Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the ' Pink City ' because of the pink-coloured buildings in its old city. It sits on a dry lake bed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by forts and crenellated walls. This buzzing metropolis is certainly a place of wild contrasts and a feast for the eyes. All through, Jaipur has retained its strong Rajputana flavour tempered by several influences - the mughal being the most prominent. The region's strong cultural heritage is distinctly evident even today. The city is a visitor's delight. From the intricate, delicate looking Hawa Mahal to the graphic forms of the Jantar Mantar - an open air observatory of outsized astronomical instruments, the Badi Chaupar lined with shopsand business establishments on both sides to the majestic fort-palace at Amber; from the colorful fountains of life to the sublime Birla Temple; from the architectural delight of the City Palace to the serene Jal Mahal.

Jaipur city is directly connected to Delhi, Bombay, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ahmedabad through regular flights. All major domestic airlines have their services to Jaipur.

Jaipur is also well connected by trains. The Pink City Express leaves Delhi at 6 am and reaches Jaipur at 11 am. Chetak Express and few other Jaipur-Delhi trains leave from the Old Delhi Railway Station in Delhi. However, if one has money and leisure, there is no better option than the Palace-on-Wheels, which leaves Delhi every Saturday.

There are also good bus services from Delhi and other important north Indian cities to Jaipur. Deluxe buses from Jaipur to Delhi take five hours.

This spring festival is held in honour of Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva, the goddess of abundance. During the festival young girls dress up in their finest wardrobe and pray for grooms of their choice and the married women do the same for the well-being of their husbands. Though celebrated throughout Rajasthan, in Jaipur it has its own charm and attraction. Girls worship the goddess throughout the preceding fortnight. Colourful images of Gauri are taken out in procession with the town band.

Teej is especially celebrated in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. However, people of Bihar and parts of Uttar Pradesh also consider this festival an auspicious one. Though the revelry and public participation is absent here, Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati are worshipped by married women who keep a 24-hour fast for the long life of their husband. The fast is a strict one during which the women are not allowed to have even a sip of water. An offering of traditional sweets and fruits is made and women pray for the long life and prosperity of their husband.

A festival celebrated around Holi, great occasions for the visitor, to watch several elephant sports and enjoy the festival of colours. A magnificent spectacle, it unveils the majesty and grandeur of elephants. A royal procession of sixty elephants in their best finery, a match of elephant polo and an elephant race are main events of the festival.