Jaipur - Day 2 - Amber Fort

Previous posts in the series :

Jaipur day - 1
Jaipur day - 2.1
Jaipur day - 2.2

This would be my last Jaipur post in the series.

This magnificent fort-palace is 11km North of Jaipur. We took a bus from Hawa Mahal to Amber Fort (pronounced 'Amer'). Its always fun traveling in those crowded public transports filled with locals with colorful attire. The bus quickly passed by Jal Mahal.

Jal Mahal is a Rajput style Palace on water, which sits at the centre of Mansagar lake. Since it was post monsoon the lake was flourished with water hyacinths. Its said to be build during 18th century for royal Duck shooting parties. Presently with 4 floors submerged under water and just one floor above, its abandoned but preserved. We were however not sure of the causeway which would lead to the palace.

Soon we were at Amber the ancient capital of Jaipur. Its a easy 20min climb uphill. You also can opt for Jeep or a even a Elephant ride for a quick ascent, but, at a hefty price if you are a tourist.


The afternoon sun was merciless. Adding to that the was the burning stoned pathway. Friends cursing, but, the travel freak in simply enjoyed this.




There were houses along, and families involved in making the quilts. And not sure if these were put out for display or for drying.

Finally the view of the fort.


The city as seen from Amber Fort.


The pond at the foot of the hill, as seen from a opening at the fort.

The palace enclosure on entering the fort.



Sheesh Mahal full of Mirrors. Absolutely stunning structure.



On one of the pillars of Sheesh Mahal.


Ganesh Pol which provided passage to inner and private royal enclosures.


The view from behind the palace. If you are observant you can spot a number of Peacocks and Peahens there. Waaaow...

The west side...


Some interesting looking locks adored the huge doors of the fortress.


The Modern Art gallery inside Amber Fort.

It was Sunset time, calm, cool and pleasant when we decided to descend.

Jaipur - Day 2 contd.

Previous >> Jaipur Day 2

Every new city would interest the travel freak in me. The city, its people, local cuisine, architecture, monuments, museums, are somethings which I instantly start adoring. I become a part of all these during the short stay. But then at the end, our home is the sweetest.

As we exit the City Palace, we saw a vendor selling some fruits. It looked unseen and unknown. I instantly wanted to try them. We approached him and asked him what it was. He said, 'Paani Phal' (loosely translating to water fruit). He peeled and gave us some to taste. It tasted something in between Watermelon and Custard Apple. We bought quarter kilo before we walked towards Jantar Mantar, which is just diagonally opposite to the Palace. We bought a entry ticket to Jantar Mantar (there were plenty of guides, but we weren't interested) and settled down under a shady tree for the Pani Phal.

The scorching sun had drained us enough. The Pani Phal, a shady tree, leisure talk and some snacks. Not long and a team of students arrived, and you can guess how noisy and crowded the place suddenly turned.


We just walked around ever structure.

There was this temple below a tree - a lamp pole, a pathway and a Bench. One of my favorites. Such splendid it seemed.

All these huge geometric structures were interesting pieces. But, I wanted to give my brain some rest and just look at it aesthetically.

Our next destination, Amer fort as seen from Jantar Mantar.

And we walk through the exit. I have an instant gratification for blue. These structures are painted in pink and blue.

While we lazily walked down, I suddenly saw these coutless number of Pigeons near this well. Wow! I remember seeing such numbers only in DDLJ. I utterly love these human friendly creatures. And how badly I wanted to see them from DDLJ days. Buy the time I visited the Trafalgar Square at London (13yrs after DDLJ!), Ken Livingstone had already banned feeding Pigeon and I didn't even see one Pigeon at the square. Aaah, and now finally I did here at Jaipur.

Stood there for quite a while, i really didn't wanted to move on. You ought to ask friends who where there along to know how elated I was and how I reacted on seeing them.

And we walk down the Hawa Mahal road, to take a Bus to Amer Fort.


You are bound to see those colorful shawls, salwars, duppatas, bags, colorful umbrellas, Jaipur slippers, quilts, gems, stones and all bric-a-bac throughout the city.....

Next >> Jaipur - Amber Fort

Jaipur - Day 2

Continued from Jaipur - I ....

The City Palace is situated at the heart of the old city/pink city. On reaching the ticket counter the board read so...


Indians : Adults - Rs 40
Children - Rs 25
Foreigners : Rs 100
Camera Indians - Rs 50. No special camera charges for Foreign nationals.


Doesn't that look absurd at the first go. I love traveling, but hate those unreasonable fees (dunno what royal family of Jaipur is up to). Although we bought 3 entry tickets, but only one ticket for Camera. But actually used all 3 cameras. And i don't think it was any wrong doing.

The sovereign store at City Palace, Jaipur.

The City Palace is a blend of Rajastani and Mughlai architecture.

Mubarak Mahal or Welcome Palace, City Palace, Jaipur

This place housed the Maharaja Sawai Mansing museum dedicated to the collection of royal costumes. Wow! I just loved those designs, cuts and the exquisite embroidery on them. There was assorted textures, colors and works. Photography was however prohibited here. The royals had their clothing designed and embroidered from different part of the world. And, I did manage to sketch a few of them for reference.

The interesting costume was that of Sawai Madho Singh I, who was 2m tall and 1.2 mt wide and weighed 250kg! And also were gold encrusted lehanga-choli worn by the Jaipur queens at their wedding.


The palace encloses series of courtyard, gardens and building in the palace premise.

Diwan-i-Am is a marble paved gallery, with armoury and enormous silver vessels which Maharaja Madho Singh II used to store holy Ganges water. And when he went to England to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, he had a P&O liner S.S Olympia redesigned to include a Krishna temple, and carried holy Ganges to England. The two 309kg silver urns which he used, enough to last him his for his visit overseas are seen. These 5ft urns known as Ganga Jali are listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest single silver objects in the world.



The Maharani's Palace

Diwan-i-Khas


Chandra Mahal

The courtyard featuring the resplendent Peacock gate and 3 other.



A post on these gateways already featured here.





And we exit City Palace think of the Maharajas, their pomp, vigor and style...

Next >> Jaipur Day 2 contd

City Palace, Jaipur

When I hear of Jaipur the first thing that gets allocated into my mind Hawa Mahal and the grandeur of these Windows and Doors.




But, I was totally unaware of which Palace or Fort this was from. After spending enough of time and energy at the City Palace, completely drained we happened to enter an enclosure which had these Doors and Windows. And you can guess how excited I would have instantaneously turned.


These Peacocks pane is something which everyone would love. But, I like the green hue in the below panels. Lovely.....