The City Palace, Jaipur is one of the most admired and finest attractions among the places to visit in the Pink City. With an organized layout of large courtyards, perfectly manicured gardens, and magnificent mahals, the palace is still a home to the royal family of Jaipur.
It houses beautiful amalgamation of Mughal and Rajput architecture and narrates the city’s glorious historical past which can be seen at the major attractions of the City Palace, thus making it a perfect sight for every history enthusiast and photographers.
While making a trip to Jaipur, make sure you reserve a day to visit the corridors of the City Palace and live a day like the royals!
Royal History
Located in the heart of the Pink City, the City Palace has been the official residence of rulers of Jaipur. It was built in accordance with the Vastu Shastra, under the guidance of Sawai Jai Singh II by two renowned architects- Vidyadhar Bhattacharya and Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, depicting the fusion of Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles.
Story Behind The Gates
Inside the City Palace, the Pritam Niwas Chowk houses 4 gates where each has a different role to play and a story to tell. These gates represent four seasons and Hindu gods and goddesses. The Peacock Gate with motifs of peacocks represents autumn and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Lotus Gate have continual flower and petal pattern representing summer season and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. The Green Gate is suggestive of spring and is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Lastly, the Rose Gate with repeated petal pattern represents winter season and is dedicated to Goddess Devi.
Magnificent Structures inside the City Palace
The legendary City Palace is said to comprise one-seventh of the walled city of Jaipur with temples, edifices, courtyards, gardens and a museum. Some major attractions include Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Mubarak Mahal, and Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. Diwan-I-Khas, decorated with plush chandeliers was once a private audience hall of the royals is now an art gallery. Interestingly, the hall also features two huge sterling silver vessels which are officially recorded as the world’s largest sterling silver vessels.
The City Palace Museum
The City Palace Museum which is now called Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Museum houses largest and finest collection of arms in India. It includes- swords, double-edged cutters, daggers, knives, axes and arrows of various shapes and sizes. The sword of Maharaja Man Singh that weighs about 5 kilograms is one of the attractive exhibits. It also has a vintage collection of baggis. One of the major attractions is Victoria Baggi which was gifted by Prince of Wales to the Maharaja in 1876. Also on display are the mahadol, a palanquin with a single bamboo bar that was used for carrying the idols of Hindu gods during festive processions.
A Royal Abode to the Royal family
The Chandra Mahal is a seven-storied cream-white structure, sumptuously adorned with unique paintings and floral decorations with mirrored walls and ceilings. It has screened balconies and a pavilion at the roof from where a panoramic view of the city can be seen. It is set amidst well laid out gardens and a decorative lake in the foreground. At present, the royal family resides in the Chandra Mahal.
Jaipur Beat 
Reblogged this on Rajasthan Tourism Beat.