Jaipur is not all tall buildings and monuments.You will be surprised to know that there are more than a dozen gardens in jaipur.Not all of them are on the tourist trail.Let us talk a little bit about them.
Ram Niwas Garden
Built during the reign of Sawai Ram Singh II in 1868 as a famine relief project,on 36 acres of land it is home to a zoo(0141-2617319),an aviary,a green house,a herbarium, The Albert Hall Museum(designed by Sir Samuel Jacobs), several Sports grounds ,The Ravindra Manch Theatre and a Parking Lot.
Statue Circle & The Central Park
You will find statues on most Jaipur circles but only one Circle is known as the Statue Circle and A full length white marble statue of Sawai Jai Singh stands tall in the center.And nearby Behind Birla Planetarium is the Central Park Developed by the J.D.A. It has a walk way around the golf greens of The RamBagh Golf Club and a Sculpture and grassy knolls.It is also a venue for the monthly fixture of The Music In The Park organised by Spic Mac,JDA and RTDC.
Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh (0141-2680494)
About 6km from the city centre on the way to galta ji off Jaipur Agra Highway is a garden built by Sawai Jai Singh for his second wife, a Sisodia princess from Udaipur.It is a terraced garden with a palace on the top terrace. This garden is a popular venue for weddings and parties.
Vidhyadhar ji ka Bagh(0141-2680494)
Named after the genius who planned the Pink City for Sawai Jai Singh II this garden is under renovation right now( Budget 5 Crores).They have discovered a 250 years old bawadi which was used to harvest water. This water was used for Vidhyadhar Garden and The Roop Niwas Garden.It was also used as a vineyard for the jaipur royal family in the times gone by.
Kanak Vrindawan (0141-2634596) On the way to Amber,near Jal Mahal,newly restored temple and garden,is a popular picnic spot.
Peacock Garden & Rose Garden in Mansarovar
These two garden have had the rare distinction of having commemorative covers issued in 2007.
Karpoor Chandra Kulish Simriti Ban
Area- 108 Acres.Cost-7.68 Crore rupees.Main entrance opposite Shiksa Sankul (Museum Gate) 2nd gate near MNIT(Aravali Gate).Eco Environmental Museum with 500 books.Centuries old rocks.About 90 species of birds.A seasonal waterfall.3 Hills. 8 Ponds with lotus and fish. A walk way.2 Foot Bridges.9 Sections(Vasundhra,Champa,Dhanvantari,National,Nakshatra,Arid,Brindavan & Holistic Wellness Farm).Ample parking Space.No entry for vehicles( a big parking lot in house). Horse Trail Proposed.
Jhalana Eco Tourism Park
Thepark is situated in the Kho-Nagoria region on a 470 hectare parcel of land in Jhalana.It has a budget of 25 lac rupees.
About 85 species of birds are found in this park.The park has 30 rare species of plants with medicinal value.
Shastri Nagar Science Park
It is proposed to build a Birla planetarium and I T Gallery in this park (Budget 20Lac).15 new models have been installed.3 guides are also being employed to impart information to the visitors.
Jai Niwas garden
The Spireless Govind Dev ji Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is located in the central pavilion of the Jai Niwas Garden in near the city palace complex.
Kesar Kyari & Dilaram Bagh,Amer
Kesar Kyari the Dilaram Bagh on the Mawatha provide a spectacular view of the Amer palaces.
Kesar Kyari Garden is going to be the venue for the light and sound show being developed by the RTDC costing 5.25 crores.The 45 min. script has been written by Gulzar and will be narrated by Amitabh Bachan.
Rajasthan University Campus
Spread over 285.5 acres Rajasthan University Central Campus has emerged as the only place in jaipur where Ecology students can research various flora and fauna-plants and trees which are a representation of vegetation found in rajasthan on a level ground.Besides students from various colleges of jaipur out station college students also come here to do research. One other rich source of plant specimens is the Campus nursery.
Proposed
Chameli Bagh at Jal Mahal
It is proposed to recreate the vanished garden in the Jal Mahal terrace according to an 18 th century map found in the City Palace.Lime and mortar-age old building materials will be used.It will have a lift and lighting will be done by Australia based D.J.Ghosh.If all things go as planed it will be one of the 80 most exotic garden locations of the world.
Collectorate Circle- A Theme based Garden is Proposed.
In a novel marketing step Forest Department nurseries this year are developing plants according to the recommendations of the 12 zodiac signs and will make them available for sale to the common man in the coming season.
