Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Sawai Mansingh Stadium Jaipur

Name: Sawai Mansingh Stadium
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Seating Capacity: 30000
Home Team: Rajasthan
Floodlights: Yes
First Test: India v Pakistan - Feb 21-26, 1987
First ODI: India v Pakistan - Oct 2, 1983

Sawai Mansingh Stadium is a cricket stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. It was built in the reign of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II whom was also known as SMS hence the name of the SMS Stadium in short. It is situated at one corner of the Rambagh Circle. The stadium seats 30,000.

Sawai Mansingh Stadium has hosted a solitary Test match, between India and Pakistan, starting on February 21, 1987, when Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq crossed the border to watch the second day's play as part of his "Cricket for Peace" initiative. The Test was notable for Younis Ahmed's return to the Test fray after an absence of over 17 years and also for Sunil Gavaskar's dismissal to the first ball of the Test match, for the third time in an otherwise illustrious career. The game sputtered to a draw after the third day's play was abandoned following heavy rain and a controversy over the alleged deposition of sawdust on the wicket which Pakistan objected to.

The stadium's ODI debut had kicked off with a contest between the same two sides on October 2, 1983. Fresh from their World Cup triumph, the Indians comfortably won by four wickets, sporting the same XI that won the World Cup final. The ground has also hosted two World Cup matches in 1987 and 1996 respectively, the West Indians losing to England in the former and beating Australia in the latter. The last ODI played on the ground is between India and Pakistan on 17 December 2007.

Milestones at Brabourne Stadium:

* The highest ODI total at this ground is 303-4 by India against Sri Lanka in 2005-06.
* The lowest ODI total at this ground is 135 by India against Pakistan.
* The highest individual score by any batsman on this ground in ODI is 183 not out by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Holidays in Jaipur India

The city of Jaipur or the 'City of Victory' was named after Sawai Jai Singh, the Kachhwaha King and the founder the city. The started was built between 1727 AD and 1731 AD. It is the first planned city in India built on the basis of principles of the Shilpa Shastra, the ancient Indian treatise on architecture. The city became famous as the 'Pink City' when the entire city was painted with pink color in the honor of the Prince of Wales, who visited Jaipur in 1853 AD.

Holiday in Jaipur can be exciting with several historic places in Jaipur. The forts and museums are bound to impress you. City Palace, the former royal residence is the first place to be visited in Jaipur. The palace built incorporating the features of both the Rajput and Mughal style of architecture. The museum in Jaiput, which is a treasure trove of the Rajputs glorious past. The exhibits in the museum include various swords, their sheaths, Albert Hall and Hawa Mahal rare collection on astronomical works and numerous royal artifacts.

Jantar Mantar is another important place to be seen on Holiday in jaipur . Built by Sawai Jai Singh, the stone observatory is one of the five observatories built by him in India. The most extraordinary of all the instruments is the Ram Yantra used for estimating elevations.

Hawa Mahal or the 'Palace of Wind' is a significant landmark of the city of Jaipur. Built in 1799 AD by Pratap Singh for the ladies of the royal household, Hawa Mahal is a five-storey building with 953 recesses and windows. The royal grandstand fulfilled the purpose of watching the royal processions and the market activities by the ladies without being watched by others.

Amber Palace was started by Man Singh with few additions made by Mirza Raja Jai Singh and finally completed by Sawai Jai Singh. It took more than two centuries to complete the Amber Fort. The palace complex is built around the Jaigarh Fort and consists of palaces, and temples.

The other important places Jaipur to visit on holiday in jaipur are the Shila Devi Temple, Nahargarh Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Amber Fort, Jai Mahal Palace ,Ramganj Bazar, Govind Dev Ji Temple, Galtaji and Sisodia Rani Garden.

How to Reach

By Air: Jaipur has the Sanganer International Airport with frequent flights from Noida, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Delhi.

By Rail: Jaipur is well connected by frequent train services with all the including major cities of IndiaAhmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

By Road: Jaipur is well connected by roadways with major cities of Rajasthan, various places in Delhi City, Agra City and Mumbai City.