Situated at the center of the Old City of Jaipur, the City Palace Complex was built mainly between 1729 and 1732 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. He had been successfully ruling from nearby Amber Fort but increasing population and water shortage made him decide to relocate his capital to Jaipur in 1727.
The royal family still lives in the Chandra Mahal part of the palace (their family flag flies atop it when the Maharaja is in residence), while the remainder has been converted into the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II museum. For a hefty fee (2,500 rupees for foreigners and 2,000 rupees for Indians), you can take the Royal Grandeur tour through the inner quarters of the Chandra Mahal. Otherwise, you'll have to be content with exploring the rest of the palace.
The most eye-catching part of it is Pitam Niwas Chowk, the interior courtyard that leads to the Chandra Mahal. It has four beautifully painted doors, or gates, representing the four seasons and dedicated to Hindu gods Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesh, and Goddess Devi (the mother goddess). The peacock motifs on the doorway of Peacock Gate are particularly stunning and widely photographed.
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