Pottery to palaces

This morning, hike through the Amer foothills to the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing. Housed in a traditional haveli a little out of town, this gem of a museum is a must-visit for those obsessed with traditional Indian craftsmanship. Showcasing sumptuous block-printed textiles, you can also see artisans at work, carving intricate wooden printing blocks and printing on delicate cotton. You can even have a go at printing your own handkerchief. 

Supported by A&K Philanthropy (AKP), the Digantar Vidyalay School aims to empower underprivileged children residing in Jaipur’s rural outskirts. The project focuses on widening student’s horizons and offering children the means to learn useful trade skills such as plumbing, carpentry or sewing. A visit to the school means you can meet the students and teachers, sit in on a class and see first-hand how these children’s lives are changing for the better. A truly rewarding experience. 

Start the morning at Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century observatory containing a number of architectural astronomical instruments. Continue to Hawa Mahal, a pink-tiered honeycomb-like palace. Its latticed windows were built so that female members of royalty could peer out at everyday life without being seen. Head to the City Palace nearby, where the current maharaja resides, enjoying access to private sections usually inaccessible. Admire its ornate gates, glass halls and solid gold craft work before your last stop, the Sukh Niwas Palace, a gorgeous summer palace surrounded by lush gardens.

Art lovers can release their creativity at the Clay Botik Studio. Classes are led by Deeksha Gupta, a fine arts expert who honed her skills in Jaipur as well as across the globe in US and Canada. Over the years, her studio has become a creative hub for those who want to learn the secrets behind Jaipur’s traditional blue pottery. Partake in a class shaping clay at a rotating wheel and learn coil and slab techniques.