Archive for the ‘Rajasthan’ Category
July 4th, 2011 | 
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Adventure Tours of India can also arrange for excursions from Jaipur besides sightseeing tours within Jaipur. Excursions from Jaipur can range from traveling to popular tourist destinations around Jaipur to tours of the two cities – Delhi and Agra- on your Golden Triangle Tour, arranged by Adventure Tours of India.
Excursions to Sariska National Park and Tiger Reserve and Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve are a favorite with nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and tourists in search of a quiet refreshing vacation.
Excursions from Jaipur to the nearby marketplace of Bagru are apt for brief diversions from the sightseeing tours in the Jaipur city. Here, on your excursion from Jaipur, you can shop for the traditional Bagru prints made from vegetable dyes that are famous world over for their ethnic look.
Adventure Tours of India can also arrange for excursions from Jaipur besides sightseeing tours within Jaipur. Excursions from Jaipur can range from traveling to popular tourist destinations around Jaipur to tours of the two cities – Delhi and Agra- on your Golden Triangle Tour, arranged by Adventure Tours of India.
Excursions to Sariska National Park and Tiger Reserve and Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve are a favorite with nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and tourists in search of a quiet refreshing vacation.
Excursions from Jaipur to the nearby marketplace of Bagru are apt for brief diversions from the sightseeing tours in the Jaipur city. Here, on your excursion from Jaipur, you can shop for the traditional Bagru prints made from vegetable dyes that are famous world over for their ethnic look.
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Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Pushkar – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Jaisalmer – Bikaner – Delhi
13 Days / 12 Nights
Day 1: Delhi
Arrive in Delhi. Proceed from the airport to your hotel. Check in and relax. Explore the historic monuments of Old Delhi – Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb. In the evening, visit the Lotus Temple, enjoy the festive market scenes and stroll along the India Gate. Overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 2: Delhi / Agra
Leave for Agra. Arrive in Agra. Check in at the hotel and relax. Go on a sightseeing tour of Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-Daulah Tomb, Akbar’s Tomb and Jama Masjid. Visit the colorful local markets. A tour of Taj Mahal in the night, especially on a full moon, can be arranged. Overnight stay in Agra.
Day 3: Agra / Jaipur
In the morning, leave for Jaipur. Visit Fatehpur Sikri on the way. Arrive in Jaipur. Check in at the hotel, unpack and relax. Visit the festive markets of Jaipur. Eat, shop and make merry at the ancient Jaipur market lanes. Overnight stay in Jaipur.
Day 4: Jaipur
A full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Begin with the Amber Fort. Visit the Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Ganesh Pole, Narsingh Temple and Jagat Shiromani Temple within the fort followed by tour of the City Palace complex, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and Laxhmi Narayan Temple. In the evening, go on an extensive shopping excursions to the famous markets in Jaipur – Jauhari, Bapu and Nehru Bazaars. Overnight stay in Jaipur.
Day 5: Jaipur / Pushkar
In the morning, go on a brief excursion from Jaipur. You can choose from trips to the Fort at Samode, shopping in Bagru, temple destinations in Sanganeer, jungle safaris in Sariska National Park and Ranthambore National Park. In the afternoon, leave for Pushkar.
Arrive in Pushkar, the temple town of Rajasthan. Check in at the hotel and relax. Visit the Brahma Temple, Deshnok Temple, Savitri Temple and Man Mahal around the Pushkar Lake. If touring in November, a visit to the famous Pushkar Mela (cattle and camel fair) can be arranged. Overnight stay in Pushkar.
Day 6: Pushkar / Udaipur
Leave for an early morning excursion to Ajmer’s Dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Head for Udaipur.
Arrive in Udaipur. Check in at the hotel and relax. In the evening, go for a drive around the artificial Fateh Sagar Lake and visit the Nehru Park Island. Overnight stay in Udaipur.
Day 7: Udaipur
Move for a full day sightseeing tour of Udaipur. Visit the Lake Palace, City Palace complex, Jagdish Temple, Maharana Pratap Memorial, Saheliyon ki Bari and the rose garden. Overnight stay in Udaipur.
Day 8: Udaipur / Jodhpur
Leave for Jodhpur in the morning.
Arrive in Jodhpur. Check in at the hotel and relax. Move for a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur city. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Museum, Mandore Gardens and Giridkot. Overnight stay in Jodhpur.
