Exploring Magnificent Royal Fort Of Jaipur – Amer Fort
It was our first day in Jaipur and our first destination was Amer Fort. Our tempo traveler left us at the autorickshaw stand from where we took a jeep to the main premises. The hilly roads with little ups and downs was a fun ride to the Amer Fort. You can pay them some extra fare for the up-down trip. We hired a travel guide who helped us throughout our journey. So let’s go for “Exploring Magnificent Royal Fort Of Jaipur – Amer Fort”.
The colossal entrance gate welcomed us to the royal fort. The Surajpol Gate is the main entrance gate. The gate faces east as the sunrise from the east and hence its known as the Suraj(Sun)pol Gate. Royal parades and dignitaries entered the palace through these gates.
The Amer Fort, situated along with Jaigarh Fort at Cheel Ka Teela on the Aravalli Hills.
Both the forts are considered as one complex. There is a secret tunnel connecting the forts where the Royals escaped in those ancient days. The Amer fort – established by Raja Man Singh in the 16th century. Basically, it was built in the 11th-century era by the Meenas rulers. The Amer Fort is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The intricate decorations, grand walls, large slopes, cobbled paths and the series of regal gates left us spellbound.
The blend of Mughal and Hindu architectural work makes the fort magnificent in its style. This architectural style, popular as Senibinanya Style, mainly constructed with red sandstone and marble.
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The fort consists of mainly four courtyards :
Jaleb Chowk :
It’s the first courtyard and the gathering place of the soldiers in those ancient days. The large extensive ground was the parade spot for those soldiers. Jaleb Chowk, surrounded by splendid buildings. The stables, housed in the ground floor of the buildings and the personal guards “jalebs” used to stay on its upper floor. We clicked some photographs in the compound and the guide told us to follow him.
A long elegant staircase goes to the main palace grounds. We were amazed to see the impressive temple of Sita Devi in the entrance. She was worshipped by the Rajput Maharajas. Exploring Magnificent Royal Fort Of Jaipur – Amer Fort
Ganesh Pol (Gate) :
The beautifully emblemed Lord Ganesha image on the top of the gate grabbed our full attention. It was the entry of the private palaces of the Maharajas.
Ganesh Pol was named after the Lord Ganesha, who removes all obstacles in life. Above the gate is the Suhag Mahal, from where the queens used to watch the functions held in Diwan-I-Aam through the lattice marble windows.
Diwan-I-Aam :
It’s the second courtyard. There is a balcony in front of the Diwan-I-Aam. We clicked some photographs with the Aravalli Hills in the background. A giant staircase goes through the hill. We haven’t seen such a long staircase before. The grand view of wide range Arvallis along with Jaleb Chowk ground was quite appealing in our eyes. The cannons used at the time of wars, displayed in the Chowk. It was visible from the balcony. The beauteous Maota Lake left us speechless. Exploring Magnificent Royal Fort Of Jaipur – Amer Fort
Next, we entered the Diwan-I-Aam. It was the public audience hall having a double row of columns, each topped by an elephant-shaped capital. It has latticed galleries above.
The huge pillars here, built in Hindu and Mughal style.
Since Jodha Bai, daughter of the Maharaja married Akbar, some of the pillars, constructed with marble, denoting Hindu style. Whereas some pillars, constructed with red sandstone, denoting Mughal style. Exploring Magnificent Royal Fort Of Jaipur – Amer Fort
The public used to assemble here during any difficulty. The king listened to them, collected petitions from them and tried to resolve their problems.
Maota Lake :
The Maota Lake surrounds the fort. It was the main source of water for the royal families in Amer Fort and the residents of Jaipur in those days. There is a saffron garden floating over the lake. The sheer beauty of this saffron garden called “Kesar Kyari” amused us. In those ancient days, saffron was cultivated here. The reflection of the sprawling palace on the lake is in one word outstanding. The one thing that came to our mind, that the fort was well maintained and highly planned in those days.
Diwan-I-Khaas
The guide took us to the Ganesh Pol. The Ganesh Pol (Ganesh +Gate), highly decorated with ornamental artistic works in mosaics and sculptures. The huge gate has an exquisite canopy at the top and on each side of the canopy, there is a dome. The Ganesh Pol leads us to the third courtyard where lies the rooms of Maharajas and his royal families.
