Amber fort india. Fairy palace amber

Friends! I forgot to show you one of the most interesting places our trip: the fortress-palace of Amber, located 11 km from Jaipur. We also rode elephants there!

From 1502 to 1728, the capital of the Kachvahs clan was located here. Sheltered by hills and high fortified walls, the palaces of Amber combine elements of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The construction of the complex began in 1592 under Man Singh I on the ruins of an 11th-century fortress. Most of the buildings of the fort appeared under Maharaja Jai Singh I (reigned 1622-1667).

You can get inside the fort either on foot, or in jeeps, or on elephants, which is the most interesting thing, of course.

Even the fact that you are sitting on an elephant at a height of about 3 meters does not bother the seller of peacock shoehorns. The price changes quite dramatically from 100 dollars to 100 rupees as the elephant moves away :)

The elephant rises slowly, I find it difficult to name the speed, just slower than the usual step of a person.

Many of our group were seriously afraid to ride an elephant, in fact, it's okay, it just sways slightly from side to side.

Amber Fort rises above the drying Maota Lake, next to which are two Mughal-style gardens - Kesar Kyari Bagh and Dil-i-Aram (Dil-i-Aram, lit. "Relief of the heart"). The latter was broken in 1568 for the rest of the Mughal emperor Akbar on the road to Ajmer.

For hikers there is a separate path, probably no more than 5 minutes to go there.

While we were photographing enough, we were photographed by local photographers. We were offered ready-made photos in several stages, at first they tried to sell the album for $10 for each photo…

Of course, we refused))) The photographers proudly left, obviously expecting that we would immediately come to our senses. For a couple of hours we calmly examined the fort, when we again met with the masters of the camera and printer. Prices dropped significantly to 10-15 dollars per album. Some have bought. But the most lively trade began when we finally left the fort and climbed into jeeps. As a result, the album with pictures went for $ 5. One of them is at the end of the post.:)

Once inside, the elephants approach a special ladder to make it easier for tourists to get off. They climbed in the same way, so it will not be possible to boast of acrobatics.

Many call Amber Fort amber, because. the word "amber" is translated from English as amber, and besides, the walls of the fortress are yellow. But, they say that this is a coincidence and the legends of the fort connect the name of Amber either with some kind of Ambikishvara Shiva, or with the goddess Amba.

Behind the harsh walls of the Amber Fort is an exquisite Maharaja's palace, with magnificent decoration. Inside, the fort looks like an eastern oasis, only a small fraction of the luxury of which has survived to this day. Marvelous arches, mosaics, mirrors, fountains, many rooms and intricate passages, all this indicates the once greatness of the decorations of this place.

Amber is the place where you can safely spend the whole day walking along the walls of the fort, looking at the inner chambers, gardens, courtyards. The fortress seemed the most interesting for a trip to India, since there were not very many tourists here, in the season, of course, much more.

Gate of Ganesha to the closed part of the palace, access to which was previously allowed only to the Raja's family and servants.

Here they are up close:

Nearby is Divan-i-Am - the place where the Raja communicated with his subjects. The architecture is similar to Fatehpur Sikri, right?

Near the place of audiences are the offices of local aristocrats.

Which were separated from each other by carpets ...

The courtyard almost fit into the lens) A special charm of the fort is that there are many different ladders, turrets, niches and balconies from which a picturesque view opens. You can shoot all this from different angles endlessly, with good lighting (as it is now), in any case, it will turn out beautifully.

Already from above we observe the caravan of elephants with new tourists:

They also have a photo shoot:

The floors almost everywhere in the chambers of the Raja are finished with marble.

Inside is the famousSheesh Mahal -a mirror palace, a luxury unthinkable at that time:

Mirror mosaics were one of the techniques for decorating walls, columns and ceilings in Rajput palaces. The Rajput style (from "raj" - "prince", "put" - "son") was formed in Rajasthan during the reign of the Rajputs - princely families.

Restoration work is carried out almost constantly, very often tourists and locals leave a souvenir for themselves, breaking off pieces of a mirror mosaic. The vigilant guard tries to watch, but she is alone, and there are several rooms ...

The Raja's inner chambers are also beautiful!

The windows overlook a pretty courtyard:

Traditional "peeping" windows for the wives of the rajah:

and the view from the window:

The fort is located in an impregnable place and is very well fortified, so no one managed to capture it (or maybe they didn’t even try).

