Across the road from the City Palace is the Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The astronomical instruments, carved out of stones, continue to give accurate information to this day. Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds is one of the most unusual structures built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. It has over 900 niches or windows from which the ladies of the court conveniently watched the activities on the street without being observed. Outside the walled city is the large Ram Niwas Garden with the Albert Hall Museum in its centre. While the museum has a rich collection of paintings, ivory and stone sculptures and carpets, Ram Niwas Bagh houses one of the oldest zoo in the country. Around Jaipur are several excursion areas. These include Maharani ki Chhatri where the last rites of the royal ladies were conducted;Gaitor, nestling at the foot of Nahargarh hills was the funeral ground of the rulers of Jaipur; Jal Mahal a lovely palace set in the Man Sagar Lake, where the royal duck shoots were organized; Sisodia Palace and Garden, well laid and housing several galleries, pavilions and beautiful murals depicting scenes from the life of Lord Krishna.
