Sunday, June 29, 2025

A Winter Sojourn to Jaipur – Exploring Rajasthan's Pink City from Chandigarh


Traveling with a toddler transforms every trip into a fascinating mix of wonder and responsibility. Amidst Jaipur’s rose-hued facades, ancient forts perched atop the rugged Aravalli hills, and palaces echoing tales of Rajput valor, our eyes constantly alternated between historic marvels and tiny feet eager to explore.

Our journey to Jaipur in the final week of 2024 was not merely a getaway—it was a deep dive into history, chaos, calm, and cultural richness. Here's a complete chronicle of our two-day visit to the Pink City.





The Road to Jaipur – Planning and Preparations

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and fondly known as the Pink City, sits around 500 km from Chandigarh. While flights and trains are available, for us, driving was the only practical option. A private vehicle offers flexibility and peace of mind—essential when traveling with a small child.

Our little explorer, Piyush, loves car rides—except, of course, when he's made to sit down! He prefers standing on the backseat (with my wife’s constant support) to get uninterrupted views of the road, turning our car into his personal observation deck.

Packing for the trip included the essentials and toddler-specific items—most importantly, a pack of MamyPoko pads and ensuring easy access to fresh milk, a top priority at every new stop.


Timeline of Our Jaipur Adventure

Day 1: 26th December 2024 – The Journey Begins

  • Departure: We started from Panchkula around 8:00 AM on a chilly, misty morning.
  • En Route: Passed Ambala around 9:30 AM, the drive offered a mix of highway comfort and stretches demanding caution. The Ambala-Narnaul Expressway had the initial portion from Ambala to Pehowa under construction. 
  • Arrival: Reached Hotel Ginger, Jaipur (next to Hilton Hotel) by 6:00 PM after a long but manageable drive.

From the window of Hotel Ginger Jaipur, the most prominent sight is Hotel Hilton, which takes up most of the view.


  • Dinner at Kanha Restaurant

    To wrap up the long day, we headed towards Sardar Patel Marg, and if my memory serves me right, the restaurant was Kanha Restaurant, located on Bhagat Singh Marg. Known for its family-friendly ambience and vegetarian cuisine, Kanha turned out to be a perfect stop to satisfy our hunger after hours on the road.

    With full stomachs and tired feet, we returned to our hotel, ready to explore Jaipur's rich heritage the next day.


Day 2: 27th December 2024 – Exploring the Royal Heritage

Amber Fort – Where History Stands Tall

We started early, navigating the Pink City’s charming streets, passing Jal Mahal along the way. Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, awaited us—but so did the infamous Jaipur traffic.

Did You Know?
Amber Fort, constructed in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I, blends Hindu and Mughal architecture. It served as the primary residence of the Rajput Maharajas for centuries.


Due to parking issues, we had to leave our car nearly 1 km downhill, adding an hour to our schedule. But serendipity struck—we met members of the 1996 Navodians batch, including one, Mr. Pramod, who came all the way from Chandigarh as just as we had.

Meeting the 1996 batch Navodians at Amber Fort, Jaipur, was a delight. Pramod Bhai, third from the left in the group, later became a friend on social media.

Inside the fort, we explored:

  • Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of Public Audience)
  • Diwan-e-Khas & Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) – immortalized in the movie Jodhaa Akbar.
  • The enormous Kadahi (cooking pots)—one original, the other created for the film.
  • The secret tunnel is believed to lead to Nahargarh Fort.

A light drizzle accompanied our descent, adding to the fort's dramatic aura.



The view of the garden from the Diwan-e-Aam at Amber Fort, Jaipur, where the king once attempted to grow saffron (kesar). The garden was also used to cultivate khas grass, which was placed in windows along with water to cool the air



Next to the Diwan-e-Khas (Sheesh Mahal) at Amber Fort, Jaipur, lies a beautiful garden at the center of the courtyard.

bird's-eye view of the two giant Karahis (cooking pots) at Amber Fort — one specially made for the movie Jodhaa Akbar, the other an
original piece of history.


A closer view of the two Karahis, at Amber Fort, Jaipur


The historical Tulsi pot, a sacred spot where the queens once offered water to the holy basil plant.

