Jaipur or the Pink City is one of the most sought after tourist destination in the country.It is rich in culture and heritage which is resplendently showcased all over the city.

The city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, a Kachhwaha Rajput who reigned from 1699-1744.The original capital was at Amber, where a fort still stands, which is 11 kilometers from Jaipur.But due to the increasing population and the growing scarcity of water, the King thought it best to shift base elsewhere.

Sawai Jai Singh consulted several books and scholars before finalizing upon the location of the new fort city.Security was a major issue in the mind of the ruler as he had many a skirmishes with the Marathas.Keeping this in mind, he wanted the new city to be completely safe.And as he himself was interested in science and mathematics, he planned the city accordingly.

Maharaja Jai Singh sought advice from Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, a Brahmin scholar and architect from Bengal for designing the layout of the city.The scholar referred to the ancient Indian literature on architecture and astronomy and discussed the final plan with the King.

It took four years to construct the city of Jaipur which was divided into nine blocks out of which two were used as to build state buildings and palaces and the remaining seven for public use.As security was a major concern, the city was bordered by huge walls and had seven strong gates which were opened and closed at dawn & dusk.

Over the years, the city has grown big and is no longer confined inside the fort boundary.After independence, Jaipur was made the capital of the state of Rajasthan and it has developed by leaps and bound.

There are a number of palaces and havelis (bungalows) in the city which reflect the rich cultural traditions of the Rajputs which are still being preserved in the same manner.Hospitality is one of the most significant traits of the Rajasthani culture.One is awe-struck by the welcome and warmth shown to the guests.There is a very beautiful welcome song in Rajasthani which says “Padharo Mhare Des” which literally means Welcome to my Land.

Rajasthan is the land of the Royal Rajputs and Jaipur is the manifestation of that grandeur.The city is dotted with many palaces and havelis which belong to the royal family as well as big businessmen of that time.All these places are fine examples of architecture and depict the contemporary art.Many of these homes have now been converted into Heritage Hotels, thus welcoming the visitors to a tradition steeped in warmth and affinity.

The uniqueness of these Heritage Hotels lies in the personalized service and individual attention which is meted out to the guests here.The visitors are able to have a glimpse of the way of the life which the people of yore lived.They are also served the same food which is being prepared for so many generations now.One can really have a life-enriching experience in the Heritage Hotels.

Some of the most beautiful ancestral homes have been converted into hotels, each reflecting its own history, tradition and culture.The traditional ambience of these hotels is perfectly depicted through the family memorabilia and the photographs showcased here.Some of the hotels have people who have been employed in the service of the owners for generations.

Staying in sync with the modern times and the choices of the international traveler, these heritage hotels have been modernized and fitted with the latest state-of-the-art amenities and multi-cuisine restaurant and swimming pool.

Some of the prominent Heritage Hotels in the city could be cited as Khasa Kothi, Amode Palace Hotel, Narain Niwas Palace, Khandwa Haveli Heritage and Raj Mahal Palace Hotel.

Author Bio: For more information on Jaipur Hotels and Jaipur Attractions please visit our website.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Jaipur, history of Jaipur, forts and havelis in Jaipur, Jaipur palaces, heritage hotels in Jaipur,