Neemrana- Alwar, Rajasthan

Neemrana is an ancient historical town in Alwar district of Rajasthan, India, situated at 122 km from Delhi and 150 km from Jaipur on the Delhi-Jaipur highway in Behror tehsil. It is situated in between Behror and Shahajahanpur. Neemrana is an industrial hub. This area is also known as Ahirwal region, It is the site of 16th century hill-fort occupied by Chauhans till 1947. The erstwhile ruling family is considered to be the direct lineage of Prithviraj Chauhan. Some distance from Neemrana is another fort, Kesroli in Alwar district, that is one of the oldest heritage sites. Historians trace it to the Matsya Janapada of the Mahabharata times. In Kesroli one gets to see the oldest remains of Buddhist Vihara at Viratnagar where the Pandavas spent the last year of their exile incognito; Pandupole, with the only reclining statue of Hanuman; the samadhi of the ruler saint Bhartrihari. Located in the heart of the 'golden triangle'. Kesroli is almost equidistant from the tourist sites of Delhi,Agra and Jaipur. It is used as a base to visit the Sariska tiger sanctuary, Kankwadi fort, Neelkanth Temples, Pandupol, the monuments of Tijara, Siliserh Lake, Jaisamand Lake, Bhangarh-Ajabgarh, the hot springs in Talvriksh, Rajgarh, Machari, Viratnagar, Deeg, the sanctuary in Bharatpur, Baba Khetanath Ashram, the Jat mud fort of Govindgarh, the ancient city ofMathura and its renowned museum.

Neemrana Fort Palace is the crown jewel of the Neemrana Group Enterprise. Built in1464 AD, and restored in 1980s, Neemrana Fort-Palace is India`s oldest heritage resort. It is also Rajasthan`s closest palace from New Delhi, situated at 122 kms on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway and only 100 kms from Delhi International Airport.

Neemrana Fort-Palace is located on a high hillock and commands magnificent views of the surrounding beauty. It is among India's oldest heritage resort hotels, as it was created in 1986. Its name derives from a valiant local chieftain named Nimola Meo. The Chauhan capital was shifted from Mandhan (near Alwar) to Neemrana when the fort was established by Raja Dup Raj in 1467. Nowadays, the Neemrana fort is a heritage resort.

City Palace-Udaipur, Rajasthan

 Udaipur City Palace is one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan, located peacefully on the banks of Lake Pichola. This majestic City Palace is the most-visited tourist attraction of Udaipur and often distinguished as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Initially, Maharana Udai Singh built this superb wonder, but the present form of the Palace is the result of subsequent additions by his successors. 

City Palace boasts of the wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture. The Palace has various towers, domes and arches, which add to the flavor of heritage site. Towering on the banks of Pichola Lake, City Palace is truly a feast to the eyes. City Palace is a marvelous assortment of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. Encircled by fortifications, this imposing Palace is wholly built in granite and marble.

City Palace has several gates that are known as "Pols". 'Bara Pol' (Great Gate) is the main gate to the City Palace complex that will take you to the first courtyard. On passing 'Bara Pol', you will come across a triple arched gate, which is known as 'Tripolia'. Between these two gates, you would see eight marble arches or Toranas, where Kings used to weigh themselves with gold and silver. Besides Tripolia, there is an arena where elephant fights were staged. Across 'Tripolia', you would enter the 'Elephant Gate' or the 'Hathi Pol'.

City Palace comprises 11 wonderful palaces, which were built by different rulers still they resemble each other. With the sheer glimpse of unique paintings, antique furniture and exquisite glass mirror & ornamental tiles work of these palaces, you will get amazed. Manak Mahal (Ruby Palace) has figures of crystal and porcelain. However, Bhim Vilas flaunts a fabulous collection of miniature paintings depicting the real life stories of Radha-Krishna. 

The 'Krishna Vilas' is known for the noteworthy album of miniature paintings portraying royal processions, festivals and games of the Maharanas. Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace) is celebrated for its lavish decor while Sheesh Mahal (Palace of mirrors) is known for its breathtaking mirror work. 'Chini Chitrashala' is renowned for its Chinese and Dutch ornamental tiles. 'Dilkusha Mahal' (Palace of Joy) is known for the murals and wall paintings. 

Bada Mahal is the exotic garden palace that stands erect on a 90 feet high natural rock formation. Rang Bhawan is the palace that used to contain royal treasure. There are temples of Lord Krishna, Meera Bai and Shiva, located right to the 'Rang Bhawan'. 'Mor Chowk' has exceptional glass mosaics of peacocks, set in the walls presenting the three seasons of summer, winter and monsoon. 'Laxmi Vilas Chowk' is an art gallery with a distinctive collection of Mewar paintings.

