The capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur is fondly dubbed as the Pink city; it sits on the edge of the Thar desert and is surrounded by the Aravalli hills. The contrasting attractions of Jaipur comprise of ageless hilltop forts, smothering food, and bustling markets. Hawa Mahal, which is known as the grandiose pink sandstone Palace of Winds, towers overlooking the busy streets and bazaars and is a unique sight for the tourists. Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO world heritage site that dates back to the 18th century and is a major tourist attraction in Jaipur
Perched atop a hill dwells the majestic Amber fort which is loaded with fun activities and lures the tourists with its huge royal gates and the unique red stone built; it dates back to the 16th century and houses temples, gardens, palaces and a lake inside its premises. Jaipur is definitely a place for the street style fashionista, products like meenakari trinkets, bandhani printed sari, lac bangles, and blue pottery are highly sold in the galleries of Bapu and Nehru Bazaar. The monkey temple which is named as Galtaji temple is another sight that you cannot miss. The clothes you buy in Rajasthan are loved for its mirror work and embroidery, the corners and nooks of Rajasthan performs live folk music and the galleries have stories which are hundreds and thousand years old.
Albert Hall museum and Central Museum are best places to learn about Rajasthan's rich culture and history and also to collect a bagful of handicrafts. The Jaipur Literature Festival, the world's largest free literature festival, is dear to almost every bibliophile around the globe. When you are in Jaipur, do not forget to visit Choki Dhani, a famous yet out of the world place to eat and enjoy. The literature festival that is hosted in the Diggi Palace is a five day program and is free to all.