Day 9: Jodhpur / JaisalmerIn the morning, leave for Jaisalmer. En route, visit Manvar, a modern desert camp where you can indulge in camel rides.
Arrive in Jaisalmer. Check in at the hotel and relax. Eat, shop and bargain at the Manakchowk, a famous marketplace of Jaisalmer. A floodlit Jaisalmer Fort makes for an enchanting backdrop to lively marketplace atmosphere. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 10: Jaisalmer
In the morning, move for a daylong sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer. Visit the Jaisalmer Fort, Jain Temple, Patwon-ki-Haveli, Salim-Singh-ki-Haveli, Gadsisar Sagar Tank, Desert Culture Center and Museum and Bara Bagh oasis. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 11: Jaisalmer / Bikaner
In the morning leave for Bikaner. En route, visit the Jain Temple at Lodhruva, go sand surfing at the Sam sand dunes or tour the Desert National Park.
Arrive in Bikaner. Check in at the hotel and relax. Go shopping in the local markets for souvenirs and taste the unique flavors of the region. Overnight stay in Bikaner.
Day 12: Bikaner / Delhi
In the morning, go on a sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Visit the Junagarh Fort, Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, Bhandasar Jain Temple, Shiv Bari Temple and Camel Research Farm. Leave for Delhi.
Arrive in Delhi. Check in at the hotel and relax. Overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 13: Delhi / Departure
In the morning, move for a sightseeing tour of Lutyens’ New Delhi. Visit the Parliament House, North Zone and South Zone, Rashtrapati Bhawan and India Gate. After a brief shopping excursion in Connaught Place, pack your bags and catch eth next flight home at the airport.
A pleasant retreat set amidst the lush forested hills, Mt. Abu is a green oasis in the barren desertscape that’s Rajasthan. Situated at the southern tip of the Aravali range the hill retreat owes its cool climate to its rich flora covering the entire hillside that includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs. The road leading to Mount Abu is a curved one characterized by arid region dotted with huge rocks in weird shapes and high velocity winds. The only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is more than just a summer retreat. Its stunning array of exquisite Dilwara Jain Temples, dating back 11th- 13th centuries, make it a popular pilgrimage centre. Abu according to a legend stands for the son of Himalayan, deriving its name from Arbuada, the powerful serpent who rescued Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, from a chasm.
Mount Abu has been home to many sages and saints. Most famous of them was Sage Vashishtha who is believed to have created four agnikula Rajput clans from a fire-pit by performing a yagna or fire sacrifice, to protect the earth from the demons.
The Yagna was performed besides a natural spring situated below Abu, emerging from a rock shaped like a cows head and hence the site was called Gaumukh.
What to see
Gaumukh Temple: A natural spring flowing through a sculpted cows head gives the shrine its name. The famous yagna of sage Vashishtha was performed here. A beautifully sculpted hill temple of Arbuada-the mighty serpent stands against the beautiful backdrop. Nearby is the magnificent marble image of Nandi, the celestial bull rescued by Arbuada.
Dilwara Jain Temple: These beautifully carved temples built between 11th and 13th century A.D. are sheer elegance in marble, dedicated to the jain Tirthankaras. The Vimal Vasahi temple is the oldest of these dedicated to the first Tirthankara. Built in 1031 A.D. (by Vimal Shah-a merchant and representative of then Gujarat ruler), it is a superb example of temple architecture.
Adhar Devi Temple: The temple is chiselled out of a huge rock reached by a flight of 360 stairs. A favourite tourist spot.
Sunset Point: Spectacular sight of the setting sun when the hills are covered in the golden glow can be viewed from here.
Honeymoon Point: Also known as Andra Point, it offers an enchanting view of the verdant plains and valleys. The place looks most beautiful during the dusk hours.
Gardens and Parks: Beautifully laid parks and gardens are interspersed throughout the hilly paradise. Ashok Vatika,Gandhi park, Municipal Park,Shaitan Singh Park and Terrace Garden are some of the noteworthy gardens.
Museum and Art Gallery: Located at the Raj Bhawan, it was a collection of archaeological excavations dating back to 8th-12th century A.D. It also has Jain bronze carvings,brassworks etc. for viewing.