The courtyard


The main Gate of the Amber Fort, Jaipur


Local Rajasthani Cuisine at Zeeman Restaurant

Post fort exploration, hunger guided us to Zeeman Restaurant, offering a traditional Rajasthani Thali:

Rajasthani Thali, at Jeeman Restaurant, near to Amber Fort, Jaipur

  • Dal Baati Churma
  • Gatta Kadhi
  • Lehsun (Garlic) Chutney
  • Missi Roti
  • Lassi/Chhach
  • Complimentary Tea

The courteous owner added local flavor with stories about Rajasthani cuisine.


Sisodia Rani ka Bagh – A Garden of Love

Our next stop, Sisodia Rani ka Bagh, built in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II for his beloved queen from Udaipur's Sisodia dynasty, symbolized royal romance. Despite the drizzle and inactive fountains, the lush garden impressed us.


Sisodia Rani ka Baag (Sisodia Queen Gardens), Jaipur


Albert Hall Museum – A Colonial-Era Marvel

Established in 1887, the Albert Hall Museum, designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, showcases artifacts reflecting Rajasthan's rich heritage. Although photography was restricted, its Indo-Saracenic architecture and curated exhibits were worth the visit.

As we waited for the rain to subside, Piyush drank milk at the Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur

A glimpse of Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur.





A Rainy Evening and Central Park

With Birla Mandir overcrowded, we opted for Central Park, home to Jaipur’s tallest flagpole and serene gardens. The rain subsided momentarily, allowing us to explore the towering sculptures and peaceful grounds.

The largest flag post of Jaipur, where the National Flag of India, the Tricolor, is hoisted

The impressive monolithic figures sculpted by TAB, displayed at Jaipur's Central Park.


Dinner: 

Enjoyed a simple, delicious Masala Dosa from a street vendor—because street food is often the best food!


Day 3: 28th December 2024 – The Pink City’s Heartbeat

Determined to beat traffic, we left the hotel at 8:20 AM and smoothly reached City Palace Parking, adjacent to Jaleb Chowk, the historic royal entrance.

An early morning exit from Hotel Ginger, Jaipur. 


Govind Dev Ji Mandir – The Royal Deity’s Abode

In the early morning, people gathered in the large open hall of Thakur Govind Dev Ji Mandir, Jaipur, chanting bhajans in devotion to Govind Ji. The idol is not enclosed in a closed sanctum but remains visible from the open courtyard outside." 

The entrance path leading to Thakur Govind Dev Ji Mandir, Jaipur

Our first stop was Thakur Govind Dev Ji Mandir, built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The temple courtyard, filled with devotional songs, offered a spiritual start to our morning.


Behind the temple lies Jai Niwas Garden, once the king’s private retreat. Though not pristine, it still retains old-world charm.

Monkeys inside the Jai Niwas Garden

Jai Niwas Garden is huge.

The water channels in the Jai Niwas Garden, Jaipur. 



The street leads from Jai Niwas Garden to Jantar Mantar.



Jantar Mantar – Where Science Meets Stone

Constructed in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jantar Mantar is one of the world's most accurate historical observatories. The giant sundials and astronomical instruments still impress with their precision, a testament to ancient India's scientific genius.

The front view of the most famous - The Sun Dial, at Jantar Mantar, Jaipur.


The Back View of the Sun Dial, at Jantar Mantar, Jaipur.
The crowd was minimal during the early morning hours in the last week of December 2024 at Jantar Mantar, Jaipur



Hawa Mahal – The Palace of Winds

Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the Hawa Mahal allowed royal women to observe street life without being seen, thanks to its intricate lattice windows (jharokhas). With over 900 windows, it remains Jaipur's most iconic structure.

Though our time was limited (and carrying a toddler wasn’t easy), we explored its beautiful alleys, fountains, and viewpoints before heading back.

The Roadside View of the Hawa Mahar, Jaipur, December 2024.
A family photo in front of the Hawa Mahal, Jaipur. December 28, 2024.

An inner view of the Hawa Mahal, the iconic multi-storey structure. We stood in front of an inner courtyard that likely once had a water fountain, though it wasn’t functioning when we clicked the photo.

The street view from one of the 900 Jharokhas (windows) of Hawa Mahal.





A realistic statue of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh Ji, the visionary behind Hawa Mahal, at the Pratap Mandir inside the Hawa Mahal, Jaipur. Photo was taken on December 28, 2024.

The inscription on the tablet speaks of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh (ruling period - 1778–1803) as a poet and a devoted worshipper of Lord Shri Krishna 

On our walk from Hawa Mahal to the parking near Jaleb Chowk, we clicked a few photos of the lively streets of the Pink City.

