Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 7 km from Jaipur Railway Station, the Jawahar Kala Kendra is a multi-arts center located in the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan. It is one of the prominent tourist places in Jaipur.

The Jawahar Kala Kendra was established by the Government of Rajasthan to promote Rajasthani cultural and traditional values while also highlighting India's extensive heritage, arts, and crafts. Commonly known as JKK, it was conceived and constructed by the renowned architect Charles Correa from MIT in 1986. The building's construction was finalized in 1991, and it was inaugurated for art and culture enthusiasts in 1993.

The design of the Jawahar Kala Kendra adheres to the principles of Vastu and Shilpa Shastra. The center comprises eight blocks that accommodate museums, an amphitheater, a closed auditorium, a library, exhibition spaces, a cafeteria, a small hostel, and an art studio. Additionally, it features two permanent art galleries along with three temporary ones. The entire structure is crafted from red sandstone and white marble, adorned with Vastu symbols on the facades of each square block.

Each distinct section of the Jawahar Kala Kendra is inspired by a planet from the Navagraha, reflecting the respective planet's color, character, astrological significance, and purpose. For example, the library is situated in the Jupiter section, which is associated with knowledge and wisdom. Known as 'Sandarbh', the library houses a collection exceeding 14,000 books. The central theater, an open-air venue, is encircled by the other eight squares of the Navagraha mandala and is referred to as 'Madhyavarti'. The theater's seating area is bordered by 8-meter-high walls made of red sandstone.

The cafeteria is connected to the moon or the lunar mandala. The central dome above the entrance plaza of the Jawahar Kala Kendra features murals and paintings that depict Jain mythology on its ceiling. Adjacent to the main building of JKK is Shilpgram, a rural complex consisting of six huts that represent the rural atmosphere of various regions in Rajasthan, including Marwar, Braj, Shekhawati, Tribal areas, Desert land, and Hadoti.

The Alankar Museum, a permanent ethnographical art gallery, showcases the rich tangible and intangible heritage of Rajasthan through an extensive collection of artifacts. Additionally, six exhibition galleries serve as venues for art displays, attracting numerous internationally recognized artists who have had the opportunity to present their works here. Throughout the year, the JKK premises host a variety of cultural activities, including seminars, workshops, dance and music performances, theatrical productions, and the publication of books focused on art and culture.

In addition to regular art and culture activities, a significant annual event known as 'Lok Rang' takes place between October and November every year. This festival celebrates the vibrant and diverse folk art and cultural traditions of India. Also referred to as the National Folk Festival, it features the National Handicraft Fair and the National Dance Festival.

Timings: 10 AM - 9 PM

Entry: Free