One of the many turrets-arbors:

This is clearly not a place for the rajah, but probably for the servants. There are 2 huge cauldrons in the center :)

Numerous terraces…

I have a lot of photos, but I feel it's time to wrap up)))

I can't help but show: the dome of one of the pavilions in the women's quarters

And finally, my mother and I are riding an elephant)))

India, so far, was very interesting!

amber fort
Amber Fort is located 11 kilometers from Jaipur. The fort-palace, a classic example of a romantic Rajasthani fort, stands on a terraced plateau at the southwestern foot of the mountain. At the top is the Jaigarh Fort (Victory Fort), guarding the approaches to both Amber and Jaipur, located on the other side of the mountain. Amber is surrounded on all sides by hills, along the ridges and peaks of which a fortress wall with ramparts and watchtowers winds like an endless snake for many kilometers. The construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh I, the commander of the Rajput units in the army of Emperor Akbar. The grandiose construction was completed by the descendant of Man Singh - Jai Singh I. The fort was named after the goddess Amba, better known in Indian mythology under the name Durga, and was built according to all the canons of the Rajput architectural style, which was developed in the state of Rajasthan in the Middle Ages. For the construction, only local material was used, which made it possible to achieve an unusual effect - natural and man-made is almost impossible to distinguish from afar.

With frequent military attacks in those days, this was of particular defensive importance. The Rajput architectural style is characterized by impeccable proportional lines, strict, clear external forms. However, the massive fortress walls hid rich interior decoration, exquisite workmanship and decorations that were inaccessible to the casual eye. Inside the fort, the buildings are complemented by many stone-barred balconies, thin columns, connected scalloped arches, small pavilions at the corners of roofs and awnings, and barred arched windows cut into the walls to enhance ventilation. In the palace, the dream of paradise found its true embodiment, giving delight to the soul and peace to the heart.

The Rajput forts were built but in a rather rigid scheme. The central part was occupied by a multi-tiered residential building - prasada, next to it - one- or two-story pavilions, isolated or representing wings of prasada. The territory of the palace complex was divided into three parts: the first - a service yard with stalls, warehouses, weapons storage, a palace square and a pavilion for official audiences. The second - one or two courtyards with private apartments, rooms for the treasury and a small home chapel. The third part housed the zanana (women's apartments) with terraces and gardens for walking.

The path to Amber begins on the shores of the artificial lake Maota with a small island in the center - Dalarama Garden (named after the architect of Jaipur). A wide road leads to the palace, along which elephants are still moving at a leisurely pace, delivering visitors to the first entrance gate - Jai Pol. There is also a staircase with unusually large steps for riders and their horses, and not for pedestrians. The huge courtyard is followed by the Suraj Pol (Gate of the Sun) to reveal the Jaleb Chowk, a service yard with barracks and stables. Chandra Pol (Gate of the Moon) leads to a temple dedicated to Narasingha (a lion-man, one of the incarnations of the god Vishnu), as well as to Jagat Shiromani (Treasure of the World) - a temple with a huge prayer hall.

After passing Singh Pol (Lion's Gate), visitors come to the pavilion for official audiences (sofa-i-am). Its vaulted roof rests on 40 columns, the central of which are made of white marble, and the side ones are made of red sandstone. It is noteworthy that the upper parts of the columns are made in the form of elephant heads, their raised trunks serve as a natural support for the roof vault. The sofa-i-am ends with a terrace framed by a decorative lattice, from which a grandiose panorama of the surrounding landscape opens up.

Behind the gates of Ganesh Paul begins a patio with a cozy little garden and personal chambers of the rulers. To the right is the graceful Sukh Niwas (Place of Joy), whose carved wooden doors are inlaid with ivory and sandalwood. The room is cooled by water flowing through a channel arranged right in the floor, which ends small waterfall flowing into the char bagh (traditional Islamic indoor garden). The floor of the channel is lined with alternating strips of white and black marble. Resembling a zigzag wave, this pattern further enhances the effect of flowing water.

Jai Niwas Palace is made of the purest white marble and with its elegant outlines resembles the famous pavilions of the Mughal emperors of the fort in Agra. Jai Niwas houses the Shish Mahal (Mirror Palace) and the Yash Mandir (Room of Glory), a divan-ikhas whose walls are almost completely covered with various designs. At the same time, the lower panels of the walls are decorated with floral relief patterns. Along the edges of the panel are framed with a border lined with semi-precious stones. The upper sections of the walls are either painted (which is typical of the Indian tradition) or inlaid with colored mosaics, pieces of glass or semi-precious stones (this is an Islamic cultural influence).

