Buzz
Time seems to have forgotten the state of Rajasthan in India, a vast arid desert that holds the rich historical imprints of the prosperity of Central Asia, part of the Silk Road. The 'Pink City' Jaipur serves as the gateway to the enchanting state of Rajasthan in our 8-day exploration of Northwestern India. We marvel at the surreal brilliance on the well-preserved steps, witness the diverse people of the subcontinent across different states, and immerse ourselves in the sacred festivals of various religions:
Jaipur's streets bustling with the hue of 'terracotta' captured from Hawa Mahal
Embark on a journey through the terracotta alleys of Jaipur!
Immerse in the Terracotta Pink Splendor with Hawa Mahal, the Wind Palace
Hawa Mahal captured from a rooftop cafe across the Wind Palace
We set forth to Jaipur from the city of Agra, home to the world wonder Taj Mahal, on a high-speed minivan journey of 5 hours. Stepping out onto the damp seats in the scorching noon sun of 30 degrees, Jaipur unfolds before us with the sounds of honking, bustling commerce, congested streets, and the vivid red houses forming the streets, intersections, markets, palaces, and gates. I dubbed it the bouncing terracotta red under the glaring, hot, and dry sunlight. It took me a while to realize that this is the so-called 'pink' in the 'Pink City,' and I'm standing in the midst of the lively ancient market: Bapu Bazaar. It's not the pink I'm familiar with; Pantone labels it Terracotta Pink, eloquently translating to 'fired clay pink.'
Legend has it that in the 19th century, the Prince of Wales visited, and Jaipur immediately adorned itself in pink, signifying warm hospitality and radiance. Subsequently, new structures were painted pink, creating a 'one-of-a-kind' city with historical, cultural, and touristic significance. Among the symbols of the 'Pink City' is the Hawa Mahal, the Wind Palace.
The vibrant Gangaur procession enthusiastically drew us in, as they placed a silver vessel on our heads in lieu of blessings.
Amidst joyful moments with peacocks at the city gate, the traffic slowly gave way to a grand elephant adorned with a plethora of dazzling accessories in various colors. Following closely were ladies in traditional red or orange sarees, complemented by small silver vessels atop their heads containing a few sweets. The festival kicked off with a lively dance in a small circle, expanding to include us in the procession. With warmth, they placed a silver vessel on our heads, symbolizing their well-wishing charm.
The Gangaur festival is celebrated with fervor rooted in religious beliefs, being one of the prominent festivals in Rajasthan. It takes place in the month of Chaitra (March-April) to honor Goddess Gauri, the consort of the supreme deity Shiva. Women pray for a good husband and a happy family. Gangaur symbolizes the celebration of spring, harvest, marital fidelity, family happiness, and fertility.
In a magical display of effortless beauty and hospitality, our brief encounter was enough to fill the heart with exuberant emotions, akin to a wish for deep and enduring love that has been tested and proven.
Exploring around Patrika Gate, the top wedding photoshoot spot for couples in Jaipur
A couple at Patrika Gate, looking as beautiful as a painted masterpiece
As the evening temperature eased a bit, we strolled through the green park to admire the intricately carved details on a city gate, Patrika Gate. At times, one wonders what kind of artistic nation pays attention to every harmonious detail on a city gate – just a city gate, right?
Yet, Patrika Gate is not just any city gate; it's the 9th gate of the ancient walls of Jaipur, about a 30-minute drive from the center of Jaipur. The pink lotus wings vividly narrate stories and deep-rooted Hindu traditions. Like the attire of ancient kings and commoners, modes of transportation, or societal ranks...
With an overall vibrant blend of striking colors, Patrika Gate is the favored choice of Jaipur couples as the top wedding photoshoot backdrop. As we arrived, we quickly snapped a few photos and graciously yielded the beautiful spots to the desert-born brides and grooms. Surrendering to the enchanting gaze of deep, loving eyes, high, graceful noses harmoniously blending on richly pigmented skin – the distinctive beauty of the Indian people. Thus, we were treated to a continuous feast at this city gate...
Admiring 'Jaipur by night' at Nahargarh Fort
The panoramic view of Jaipur at night from Nahargarh Fort is awe-inspiring
Nahargarh Fort stands serene, majestic, and perfectly preserved on a hill that our minivan struggled to ascend for over 30 minutes from Patrika Gate. With the intention of reaching Nahargarh Fort to witness the breathtaking sunset casting a unique pink hue over the entire Jaipur landscape, our delayed arrival resulted in missing the spectacle, leaving only the lingering shades of purple and pink in the remnants of history for this modern era.