Jaipur, the first planned city of India and the capital of Rajasthan was built in 1727 A.D by the Kachhwaha Rajput, Maharaja Jai Singh II, after whom it was named. The most striking feature of this city is the pink wash applied to the buildings during the occasion of the visit of Prince of Wales in 1853, giving Jaipur its universal title, the ‘Pink City’. This royal city with its fairy – tale palaces, rugged fortresses display remarkable harmony in architectural splendor. Jaipur’s craft, especially lacquer bangles are famous all over the world. Some of the palaces, once the residence of Maharajas have been converted to heritage hotels. The famous landmarks here are the five-storey Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) built in 1799 and the Jantar Mantar observatory, built by Maharajah Jai Singh II in 1728.
Area : 200.4 sq. km.
Population : 40,324,320
Season : October to March
STD Code : 0141
Temperature :
: Max: 41oC Min: 25.8oC in Summer
Max: 22oC Min :8.3.8oC in Winter
Rain Fall : : 556 mm
Literacy : : 67%
Travel Guide
Air:
Jaipur International Airport, Sanganer is located at a distance of 13 kilometres south of the city. Singapore Airlines, Thai Airlines, Air Canada are among the International air carriers that offers services to Muscat, Sharjah, Bangkok and Dubai. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Sahara Airlines and domestic carriers operate regular flights to and from Jaipur. There are direct flights to Delhi, Kota, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Rail :
Jaipur central railway station, located in the Bani Park region is well connected to all the major parts of the country. An excellent connection from Delhi is Shatabadi Express that provides a fast, air-conditioned rail service. Other direct connections to Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad, Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta. ‘Palace on Wheels’, one of India’s luxurious train passes through this station. Other trains include Marudhar Express (Varanasi – Jaipur – Delhi), 9770 Express (Jaipur – Purva), Gujarat Mail (Mumbai – Jaipur – Delhi), Shatabdi Express (Delhi – Jaipur – Ajmer), Superfast Express (Delhi – Jaipur), Mandore Express (Delhi – Jaipur – Jodhpur), Intercity Express (Delhi – Jaipur) etc.
Dahar Ka Balaji Railway Station near Jhotwara, Bais Godam Railway Station near Civil Lines, Durgapura Railway Station in south Jaipur and Gandhinagar Railway Station in Gandhi Nagar region are the other stations located within Jaipur city.
Bus :
Jaipur is well connected by roads to various parts of India. National Highway No.8 connecting Delhi to Mumbai and No.11 connecting Bikaner to Agra, passes through the district. The central bus station called sindhi camp is located at a distance of 1km from the railway station and 14kms from the airport. Regular bus services are available from here to nearby cities. Rajasthan State Road Transportation Corporation (RSRTC) runs excellent regular service of AC and Deluxe Coaches from Delhi.
Day 1 Arrival
Arrival in Delhi, meet our representative at the airport and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.
Day 2 Delhi
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. A sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would list visiting the Raj Ghat – the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India. A detailed sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue – Rajpath, past the majestic India Gate, Parliament House, the President’s Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. Night stay in Delhi.
Day 3 Delhi – Agra
After breakfast, morning drive to Agra, on arrival transfer to hotel. Later proceed for city sight seeing tour visiting the world famous Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Also visit Agra Fort, containing the Pearl Mosque – the rusty and majestic red- sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. At the Diwan-I-Khas (hall of private audience) where marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal ambiance, the Emperor sat on his gem-studded peacock Throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly kingdoms. Also visit Itmad-up-Dau’s tomb, built by Noorjehan in memory of her father. Night stay in Agra.
Day 4 Agra – Jaipur
Check out the hotel and proceed to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 to commemorate the birth of his son and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. Visit the remains, it fortifications within the city including Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other palaces. On arrival transfer to hotel. Night stay in Jaipur.
Day 5 Jaipur
After meal in the hotel, start the day with excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride ascent to the fort. Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendant Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it’s ultimate expression. Continue sight-seeing. Next we move to City Palace- a delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. Jantar Mantar is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of ancient astronomical instruments is still in use. Hawa Mahal is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. The five-storey structures of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trellis work and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women. Night stay in Jaipur.