The path to the private apartments of the palace passes through the amazing beauty of the decoration of the gate - Ganesha Pol. Their facade is richly decorated with arches decorated with jali (carved stone lattices) and a bangaldar type roof (such a roof has low domed ends with cornices far forward, which makes it look like a hat). On the top floor of the gate is the Sohag Mandir - its specially designed windows allowed the women of the court to watch public audiences without being noticed. On the same floor is the Bhojan Shala (dining room) with murals depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and images of the sacred cities of India.

The Sheesh Mahal and the Yash Mandir above are the most impressive. Their walls and vaulted ceilings are inlaid with small mirrors, glass and gilded tiles, and the pattern is laid out in such a way that the light from even a single lit match creates a stunning starry sky effect.
At the very top of Jai Niwas is the Nat Mahal Terrace. On it, with the onset of winter, darbars were held - meetings of the court. Located near Jaya Niwas zanana is a real labyrinth of bedrooms, closets, office space, bathrooms, kitchens and covered terraces. Getting into this part of the palace, you invisibly feel the former presence of maharani (queens) and kumari (princesses). They led a secluded life, revealing themselves only by the gentle ringing of anklets that resounded in the depths of the zanana.

Numerous open terraces and flat roofs of the palace (they were also used for walking) offer a breathtaking panorama of hills stretching beyond the horizon, ancient citadels and fortification towers. And far below you can see the calm expanse of Lake Maota, in which, like in a huge mirror, the impregnable harsh walls of Amber are reflected.

WIND PALACE

Palace of the Winds (Hawa-i-Mahal) - architectural gem Jaipur, the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. pink city- so called Jaipur for the unusual color of the buildings in the old, princely part. Pink is the color of the local sandstone building stone, from which the Hawa-i-Mahal is also built. It was built by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1799 for his harem and the women of the court, so that they could admire street processions and holidays without appearing in public. The five-story facade of the Air Palace, only one room deep, overlooks one of the main streets of Jaipur. The trapezoidal shape of the façade and original finishing techniques create the impression of lightness and aspiration upwards.

The palace has an unprecedented number of windows and lantern windows covered with carved stone bars - 953! The windows are intricately curved at the top, and the lanterns are crowned with small domes. All this, as well as many passages, balconies and ladders, leads to a comparison of the Palace of the Winds with lace.
Hawa-i-Mahal is an integral part of the Chandra Mahal palace complex - a red sandstone building and structures in the center of Jaipur. The Palace of the Winds has another unique feature: even on the hottest days, a cool wind blows through all its premises. This is facilitated by the unusual arrangement of barred windows (lattices enhance ventilation) and the thickness of the front wall is only 0.2 m. They say that this is what prompted the name - the Palace of the Winds to the world-famous building.
The air palace is so peculiar that in last years there was an opinion that in fact the building was decorative, not intended for habitation. Be that as it may, the Palace of the Winds continues to give people the opportunity to enjoy its unique beauty to this day.

The Water Palace (Jag Niwas), the summer residence of the Maharajas of Udaipur (Rajasthan, India), was erected on an island of Lake Pichola, about 250 meters from the shore.
Rajput architects were able to build princely palaces in the middle of lakes and ponds on natural or artificial islands, creating a complete illusion of a building literally growing out of the water. This approach served two purposes: firstly, body of water was an additional obstacle and provided defensive advantages; secondly, water created a special microclimate in buildings.

From afar, the white marble complex looks like a single whole, but in fact these are two palaces - Dilaram and Bari Mahal. They are connected to each other by gardens and charming courtyards with fountains and gazebos. famous traveler J. Tod, one of the first foreigners who saw this architectural miracle, wrote: “The palace on the lake ... is built entirely of marble: columns, baths, waterways and fountains - everything is made of this material, in many places lined with mosaics, and some uniformity is pleasant scattered by the rays of the sun passing through the glass, colored with all the colors of the rainbow... The walls are richly decorated with carved stone medallions, which depict the main historical events of the family... Flower beds, orange and lemon groves, breaking the monotony of buildings, are framed by thickets of tamarind and evergreen trees. Special dining rooms with columns and extensive baths for the Rajput rulers are arranged on the very shore ... ".
Currently, Jag Niwas is one of the most romantic hotels in the world and gives visitors a unique opportunity to admire the water surface of the lake right from the windows.

