Tourist Places Near Jaipur

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, is well known for its rich heritage, vivacious culture and fascinating stories of the past. Situated in the eastern part of Rajasthan, the city was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century. The former ruler constructed the city according to the Indian Vastu Shastra. As you wander through the streets of Jaipur, you will notice that the architecture of this city is highly influenced by Rajput and Mughal style. Since the city has a tropical climate, the best time to visit this place would be during the months of November and February, as the winters here are relatively pleasant as compared to the summers. A visit to the �Pink City� would be incomplete without visiting the famous pilgrimage sites like Ajmer, Pushkar and historical places of Tonk and Bairath. There are a slew of interesting places to explore around the city of Jaipur. Read on to know more on Jaipur sightseeing.

Tourist Attractions Around Jaipur

Ramgarh Lake
Located just 32 km away from the city of Jaipur, the Ramgarh Lake is a popular tourist destination for the travel freaks. This artificial lake, covering about 4 km of the land, is surrounded by lush greenery and historical ruins, which makes it an ideal spot for family picnics and casual day out. The Jamawa Mata temple, located close to the lake, is one of the most frequented temples here and is much feted for its structural design. Another must-visit tourist attraction of this place is the Polo Grounds, which is believed to be the home to some of India’s finest breeding horses.

Ajmer
The city of Ajmer is located 130 km away from Jaipur and is one of the most famous pilgrimage destinations in the world. The tomb of the Sufi Saint Hazart Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti attracts scores of tourists every year who visit the tomb to pay their respects to the saint. Apart from this, there are many other tourist attractions in Ajmer like the Digambar Jain Temple, Red Temple, Ana Sagar Lake and other historical museums. Speaking about Ajmer, one cannot forget to mention the town of Pushkar, which is located 23 km away from Ajmer. This important destination is famous for its annual Pushkar Camel Fair, which is held with great pomp and show once in every year.

Vidyadhar's Garden
Located 8 km away from the Jaipur-Agra Highway, this garden offers a breath of fresh air to the tourists amidst the desert heat wave. The garden is dedicated to Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, the architect of Jaipur. The garden consists of beautiful flowerbeds, frescos of Lord Krishna and well planned water bodies, making this place an absolute treat for the eyes. As you stroll down the garden, you are likely to be mesmerized by its design, which is believed to be styled according to Shilpa Shastra.

Samode
Located 42 km away from Jaipur, Samode Palace is a true architectural delight. This magnificent palace, which belonged to the family of Rawals of Samode, was presented to them by the royal family as a token of appreciation for their loyalty and dedication. Today, this four-hundred-year old palace, stands as a luxury hotel for the tourists, allowing them a rich glimpse into the royal heritage. The interiors of the palace are done in marble, colorful enamel and mirror and reflect the architectural grandeur of that era. Apart from experiencing a rich royal legacy at Samode Palace, one can also enjoy the various local traditional music and dance forms here.

Gaitore
Situated 15 km from the city, towards the west of the former capital of Rajasthan, Amber, Gaitore is better known as royal cremation ground in the pages of history. This final resting place of the royal rulers is feted for its rich carvings and Rajput style architecture. The ‘chattris’ or cenotaphs here reveal a rich fusion of the Mughal and Hindu style. No two tombs are similar here and each tomb bears its own style after the royal king to whom it is dedicated. Gaitore is a very popular destination among the local and international tourists.

Ranthambore National Park
This wildlife sanctuary is 130 km away from the Pink City. Previously known as the hunting place for Maharajas, today Ranthambore National Park stands as one of Rajasthan’s well-protected heritage sites. If you are interested in wildlife photography, then this is the best place to capture some the best animal life in Rajasthan. The sanctuary is home to many animals like tigers, deer and other migratory birds. The national park is a thick dense forest that consists of many manmade water reserves and natural water bodies. Ranthambore National Park is one of India’s best wildlife sanctuaries and a visit to the national park is hugely recommended.

Sariska National Park
Another popular national park close to the city of Jaipur is the Sariska National Park. Situated 107 km away from the city, this park previously belonged to the Maharaja of Alwar. Although the national park is not home to many tigers, it still has many rare species like Sand Grouse, Bush Quails, Serpent Eagles and the Great Indian Owls. The sanctuary’s topography is unique and is likely to delight the wildlife enthusiasts. If you have time constraint or simply cannot put up for a long trek through the forest, then taking one of those Jeep Safaris should take you through a quick ride around the park.

Tonk
This small town situated outside the city walls is located 96 km away from Jaipur. The main highlight of this place is the historical havelis (manors) and mosques modeled after Islamic architectural style. One of the major attractions of Tonk is the Sunehri Kothi, also known as the ‘Golden Mansion’ that boasts of breath taking architectural splendor. The walls of the building are covered with gold embellishments and other traditional works like ‘Pachhikari’ and ‘Meenakari’. Apart from Sunehri Kothi, Tonk is also famous for its Jama Masjid, which is believed to be one of India’s largest mosques.