BigCat Holidays

Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur

           Famous for : Monument Fort / Fortress History & Culture

  • Fee : INR 200 for Foreign Tourists and INR 50 for Indians
  • Visiting Time : All days 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Visit Duration : Around 2 – 3

    Nahargarh mean ‘abode of tigers’. Legend says that the fort was named as Nahargarh after the spirt of a Rathore, Nahar Singh. When the construction of the fort started strange phenomenon occurred.Every morning the workers would find the previous day’s work destroyed. This is when the then Maharaja, Jai Singh discovered the land was haunted. They constructed a shrine in which the spirit could reside and named the fort Nahargarh.Nahargarh means ‘abode of tigers’ and was named so after the tigers which were believed to have roamed around the hills. It is also believed that the fort was named after Prince Nahar Singh Bhomia. There are many structures within the fort – a temple dedicated to deity of Jaipur monarchs, another temple dedicated to Prince Nahar Singh Bhomia,

Nahargarh Biological Park

In October during the Dussehra holidays, I visited Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur. It is also called Nahargarh Zoological Park.

 The prime attraction of this visit was the recently shifted Jaipur zoo, from Ramniwas Garden near the Albert Hall museum to the Nahargarh Biological Park, Kukas, on Delhi Highway. This park has been in the making for the last few years and it opened in 2016. It is one of the leading biological parks in India.I visited a part of this park having few enclosures with lions and tigers some 5 years ago. Old zoo being small forced the authorities to shift a few cats to this place. I’m not sure if this section is still open to the public. I’m sharing a few pictures from that trip.

Here Is All You Need To Know About Hathi Gaon In Jaipur

This is basically a housing project for mahouts (caretakers) and their elephants. The design structure involves making a landscape that has been destroyed by its use as a sand quarry by local sand suppliers to create a series of water bodies. These water bodies were made to overcome the problem of scarcity of water in Rajasthan.

With the problem of water (benefits of starting your day by drinking water) resolved by water resources in place, an extensive tree plantation program was carried out in order to propagate local species.

Waterbody is a significant component of the design as it also facilitates the bonding between the mahout and the elephant. This can be done through the process of bathing in the water bodies which is important for the elephant’s health as well as t

Other things that are situated at this place are housing units which are organized in clusters along with courtyards and pavilions. A system of clusters was initiated in order to create a community space at different hierarchies so as to build a sense of community among the inhabitants.heir attachment with the caretaker.

Amer Fort, Jaipur Overview

Cradled on the top of a hill near Jaipur lies the Amer Fort, one of the most magnificent palaces in India. Also commonly known as the Amber Fort, this majestic building with its maze-like passages and serpentine staircases is an architectural masterpiece and with significant importance in Indian history. Only 11 kilometres away from Jaipur, Amer Fort is clad in pink and yellow sandstone and is a part of an extensive complex. Built by one of the most trusted generals of Akbar, Maharaja Man Singh I in the year 1592, Amer Fort served as the main residence of the Rajput Rulers.

The Amer Fort through its large ramparts, several gateways and paved paths overlooks the Maotha Lake in the town of Amer, which used to serve as the capital of the erstwhile Jaipur princely state. The fort is big enough that it will take you at least two to three hours to explore it in detail, and you can also choose to avail of the audio guides to lead you through this fascinating building while explaining the history of the place. Getting an elephant ride up the stairs to the Amber Fort is also a popular tourist activity. The fort sees over five thousand visitors daily and rightfully,

Jal mahal water palace jaipur featuring jal mahal, jaipur, and india

Though there is no official record of the exact period of origin of Jal Mahal, legend has it that it was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, whose idea behind building this palace was to use it as a hunting lodge for his duck shooting adventures and not as a palace to stay. The origin of the lake can also be attributed to him as it was formed when a dam was constructed between the hills which led to the formation of the lake.Another legend says that it was built by Maharaja Madho Singh in the 1750s to serve as a hunting lodge. His son Madho Singh II had a big role to play in enhancing the interiors of Jal Mahal during the 18th century when he added the courtyard grounds which are still a part of this palace.

Jal Mahal and the lake around it were given a makeover by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amer in the eighteenth century. Later years saw the facade of this heritage site deprecating due to sewage and water logging and restoration work was undertaken again to bring the palace to its current glorious state.Jal Mahal (Water Palace) in Jaipur is a spectacular structure that seems to be floating on the lake’s surface. An architectural marvel in itself, it is an embodiment of the engineering prowess of the Rajput period. The palace, which was built as a hunting lodge for the Maharajas of Jaipur,

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

There are many adjectives to describe Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Wind in Jaipur and to choose one word is really difficult because Hawa Mahal leaves you speechless with its sheer magnificence and beauty. Built in 1799 by the poet-king Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, Hawa Mahal is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Rajasthan. A symbol of the splendid Rajput style architecture, Hawa Mahal is five storied and the main feature is the 953 small windows, or jharokhas that are intricately designed. It was primarily built for royal ladies so that they could watch the city and different proceedings from behind these windows. It was called Hawa Mahal as these windows allowed great air circulation which kept the chambers cool all the time.

  • It was an architect named Lal Chand Ustad who designed Hawa Mahal. Built in red and pink sand stone, the Hawa Mahal is not actually a palace but more of a gallery, used by royal women of those times.
  • The architectural style is a combination of Hindu-Rajput-Islamic styles. 

Jantar Mantar Jaipur

Tag : Cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site

Built In : Early 18th Century

Year of Inscription : 2010

Reasons for Inscription : Criteria number (3) and (4). Jantar Mantar is an amazing example of observing universe, beliefs and societies together. It comprises the instruments that are largest of their category. It signifies the technical brilliance of the medieval world.Jantar Mantar, situated at Jaipur, is the largest stone observatory in the globe. Jantar Mantar is one of the five astronomical observatories constructed by the founder of Jaipur- Maharaja Jai Singh. The name ‘Jantar Mantar’ is taken from the Yantra Manta, a Sanskrit word that refers to instruments and formulae. The ‘Yantra Mantra’ factually denotes ‘Magical Device’.The Jantar Mantar, in Jaipur, is an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century. It includes a set of some 20 main fixed instruments.

History of City Palace Udaipur

The History of City Palace is related to the kingdom of Mewar that has gone through several capital changes during the reign of its many rulers. The capital was first established in Nagda in 568 AD by Guhil, the first Maharana of Mewar. It was later moved to Chittor in the 8th century under the rule of Sisodias.

During 1537, the Mewar kingdom came under the rule of Maharana Udai Singh II. Due to war with the Mughals there was a risk of losing the Chittor fort. Hence, Maharana Udai Singh II chose a new capital for his kingdom near Lake Pichola that shielded the territory from its enemies, well surrounded by forests, lakes and the imposing Aravalli hills.The construction of City Palace started under the reign of Maharana Udai Singh II and was enhanced subsequently by his successors over a period of 400 years. This palace is of great historical importance as it served as the administrative complex of the Maharanas.