There are photo opportunities aplenty at the City Palace , including the inner courtyard called Pritam Niwas Chowk , with its four incredibly intricate doorways – the Peacock Gate , Lotus Gate , Rose Gate and Leheriya ( Waves ) Gate – each unique in its design and decoration .
The swanky Baradari restaurant , found through a doorway in the palace ’ s main courtyard , provided a perfect retreat for a relaxed lunch and a refreshing cocktail to end our day of sightseeing here in style – a reminder of Jaipur ’ s unique allure as a city where old and new , traditional and modern , chaotic and charming combine in spectacular fashion .
While there are many palaces and temples in Jaipur , make sure you also head to temple to the stars , Jantar Mantar . Built in the early 18thcentury under the orders of Prince Jai Singh II , a passionate observer of the cosmos , it ’ s now a UNESCO World Heritage site . This series of architectural monuments , that were designed for observing and measuring the distances and positions of celestial objects , are remarkable .
Jantar Mantar can be combined with a tour of the City Palace , finishing with a glimpse of the extraordinary Hawa Mahal , the Palace of Winds . This exquisite hive of latticed windows , carved out of pink sandstone , is undeniably the city ’ s most distinctive landmark . It was built in 1799 to enable the ladies of the royal household ( who at the time strictly observed purdah ) to be able to watch the processions and life of the streets below without being seen by the public . Now , you can take in the superb views and the mayhem of Sireh Deori Bazaar , one of Jaipur ’ s many bustling bazaars , from the screened niches .
Couples will find plenty of reasons to shop up a storm in the city ’ s markets and boutiques , and treasure hunters can explore tiny workshops and
[ Above ] Baradari is a hidden dining delight in the centre of the City Palace . [ Below left ] The incredible Peacock Gate provides access to the Chandra Mahal at the City Palace , and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu . [ Below right ] Explore a temple to the stars at Jantar Mantar . [ Opposite ] Inside Chhavi Niwas ( the Blue Room ) at the City Palace .
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