Tourism in Rajasthan - Rajasthan is where all the country's similes and metaphors appear to have come together. Sand dunes, wooded hills and
amazing lakes, palaces and rugged forts, men and women in colorful turbans
and skirts, bustling towns and quiet villages, camels, elephants and tigers,
harsh sunlight and the cool evening breeze - are all there in abundance.
Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is the most famous and elaborate observatory of its time. It was
constructed in the year 1724 A.D. by Sawai Jai Singh II, even before the city
of Jaipur was built, and has been described as the most surrealistic and logical
landscape instone. It was built to measure the local time, the sun's declination,
altitude, the declination of stars, planets and to determine eclipses.
Hawa Mahal
The Hawa Mahal, or the "Palace of Wind" built by Maharaja Sawai
Pratap Singh in 1799 A.D. is characterised by elaborate and fanciful architecture.
The broad pyramidical facade comprises five storeys of semi octagonal overhanging
windows with perforated screens, domes and spires.