Jaipur, the Pink City

Jaipur, Rajasthan Capital is popularly known as the Pink City for obvious reason. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, Jaipur is built of pink stucco in imitation of sandstone. While there, we had visited the Hawa Mahal, or palace of winds which is actually a sprawling palace complex, Nahargarh Fort , Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Jantar Mantar and Jal Mahal among others. Jaipur, with its rich and colourful past, is now one of the most important heritage cities in India, and is a must-see for tourists. My friend had told me that Britain's Prince Charles had visited here once but well, I don't know. As far as I am concerned, I have been here and it was a fantastic experience, seeing the splendid pink buildings of old. The Hawa Mahal especially surprised me. It reminded me of a prop in a movie studio. The front is all beautiful and glamorous but there are many ugly unkempt houses behind it. I heard ladies of days gone by used to sit here as they watch a procession from their windows but now, the only procession available is the haphazard heavy traffic on a dusty road.

At the Palace of the Wind, Hawa Mahal...