The fort is located near the mountain on a plateau, turning into terraces. At the very top stands the Jaigarh fortress, whose name translates as the Victory Fort. She guards both Amber and the city of Jaipur. Amber has a very good position, it stands in such a way that it is surrounded on all sides by hills and mountain ranges. Fortifications with a palisade stretched almost along the entire length of the ridge.

The construction of the structure began in 1592 under the leadership of Raja Man Singh I. At that time, this man commanded the troops of Akbar's empire. The construction was completed after his death, when all the work was supervised by the descendant of Raja Jai Singh I. The fort got its name from the goddess Amba, whom all residents know as Durga.

Surprisingly, only local stone and wood were used for the foundation of such a magnificent structure. Thus, the builders have achieved that from a distance it is completely impossible to understand whether this structure is natural or nevertheless created by human hands. In those days, this effect was very useful, since the territory of the fort was constantly attacked. In Amber, you can trace clear, even lines, which are a characteristic feature of the Rajasthani style. At first glance, such a simple external design cannot carry luxury, but the first impression is deceptive. Inside, the fort is richly decorated with stucco and carved balconies, which were skillfully hidden from prying eyes. Under the outer austerity, a piece of paradise was hidden with numerous gazebos, lattice windows and unusual arches.

All local forts at that time were created according to the same scheme.

In the very center was the main building with several floors, which was surrounded by two-story pavilions. The palace itself was divided into several parts: a service courtyard, a square and halls for solemn meetings, and private chambers overlooking the alley. There was also a treasury and a small chapel.

Journey to Amber Fort

The path to the fort starts from Lake Maota, with an island on which the garden of Dalarama is located. From here to the palace complex leads big road, along which elephants constantly walk with numerous tourists and travelers. The first stop is Jai Pol Gate. For those who like to travel on horseback, a special road has been built leading there. After you get to Suraj Pol or the Gate of the Sun. They open the way to the courtyard with military barracks. Further along the course is the Gate of the Moon, leading to the temple of Vishnu.

After the Lion's Gate, all tourists enter the audience hall. This is a beautiful building, the roof of which is supported by 40 columns made of white marble. They differ from others in that the very tops are in the form of elephant heads, the trunks of which, as it were, hold the base of the roof.

After the audience hall, tourists enter the courtyard with the living rooms of the rulers and a small garden. On the right side is Sukh Niwas. This architectural structure inlaid with jewels and decorated with carved details. The room is always cool. This is achieved by streams of water passing right across the floor and falling into a miniature pool. The channel is decorated with white and black marble, which enhances the effect of running water.

Walking a little further than the palace, you find yourself on the terrace of Nat Mahal. In those distant years, meetings or, in other words, darbars were held here. Near Jaya is a zanana, which is the bedrooms, closets, bathrooms and courtyards. All tourists, having been here, note the special atmosphere of the presence of monarchs.

Tourists

Most often, tourists get to the fort on elephants, along the road of the same name. Once upon a time, ammunition and weapons were delivered through it to Amber. Before the trip, merchants with souvenirs will definitely come to you. Wooden figurines of elephants are in demand. For three such souvenirs, sellers will ask for 1000 rupees, but do not open your wallet right away, bargain. Indians are quite easy to persuade, and then you will pay the same money for 10 nice figurines. All guides advise you to buy something right away, otherwise the Indians will follow you for a long time on the way to the fort. by the most the best option will still be buying souvenirs on the way back. Firstly, they will cost much less, and secondly, they will not need to be constantly carried with you during the tour.

Updated: 25 Sep, 2019

Amber Fort is a famous palace complex consisting of many castles, temples, gardens and pavilions, the construction of which took almost 2 centuries. Appearance this building is very ambiguous impressions. On the one hand - impregnable fortress walls, on the other - a real oriental oasis with marvelous arches, ancient mosaics, mirrors, fountains and an intricate labyrinth of passages that hide a great many secrets.

General information

Amber (India) is a majestic structure rising on a rocky cliff 11 km from Jaipur, the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Its history began in 1592 with the construction of an ordinary defensive bastion, designed to protect the principality of Dhundhar from enemy attacks. The work on this truly grandiose project was initiated by Raja Man Singh I, but he did not manage to enjoy the results of his work - the famous military leader died long before its completion.

For the construction of a fort that remained administrative center these regions up to the base of Jaipur, local sandstone was used. The walls, made of this light yellow rock, almost merged with the panorama surrounding them. The effect turned out to be so strong that it is almost impossible to see Amber from afar. This decision was not made by chance - with frequent military attacks, it played a huge defensive role.

