Since today is my last day, I’m hoping to get the key sights since the last two days are arrival to Jaipur the Pink city, with gorgeous textile tour then holiday for the Elephant Festival and Holi, Festival of colors. The morning I spend my time seeing the stars alignment or the astronomical structures of the Jantar Mantar and the beautiful Lady of Jaipur that is the City Palace. Saving the most gorgeous Queen, I mean palace, or fort, for last.
The rickshaw driver offers me if I want to go up there with an elephant or the camel, but I’m not keen on it so I pass.
Amer Fort (Hindi: आमेर क़िला or Amber Fort) settled on the planes of Amer town, 11 kilometers from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. The fort rested on the hills with Hindu style architecture and the touch of Rajput or Rajasthan esthetic. Previously, it was the place of the Meenas tribe from the ancient Matsya kingdom. Since it’s Hindu influenced, they defer to Matsya, avatar of Vishnu.
They were conquered by the Rajput and the fort later become the city ruled by Maharaja Man Singh I from Kachwaha clan. The name though, Amber or Amer is taken from Ambijeshwar temple built on Cheel ka Teela, local name for god Shiva but it can also be from Amba, ‘Gatta Rani‘ or ‘Queen of the Pass’, or the Mother Goddess Durga.
The fort is facing Maota Lake, built in four levels fort made of sandstone and marble. Amer fort with five other forts are declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.
Amer fort was expand by the Kachwaha clan and its descendants for 150 years until Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II moved the capital to Jaipur in 1727.
Dil Aram Bagh (The Garden to Soothe the Heart). The northern side garden of Maota lake.
Viewing platform to the Maota lake
Going up the path
Amer Fort or Amber Fort
Kesar Kyari Bagh, saffron garden planted by the Maharaja in the 15th century. The island is in the northern end of Maota lake.
Beautiful garden in Mughal and Rajasthan style
Entering Amer Fort or Amber Fort
Singh Pol, the Lion Gate
Diwan-i-Aam or the Public Audience Hall
Ganesh Pol or Ganesh Gate
The gate is named after Lord Ganesha, the Hindu God and the son of Shiva and Parvati. He’s the wise teacher and the god of intellect and wisdom. The large entrance lead to the private palaces of the Maharajas. It was built by Mirza Raja Jai Singh in the 16th century. There is a place above the gate, Suhag Mandir, where the royal ladies can watch the Maharaja entertain guests in Diwan-i-Aam through the windows.
Looking through the windows of Ganesh Pol
The decoration inside the room
Suhag Mandir, the top viewing platform on Ganesh Pol
The beautiful window
A Mughal style garden with the pattern of Chahar Bagh
Jai Mandir or Sheesh Mahal, Palace of Mirror
Jai Mandir or also known as Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirror) is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been with all the walls embellish with shards of mirrors or glasses, creating intricate and detailed mosaics of flowers and paintings that take my breath away. The story has it, or so I listen to the guide in another tour group, is that the Queen is not allowed to sleep outside but she loved the stars and so the Maharaja Man Singh ordered a hall to be made by the 17th century, with the glasses creating a universe. And so when two candles lit, the hall reflect thousands of stars.
Part of the Palace high ceiling windows
Bits and pieces from wall decoration to porcelain embedded walls and windows in, Sukh Niwas or the Palace of Pleasure.
The royal families stayed in here during summer season with large rooms and verandah looking at the garden. The Mughal style influenced decoration have marble and a cascade with running water to cool off the room.
Tusil or Holy Basil
Baradari Pavillion
Zenani Deorhi (Ladies Apartments)
The Queen-mother, the Maharaja’s queen consorts or Maharani lived in these 12 separate apartments with the women attendants.
The large complex palace with multi-levels and different styles and several expansion from the different rulers and influences.
A couple of guards sitting by
Going out in the inner court yard with stalls, stores and gallery. I’m temped to buy some books but I still have a long way to go in India.
Going underneath the exit, Chand Pol or Moon gate
Jalebi Chowk, I think.
Bhairav Gate
Exit back to that nice lovely garden
And thus, conclude my day in Jaipur as the rickshaw driver return me to the hotel. I’m happy with my last day here in this Pink City. Amber or Amer Fort is amazing! I love to go again (and maybe other places), so many Rajasthan style architecture and so little time! But alas, I’m leaving the first thing, very, very early in the morning tomorrow. After ordering an auto rickshaw for 4 am, dinner and hot shower and sleep.
Next city: Agra.
Jaipur trip:
- [Travel] Jaipur, Tickle Me Pink
- [Travel] Jaipur, the Heritage Embroidered in the Thread of Time
- [Travel] Jaipur, the Elephant Festival. Hail to the Wise Chief
- [Travel] Jaipur, Holi Festivals, the colors of love
- [Travel] Jaipur City Palace, the Royal Residence of the Maharaja
- [Travel] Jaipur, Ex Astris, Scientia at Jantar Mantar
- [Travel] Jaipur, Maharani Ki Chhatri, the Last Resting Place for the Royal Ladies
- [Travel] Jaipur Amer Fort, the Beautiful Mosaics that Transcend Time
Source: Amber Fort website, Wikipedia, Travelwiki, India Eye Witness Travel.
101MonkeyMagic 
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