Day 6 Jaipur – Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur- an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan enroute visiting Pushkar. Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such an important pilgrimage site, since many were deserted by Aurangzeb and subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. It’s marked by red spire, and over the entrance gateway is the hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as its site. Arrive Udaipur and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Udaipur.
Day 7 Udaipur
After breakfast in the hotel, morning city sight seeing tour of Udaipur. The city is built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh and has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari ( Queen’s resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir ( Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial. Rest of the day at leisure. Night stay in Udaipur.
Day 8 Udaipur – Jodhpur
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur. On arrival transfer to hotel. Night stay in Jodhpur.
Day 9 Jodhpur
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for city sight seeing tour of Jodhpur. Jodhpur – the stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph, built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant singh II around 1899 and Umaid Public gardens. Night stay in Jodhpur.
Day 10 Jodhpur – Jaisalmer
Morning drive to Jaisalmer, on arrival transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 11 Jaisalmer
Morning city sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer. Throbbing in the heart of the Thar, the burnished sandstone, is an intricately molded wonderland in place of a barren land, today stands a city of gilded magic. The origins of Jaisalmer go back to the 12th century, when Rawal Jaisal abandoned his old fort at Ludarwa and laid the foundation of a new city. Visit the magnificent fort, the Patwon Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli, with their carved balconies and brackets which are supreme examples of the art. Evening camel ride to visit sand Dunes. Night stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 12 Jaisalmer – Bikaner
After food, drive to Bikaner. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Later city sight seeing tour. Bikaner is named after its founder Rao Bikaji in 1488. But long before this, the city was trade center on the caravan routes from Africa and West Asia. Bikaner’s dominant features are rippling sands and abundant sunshine. The city stands on an elevation, enclosed by a 7 Kms wall, which can be entered from 5 gate. Bikaner City is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. Also visit Lallgarh Palace, the museum, Bhanda Sagar Jain and Deshnoke Rat temple. Night stay in Bikaner.
Day 13 Bikaner – Mandawa
Morning drive to Mandawa, on arrival transfer to the hotel. Later visit Mandawa, founded 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and still the home of his descendants, has beautiful frescoes, havelis and mansions. Mandawa castle one of the finest castles of Rajasthan, is now a hotel and house of collection of armories, costumes of ancestors, canons from 1820 ancient coins, numismatic collection and many other interesting items, preserved in a museum. Night stay in Mandawa.
Day 14 Mandawa – Delhi
Departure Morning drive to Delhi and transfer to airport for onward journey.
Ajmer is located 132 kms away from Jaipur and 198 kms from Jodhpur. It is connected by road to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Udaipur and Kota. Ajmer is a railway junction on the Delhi-Ahmedabad section of the Western Railway. During the Urs, special buses ply from cities all over India carrying people to Ajmer and back. The ornament of city Ajmer, full of utmost divinity and power, the place where you will the atmosphere full of divine peace and love. Dargah Shariff of Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti a must visited place in India, one of the holiest place and utmost divinity for Muslims, dargaah is open for the people from all faiths, every one can come and perform prayers.The great saint is believed to have retreated to his meditation grounds six days prior to his death, he was burried at the same spot. The death aniversary of the great saint, known as the festival of Urs, is celebrated over a period of six days. Devouts from all over the world come here to pay their homage to the great saint.
Conceived and built by the great and mighty king, Sawai Raja Jai Singh, the name of the city ‘Jaipur’ has dual emphasis. ‘Jai’ means victory and and is also the first name of its maker. Today, the city is a major tourist attraction in India because of its magnificent forts, grandiose palaces, vivacious temples, multihued bazaars, pulsating streets and its renowned pink color to which the city owes its oft-used name ‘The Pink City’. This famous pink color symbolizes ‘welcome’ and was adopted during the times of the ruler Ram Singh II when he received the Prince of Wales in 1876. The color was chosen after several experiments to cut down the intense glare from the reflection of the blazing rays of the sun. Today, every home within the old city is obliged by law to maintain this uniqueness of the city. Throughout the old city you can see the traditional, marvelous, pink-colored houses with latticed windows lending charm to a scene which is almost miraculous at sunset.
CLIMATE
Jaipur has hot and humid summers and chilly winters. The maximum temperature in summer (from April to July) is around 45ºC. In winters (from October to March), days are sunny and pleasant days but during nights, temperature can be as low as around 5ºC. Foggy evenings are also part of the winters here.
