Jaipur dubbed as the pink city, is India's first planned city, built in the 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh. This picturesque city, with its splendid forts and palaces, belongs to the Indian tourism's 'Golden Triangle' along with Delhi and Agra. Jaipur is well connected through its airport, as well as railways and roadways. 

With super short time in hand, we decided to drive past the narrow lanes, fringed with colourful shopping, densely populated with a varied cross section of people, and of course, loads of tourists. 

Our first stop was the pink sandstone Hawa Mahal standing at the edge of the City Palace. This was built with high, pyramidical screens so that the royal women could enjoy the street festivals while unseen from the outside. The social Purdah system translated into an architectural splendour of a 5 storeyed-facade, which is lined with latticed windows to doctor the warm breeze into cool air and give the area a natural air conditioning effect. This unique structure is a fusion of Rajput Hindu architecture and Mughal Islamic architecture.

This history-soaked city boasts of 3 forts, the Amber fort, Jaigarh fort and Nahargarh fort that formed the defence ring for the city. Our Innova sped up the zigzagged Aravali hills to reach us to the top of Nahargarh fort, overlooking the Pink City, before sunset. 

The Nahargarh Fort houses the striking Madhavendra Palace. It constitutes of nine chambers for nine queens, a king's chamber, and is built in a beautiful combination of an Indian and European style of architecture. Not forgetting the ethos of the ethnic heritage of the Rajput society the walls of the chambers are handpainted in beautiful traditional motifs. The experience of Nahargarh fort is heightened with its eating joint 'Once Upon a Time' which has a breathtaking view and royal service.

It was a glorious sunset befitting the land of kings! We could not help but wait till the last streaks of sunlight were erased from the sky and the city lit up in its night-light extravaganza. We headed back to the hotel but not without stopping for a glimpse of the gorgeously arresting Jal Mahal (Water Palace) shimmering in the dark waters of the Man Sagar Lake. 

Jaipur has the glory of history and regal inheritance trumpeting from every nook and corner. An evening in this city was truly magical but like the trailer of a classic movie. I have promised myself that sometime in the future, I will visit this city of bygone antiquity and then not look at the calendar or my watch.