The Jaipur North Ladies Police Station, captured on December 28, 2024.

The Journey Back and an Unpleasant Incident

By noon, we were back on NH-248, heading home. The drive was smooth until the outskirts of Ambala, where construction diversions made driving tricky. Unfortunately, a sudden encounter with two cows near a sharp turn damaged our car’s side mirror—a reminder of the unpredictability of Indian roads.

We reached Panchkula around 9:00 PM, tired but enriched by our cultural immersion in Jaipur.


Final Thoughts – Jaipur’s Lasting Impressions

Jaipur, with its forts, palaces, temples, and bustling markets, exudes history and heritage. Despite rain, traffic, and the challenges of traveling with a toddler, the Pink City welcomed us with its timeless charm.


 

Travel Budget Summary – Jaipur Road Trip (December 2024)

Expense Category

Amount (INR)

Fuel (Chandigarh–Jaipur–Chandigarh)

6,150

Hotel Accommodation (2 Nights)

8,364

Food & Beverages (Miscellaneous)

1,781

Entry Tickets (Combined Package)

840

Local Transport (Auto/Others)

50 (we mostly used our own car)

Total Estimated Cost

17,185 INR


Note:

  • The food expenses include street food, restaurant bills, and beverages throughout the trip.
  • Hotel accommodation is based on a two-night stay at Hotel Ginger, Jaipur.
  • Entry tickets cover major attractions, purchased through a combined online package for convenience.
  • Fuel cost reflects both the onward and return journeys, including intra-city travel.
  • Local transport was minimal as we used our own vehicle for most city travel.

 



Planning Tip: Pre-booking entry tickets, traveling early, and exploring lesser-known spots helps beat Jaipur’s notorious traffic and crowds, especially when traveling with little ones.

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Rock Garden & Sukhna Lake, Sector 1, Chandigarh — Moments from July 3, 2018

Hi

Chandigarh is a city made for wandering, whether it's a sunny day or a crisp winter afternoon. The tree-lined roads and pedestrian pathways offer shade so generous that even during the rain, the dense canopy gives you some cover. That’s the beauty of this well-planned, green city.

After a couple of bike and cycle rides along the grid-patterned arterial roads, I decided it was time to visit some of the city’s most famous spots.

Rock Garden

This place was once said to be nothing more than a wild patch of land. But that changed when the late Shri Nek Chand began his incredible project — transforming waste material collected from across the city into fascinating sculptures and installations.

From dolls to animal figures, all crafted from discarded items, cement mortar, and steel fibres — his creations turned this hidden jungle into what we now know as the Rock Garden.

Located in Sector 1, very close to Sukhna Lake, the Rock Garden is truly a symbol of creativity and vision.

Here are a few photos I clicked with my cellphone during my visit back in 2018...



The water channel, at the Rock Garden, Chandigarh

        Careful now! The pathways at the Rock Garden have narrow, low entrances and exits
Come here in July — that's when the water takes on the perfect Masala Chai shade.
Dolls showcasing village life, inside the Dolls' Museum at the Rock Garden, Chandigarh.

A tree-like structure — possibly a cactus — crafted from concrete and steel, inside the Dolls' Museum.


Late Shri Nek Chand, the genius who transformed discarded waste into timeless art.



A flock of peacocks, created entirely from recycled waste — Rock Garden, Chandigarh.


A peacock sculpture of broken glass bangles — an artistic gem at Chandigarh's Rock Garden.



The entry ticket to the Rock Garden was priced INR 30 per person.

Before I show you photos of Sukhna Lake, here are a couple of video clips I captured — one from the Dolls' Museum and the other from the Swing Garden, at the Rock Garden, Chandigarh.






Sukhna Lake

If the weather isn’t too hot and your legs are up for it, you can easily walk the short distance — about one to two kilometers — from the Rock Garden to Sukhna Lake. Both are located in Sector 1 of Chandigarh.

The weather that day was pleasant. People were out and about, strolling along the beautiful paved path, enjoying the peaceful view of the lake. A few were out on the water, pedaling their boats at their own pace. I took a short stroll myself and then sat down for a while, watching their cheerful faces as their boats gently floated along, moving with the rhythm of their pedaling.


The Shivalik hills of Himachal frame the backdrop of Sukhna Lake’s waters.

The pedal boats are all set, waiting to take you on a floating trip at Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh. Are you coming? 


Thanks!