Situated in the premises of City Place complex, Jagdish Temple is the biggest and most beautiful temple of Udaipur. This temple Appeals to the aesthetic sense of the people and we will further discuss it in our other section. You can also trace a Shrine of Dhuni Mata in the complex of City Palace. This part is considered as the oldest part of the Palace where a sage passed his life meditating here. 

In 1974, a part of the City Palace and the 'Zenana Mahal' (Ladies Chamber) have been transformed into a museum. The museum is open for public and we have discussed it in our other section about museums. One can locate some striking paintings in the 'Zenana Mahal' which further leads to Lakshmi Chowk. 'Lakshmi Chowk' is a beautiful white pavilion. In City palace, the most captivating sight can be viewed from the towers and terraces of 'Amar Vilas' from where you can get a breathtaking view of Lake Pichola.
                 
'Amar Vilas' is the highest point of this Palace and has wonderful hanging gardens with fountains, towers and terraces. City Palace is structured in a way that it offers a splendid view of the lake from all its Balconies, cupolas and towers. Unlike the craggy exterior, City Palace has amazing interiors with delicate mirror-work, marble work, murals, wall paintings, silver work, inlay work and surplus of colored glass. The exquisite work of City Palace cannot be bounded in words, so one must visit this palace to capture the real picture of it.

City Palace- Jaipur, Rajasthan

City Palace, Jaipur

Located in the heart of the Pink City Jaipur, the City Palace was where the Maharaja reigned from. This palace also includes the famous 'Chandra Mahal' and 'Mubarak Mahal', and other buildings which form a part of the palace complex. The palace is located towards the northeast side of central Jaipur and has many courtyards and buildings. The palace was built between 1729 and 1732 AD by Sawai Jai Singh II. He ruled in Amer and planned and built the outer walls of the palace and later rulers added to the architecture of this palace. These additions have been known to take place right up to the 20th century. The urban layout of the city of Jaipur was commissioned to Vidyadhar Bhattacharya and Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. The architectural styles are largely based on a fusion of Rajput, Mughal and European styles. Today, the 'Chandra Mahal' has been turned into a museum which is home to unique handcrafted products, various uniforms of the rulers and many more things pertaining to the royal heritage of the City Palace.

History Of City Palace
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II is known to have commissioned work for building the outer wall of the city's complex. He shifted from Amer to Jaipur due to water problems and an increase in population in 1727. He had entrusted the city's architectural design to the chief architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. The architect went on to design the City Palace in accordance with the Vaastushastra texts.

Architectural Layout
The City Palace reflects Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles although the palace was designed to Vaastushastra treatise. Some of the famous gates are the 'Udai Pol', 'Jaleb Chowk', 'Tripolia Gate' and 'Virendra Pol', which also happen to be the various entrances to the palace. These are all richly decorated. The Palace has been designed according to a 'grid style' and houses various structures such as, 'Chandra Mahal', 'Mubarak Mahal', 'Diwan-I-Khas' and the 'Govind Dev Ji Temple. The walls and gates are ornately designed to Mughal style, with various murals, lattice and mirrors adorning them from sides.

Amber Fort- Rajasthan

Amber Fort is located in Amer (a town with an area of 4 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi)), 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Jaipur, Rajasthan state, India. It is one of the principal tourist attractions in the Jaipur area, located high on a hill. Anber Fort Was Built By  Raja Man Singh I.Amber Fort is known for its artistic style, blending both Hindu and Rajput elements. With its large ramparts, series of gates and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks the Maota Lake, at its forefront.

The Amber Fort was built by ‘Raja Shri Maan Singh JI Saheb’ (Maan Singh I) (December 21, 1550 – July 6, 1614) in 16th century. Man Singh, one of the first war chiefs or the trusted general of the Emperor Akbar. Akbar included him among the ‘Navaratnas’, or the 9 (nava) gems (ratna) of the royal court. Man Singh began the construction of a fortress-palace of white and red sandstone i.e. Amber Fort in 1592. He was the Kacchwaha (Rajput) of King of Amber, a state later known as Jaipur. Nearby he ordered to set a small temple devoted to ‘Sheela Mata’, his patron goddess.

