Despite of hitting the bed late night we were up early, excited to go around Jaipur. We had the complimentary breakfast at the hotel - bread, cornflakes, paratha, subji, mini uthappam, tea and coffee. By 8:30 the cab driver picked us up and left to the Hawa Mahal. A guide joined us there. He helped with the photo session outside the mahal and said nothing much inside so we dint go inside the mahal.
He next took us to the Jantar Mantar. Build by the Maharaj Sawai Jai Singh 200 years ago is an observatory and only functional one in India. The other 4 observatories are not currently active. The Maharaj's interest in Solar calculations has led to the set up of this observatory. Each piece here done with precision involving accurate calculation. Our guide Chandji explain each of them including the Yantra which is a unique piece. Current time, which raashi some would belong if born at this time, the change in northern and southern hemisphere and the prediction using the wind flow are done at this observatory. From here we went to the City palace which is near by.
This palace is in use by the royal family descendants. The building where they are currently living is cordoned off for the public and we are allowed into the remaining ones. The costumes worn by them are exhibited here. Their arms and ammunitions can been seen here in a separate area. The decoration for horses and elephants can be seen on model ones. Artisans can be seen working on work carvings and various art items are put on sale here in the art area. After having spent a good 1 hour here we were next taken to the Amer fort.
We had to drive through the city for 20 mins to reach Amer fort. Its on a hillock while there is Maota lake at the foot of the hill. Light and sound show happens here during the late evenings. Cab has to go through steep narrow lanes to reach the top. Per ticket here is Rs. 100. The Mahal has 4 distinct areas - Diwani-i-Aam, Diwani-i-Khas, Sheesh Mahal and the Sukh Niwas; the guide's presence was very much helpful. Diwani-i-Aam comes first where you have the stage with pillars made in marble and red stone and a huge area around it for the audience. Diwani-i-Khas is at a level higher from where the Raja can also view the Diwani-i-Aam all the way up to the entrance. The third level is the Sheesh Mahal, intricately designed walls and ceilings in paint and Belgium mirrors. We also saw the kitchen corridors and the huge kadais which were shot in Jodha Akbar movie while food gets cooked.
Adjoining this is a small and beautiful garden with fountains. From here our guide takes us through narrow alleys to the next level. Here is the ladies apartment, i.e the rooms of the King's consorts. There are 12 such apartments, each having independent entrance and exit. There is a separate hall where all the 12 queens and the King can meet together. From here again there is another secluded alley which brings us out of the fort. We bought a head gear, colourful little umbrella and fridge magnets here in the shops till we reached the parking.
The guide took us to the Rajasthan cottage industry building next. Here they showcased how the dyes for clothes are made naturally here using food colors. Many clothes and sarees were shown. We bought a couple of sarees here. It was already 3 pm by then. We wanted to have typical Rajasthani food, the first place the guide took us was fully occupied.
Next we went to the restaurant called Kanak valley. Could see many tourists here from around India. Guide and driver left us and went to a different area allocated for them. We ordered for a Rajasthani thali and a special thali, costing Rs.300 and Rs.500 respectively. It them forever to serve the food for it was fresh for that time. Food here is a bit spicy owing to the amount of green chillies being used. But for that the usual north India food we have in Chennai, tastes a level above in Jaipur due to the native ingredients used. Food was also oily at this place. From here we left to the hotel.
On the way we stopped at the Jal Mahal. Its been closed for public view as the Mahal is getting sold to Kothari group for setting up a hotel. After a brief photo session we drove towards the hotel. Our guide parted way at the 'market area. Our driver suggested the Rajasthan industry shop for us. This seemed to be pricey for us, we bought a camel leather foot wear, belt and kurtis here. After reaching hotel we went to the near by restaurant to have tea. Unlike in Chennai, for each of tea here they brew it separately. The ginger tea we got served here was in the color of badam and the taste was top notch and the cost was only Rs.20 per cup.
Putting our legs to rest for sometime and came down for dinner at 9pm - buffet was cancelled due to less turn around. So we were let to order soup, main course and a dessert. We had hot & sour soup, corn palak, roti and moong dal halwa. The palak gravy was too spicy for our manageable levels so informed the hotel staff to lessen the green chillies for us. They were very courteous and the hospitality at the Yash regency was excellent we need to admit.
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