53 ~ Amber Fort : Jaipur

It took little time to drive out to Amber Fort.

Perched on a hill 11km from Jaipur and nestling among the Aravali Hills is the historic fort-palace of Amber.

Here is the link to Tripsavvy:

Amber Fort is perhaps the most well-known fort in India. It gets its name from the small heritage town of Amber (also known as Amer) where it's situated, about 20 minutes northeast Jaipur. Rajput ruler Maharaja Man Singh I began constructing the fort in 1592. Successive rulers added to it and occupied it until Jaipur was built and the capital relocated there in 1727. Now, it's one of Jaipur's top tourist attractions.

The fort is part of a group of six hill forts in Rajasthan that were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013 (the others are Jaisalmer Fort, Kumbhalgarh, Chittorgarh, Ranthambore Fort, Gagron Fort and Amber Fort). Its architecture is a magnificent blend of Hindu and Mughal influences. Made out of sandstone and white marble, the fort complex consists of a series of courtyards, palaces, halls and gardens. The Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) is widely regarded as the most beautiful part of it, with intricately carved, glittering walls and ceilings.

https://www.tripsavvy.com/top-palaces-and-forts-in-india-1539345

He is like the vendor in Udaipur selling chana jor garam. Made of flattened chick peas which is smashed into a disc when wet, sundried or roasted (ideally) and spiced with masalas, sold as a very popular street food.

It is the onion which he is peeling and going to chop. This is how most of the vendors chop or peel their veges when they have no space.

Ask Indian housewives, you would hardly see any chopping boards in kitchen as paring knife is used to chop all sort of veggies with both hands.

Chana jor garam is normally roasted with charcoal pot which just sits on the pile of chanas. As per your order, he will mix and toss it in a paper for you with onion, green chillies, lemon juice, chat masala, black salt and coriander leaves.

Pagdi (Turban) is a Rajasthani headwear worn by men and made up of cotton (printed).

Being so late now, the elephants who took the tourists up to the fort in the morning were returning plus we had to endure the lengthy traffic jam. It was because of all the domestic Indian tourists visiting what was certainly the number 1 site on this part of the trip.

It took an hour from when I first saw the fort till the car reached the car park at the top of the fort itself. Quicker if we had walked!

With the traffic on the one way in stopping for such long periods of time, Push suggested we get out and first up was to see the Panna Meena Ka Kund stepwell near Kheri Gate. Not allowed to climb down the stairs.

I wish I had more time as I was told no photos, but I took some then later read this ….

Entry to the step well is officially free but be warned, the patrolling policeman will probably try to charge you 150 rupees to go inside. I found that the best way to avoid paying was to ask him lots of questions about the entry fee such as “Where is the price list?”, “Do you provide actual tickets?”, or “Can I have a receipt?” and he will soon be so frustrated that he will stop hassling you, leaving you to wander down the steps and take as many photographs as your heart desires.

http://www.manvsglobe.com/panna-meena-ka-kund-visit-jaipur-stepwell-baori/

While Push waited to see the car catching up, I quickly saw this one which was bigger and square compared to the rectangular shaped stepwell that I had seen in Delhi.

Then back into the car and not much further along it was out again so I could see the Jagat Shiromani Temple.

Jagat Shiromani is a Hindu temple situated in Amer, India. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu gods Meera bai, Krishna and Vishnu. It was constructed between 1599-1608 AD by Queen Kanakwati, who was the wife of King Man Singh 1st. The temple was built in the memory of their son Jagat Singh.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagat_Shiromani_Temple,_Amer

A yell from Push saying that the car was approaching so that was it.

Two unexpected bonuses.

Finally got to the top car park at 12.45pm / 12:45.

Push was well known by the Amber Fort staff, so it was using this personal knowledge and relationship plus using the “short cuts” he took me to just the highlights. He quickly picked up that I was a photographer and didn’t want to know the history so many thanks for this.

https://www.tripsavvy.com/jaipur-amber-fort-guide-4123752

If you arrive by car you will enter through the Chand Pol (Moon Gate) on the opposite side of Jaleb Chowk.

From Jaleb Chowk, an imposing stairway leads up to the main palace, but first it’s worth taking the steps just to the right, which lead to the small Siladevi Temple, with its gorgeous silver doors featuring repoussé (raised relief) work.

Heading back to the main stairway will take you up to the second courtyard and the Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), which has a double row of columns, each topped by a capital in the shape of an elephant, and latticed galleries above.

The maharaja’s apartments are located around the third courtyard – you enter through the fabulous Ganesh Pol, decorated with beautiful frescoed arches. The Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory) is noted for its inlaid panels and multimirrored ceiling. Carved marble relief panels around the hall are fascinatingly delicate and quirky, depicting cartoon-like insects and sinuous flowers. Opposite the Jai Mandir is the Sukh Niwas(Hall of Pleasure), with an ivory-inlaid sandalwood door and a channel that once carried cooling water right through the room. From the Jai Mandir you can enjoy fine views from the palace ramparts over picturesque Maota Lake below.

The zenana (secluded women’s quarters) surrounds the fourth courtyard. The rooms were designed so that the maharaja could embark on his nocturnal visits to his wives’ and concubines’ respective chambers without the others knowing, as the chambers are independent but open onto a common corridor.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/attractions/amber-fort/a/poi-sig/1286368/1329231

Push had done much of the restoration of the glass work here and showed me what he had done. Such craftsmanship.

With the balloon ride taking so long plus the really heavy traffic, my time here was limited so a return visit in the future would certainly not go astray.