HOW TO REACH
By Air: Jaipur has daily flights to and from Delhi and Mumbai. It is also well connected with Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad and Calcutta. The airport is not more than 20 km from the city centre.
By Train: You can find a train to Jaipur from all the major cities of India. From Delhi, you can catch Shatabdi Express, Intercity Express, The Pink City Express and Chetak Express. Super Fast Express links Jaipur with Mumbai. The specialty trains like ‘Palace On Wheels’ (operational all the year round and has a 8-day trip) and ‘The Royal Orient’ (operational only from September to April) are, of course, the best options from Delhi.
By Road: Jaipur being the capital of Rajasthan, one can find frequent deluxe buses that include luxurious air-conditioned buses too, from Delhi, Agra, and all cities of Rajasthan to Jaipur. Sindhi Camp, the central bus terminal is situated in the heart of the city.
WHERE TO EAT
Jaipur has a range of multi-cuisine restaurants in its deluxe hotels that offer an assorted mixture of Indian, Asian and European cuisines and varied, yet, elegant environments. The Mirza Ismail Road (M. I. Road) has a number of eateries that serve good food in clean surroundings. If you are feel-the-real-thing types, you may try the Station Road with its many ‘dhabas’ or small roadside restaurants.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Elephant Festival is held in March or April every year on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colors. As the name suggests, dozens of elephants parade at the Chaugan stadium. The best-attired elephant is given a prize. Elephant Polo and cultural songs & dances are featured events in this festival.
Gangaur Festival takes place in March/April near Holi. It is celebrated in the honor of Goddess Gauri and is celebrated mainly by the women and girls. It is associated with marital happiness and conjugal bliss. The womenfolk enthusiastically perform several rituals associated with the event and a colorful procession of the Goddess is carried out in the city, which is a big tourist attraction.
Teej Festival is celebrated in July/August to welcome the monsoon season, which is so much awaited in the desert capital. A huge procession is carried out in the main streets in the honor of Goddess Teej, which includes elephants, camels, horses, chariots, palanquins, band players, acrobats and folk artists. Temporary jhoolas (swings) are erected for youngsters to enjoy. Effervescence, jubilation and myriad hues, which are characteristic of the state of Rajasthan, can all be seen here.
Jaipur Festival is a fairly recent event that takes place in the month of November where myriad of programs, competitions and felicitations are organized meant to revive old customs and traditions of princely Jaipur. It closes on, November the 18th, which is deemed as ‘the birthday’ of Jaipur.
Kite Festival is a three-day festival held on the eve of Makar Sankranti that falls on 14th January every year when the skies are of multi-colored skies vying with each other all-day long. The featured events are Fighter Kite Competition and Display Flying, where the participants compete with each other for the coveted prizes. On the final day, the Maharaja of Jodhpur gives a farewell dinner and distributes prizes at Umaid Bhawan Palace, the royal residence.
Rajasthan’s beautiful Pink City Jaipur, was the stronghold of a clan of rulers whose three hill forts and series of palaces in the city are important attractions. Known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city, Jaipur’s bazaars sell embroidered leather shoes,
blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares. Western Rajasthan itself forms a convenient circuit, in the heart of the Thar desert which has shaped its history, lifestyles and architecture.
Founded in AD 1727 by Sawai Jaisingh II, Jaipur 
the capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the Pink City with broad avenues and spacious gardens. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is steeped in history and culture. Here the past
comes alive in magnificent forts and palaces, blushed pink, where once lived the maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, famous for Rajasthani jewellery, fabric and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are surely a treasure-trove for the shoppers. This fascinating city with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and tradition.
Jaipur has been laid according to the conventional nine-grid pattern that astrologers believe to be lucky, and which has been recommended in the ancient Indian treatise on architecture. Each grid consists of a square, and these have been planned so that, at the heart of the city is the City Palace. Spread around it, in rows, are public buildings, the residences of noblemen, the living and trading quarters of merchants and artisans. Straight, wide roads run through the city, while a high, crenellated wall that forms its defense is pierced with seven gateways that serve as entry points. Today, these walls may be more difficult to spot since the city has grown far beyond its original plan, but they are still there, proof that though Jaipur saw no great siege, it was more than adequately prepared for it.