Despite its desert predominance and extremes of climate, Rajasthan is the most visited by tourists. Its stunning temples, palaces and colourful costumes lend an enchantment beyond the ordinary. The pink city of Jaipur founded in 1728 by Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh is the capital. It was painted pink in 1883 in honour of the visit of Prince Albert consort of Queen Victoria.

Jaipur’s nine rectangular sectors symbolize the nine divisions of the Universe.

Some of the most popular tourist sites in Jaipur are the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar (observatory), and the fascinating forts Amber and Jaigarh. Painted elephants carry the tourists up the hill to enjoy and admire the massive gateways, pillared pavilions and secret passages of the Amber fort. The Hawa Mahal is in fact no palace but an airy façade of 953 windows used by the ladies of the palace to watch street celebrations.

8 km from Jaipur is the Sisodia garden and a little further are the holy springs of Galta with numerous temples.