2 days in Jaipur with kids

Let imaginations run wild as you explore flamboyant doorways, hidden corridors and opulent courtyards of a bygone era. Set amongst compact homes and bustling streets, where motorbikes weave around plodding camels and impatient rickshaws brush past colourful saris, the many forts and palaces provide a sanctuary of calm.

At the pink and red Hawa Mahal

Padmanabh Singh is the 20-year-old ‘king’ of Jaipur, India.Although he’s not officially considered a king by the state in democratic India, his position is still respected.Singh is a polo star who has studied at New York University and has walked the runway in many fashion shows.

Man playing instrument outside Ameer Fort

Jaipur, affectionately known as ‘The Pink City’ due to the colour of the buildings in the old town, makes up part of India’s popular ‘Golden Triangle’. The city of Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the Raja of Amer who ruled from 1699 to 1743. Jaipur is predominantly known for its precious gems , astrology , block printing and handicrafts and its famous rajai (blanket/comforter) which is so light that it can be packed in a man’s handkerchief.

Puppets and more

Travelling in Jaipur is fun. You may opt for a colourful rickshaw ride or find yourself comfortable in easily available taxis or plan to roam on foot. The choice is yours but make sure that you wear comfortable footwear, breathable and light.Now that you are travelling with kids,plan for early starts and late afternoons to beat the heat (especially if travelling outside of the winter months) and ensure you are stocked up on snacks and water (it can be difficult to get hold of once inside the forts and palaces).

Day 1

City Palace and Museum

Welcome to the world of royalty and grandeur. Beautiful arches and equally beautiful artefacts. Two huge silver pots adorn it’s “diwan e aam”( House of Commons) which were used to carry water from the holy Ganga to England. The “diwan e khas” was we’re royal decisions and strategies were made. The museum housed age old artillery, clothing , ornaments and royal belongings. Belgium cut stained glasses art adorns its ceilings while a grand chandelier again made of Belgium crystals decorates its house of royals.

The House of Commons at the city palace

Beautiful arches, thoughtful architecture and paintings illustrate the riches and quality of artisans at those times. Very interesting was the courtyard which had four doors each representing a season and thus it’s usage. Peacock , lotus , sun and moon symbolising autumn, spring , summer and winter.

Peacock gate at the city palace

Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar

Instruments

This astronomical wonder fills me with awe and leaves me amazed to wonder the knowledge and precision in those times to monitor the movement of the sun or its altitude. It features the world’s largest stone sundial, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Hawa Mahal

Rickshaw ride near Hawa Mahal

Located very close to the city palace is the Hawa Mahal, as the name suggests it has vents and windows all around it to promote cross ventilation and thus is very pleasant even in blazing summers. It is built using red and pink sandstones. Did you know, it’s architecture resembles the crown of lord Krishna as Jodha ( the then princess of Jaipur ) was a devotee of the lord.

Windows and colourful glass at the Hawa Mahal

Jouhri Bazar

Streets at Johri bazar

From jewelry to textiles and footwears, exotic pottery to handicrafts, Jaipur has got them all. The oldest market of Jaipur is Johari Bazaar, and most of the shops in this market are painted in pink. Women flock here, as this market sells exquisite Jaipuri jewelry made of gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds. Kundan jewelry is quite famous and a popular item here.

Bapu Bazar

Situated in the heart of the Pink City between Sanganer Gate and New Gate, the market is known for its alluring Rajasthani products including textiles, handicrafts, brass works and precious stones. Jutis, camel leather products and other handicrafts are also popular items sold here.

Gulab Chand

Of all the boutiques and stores in Jaipur like Ratan’s , Cotton’s or exquisite luxury shops at Kanota gate, Gulab Chand is most famous for its prints and price policies. It’s a one stop shop for all age groups, men and women alike along with authentic Jaipuri prints in house furnishings too. No stop in Jaipur is complete without a stop here.

Albert Hall Mesuem

Albert hall museum displays beautiful artifacts but most promising was the show of colours in the evening at this square. Lighted by numerous colours it is a travellers delight.

Patrika Gate

Patrika Gate

Patrika gate gives you a sneak peek into the vibrant culture of Rajasthan as each pillar is dedicated to some or the other part of the state. Hand paintings of temples, forts, palaces, portraits of Jaipur rulers, blue pottery, jewelry, photographs of Amer, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jal Mahal are found here to give a glimpse of the entire history of Jaipur. There were some nostalgic & proud examples of scenes depicting weddings, wars and daily lives of people showcasing the way they earned their livelihood, all artistically portrayed in lively colors.

