Jaipur is famed for being the Pink City of India, but is it a place fit for gay travellers? We travelled to the capital city of Rajasthan to gain some insight into what it’s like being gay in Jaipur.
Jaipur is a magical city, bursting with life, culture, and history. It’s a land of awe-inspiring architecture, where enchanting forts and grandeur palaces depict the tales of times gone by. It’s the perfect example of organised chaos. Full of unique characters and absurd ways of life. There’s no doubt about it, Jaipur will leave you spellbound.
For us, Jaipur is one of the most exciting cities in all of India. I would be lying if I said it was our favourite place in India because Jaipur is way too hectic to claim that title. However, there is no denying its charm. The energy of the city is contagious, and once you see past the madness, Jaipur is a realm of beauty and mystery.
For LGBT+ travellers, it’s worth noting that Jaipur doesn’t have much of a gay scene. Or any scene for that matter. If you are looking to party, you’re better off heading to Mumbai or Goa. But if you want to learn about the interesting Rajasthani heritage, and check out some magnificent architectural wonders, Jaipur is an essential addition to your India itinerary.
In this travel guide, we will outline all of the best places to go in Jaipur as an LGBT+ traveller. You’ll find a list of gay-friendly hotels and bars and our top tips as a gay couple in Jaipur. We will also touch on LGBT+ rights and social opinions in India, to help you prepare for an incredible, and most importantly, a safe, trip of a lifetime.
Jaipur City Palace is your window to royal extravagance of ancient India. The complex is a maze of courtyards, palaces and architectural beauty, ready to blow your mind away. And oh, it’s super pink, too, like the rest of the city. This Palace was used as a royal residence of the Singh family who ruled the city for a long time. This isn’t just huge but it’s also a marvellous place to learn history and admire its architectural designs.
It’s right in the heart of the old city surrounded by pink buildings. Thus, it got its monicker, “The Pink City.”
The City Palace in Jaipur is a mix of Mughal, Rajput and European architectural influences.
As soon as you enter the courtyard, Mubarak Mahal greets you in all its splendour. In Urdu, Mubarak can be translated into auspicious. Today, it’s a textile museum with great collections of royal clothes.
At Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, you’ll find the world’s largest sundial stone. This place a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has an ancient collection of 19 astronomical structures built in the open field. Including in these 19 objects are the zodiac signs – better find yours.
At first, you might not be impressed as they look like boring concrete in different shapes. But it makes a difference when you have a handy guidebook and the descriptions in each structure are well-written. So, read every written descriptions to appreciate each objects in front of you.
The World’s Largest Stone Sundial
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Hawa Mahal is a pink-washed “Palace of the Wind” in Jaipur, India. It was built as an extension of the nearby City Palace. Both of these palaces should be visited, one after the other. While the City Palace is used as a residential area for the royal families, Hawa Mahal wasn’t built to have that same purpose. It was used for lady members of the royal family to see the excitement on the streets below during festivals – without being seen from the public.
Jaipur is aptly called as the “Pink City.” If you go around the old city, the buildings are painted in pink and most ancient fortresses and palaces here are made of pink-washed sandstone. Despite the conspicuous filth and the unbearable traffic from all sorts of transport, the city has a unique presence of regal splendour. Haha Mahal carries that timeless splendour of Rajasthan.
The best time to see Hawa Mahal’s imposing beauty is in the morning. When the soft rays of the sunrise lit the palace, it’s a kind of beauty you’re never forget.
On my way back to downtown Jaipur from Amber Fort (or Amer Fort, as the locals call it), I saw dream-like water palace by the roadside. I had to ask my Uber driver sweetly if he’d be kind to stop for a while so I could see the floating palace in good, full view. Since the Uber price is already fixed, I told him I’d give him a tip in cash. He pulled over and told me to take my time.
It was a very cloudy day so these photos don’t really give justice to its dreamlike appearance. It’s different when you see it in your own bare eyes. I never had the chance to go back at night because I had to catch a train that afternoon. I have no doubt that Jal Mahal glows romance when darkness falls.
Jal Mahal is a Dream-like Water Palace in Jaipur. It’s built right in the middle of an artificial lake built in 1610. Does it look like a floating palace, too?