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Monuments of Rajasthan

Jantar Mantar
The Jantar Mantar was conceived as a quest for discovering the mysteries of the Cosmos. The Jantar Mantar is a corruption of the Sanskrit word yantra mantra meaning instruments and formulae. It was built not only to verify astronomical observations made at Jaipur, but also to stimulate interest in astronomy, which had become enmeshed in theory, superstition and religious jargon. Following the style of an observatory at Samarkand, huge masonry instruments were built, keeping in mind the rules of astronomy, the position of the equator, latitudes and longitudes.

Hawa Mahal - A Wind Palace
Jaipur is a fascinating city but to make the city fascinating, it has great palaces and other structures that are architectural wonders. Look you may from whichever way - houses, shops and havelis - they are all pink. The long crenellated walls protecting the city and the huge gateways guarding the entrance to the city are all in pink. Even the women who come to the city market from their neighboring villages are dressed in pink, gorgeous yellow, red and blue. Men dressed in white dhoti and shirts carry huge magnificent turbans - mostly pink, red and yellow.

Ajmer Sharif
Located at the foot of a barren hill, the 'dargah' is revered equally by the Hindus as well as the Muslims. It attracts thousands of devotees from across the world during the 'urs', which commemorates the death anniversary of the Saint. This splendid tomb of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is next only to Mecca or Madina for the Muslims of South Asia....

Rajasthan Forts -
Amber Fort | Neemrana Fort | Ranthambore Fort | Kishangarh Fort | Mehrangarh Fort | Bundi Fort | Junagarh Fort | Jaisalmer Fort
What is there in Rajasthan if not its forts that together give the images that Rajasthan is famous for. Built over the hilltops, in the middle of enormous deserts, and inside the wild world, these forts showcases close association between the men and their close possessions.....

Rajasthan Palaces -
City Palace Udaipur
As the hub of Udaipur the City Palace stands majestically on the hill guarded by crenellated fort walls. A riot of arches, domes, turrets, crenellations and chattris crown the steep fortress.

In contrast to its rugged exterior, the inside presents a delicate and feminine world of beauty with lavish use of marble, mirror work, frescoes, wall paintings, a profusion of colored glass, fluted columns, inlay work, silver doors, fountains and gardens.

City Palace Jaipur
Located in the capital of Rajasthan, the City Palace of Jaipur was not only a part of the former glory of India, but still serves as home to the former Maharaja.Strategically located in the heart of the Pink City of Jaipur, the architecture is an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal art. Sprawling over the one-seventh of the walled city, it is divided into a series of courtyards, gardens and buildings.
It is home to several palatial structures like the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple, Mubarak Mahal, Mukut Mahal, and the City Palace Museum.

Amber Palace
The Amber palace was built by the Kachhwajas when they rose in eminence and power under the Mughals. Man Singh I built it in a style to rival Mughal grandeur and opulence. Diwan-I-Aam has a double row of columns with elephant-head brackets, which had to be covered with stucco to escape the jealous eye of Jehangir.

Ganesh Pol, entrance portal to inner palaces, is the most magnificent portal in Rajasthan, covered with elegant frescoes and crowned with pavilions carrying fascinating jail screens.

Lake Palace
The Lake Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, arising out of the Turquoise Waters of the Pichola like an elegant fantasy in white marble. The Lake palace was built in the 17th century on a natural foundation of 4 acers of rock. It was initially called Jaginwas after its founder Maharana Jagjit Singh.

The Maharana, ruler of Jaipur from 1628 to 1654, was very friendly with Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and encouraged his craftsmen to copy some of the glories of his incomparable buildings at Agra. The successive rulers used this cool haven as their summer resort, holding their regal durbars in its courtyards.