Entry Fee (In Indian Rupees):

• Indian : Rs. 25.00  Student : 10
• Foreigner : Rs. 200.00  Student : 100

Light Shows Timing (Onwords)

• In English : 7.30 pm
  Entry Fee : Rs. 200.00
• In Hindi : 8:00 PM
  Entry Fee : Rs. 100.00
  
  
  
  

Hauz Khas Complex- Delhi

Hauz Khas in Delhi is an important site that unravels a part of Emperor Ala-ud-din Khilji’s reign from his capital - Siri Fort. This site also holds forth the days of ruin that ravished the grandeur of Khilji’s reign after his death. Hauz-I-Alai is considered to be the only structure of Siri, which has survived the thwarts of ravishing time.
Hauz Khas in Delhi says that this tank was built by Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1300 to ensure continuous supply of water to Siri Fort. Initially, this tank located on the eastern side of Siri, preserved rainwater, which could be later disbursed throughout the year. With gradual passage of time, this tank dried up and Firoz Shah Tughlaq much later mended it. He also constructed various other monuments around the tank. Along with all these monuments, the site of the tank came to be known as Hauz Khas (royal tank).
If you visit this place now, you will be pleased to see that a cosmopolitan town has grown around the site, which has both residential and commercial hubs. I fact, Hauz Khas in Delhi, is now popular as a shopping center because a number of boutiques of famous fashion designers, antique and curio stores have been opened up in this area. Thus after visiting Hauz-I-Alai, you can also visit Hauz Khas Enclave, Kalkaji Temple, Lotus Temple, Nizamuddin's Shrine and Chirag Dehlvi's Dargah.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s tomb forms the centre of the complex, though. A liberal ruler, he is credited with a voluminous amount of architectural development during his 4-decade rule. The centre hall housing the dome is based on squinches to support the structure. Local quartzite was used for the floors & walls, giving a plaster finish for the shine. Hauz Khas is Delhi has a prominent location. It is located on Aurobindo Marg just a little beyond Aurobindo Palace.

Nizamuddin Dargah-Delhi

Nizamuddin Dargah is the holy shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya  who is counted among the world’s most renowned Sufi saints.It is located in the Nizamuddin West area of Delhi. 
This dargah is  among the popular attractions of Delhi. It is visited by thousands of Muslims, Hindus, Christians and people from other religions daily.The tombs of poet Amir Khusro and Mughal princess Jehan Ara Begum are also located within the Nizamuddin Dargah complex, and Inayat Khan's tomb is just around the corner.Thousands of people belonging to different religions, ethnicities and culture flock every day to seek blessings and offer homage at the ancient shrine of Nizamuddin Aulia.

The other important monuments in the Nizamuddin heritage area includes the Jama’at- Khana Masjid, Chini Ka Burj, Mirza Ghalib’s Tomb, Kalan-Masjid, Khan-I-Jahan Tilangani’s Tomb, Ataga Khan’s Tomb, Chaunsath Khamba, Lal-Mahal, Khan-I-Khanan’s Tomb and Barapula.The structure consists of a square chamber surrounded by verandahs, which are pierced by arched openings.Hazrat Nizamuddin's tomb has lattice screens called jalis, marble arches and courtyards. Devotees tie red threads to screens.Devotees offer prayers, shower rose petals and light incense sticks before the shrines.The dargah can be visited any day but every Thursday, special Qawwali programmes are organised here and it is adorned with beautiful lights.Many Islamic festivals are celebrated here including Urs and the death anniversary of the Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusro .Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya was a Sufi saint of the Chisti order in the Indian subcontinent. He stressed love as a means of realising God. For him love of God, implied love of humanity.

Agrasen ki Baoli -Delhi

Designated as protected monument by Archeological Survey of India, Agrasen ki Baoli in Connaught Place is a 60 meter long and 15 meter wide historical step well on Hailey Road near Connaught Place. To get it there you have can reach Jantar Mantar (at Connaught Place) and from there it’s short walk from there towards Kasturba Gandhi Marg. Agrasen ki Baoli is a 14th Century Structure nested between the multi-storey buildings in Connaught Place. It is believed that this Baoli was originally built by the legendary king Agrasen during the Mahabharat epic era. Baoli is a Hindi word and it means a step well. Agrasen ki Baoli is being made to provide constant water supply to the city and a resting place for the travellers. 

Agrasen ki Baoli is also a water reservoir that is known for its heritage value. The shape of Agrasen ki baoli is very interesting. The reason for this is its unique structure which is quite different from the traditional round shape. The Agar Sain ki baoli has three levels where each level has an arched area, which was used as a resting place. The center of the well has water and the water is also linked to a well dug in a covered platform. The gallery and chambers surrounded walls of Agarsen ki baoli are carved profusely. These chambers used to become cool, quiet retreats during summers. Such structures definitely are among the many things that tourists would like to admire if for nothing but the novelty of the concept. The visiting hours for the Agarsen ki Baoli is between 9 AM and 5 PM.