Kids with Rajat at Patrika gate

Day 2

Amber Fort

Amer Fort

Amer Fort is built in Amer, a town in Rajasthan.The town of Amer was originally built by Meena and later it was ruled by Raja Man Singh I. Amer Fort is known for its artistic style elements. With its large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths. It was built keeping astrology and vastushastra in mind and the king then had great knowledge and interest in the subject.

At the Amer courtyard

Constructed of red sandstone and marble, the attractive, opulent palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. It consists of the Diwan-e-Aam, or “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-e-Khas, or “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace.

At Amer Fort

Meena Panna Ka Kund

World of symmetry at the well

Built during the 16th-century reign of Maharaja Jai Singh, the baori’s geometric staircases are a stunning combination of ingenious Indian engineering and architectural beauty; the symmetrical arrangement of stairs in a criss-cross manner, the recessed doorways and the octagonal gazebos. However, the design is originally intended to be more practical than aesthetic, created as a way of collecting the monsoon rains and preserving water for the drier months and designed in such a way that people could reach water at any level as the pool rises and falls. This made the step well was a centre point for the community, used as a water source, bathing pool and for washing clothes. It was a meeting spot for the women; a place to chit-chat and catch up on each other’s lives. Why steps? The local guide told us that the steps were built to maintain the health of the folks visiting the well. The water looked green here and is expected to be 30 mts deep at this point in time. Visitors are not allowed on the steps anymore.

At the step well

Anokhi Museum

The art and science of block printing, and the history of fabrics is fabulously displayed and explained at this museum situated very close to the Ameer fort. Use of vegetable dyes and blocks for designing and printing is a time consuming intricate and delicate art. Making of blocks in itself is a challenge and some may take days to construct depending on its design elements. A simple pattern itself takes a couple of blocks to complete all made with the same precision but filling colours at various stages.

Anaya trying her hand at block printing

Block printing technique

Blue Pottery Art Center

Intricate designs at blue pottery

The name ‘blue pottery’ comes from the eye-catching cobalt blue dye used to color the pottery. They products such at pots and tiles are glazed and low fired.. No clay is used: the ‘dough’ for the pottery is prepared by mixing quartz stone powder, powdered glass, Multani Mitti. The pottery is decorated with animal and bird motifs . Flower designed placed in symmetry are also used in their style of art. None the less, I got a neck piece customised from here to suit my style too.

Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal is a palace in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city. It is now a private property and entry into this palace is barred for public. This low-rise symmetrical palace, that once was a shooting lodge for the Maharajah, appears to float in the centre of Sagar Lake. The light sand coloured stone walls of the Jal Mahal Jaipur are at a stark contrast to the deep blue of the waters of the lake and this perhaps makes it extremely camera friendly.

Elephant Village

Painted elephant at the village

Elephant village in Jaipur is a small community village that was set-up by the local government of Rajasthan in 2010 to provide a proper shelter & water facilities to the families who take care of Elephants along with providing a natural habitat for these giant animals surrounded by the Aravali mountain ranges. You could paint, feed, scrub and ride the elephants at leisure here. Though the children had fun painting the animals I think this was an overrated place.

Tourist enjoying a ride

Where we ate ?

Tapri got redefined street food along with school which also serves food in similar taste but a different setting and ambience of a classroom.Rawat for pyaz ki kachori and lassi. Masala chowk for a variety of food and tastes , Chowki Dhani for authentic Rajasthani taste of dal baati and churma along with traditional dry vegetables like kair and sangari , mangori and gatta. Shikar bagh for a luxury sit down meal and my favourite bar palladio for its ambience and choice of drinks.

Anaya and me chilling at Tapri

Interiors at the Bar

Where we stayed and why?

Narain Niwas Palace Hotel was our home for 3 nights and 2 days. This “the best exotic marigold hotel “ famed hotel was our choice because I wanted the kids to experience life in a palace like property as opposed to a five star hotel. A place where they could wake up the sound of the peacocks in the morning and enjoy folk music and dance at night.

The Exotic Marigold Hotel

Peacock at the hotel

What to buy in Jaipur ?

block printed kurtis and shirts, lacquere bangles, meenakari jewellery , gem stones, jooties and chappals, rajai and pashmina shawls,lehenriya and bandhani dupattas, lehengas Along with handicrafts and souvenirs.

This and more

What to expect in Jaipur?

Luxury, hospitality, grandeur, royalty at its best , rajasthani music and folklore.

Folklore

Hope you enjoyed your visit to Jaipur through my lens. Do check out my attire in Jaipur comprising of comfortable block print camel leather jooties and sandals, block printed cotton tops , silver bangles and a cloth bag again of block print origin and cotton pants.

Happiness and sunshine 🙂

Nidhi