Facts about Jaipur: 9 Things You Must Know About the City & People

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan is one of the most famous cities in India. Tourists from all over the world fly down to Jaipur to experience its cultural heritage that is well preserved. Steeped in history, every corner of this city speaks volumes about its traditions and culture.

Here are the 9 things you must know about Jaipur and its people:

1. Pink City

Jaipur is popularly known as ‘Pink City’. The story goes like Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, the then ruler of Jaipur, who painted the entire city pink to welcome Prince Albert. Pink is a pleasant color that is a sign of universal love, friendship, and hospitality. To honor the royal guests and build a strong relationship with them, Jaipur was painted pink to express their hospitality towards the British. The major part of the city, especially the old Jaipur area, remains pink, welcoming the tourists in all its glory. Do not forget to pack bright and vibrant clothes to be on par with the city’s color.

Pink Wall

Safe Rickshaws Tour

2. Safety and People

Being one of the most visited cities of India, Jaipur is safe. Be it solo travel, fun vacation with friends or a family trip, Jaipur takes care of all your needs. The standard of living is not too high. Since it is always filled with tourists from all financial backgrounds, the city is affordable. Hindus form a majority of the population in Jaipur, however, the city welcomes everyone irrespective of caste, color, and creed. People are mostly into hospitality as there is an increase in tourism over the years and businesses like the textile industry are already in bloom.

3. Best Time to Visit and Why

Anytime between October and March, Pink city welcomes you with cool breezes and is hence considered the best time to visit Jaipur. The hot and semi-arid climate of Jaipur makes it extremely hot during summers and pleasant during winters. The scorching heat during summers can make the temperature rise to 40 degrees celsius. While summers are unbearable, winters are pleasant and warm with temperatures ranging from 9 to 25 degrees celsius. Apart from temperature, Jaipur organizes many festivals that are unique to the city. Most of these festivals fall in the months of October and March giving you better reasons to pack warm woolen clothes for your vacation in Jaipur.

4. Food

Food is an essential part of any culture, Rajasthani cuisine passed down through generations remains alive on the streets of Jaipur. Daal-Baati, Laal Maas, and different varieties of chicken curry are the delicacies native to Rajasthan that are worth trying. Ghewar, a major part of Rajasthani cuisine made from wheat flour, dipped in sugar syrup will please your palate like no other dessert. The exotic flavors of Rajasthani cuisine at Chokhi Dhani in Jaipur is bound to take you back in time.

Read more about 10 Best Jaipur Foods to Try

5. Festivals

The culture of the place is well understood if you are a part of its festivals. A city like Jaipur that is so wealthy of its culture celebrates festivals in all its glory. Festivals like Kite Festival, Teej Festival, Donkey Festival, Jaipur International Literature Festival and many more attract people from all over the world. The Elephant Festival is a treat to watch as elephants dressed in vibrant clothes and groomed in elephant jewellery go on a procession. Festivals bring a sense of joy and excitement to people. To see Jaipur in its full glory, visit the city during the time of festivals.

Local People Celebrate Their Festival

Tuk Tuk on Street

6. Transport

Pink City is located on the National Highway that connects Delhi and Mumbai. The city is very well connected by air, road, and rail. Metro is also available in Jaipur which makes it very easy for travelers to commute from one place to another in no time. Taxis and rickshaws are available in every corner of the city. You can also hire a cab for a day or more to go around the city. RSRTC buses are available that ply between various districts of Rajasthan. Jaipur City Transport Services Limited (JCTS) buses run in and around Jaipur making travel easy for people. Jaipur International Airport is located at a distance of 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Jaipur Junction Railway Station.

7. Attractions

The city has numerous tourist spots. Do not forget to take your camera along because every street is so vibrant and has something to see and capture. The main tourist attractions include Jaipur palaces like City Palace, Amber Palace, Hawa Mahal, and the three mighty forts: Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, and Nahargarh Fort. Eat streets are always crowded. The vibrant shopping markets are always buzzing with locals and tourists. Jantar Mantar housing the world’s largest sundial is an astronomical observatory that draws crowds from various parts of the world.

Jantar Mantar - Largest Sundial in the World

Local Market of Jaipur

8. Shopping

The vibrant shopping lanes of Jaipur are dotted with shops. Local vendors selling their best products and people bargaining for a better price is a common sight in the shopping zones of Jaipur. Rajasthani products are known worldwide. Their embroidery in textiles will make anyone gawk at it for hours. From textiles, perfumes, souvenirs to products made from camel skin, Jaipur has them all. Mojari footwear is made from camel skin and is one of the highlights of the place. Bapu Bazaar always invites tourists with a variety of products at an affordable place. The markets are such that even if you are not making a purchase, they are still a treat to watch.

9. Cultural Diversity

There is a noticeable cultural diversity in Jaipur. There colorful turbans worn as a part of their cultural outfit is different in various communities. While Raikas and Kabirs wear bright, red turbans, The Bishnois, Jats, and Ram Snehis wear white turbans. Rajputs are known for their five-colored turbans. With contemporary instruments like Sarangi, Jhalar, and Ektara, people dance to their folk songs. Ghoomar, traditional folk dance of Rajasthan can be seen on occasions like festivals, marriages and more. The traditional outfit of the people of Jaipur is Ghagra Choli with antique borders and designs.