- Details
- Written by Anchal B Chaudhary
Amber Fort
Located in Amer, 11 Km from Jaipur, Amber Fort is also known as Amer Fort and Amer Palace.
Presently one of the major tourist destinations in Jaipur, Amber Fort was originally the home of Rajput Royal Family until the capital was moved from Amer to Jaipur.
Built during the reign of Raja Man Singh I in 1592 AD, the fort exhibits a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture.
Set atop a hill, overlooking Moata Lake, Amber Fort is a magnificent historical structure built with red sandstone and white marble.
The fort is divided into four main sections each with its own gate and courtyard.
The main entry, Suraj Pol, leads to the first courtyard, Jaleb Chowk. Victory parades were held at Suraj Pol on return of the soldiers from the battles. The first courtyard is home to the temple of Sila Devi, a goddess of Chaitanya cult.
Further ahead in the second courtyard is Diwan-i-aam where the king held public audiences.
The third courtyard is accessed through Ganesh Pol and is home to private chambers of King, his queens and their attendants. Laid opposite each-other, separated by a Mughal garden are two buildings, Sheesh Mahal and Sukh Niwas.
Sheesh Mahal, the hall of mirrors, is a marvel in itself with its walls and ceiling covered up with thousands of small-small mirrors. Here, one candle was enough to light up the whole hall because of reflection through innumerable mirrors.
Sukh Niwas, the residence of Pleasure, on the other hand had an innovative cooling mechanism to beat the heat of this tropical city. Here, a channel was laid for the water to flow to cool the circulating air and bring down the room temperature. And.. the water was not wasted! It was channelized to flow into the garden.
Another attraction here is the magic flower, a fresco carved out of marble.
The fourth courtyard is home to ‘Zenani deorehi’ the palatial courtyard for the women of the royal family and their attendants.
The fort is accessible by a short drive or 10 min walk uphill. One can also avail elephant ride to get a feel of the royal jaunt.
Elephant Ride
Elephant ride to or from Amber fort is mostly available for only one way and is subject to availability.
Elephant ride cost for two persons is INR 900.00
Amer Fort, Jaipur, Timings: 09:00 AM to 05:30 PM (Daily)
Entry Ticket Fee: For Indian Nationals: INR 25.00, For Foreign Nationals: INR 200.00