Perched atop the Aravalli Hills, Nahargarh Fort derives its name from the valiant interpretation as the 'abode of tigers.' Arriving late meant missing the fortress's opening hours for visitors (opening hours: 10 AM - 5:30 PM). In compensation, we ventured along a hidden trail, wild grass flanking both sides, descending to a stepwell, a distinctive architectural feature known as the 'underground terraced water well' dating back to the 7th to 19th centuries in the Western Indian region. Its purpose was to store water from the scant annual rainfall for essential activities.
From there, tracing the fortress walls and small windows, we gazed at the glittering lights painting the night panorama of Jaipur, feeling the intersection of past and present. Occasionally, fireworks burst into the night sky; March is truly the vibrant festival season in India!
Shopping and mastering the art of 'haggling' at the colossal Bapu Bazaar flea market
Sacred flower garlands intricately woven and displayed rhythmically at the massive open-air market, Bapu Bazaar
Lassi, yogurt with a delightful layer of cream, served in traditional one-time-use clay cups, renowned in Jaipur
Being in Bapu Bazaar, we comfortably strolled out into the lively atmosphere, indulging in food and shopping. The bustling flea market ambiance perfectly suited our Vietnamese team after a few days in Delhi and Agra without finding a true night market. We were craving street food and... some bargain shopping.
No need to hold back when in a distant country with an advantageous exchange rate for Vietnamese dong. Items here will always be more reasonably priced. We carefully chose and bought a few scarves at 400 INR each, only to step out and have the shop next door offer them at 250 INR each. A few more steps, and we found them for around 150 INR each with almost the same quality. Therefore, I recommend that if you have time, stroll through the entire market and try negotiating prices lower than 50-60% of the initial asking price.
What we discovered:
We indulged in some delicious treats:
Speechless while admiring the sunrise at Jal Mahal Water Palace
A serene red-tinted sunrise over the masterpiece Jal Mahal Water Palace
Once again, we experienced a fresh and dreamy morning, waking up to greet the sunrise, this time the sun gleaming red over the Jal Mahal Water Palace amidst Man Sagar Lake.
Jal Mahal Water Palace, crafted from red sandstone, floats gracefully in the midst of the lake, a marvel of Central Rajput architectural art. With five levels, four submerged beneath the water's surface, only the fifth floor and majestic domes reflect on the lake. As the sun's fiery sphere slowly ascends, pigeons gracefully soar above, and flocks of ducks ripple the water, creating an almost surreal scene.
Exploring Amber Fort and the quest for the Central Asian Stepwell
Amber Fort comes alive with the morning sun atop a vast hill
Early wake-up mornings are truly delightful; we leisurely navigate through a promising day. After the spectacular sunrise performance at Jal Mahal, we seamlessly transition to bask in the gentle morning light at Amber Fort, a UNESCO-recognized heritage site and the most magnificent fortress in India.
The palace complex of the fortress, ascending from the foothill to the towering hilltop, carries the majestic beauty of the 'Amber' color palette derived from various hues of golden sandstone, light pink, and white marble. Impressive to behold, the expansive walls stretch across the entire hill!
An intriguing fact is that Amber Fort doesn't mean 'Amber' or 'amber color' as it appears. In reality, Amber Fort, also known as Amer Fort, is named after Ambikashwara - the local name for the supreme Hindu deity Shiva. Therefore, Amber Fort is a fusion of Hindu architecture with some influence from the Mughal dynasty.
The fortress leaves a lasting impression with the 'Magic flower' wall featuring 7 unique patterns: fish tail, lotus flower, cobra, elephant trunk, lion's tail, cornflower, and scorpion, intricately carved into the stone by the skilled hands of ancient craftsmen.
Panna Meena ka Kund Stepwell grandiose and us, tiny amidst the millennia-old imprints
Following the path from the palace leading to the village, we discovered the medieval Stepwell Panna Meena ka Kund in Jaipur. Stepwell or baori/bawri (Hindi) is a 'deep well with step-like structure excavated into the ground,' a distinctive architectural feature of Western India from the 7th to 19th centuries, now prevalent in the desert state of Rajasthan.
Panna Meena Kund lies in the Amer village adjacent to Amer Fort (Amber Fort), a place we had to navigate through narrow lanes to find. Panna Meena, square-shaped, with a depth of 200 feet, serves as rainwater storage for the village, featuring staircases hugging all four sides for women to easily fetch water. The northern wall houses a ceremonial chamber dedicated to weddings and major festivals in the region.
