Amer Fort - Jaipur
Cradled on the top of a Arvalli hills range near Jaipur lies the Amer Fort, one of the most magnificent palaces in India. Amer Fort is full of historical saga and spectacular instances of medieval architecture. Built by one of the most trusted generals of Akbar, Maharaja Man Singh I in 1592, Amer Fort served as the main residence of the Rajput Rulers. Let’s take a virtual tour of this amazing fortified town and its spectacular palace through the lenses of Digvijaysinh Solanki & Ripple Solanki in this brand new travel blog of iOWN Magazine February Edition.
Only 11 kilometers away from Jaipur, Amer Fort is clad in pink and yellow sandstone and is a part of an extensive complex. Amer is a crowd-puller, sees nearly 14k visitors each day. It is one of the most fascinating tourist hotspots in the state of Rajasthan. The fort is big enough that it will take you at least two to three hours to explore it in detail and if you are photoholic like us, then it will take the whole day. The first thrilling experience for us was that we opted for an elephant ride to reach Amer Fort located on the top of the mountain. There are approximately 80 elephants, which carry up 900 visitors per day. The elephant ride to the central courtyard of the palace is an exciting journey. You will feel your spirits hiking up as you experience the literal highs and lows on the back of the elephant. It is a must-do activity for tourists in Amer fort. The elephant rides are so popular that almost all the elephants get pre-booked every day. The journey provides you with beautiful vistas as you travel up the hillside. The fort is a pearl on the crown of Jaipur. As you walk along the halls, palace rooms, and gardens, the skill of the artisans can be clearly seen in the delicate mosaic work, ornamental pillars, ivory and sandalwood motifs, latticework, and frescoes. While you are there, Maota Lake and the surrounding hills are a sight to behold.
The light-and-sound show held in the evenings is another attraction. Amer Fort is divided into four sections, each adorned with its separate entrance and courtyard. The main entrance to the fort is called 'Suraj Pol' or Sun Gate which leads to the main courtyard. Imposing stairways would lead you to the palace complex to an impressive courtyard named 'Jaleb Chowk' while the steps to the right lead to Shila Devi Temple. Jaleb Chowk was used by the army to display their war booty back in time where women were allowed to watch the proceedings only through the windows. Diwan-e-Aam (Public Audience Hall) forms the second level of the Amer Fort. It is a massive hall open on three sides. With extensive mosaic glassworks, it stands on the support of two columns of pillars with mounted elephants.The third courtyard of the Amer Fort is around the royal quarters. Entrance to this level is through the Ganesh Pol. 'Sheesh Mahal' is the most beautiful and our favorite attraction in the entire complex. The walls and ceilings have beautiful carvings of flowers and glass paintings. The Sheesh Mahal gives beautiful illusions and you may hear people discussing that if you lit two candles inside the hall, the ceilings feel like a thousand glittering stars. 'Sukh Mahal' is another hall opposite to the Sheesh Mahal and is built of sandalwood and ivory. It has numerous channels with running cold water. Please note that apartfrom taking a tour of the fort and palaces and offering worship in the temple youcan also shop from the boutiques and antique stores located inside the fort premises
Whole Fort flaunts a colorful architectural design. It is a marvelous example of Rajputana architecture. It is a perfect amalgamation of Hindu style architecture and Mughal finesse. There is not one but many wonderful structures and objects of artistic pleasure in the magnificent palace of Amer. To witness something truly out of a fairy tale, you must make your way to Amer Fort.
