| Sanganer:
is located 16 Kms from Jaipur. It is also
known for exquisite Jain temples. Moreover,
it is an important centre for crafts and hand-printed
textiles that is internationally famous.
The most beautiful temple in Sanganer is
the ancient Shri Digamber Jain temple. The
temple has fine carvings as those of the
magnificent Dilwara temples of Mount Abu.
Built in various phases with sky-high shikharas
(spires), the temple represents an old style
of architecture. The last phase was probably
built in the 10th century. The beautiful
nij-mandir (inner temple) is a stone shrine
with three pinnacles. In the centre is an
idol of Parshwanath with 7 serpent hoods.
All around it, are carvings of lotuses,
creepers and elephants pouring water from
pitchers held in their trunks. But the main
idol is that of Adinath, installed in the
shrine behind this
The town is most famous for its hand paper
and mostly screen-printed fabric. The fabric
is popular for small floral designs. A wide
variety of material for apparels, furnishing
and curtaining is available. Some of the traditional
designs were produced in the patronage of
the royal family. It is a beautiful sight
to see brightly colour fabric drying out in
the sun near the river.
Sawai Jai Singh II set up a paper business
in Sanganer on the outskirts of Jaipur. It
is said that in the 16th century, the ruler
of Amber, Raja Man Singh, brought Kagzis to
Sanganer (situated on the bank of Saraswati
River, where abundant clear water was available).
The town emerged as one of the biggest paper
making centres in northern India. In between,
however the industry did get a setback, but
after independence, the Khadi and Village
Industries Commission (KVIC) included the
handmade paper in its agenda for promotion
of crafts.
It is famous for kagazi mohulla (handmade
paper) and block printing and is the world's
largest centre of hand-made paper. Sanganer
is blessed with water and open spaces, essential
for papermaking. From here the Kagzis enjoyed
patronage of the royal court of Sawai Man
Singh and his successors. Today there are
about 10 hand-made paper industries in Sanganer,
all owned by Kagzis. Of these the largest
is Salim Kagzi's Handmade Paper and Board
Industries. All Sanganer paper makers are
the largest producers of hand-made paper
in the world. The airport of Jaipur is also
located in Sanganer.
Bagru:It is located 30
kms away from Jaipur on the Ajmer Road and
is well known for its Bagru prints. This
technique simulates a wooden block on which
the required design is first carved, then
the carved block is used for transferring
the motif in the desired colour on the fabric.
This process is most effective on ethnic
floral patterns and for printing in vegetable
dyes in traditional Bagru Prints.
Samod
The fort is an old fortified residence
of the Nathawat family (hailing from chomu)
that served as the Prime Ministers of the
Jaipur Royal Court is located some 40km
from Jaipur and 264 km from Delhi in the
range of Aravali. This magnificent fort
is as charming and romantic in itself, and
exhibits grandeur, good taste, class and
elegance. The way to the fort's main entrance
is through the inside of the village, which
can be covered from the highway by a camel
safari, with the locals welcoming the guests
with smiles and thrilling expressions. The
inside of the fort reflects expressions
of the medieval architecture that is renovated
a bit for the oriental formality. The open
courtyards in the centre has separate wings
on the sides that extends to 43 spacious
rooms & suites having private balconies
and views. The walls are in warm colours
to highlight the intricate marble work,
the antiques and the colourful art with
traditional artefacts. The Durbar hall of
Samode Palace is one of the most beautifully
painted chambers with glass & minakari
work and the same goes for the private restricted
spaces- meant for the "zannanis",
women of the family.
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