Legend has it that the Meenas community constructed this stepwell in the 10th or 11th century, predating the arrival of the Rajputs in Amer. The villagers believe Panna Meena was a courageous warrior, and this stepped well serves as a tribute to him. And our tiny selves arrived, delving into the millennia-old imprints...
Bidding farewell to Jaipur by hopping onto a local train headed to Jaisalmer
Farewell vibrant Jaipur with a memorable local train ride
Certainly, international media has relentlessly covered stories of cramped trains, people hanging on, clinging to the train's exterior, even overflowing from the doors, depicting vividly a nation with the second-largest population globally (currently, India has ascended to the top spot as I rewrite these lines!). So, we eagerly hopped onto a local train to experience the reality.
The result: a breathless dash, running until the last ounce of stamina, hoping to catch the train and conveniently reaching Jaisalmer.
Commencing from Bapu Bazaar into the bustling evening crowd, the fiery sun once again cast its rays upon the bustling minivan speeding towards the station, dropping us off at the entrance next to a massive garbage dump. With backpacks on shoulders and suitcases in tow, we briskly covered the expansive platform, navigating through the gate, ascending and descending elevators, crossing the railway track, weaving through a dozen elongated train cars, surpassing a sea of people as dense as an army on the move.
The train arrives, passengers disembark and board, creating the most chaotic scene ever witnessed. The train halts briefly, and as we continue our never-ending sprint, just 3 minutes before it starts rolling, we manage to crawl onto a posh sleeper car only to realize... we boarded the wrong one (heavens above!!). After ceaseless running on the platform, we shove our suitcases and dash through several cramped cars, inconveniencing fellow passengers. Finally, we reach the correct car, by now, the train has already set off on its merry way from goodness knows when.
It's only now that we pause to contemplate. Just a while ago, if we missed this train to Jaisalmer, we might have had to resort to purchasing 'clinging-for-dear-life' tickets for the next one (as seats and sleeper tickets usually sell out early). Nevertheless, this adventure proves to be worth every penny in the vibrant tapestry of our Indian journey, as we find solace on the train with a hearty Thali 'boxed meal,' a moving experience.
And Jaipur's radiance lingers in the distance as we journey on to Jaisalmer, the city of golden sands stretching across Rajasthan.
Tips for preparing for the dazzling days in the 'Pink City' Jaipur, India
The friendly and hospitable nature of the Indian people we encountered starkly contrasts with the sensationalized dangers often portrayed in the media.
Visa Information
India e-Visa Application ProcessGetting Around
Traveling from Vietnam to Jaipur (India): Fly from Vietnam to New Delhi (5 hours) and arrange for a car (self-drive or with a driver) to Jaipur (approximately 5-6 hours). Take a connecting flight from Vietnam to New Delhi and then a domestic flight to Jaipur (considering the Indian entry and transit times between terminals)
* It is recommended to spend some time exploring New Delhi and Delhi to experience the capital of India before heading to Jaipur.
Currency Unit
Indian Rupee (INR), exchange rate 1000 VND = 300 INR
1 cup of Masala chai (Indian milk tea) costs 10 INR = 3,000 VND, a silver-plated jewelry ring is priced at 50 INR = 15,000 VND, a 1.5km Tuk Tuk ride for 6 people costs 100 INR = 30,000 VND, but a budget 1.5-hour domestic flight by SpiceJet is priced at over 12,000 INR = 3,400,000 – 4,000,000 VND, highlighting the significant difference.
Culture - Religion (influence on attire, especially for women)
Embrace the culture with modest clothing adorned with vibrant scarves, truly reflecting the essence of India.
As a country subject to many security rumors: rare assaults, kidnappings, murders... but the reality seems different; the people are very friendly and hospitable. However, it's advisable to travel with friends or a group of 4-6 for safety and a more lively journey.
The birthplace of ancient Indus Valley civilization and four major religions in the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and the later influence of Islam. Today, the predominant religion is Hinduism, advising travelers to wear modest attire, with pants/skirts below the knee or carry a large scarf to enter temples, palaces, and more.
Suggested exploration itinerary
Delhi (1 day) - Agra (2 days) - Jaipur (2 days) - Jaisalmer (3 days)
List of beautiful destinations in Jaipur, a charming pink city:
hotel reservation
Author: Thường Khả Hân
*Article submitted for the Mytour Goglobal program
Mytour Goglobal is a blog writing program introducing beautiful destinations worldwide, part of the Mytour Go & Share initiative. This is a fantastic opportunity to promote unique travel destinations globally. For each qualifying article, you will receive 1,200,000 VND and a chance to become a contributor with Mytour. For detailed information about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/goglobal
