Jaipur, the capital and largest city of Rajasthan, India, is famously known as the “Pink City” due to its distinctively colored buildings. Founded in 1727 by the Rajput ruler Jai Singh II, Jaipur is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and ancient regalia. The city is home to approximately 3.1 million people and spans an area of 484.6 square kilometers. It is located 268 kilometers from India’s national capital, New Delhi.
Jaipur is renowned for its architectural marvels and historical landmarks, including the Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar, City Palace, and the traditional village resort Chokhi Dhani. The city is also known for its vibrant Teej festival and bustling shopping markets like Bapu Bazaar. These attractions, combined with numerous historical stories, make Jaipur an exciting and worthwhile destination to visit. The official currency is the Indian rupee, and the most popular sport is cricket.
As a prominent tourist destination in India, Jaipur forms part of the West Golden Triangle tourist circuit, along with Delhi and Agra. It also serves as a gateway to other Rajasthan tourist spots, such as Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, and Mount Abu. On July 6, 2019, UNESCO designated Jaipur as a World Heritage Site.
Jaipur is generally safe for tourists, including women traveling alone, although conservatively dressed women are advised to exercise caution to avoid groping incidents. Petty crimes like theft and pickpocketing are rare, and violent crimes are even less common. The city’s famous foods include Laal Maans, Lassi at Lassiwala, Pyaz Kachori at Rawat, Chicken Lollipop, and Hibiscus Ice Tea at Tapri.
The official language of Jaipur is Dhundari, also known as Jaipuri, an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Dhundhar region and in the districts of Sawai, Madhopur, Dausa, and Tonk. Despite its cultural richness, about 30% of Jaipur’s population lives below the international poverty line of $1.25 per day, making life a struggle for many residents. However, Jaipur is a major global player in the export of gold and diamonds and was recently ranked 31st among the world’s 50 emerging global outsourcing cities.
Nearby cities to Jaipur include Agra, Alwar, Ajmer, Bharatpur, and Mathura. Jaipur International Airport, the 11th busiest airport in India, handles daily flights from major airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Oman Air, and Etihad Airways.
Weather in Jaipur
Jaipur experiences a monsoon-influenced hot semiarid climate, resulting in bearable temperatures throughout the year. Temperatures typically range from 22°C to 33°C, with cooler evenings sometimes dropping to around 5°C. The city has short, hot summers and mild to warm winters. Occasionally, dust storms from the nearby desert can affect Jaipur.
The monsoon season occurs in July and August, bringing frequent heavy rains and thunderstorms, though flooding is uncommon. December features cold weather, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 27°C. Winter in Jaipur spans from October to March, with temperatures varying between 5°C and 22°C.
Therefore, the best time to visit Jaipur is from early November to February, when the weather is most pleasant.
