Jaipur Vibes

Mahal Khandela-A Good Place to Stay

This year I visited Jaipur with the extended family after three years. While I was aware of the shopping areas, the place where we would be staying was a pleasant surprise. We would be staying at Mahal Khandela in the middle of the Sindhi colony. Staying in the Haveli was an experience of its own kind. The vibes were of a haveli in medieval times, a squarely built structure with a courtyard in the middle. Jharokas for windows and lots and lots of photographs, pikes, swords, and shields. The interior design seemed to have been done by an expert and is  soothing to the eyes. 

Shopping

Apart from enjoying the stay at the Haveli, there was a lot of shopping to be done. The best spots for shopping were Bapu Bazaar and the shopping areas near Hawa Mahal. Of course, there is a lot of bargaining to be done. One needs to beware of touts and rickshaw walas who will take you to emporiums that are costly. Traditional shoes called nagras are available at an attractive price; moreover, there is a wide range of readymade garments to choose from. 

Forts and Palaces

Jaipur is also famous for its forts and monuments. This time we visited the Amber Fort and then Jaigarh. We gave City Palace a skip this time. The Jaigarh Fort is home to one of the world's largest cannons.

Jhalana Leopard Safari

This time, unlike the previous visit, we had also decided to add the Jhalana Leopard Safari to our itinerary. It was an amazing experience as we were able to spot Rana, a famous Leopard in the area, besides partridges and Asian Antelopes. Jhalan is a unique national forest as it is in close proximity of the city and it is part of a conservation initiative for Leopards. 

Local Sightseeing

A visit to Jaipur would be incomplete without a sight of Hawa Mahal in the evening with the lights on. The illuminated structure takes on a rather surreal aspect. In fact, Bari Chopar and the other places look amazing at night.