Jaipur is the fortress of luxury; a sea of palace windows; a voyage through history. With a blend of everything unique – from architectural wonders, chaotic, colourful streets to opulent grandeur that the city reflects, the Pink City is a beautiful gateway to India’s most flamboyant state, Rajasthan. While most of us must have visited the monuments and other tourist attractions across the city to get a sneak-peek into royalty, there are so many lesser-known places that are as fascinating.

Here are a few places in Jaipur that you must visit to experience the coolest side of this hot city:

Puppet Show at the City Palace

Puppet shows of Jaipur reflect the colourful Rajasthani style and are one of the most attractive things in Jaipur. These traditional shows narrate history, myths, legend with background music and vocals. Puppet shows are mainly performed by Bhat Community, and in Jaipur, no village fair, no religious festivals and no social gatherings are completed without a puppet show.

Tunnel from Amber Fort – Jaigarh Fort

What makes a historic monument worth a visit is the sense of history one gets from it, and the panoramic view you could witness. This 325-metre long open air tunnel connects the intricate Amber Fort to Jaigarh Fort. You can hire a golf cart at an affordable price for a breathtaking ride from Amber to Jaigarh Fort.

Nahargarh Fort Step Water Tank

Situated on top of a cliff, the view from the Nahargarh fort is marvellous. In addition to the stupendous views, Nahargarh Fort is an architectural wonder in itself – showcasing a mix of Indian and European architecture. The massive step water tank is a major attraction of the Fort, being featured in the movie ‘Rang De Basanti’ as well.

Albert Hall Museum

The oldest museum of the state, Albert Hall Museum, also functions as the state museum of Rajasthan. The building is an excellent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture and showcases varied art and crafts of Jaipur. The museum also has a rich collection of artefacts like paintings, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, colourful crystal works, etc.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Riding a hot-air balloon inside the city is a breathtaking experience. The balloon ride completes a trip through Jaipur while giving you a bird’s eye view of various forts including Amber Fort and Jal Mahal. The panoramic view of the shops and streets of Jaipur from the hot-air balloons would make your trip unforgettable. The average cost of riding a balloon is Rs. 7,500 per person.

Cycling Festival

Every year, a two-day cycling festival is held in the city to celebrate city’s inception, 290 years ago. The event is organised by Jaipur Cycling Community and is scripted to give you a fairy tale experience of the ancient royal tradition of Jaipur. This extravaganza is for those who’d love to relive the bygone era of forts and palaces by pedalling through. This year, the festival would be held on November 11th & 12th.

Other thing to explore in the city:

Jaipur Literary Festival

The biggest literature festival in India, annual Jaipur Literary Festival, brings together many scholars and known personalities, on one platform. The festival happens in January, every year.

Vintage Car Rally

Every January, the vintage car rally show is held in Jaipur. The most popular vintage cars are showcased at the rally.

Block Printing Classes

Jaipur is famous for its hand block print work. Attend a class and understand the process of colour making and block printing.

Market Streets

Jaipur is shoppers’ paradise. There are undoubtedly some remarkable shopping places in Jaipur, and the unique and traditional touch on things,here, enriches your shopping experience ten-fold.

Jawahar Kala Kendra

Jawahar Kala Kendra is a multi-arts centre located in the city. It was built by Rajasthan government with the purpose of preserving Rajasthani arts and crafts.

Best time to visit: October to March is the best time to visit the city. The cool breeze along with moderate sunlight during these months, make it suitable for visitors to go for sightseeing even in the day.

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