Jaipur — after the Lit Fest
The 10th Zee Jaipur Literature Festival has sadly come to an end, and if you’re late to the party, don’t worry, Eloise Stevens from the AudioCompass team was there covering it all in a daily podcast. You can listen to our final podcast about the festival right here. By the way, when you listen in, you will also get a subscription code to the AudioCompass app on your Android or iOS smartphone. Use that, and read on to know what to do in Jaipur now that the Lit Fest is over.
I remember my first trip to Jaipur. I was 12 and had moved back to India from abroad, so you can imagine how exotic I found it — all the forts, elephants, and palatial hotels. I was a history buff even then. I’ve been back so many times since, that what I found exotic then has become the norm. It’s one of my favourite cities, and I’ll never get bored of it.
So, you’re in Jaipur, and the Lit Fest is over. Now what? My first piece of advice: don’t be afraid to be a tourist. Contrary to popular belief, it is a cool thing to do. There are three tourist sites you must visit (the first two of which have AudioCompass tours, of course):
Jaipur City Palace: The palace is in the heart of the old city, and Jaipur’s royal family lives there even today. AudioCompass’ tour will show you everything, though if you’re short on time, I recommend the Mubarak Mahal, the Pritam Niwas Chowk, and the Silehkhana.
The Mubarak Mahal — named the most beautiful building of the 20th Century by architects from all over the world — houses a textile museum, displaying the clothes of the royal family over the centuries; the Pritam Niwas Chowk has four stunning doorways representing the four seasons; and the Silehkhana has perhaps the most impressive collection of historical armour in the country today.
Amer Fort: Also called Amber fort, this was from where the Kachchwaha royal family ruled their kingdom before Jaipur was built. It’s a grand fort, built in a combination of Mughal and Rajput styles of architecture. Some of my favourite stops on the AudioCompass tour are the Ganesh Pol, the Jai Mandir, and the Raja Man Singh Mahal. The Ganesh Pol is Amer’s most stunning frescoed doorway. It leads straight into a courtyard where to your left you will see the Jai Mandir or Sheesh Mahal, a palace made of mirrors. Finally, you will go to an older part of the fort — the Raja Man Singh Mahal. Learn about how Raja Man Singh kept his peccadilloes a secret and ran a household with 12 wives and numerous concubines!
Chokhi Dhani: Head out to Chokhi Dhani come evening. It’s a model Rajasthani village. Apply some Mehendi, have you future told, purchase some traditional handicrafts, and finally, EAT. This is the best meal you will ever have. Sit down, don a pagdi, and be fed like a maharaja! A large thali with multiple bowls will be laid out in front of you. Sabzis, daal-baati-churma, bajre ka rotla and that all important ghee. Wash it down with chaas and sweeten the deal with malpua. I guarantee a good night’s sleep after that.
Jaipur has got plenty to offer for those who want something a little bit offbeat too. Firstly, it’s a shopper’s paradise. Roam around the old city’s bazaars and buy yourself some mojris. And if you’re feeling a little more extravagant, Jaipur’s Jauhari Bazaar is known for its traditional jadau, kundan, meenakari, and silver jewellery. Finish off by heading to Chhoti Chopar. There’s a beautiful flower market there. The fresh flowers are a welcome sight amidst the chaos of the Old City.
If you like textiles, then head to nearby Sanganer, the town that produces the famous block prints of Jaipur. You can buy anything from kurtas to quilts here for a steal. Or you can go to the Anokhi Museum near Amer Fort. It houses traditional block printed textiles in a beautifully restored haveli.
And finally, if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, just book a flight over Mundota Polo Grounds at sunrise or sunset with Wingmasters Co., a paramotoring company. Not sure what that is? Check out this video:
So you see, if you’re still in Jaipur and suffering from a Lit Fest hangover, there’s plenty to do!
