I recently came to know that many people are quite keen to experience the magic of a sunrise in Jaipur. People are on a hunt for the best sunrise points in Jaipur and includes travelers on a visit to Jaipur as well as nature loving Jaipur resident.
Having witnessed many sunrises in Jaipur, I thought of compiling this post for everyone’s benefit.
Some of the best places to witness a sunrise in Jaipur are not easily accessible to everyone since it involves an element of adventure, unpaved path, thorny bushes, and risk of wild animals among other things. While some people are fit and ready to undertake such adventure, others may not be in a position to do so. I’m refraining from listing such places for the reasons of safety.
Beautiful sunrise witnessed at a sunrise point in Jaipur/ accessible only by hiking
Following are the most popular places to witness the magic of a sunrise in Jaipur.
1.Nahargarh Fort.
Nahargarh Fort is the most popular place in Jaipur to watch a sunrise. It’s not surprising why it is so. Apart from sunrise, you can enjoy the beautiful Jaipur view from the top since it is perched over a hill overlooking the city.
The sunrise point in Nahargarh Fort is on the east face near the Baori. Nahargarh Sunrise Point is close to the Baori where famous song Masti ki Pathshala from Bollywood movie Rang De Basanti was filmed. It’s known as Rang De Basanti shooting point or location.
How To Reach Nahargarh Fort?
There are significant distance and time involved in reaching Nahargarh Fort from the city. If you are a tourist, pick up service for your return journey might be an issue as there is no transport facility at Nahargarh Fort. Ensure that you book your taxi/tuk-tuk for return trip too or you can fix to pay waiting charges. Generally, drivers charge on two way basis even for one way drop.
There are two ways to reach Nahargarh Fort. The most popular route is through the hill road which branches off from Amer Road just after Kanak Ghati. It’s a beautiful road which has stunning views of Jal Mahal or the Water Palace.
The second option is through Nahargarh walking route which starts in Purani Basti area near Nahargarh Road. It takes anywhere 15-20 minutes for a fit person to traverse through this ramp. Do note that you will encounter filth, pigs, goat, and roosters at the starting point of this walking path to Nahargarh Fort. Most people prefer the first one. Take your pick.
Watch out– Nahargarh Fort is one of the most popular hangout places for the city youth. Being a popular place for youth, don’t expect peace. Loud music, people running around the ramparts & creating noise is all a part and parcel of the “Nahargarh Sunrise Experience”. Don’t be surprised to find a huge crowd at Nahargarh Sunrise point even before the sunrise.
Rash driving, tripling on a two-wheeler, and speeding are all part of this package!
Nahargarh Fort and the road leading from Kanak Ghati has a reputation for being biggest open-air Bar in Jaipur. It’s corroborated with the empty beer cans, broken liquor bottles, plastic wrappers of “Chakhna” littering the entire stretch of the roadside, all along.
Read the related post: World Environment day/ Things that matter
With little presence of police or law enforcement, people consume beer and liquor right in the morning. Accidents on this road are a common occurrence since it a winding road with many blind spots. There’s a saying that speed thrills and kills! Almost every week there are news reports of vehicles falling in the valley, thanks to the lack of driving skills on a hill road among drivers, rash driving, drink and drive cases. Here is a picture of an accident reported by a newspaper – Patrika. (picture courtesy – epatrika)
Watching the sunrise with loud music being played around or being run over by a speeding vehicle is not really my idea and this usually keeps me away from the Nahargarh Fort Sunrise.
2. Jal Mahal or Water Palace at Mansagar lake
Jal Mahal or Water Palace is another popular sunrise point in Jaipur. What makes it so popular? The proximity to the main city is definitely one reason. Also, the sunrise is clearly seen from Jal Mahal as this is where the eastern hill range ends. One gets an uninterrupted view of the rising Sun. The entire setting is beautiful. There’s no extra effort involved in terms of driving, time or hill drive. For the tourists, services of the app-based service provider like Uber and Ola is also available.
How to Reach Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal is on Amer Road just before Kanak Vrindavan. From Johri Bazar it is approximately 4-4.5 Km and easy to spot. For tourists and visitors, the best option is to use Uber or Ola cab. Finding a Tuk-Tuk/ Auto-Rickshaw may be difficult during the early morning, your hotel may be able to assist you in finding one. It is not difficult to find an e-rickshaw or tuk-tuk on your way back. Jal Mahal is also connected via local bus service which connects Badi Chaupar near Hawa Mahal/ Johari Bazar to Amer.
Watch out – It’s never crowded at Jal Mahal during this hour but you might come across the group of boys residing in the vicinity using language which is far from desirable. Chances of such experiences occurring during morning hours are less likely, though. Sometimes, the stench from the water might be a turn-off. Many people dump bread, biscuit, and wheat dough in the lake to feed fishes. Although they might be doing so for earning good Karma, it ends up polluting the lake.
Don’t forget to read these related posts :
All About Nahargarh Fort Sunrise Experience
Sunrise Point in Jaipur/ Garh Ganesh Temple
Is Nahargarh Fort Best Sunset Point in Jaipur?
I hope this post will help nature lovers experience the glory of a sunrise in Jaipur. I will continue to share pictures of sunrises for Jaipur Sky.
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Excellent post accompanied by equally beautiful pictures, as usual. ‘Unpaved path, thorny bushes, and risk of wild animals..’ sounds like my kind of adventure 😀 But it did make me sad that a heritage site like the Nahargarh Fort has the same problem a sother monuments in this country – littering and trashy tuorists. God knows when we will learn!