The courtyard is divided into two. On the left lies the “Diwan-I-Khaas” which is popular as “Jai Mandir” and “Sheesh Mahal”.
Diwan-I-Khaas was the Hall Of Private Audiences. It was the place where the kings used to meet special aristocrats. During the rule of Mirza Raja Jai Singh (1621-1667), the Sheesh Mahal was built. The Sheesh Mahal is one of the major attractions here. The Mahal, bedecked with glass decorated panels and multi-mirrored ceilings.
The magnificent floral designs and paintings are made of pure Belgium glass. Mirrored mosaics with shining glasses gave a bright look. The floral designs are called Magic Flowers.
These flowers, designed in such a way that you will notice 7 different images by covering different parts of the flowers. You will spot Scorpions, lotus, snake etc from the Magic Flower. Exploring Magnificent Royal Fort Of Jaipur – Amer Fort
The guide told us the history behind this mahal. The history lies when the queens want to sleep under the open sky. But they were not allowed. So the room, built by the Maharajas to solve the problem. Exploring Magnificent Royal Fort Of Jaipur – Amer Fort
The vital part of the room, that if a tiny light falls over a glass then the whole room is illuminated with thousands of lights with reflection.
Isn’t it interesting? We tried this with our mobile flashlight. As the flashlight was thrown to the mirror, the whole room started glowing brightly with many lights. Even there is another specialty. The guide told us to pose in front of a mirror. He took our phone and clicked our photograph from another mirror. This is what we call a Magic Mirror.
Opposite to the Sheesh Mahal lies the Sukh Niwas (The House Of Pleasure).
The polished sandalwood gate welcomes us to the cool interior. The ambiance is too pleasant and refreshing. The pipe inside the room carries water to the garden which keeps the surrounding cool here almost as if we were staying in an air-conditioned room. The maharajas used to spend time with their queens in the Sukh Niwas.
The beautiful hexagonal garden, Aram Bagh or Chahar Bagh, lies in between the Sheesh Mahal and Sukh Niwas. This garden reminded us of Mughal Gardens.
There is a Tripolia Gate. This will lead you to three places Jaleb Chowk, Mansingh Palace and Zenana Deorhi. Exploring Magnificent Royal Fort Of Jaipur – Amer Fort
The Lion Gate leads us to the private quarters of the palace.
Zenana Mahal :
This exclusive Mahal was for the queens and mistresses. It was the fourth courtyard. Each of their room was separate from one another but all open into one common corridor. The king had the right to visit any queen or mistress he wishes to without the knowledge of any other queens. After hearing this from the guide we felt that the Maharaja was too much romantic. His romance depended upon his mood with which queen he wants to stay.
Major Attraction :
Beside Sheesh Mahal, there are few other attractions such as,
The black colored huge vessel inside the fort used during the shooting of Jodha Akbar. If you have watched the film, you will notice Aishwarya cooking in that vessel. Don’t miss the chance to click its picture. Exploring Magnificent Royal Fort Of Jaipur – Amer Fort
Amber fort elephant ride: The joyful ride on beautifully decorated elephants will definitely make your trip a thrilling one.
The elephant rides mainly take place during the early morning around 8:30 AM.
So if you can come by this time don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the elephant ride to the fort. You will definitely feel like the Maharajas while exploring the majestic fort. Although we missed this opportunity as we were late and didn’t know about the morning ride.
The Light and Sound Show, held in the complex near Maota Lake below the fort. The royal stories of the Rajputs, their lifestyles, stories about the royal fort are narrated in a wonderful way to the audience here with the help of traditional folk song in the background. The English Show takes place at 7:30 PM and the Hindi Show takes place at 8:00 PM.
Travel Tips :
- You may feel exhausted and tired during summer times. So November to March is the best time to visit.
- Carry plenty of water. Wear loose fit clothes, flat shoes, sunglass, and hats.
- Carry a camera or handy camera.
- Hire a travel guide or an audio guide. The travel guide will help you throughout your trip inside the fort. He will narrate to you all the stories and warn you about the blind alleys.
- The total time for exploring is almost 3-4 hours. So try to come at morning by 8 AM so that you don’t miss the elephant ride.
TIMINGS:
9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Open all days except Holi.
Hotels near Amer Fort Jaipur :
- Hotel Swagatam (RTDC HOTEL)
- OYO Rooms Vaishali Nagar
- Anuraag Villa
- Nahargarh Haveli
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