By the way, it is because of this material that many guides claim that the name of the palace comes from English word"amber" - "amber". But, despite the fact that in the pre-sunset hour the walls of the fortress really acquire an orange tint, this is far from being the case. In fact, the fort is named after the Indian goddess Amba, also known as Durga.

Curiously, fortified settlements on this site existed 1000 years before the described events I. When the main road to Delhi was laid past them, strengthening the approaches to the residence of the Dhundhars became a strategically important task. Moreover, the local rajah was so afraid of the troops of the Delhi Sultanate that another fortress was built next to Amber, connected to it by numerous underground tunnels. Together with Amber, it forms a powerful defensive structure, the walls of which stretch along the mountain hills for almost 20 km. For such an impressive size locals often referred to as the "Great Indian Wall", hinting at the similarity with the famous Chinese landmark.

The work on the fort was completed by Jai Singh I, who became the successor of the previous raja. It was under him that the Amber Fort in Jaipur turned into a beautiful palace complex with 4 separate courtyards, man-made lake Maot, luxurious mosques and gardens. And even despite the fact that after the entire princely court moved to another city, the bastion began to fall into decay, for many years it continued to be the most important fortification structure of Rajasthan.

Today, the Amber Palace is part of the "Golden Triangle of India" and is one of the most visited attractions in the country. In 2013, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The structure and architecture of the palace

Despite the centuries-old history of its existence, the Amber Fort (Jaipur, India) continues to be the clearest demonstration of the beauty and luxury that medieval Indian rajahs surrounded themselves with.

Created in the best traditions of the Rajput architectural style, which at that time was at its peak, it is distinguished by strict forms and perfectly proportioned lines. However, behind the simplicity inherent in the outer walls, the richest interior decoration and various decorations are hidden, inaccessible to the common man.

The internal buildings of the fortress are complemented by beautiful balconies, miniature pavilions, equipped at the corners of roofs and canopies, arched columns made of snow-white marble, and barred windows that provide fresh air.

Features of the structure of the fort

Like other structures built during the Rajput period, Amber has several characteristic features. If the central part of the complex was occupied by prasada, the main residential building, consisting of several tiers, outbuildings and pavilions, then the rest of the citadel was divided into 3 different parts. The first is zenana, women's rooms with outdoor terraces and mini-parks. The second - courtyards with personal royal chambers, a palace forum and a study. Well, the third is a service yard, which housed stalls, warehouses and armory chambers.

Gates, courtyards and rooms of the complex

The path to the fort begins on the banks of Maota, a small artificial lake, in the center of which is the picturesque garden of Dalarama. Having overcome a short segment of the path, visitors to the complex will find themselves in front of Jai Pol, the central entrance gate. By the way, there is another way to them. We are talking about a stone staircase with unusually high steps, along which Indian horsemen moved in the old days.

Passing a large patio following the first gate, tourists find themselves in front of Suraj Pol or the Gate of the Sun. They open Jaleb Chowk, the same farm yard with barracks, sheds, stables and other outbuildings. Following it, you can see the Gate of the Moon or Chandra Pol, leading to two shrines - Jagat Shiromani and Narasingha.

Next comes Singh Paul or the Lion's Gate, through which you can go to the Divan-i-Amu, a pavilion for business meetings and private audiences, the vaults of which are supported by four dozen columns. Some of them are made of marble, others are made of orange sandstone. Curiously, the upper part of these pilasters is in the form of elephants with their trunks raised up. It is they who play the role of support for the ceiling. Divan-i-Am ends with a small open veranda framed by a beautiful decorative lattice.

The next gates of the Amber Fort (Rajasthan, India) are Ganesha Paul, guarding the entrance to the cozy courtyard with the personal apartments of the rajas. In former times, only members of the royal family and the servants serving them had access to this part of the palace.

If you look to the right, you can see marble palace Sukh Niwas, whose carved doors are finished with sandalwood and ivory. The building of this castle is cooled by water, which flows through a channel laid right in the floor and flows into char bags, a small Islamic garden. In the immediate vicinity of this place is Jai Niwas, another castle that houses many amazing objects within its walls.

Among them, Yash Mandir (Hall of Fame), Shish Mahal (Mirror Room) and Diwan-i-Khas deserve the most attention. The walls and semicircular ceilings of the first two are decorated with a huge number of broken mirrors, gilded tiles and pieces of glass. All these elements are combined into a unique pattern that creates the effect of a starry sky even with a single lit candle. As for the second, its ceilings are decorated with a relief floral ornament, a border made of semi-precious stones, all kinds of drawings and inlays made from ancient colored mosaics.