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Without sounding pessimistic…Sad to say but I feel things will continue as they are! I posted a write up on this problem, you can check it out –
https://jaipurthrumylens.com/2015/08/08/jaipur-heritage-stop-the-loss/
Your type of adventure? Ha Ha…all this runs in your blood! After all, you are Garhwali! Thorn reminds me of “Bichhoo Ghaas”!!!
Why don’t you plan a trip to Jaipur? you can experience it, in person!
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No you aren’t pessimistic. You’re realistic. It’s something I believe too. We don’t know how to treat and keep our surrondings clean. Civic sense is not important for us and it’s something that all of us learn outside of schools, more’s the pity.
As for my type of adventure, I’m not your usual Garhwali. I ahven’t been to hikes and treks much and when the occasion does come, I fare pretty badly. I’ve become a city person. But I’d love to go on hiking, just to see pretty sites like the ones you have captured. Jaipur is on my list too. hopefully, soon 🙂
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Sounds like an adventure 🙂
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Have always been wanting to visit and explore Jaipur. Amazingly clicked photos. 🙂
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You should visit Jaipur, then! Let me know if I can help you in any way whenever you’re visiting Jaipur. 🙂
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Stunning images, great read!
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Fabulous pictures:) have yet to witness a scenic sunrise in Jaipur. Hope to see one next time! Really liked the way you have highlighted the way people have zero respect for heritage and consider these spots to be picnic spots!
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Happy to know that you liked these pictures. I feel sad when people don’t care for our heritage. Unfortunately most of these people are our young generation. We should try and learn from other countries which have turned their heritage into a money spinner. Reminds me of the story of a fool sitting on a heap of diamonds!
Let me know whenever you’re next in town, to experience the sunrise in Jaipur. 🙂
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Grt post with equally superb pictures. Loved it 🙂
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I’m happy you liked it, Manu. 🙂
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Great tips for sun catchers. I like to meet sunrises and sundowns in new places. Its like you are saying Good morning and Good night to the city, village, country… Beautiful architectural monuments and natural places are so different in each part of the day and it worth experiencing it.
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well said! While touristy places have their own charm, you can’t beat nature. I also chase sunrise when ever I’m in a new place and traveling. Every sunrise and sunset is different. You don’t capture these sunrise or sunsets, Lidiia?
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I do, a lot! I like to examine place in the morning and in the evening and I do have a lot of photos of sunrises and sundowns. More frequently I have a chance to capture sundowns =D I have a set of them from different countries. Probably I need to make a post about it, thank you for the inspiration ❤
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Many sundown pictures from different countries? That’s awesome. It’ll be lovely to see them in one post.
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I am already working on it, thank you!
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Great 😊
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This is a very cool blog Arv. Loads of useful tips. I’ll be making a visit to Jaipur in October during Diwali for 6 days (9th visit). So much to see and do – it’s my second favorite city in India.
Can’t wait to try some sunrise photos from Garh Ganesh, I hope it’s an easy climb, I’m really no good with heights. (Sargasuli, Aamagarh Fort & Chulgiri are on my list too). Some hotels offer nice sunrise shots from their rooftops – Ramada in Raja Park, Hotel Amer View in Amer, Fortune Select Met – for a sunset shot. I’ve just started to get into filming too so I’ve lots I want to see and do this year.
I really need to start my own blog but have so little time for writing, I haven’t even bothered with my flickr account much, think my last posts were from Jaipur, check it out if you have time 🙂
Look forward to reading more of your posts, Keep up the good work.
James
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Thanks James for sharing your thoughts. Garh Ganesh temple in my opinion is not tough but then everyone has different fitness level. Those are great options too. Sargasuli won’t be open during sunrise time though. Will check out your Flickr account. Thanks for sharing 😊
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Thank you for sharing the link. Now I can relate the song to the place. 🙂
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Happy to know, Somali.
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Loved the photos. My memories of Jaipur have come alive. Will surely plan a visit during sunset and sunrise.
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Happy to hear this, Atul. It is worth visiting during sunset and sunrise! Let me know if you need any input 🙂
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Beautiful shots Arv! I love sunsets!
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Loved your pictures. We have to come back to Jaipur again for Nahargarh fort, Jantar Mantar and City Palace 🙂 Not just Jaipur, Rajasthan needs more trips.
Beautiful shots as always, Arvind!
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Thanks, Parul. I know you had a very short visit. Rajasthan has its own way of charming people. I often hear that they love coming back to Rajasthan. I’m sure you will love all these places that you missed, Parul 🙂
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Very much enjoyed the sunrise experience. Thank you!
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Happy to hear this, Orla 🙂
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WOW! I loved my brief visit to Jaipur in late November last year, but now you have inspired me to return! Thanks for sharing your fabulous photos. Mel
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Thank you so much for the post! Very nicely written
My friend and I are planning a trip this April so I’ve been reading loads of Jaipur travel blogs and what not. I’d really love to try out some of the off-beat sunrise spots you mentioned exists (if I can convince my friend); can you let me know of some that are somewhat close to the city but not-so-crowded?
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Pari, I have sent an email, pls check and revert
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What an interesting post. And those photographs are spectacular.
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Thanks, Jolandi. Happy to know you loved this post and pictures. Which city are you from?
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