a Govt body engaged in promoting tourism and ensuring best services to tourists. These tours can be booked from the RTDC office at Government Hostel or from the RTDC website. One can also hire a cab and travel around the city for a customized tour.

Staying in Jaipur

Pink City — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 23:27:16 +0000

Jaipur is famous for its palatial hotels and luxury resorts. There are budget hotels as well, which are well suited for backpackers and students.

The hotels can be categorized into three parts; value, premium and exclusive. Jaipur is a famous tourist destination and therefore most hotels are focused on international and domestic tourists. There aren’t many business hotels in the city.

The exclusive hotels include the palaces that have now been converted to hotels. These hotels are run by professional hotel chains and make the guests relive the luxurious princely lives. The best of these hotels are Rambagh Palace and Jai Mahal Palace. These are followed by the Raj Mahal Palace. There are newly constructed hotels as well, which have been built to look like palaces and provide the same feel. These are Raj Vilas Palace, Shiv Vilas, Trident and the Le Meridian.

There is another class of such hotels, the outhouses and private mansions of the royal families. These are not huge palaces, but belong to the same age and the guest will be able to live in the same era. These include the Raj Palace, Alsisar Haveli, Narayan Nivas, Diggi House, Mandawa Haveli, Devi Niketan, Umaid Mahal, Shahpura House, Arya Niwas etc.

The premium hotels are closer to the city and can be used by business travellers as well. They don’t have the palatial look but the services are still at par. These include the Clarks Amer, the oldest 5 start rated hotel in Jaipur, Rajputana Sheraton, Park Prime, Ramada, Royal Orchid, Gold Palace, Country Inn and Suites, Park Plaza, Man Singh, Jaipur Palace, Holiday Inn, Maharani Palace, Golden Tulip, Fortune MGF etc.

The value hotels in Jaipur are spread across the city. These are hotels with rooms under $50. They are mostly closer to the central Bus Station and the Railway Station. The service in some of these hotels is remarkable, for example LMB Hotel, RTDC Teej, Hotel Maurya, Hotel Blue Bird, Polo Victory Palace, Khasa Kothi, KK Royal Days, Ashok Jaipur, The Wall Street, Chokhi Dhani Resort etc.
There are many options available and the list is not exhaustive. Please consult your travel agent before booking. We provide this list for informative purpose and are not affiliated with any of the above. If you believe the information is incorrect, please send a request and we will update it.