The historic city of Jaipur or "The City of Vicotory" was founded in 1727 A.D. by the great Kachhawah ruler Sawai Jai Singh II (1700 - 1747 A.D.), and named after him. The monarch was not only a great builder, but also a poet and an astronomer. Under his aegis, the city was designed by his talented architect Vidyadhar, who gave shape to the creative aspirations of Sawai Jai Singh in the form of the dream city of Jaipur.

The city is rectangular in shape and divided into nine blocks on the basis of principles laid down in the "Shilpa Shastra", the ancient Indian treatise on architecture. Built on the pattern of a grid, the city has wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side at the main bazar, all arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (Chokris).

The principal monuments of Jaipur are concentrated in the centrally situated Palace area (Chokri Sarhad ) in and around the city Palace. In course of time, the sunset-pink tinge of its walls, buildings and temples gave it the name Pinck City.

Held during the monsoons, July-August Teej is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati and this time it is married women who pray for a happy and long married life. Though celebrations are held all over the state, it is particularly colorful in Jaipur where a procession winds its way for two days through the Old City. It is the festival of swings which are decorated with flowers and hung from trees. Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon. The Teej idol is covered with a canopy whereas the Gangaur idol is open.

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Teej is celebrated mainly by the women folk of Rajasthan. Married women who idolize Parvati for her devotion to her husband Shiva celebrate Teej. The festivity revolves around singing and dancing in praise of Parvati. The rituals allow the women to pamper and enjoy themselves, to feast, to dress in the best of cloths, finery and jewellery, in fact to look the stunning best.

All over Rajasthan, even in remote villages, Jhoolas (swings) are hung from trees and decorated with leaves and flowers. Ladies and girls can be seen enjoying on these swings, playing games, singing folk songs and applying Mehandi (henna) on their palms. In Jaipur an idol of Goddess Parvati (Teej Mata) is taken out in a royal procession from the city palace so that the general public can have a chance to pay homage to the Goddess. Antique gilt palanquins, bullock carts pulling cannons, chariots, gaily decorated elephants with silver haodas, horses, camels, brass bands, and group of dances all form a part of this grand spectacle.

The Palanquin of Goddess Paravati is carried by 8 men dressed in red color. This kilometer long procession winds its way through the lanes of the old city. Local people come in huge numbers, dress in their best traditional clothes. Space is at a premium as people perch on top of building, windows even trees to catch a glimpse of Goddess. A huge band of urchins follows the Palanquin to grab these offerings.

A lot of merriment prevails during the Teej procession. Groups of men and women can be seen singing dancing and playing musical instruments. Men and women dressed as gods and Goddess also join in the procession.

Also known as the Palace of Winds was built in 1799 . It is a part of the City Palace and was commissioned by Sawai Pratap Singh. The Hawa Mahal was designed for the ladies of the royal household to watch the goings-on on the street while themselves remaining hidden from public view.

About 11km north of Jaipur stands the spectacular Amber Fort built by Maharaja Man Singh. A wonderful example of Rajput architecture, it overlooks a lake which reflects its many terraces and pavilions. Amber is also known for the spectacular Sheesh Mahal, Jai Mandir, Diwan-i-Am, Sikh Niwas and the small Kali Temple.

In the heart of the old city is former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. A part of this palace is now a museum. The rest of the palace serves as the living quarters of the royal family of Jaipur. The palace also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works.

A stone observatory, known as Jantar Mantar, was built by Jai Singh II, a great astronomer. It is located near the City Palace. It is the largest and the best-preserved observatory of the lot. By means of the instruments here, astronomers could measure the positions of the stars and calculate eclipses.

Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and domestic carriers operate regular flights to and from Jaipur. Jaipur is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, Calcutta and Varanasi by domestic flights.

The train service to Jaipur is available from all the major parts of the country. Other direct connections to Jaipur are from Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad, Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta.

Jaipur can be accessed from all the major places in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai by bus. Rajasthan roadways runs excellent regular service of AC and Deluxe Coaches from Delhi.