Thing to do
Johari Bazaar
The old city's jewellers' street near Hawa Mahal, lined with family-run shops selling gemstones, kundan and thewa jewellery in Jaipur's planned grid of pink shopfronts.
Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing
A museum of hand block printing in a restored 16th-century haveli in Amer, with changing textile exhibitions, printing demonstrations and workshops.
At a glance
- Type
- Textile museum and block-printing demonstrations
- Area
- Amer, Jaipur, India
- Official site
- anokhimuseum.com
Good to know
- Demonstrations
- Workshops
- Shop
- Restored haveli
Why we recommend it
The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing occupies the Chanwar Palkiwalon ki Haveli, a mansion in the old town of Amer below Amber Fort. It was founded by Rachel Bracken-Singh and Pritam Singh. The museum is dedicated to the craft of hand block printing, which has a long history in and around Jaipur, and describes itself as a living history museum.
The building has its own story. Pritam Singh's father, John Singh, bought the run-down haveli in the late 1970s, and a three-year restoration began in 1989, guided by the architects Nimish Patel and Parul Zaveri of the practice Abhikram. They used local materials, traditional building methods and local craftspeople, while adapting the rooms so that fragile textiles could be displayed safely. The project won a UNESCO award for cultural heritage conservation in 2000, and the courtyards and upper rooms are a pleasure to explore in their own right.
The museum's first exhibition, Print Progress, looked at innovation and revival in hand printing between 1970 and 2005, and that focus on a craft that is still practised today runs through the programme. Inside, galleries hold changing exhibitions drawn from the Anokhi archives and beyond. Recent shows have looked at jajam floor-spreads, namda felt and the influence of 1970s fashion. The museum programme includes demonstrations of block printing, tours, short films and workshops, so you can see how carved wooden blocks are used to print repeating patterns by hand. A shop and a small kiosk are part of the visit.
This is an excellent stop for anyone interested in textiles, design or crafts, and it offers a quieter, more hands-on contrast to the crowds at Amber Fort. Allow around an hour, longer if you join a workshop. Check opening times on the museum's website before you go, and ask in advance about workshops if you want to try printing yourself.
According to the Rajasthan tourism department, the museum is about a ten-minute walk from Amber Fort, which makes it easy to combine with a morning at the fort. The old town of Amer around it has several temples worth a look, including the Jagat Shiromani temple, built around 1599 to 1608 by Queen Kanakwati in memory of her son.
Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing FAQs
Where is the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing?
In the Anokhi Haveli near Keri Gate in Amer, about a ten-minute walk from Amber Fort.
Who founded the museum?
Rachel Bracken-Singh and her husband Pritam Singh.
Can I see block printing being done?
Yes, the museum runs demonstrations, and also offers workshops and tours.
Is the building historic?
Yes. It is a 16th-century haveli restored from 1989 that won a UNESCO conservation award in 2000.
How long should I allow?
About an hour, or longer if you take a workshop.
How can I contact the museum?
By email at [email protected] or by phone on +91 141 253 0226.
Is there a shop?
Yes, there is a shop and a kiosk at the museum.
Can I combine it with Amber Fort?
Yes. It is a short walk from the fort, so the two fit easily into one morning.