Almost under the very roof of Jaya Niwas, a special platform was equipped, on which, with the advent of cold weather, court meetings were held. The last element of the Amber Fort is the zenana, a complex labyrinth whose rooms were inhabited exclusively by the female half. Staying in this part of the complex, you involuntarily feel the presence of Maharani (kings) and Kumari (princesses), who led such a calm and secluded lifestyle that they could only be detected by the quiet chime of anklets.

From the numerous galleries and flat roofs of the palace, which are also used for promenades, a beautiful view of the ancient citadels, impregnable Mountain peaks, defensive towers and the calm waters of Lake Maota, stretching somewhere far below.

Practical information

Amber Castle located at Devisinghpura, Amer, Jaipur 302001, India.
Open daily from 08:00 to 17:30.
The cost of visiting is about $7, but if you come here in the evening, you will pay only $1.50 for entry.

It should also be noted that at sunset, sound and light shows are organized on the territory of Amber, during which visitors are introduced to the history of the fort and the significant events of Rajasthan. A ticket for an English-language performance costs up to $ 3, for Hindi - 2 times cheaper. This event lasts for about an hour.

On a note! For those who are going to spend at least a week in Jaipur, we advise you to purchase a complex ticket, which allows you to visit not only this fortress, but also 3 more palace complexes, the ancient Jantar Mantar observatory and the Albert Hall cultural and historical museum.

Going to Amber Fort, take note of a few important tips:

If you are going to climb the territory of the complex on an elephant, we recommend that you come directly to the opening. Firstly, there is a huge queue for this “mode of transport”, and secondly, the number of elephants is limited, so there may simply not be enough for everyone. In addition, each animal is only able to make 4 trips, after which they are sent to rest until the next day.

You can also get to the fort by car, but due to the one-way traffic, there is a high probability that you will not miss a cow that gets in the way. Of course, you will still get to the main attraction of Rajasthan, but it may take a little longer than you expected.
Tipping in India is customary to give to everyone - from waiters to doormen and maids. The workers of the fort will also expect a small reward - snake charmers, photographers, drovers, etc. The latter receive 100 rupees from each animal.
At the entrance to the fortress, you will probably be offered to buy some kind of souvenir (usually one or several elephants at once). Do not rush to agree - at the exit the same product will cost much cheaper.
In general, you should be careful with street vendors in Amber. If you don't plan to buy anything, put on your most detached look and try not to even make eye contact with them. It is worth entering into a conversation with at least one of these businessmen, how others will immediately catch up to him. This company will accompany you until you board the elephant, and if you still agree to buy something, they will also get under his feet.
Be sure to bring a light snack and water with you. It will take at least 4 hours to inspect the entire territory, and the air temperature in India rarely drops below +30°C.

Another feature of the fort are local photographers. They click tourists throughout the climb, and then offer to buy these pictures for $ 8-9 (there are 15 pieces in the album, but it's better to count them). But don't jump on the first offer that comes along. To get started, look for photos taken from the most high points(they are very beautiful views) and then have a good bargain.
Other tourists will become a free alternative to local photographers. Negotiate with those who ride in front of you and behind you, and then exchange pictures by e-mail.
It is better to walk along the Amber Fort in India with a professional guide. There are so many loopholes, rooms and corridors here that without it you will definitely miss something.
Arriving in Jaipur in December-January, get ready for the fact that all morning photos will have a gray haze. It is nothing more than fog mixed with smog. The reason for their appearance are strong differences in day and night temperatures.

A trip to Amber Fort by car:

Indians/foreigners 25/200 rupees,
tour guide 200 rupees,
audio guide Hindi/English/ other European languages/Asian languages Rs 100/150/200/250;
8.00-18.00, last group at 17.30

Amber was built by the Kachwah Rajputs, who were originally from Gwalior, now Madhya Pradesh, and ruled there for over 800 years. With loot from the wars, they financed the construction of the Amber Fortress, which was started in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh, a Rajput and commander-in-chief of Akbar's army. Amber was later enlarged and finished by the Jai Singhas before they moved to Jaipur, on the plain below. Dominating the gorge, the fort offered a military advantage, but was not suited to the direction Jai Singh intended for the development of the capital.

The road to Amber runs through the typical landscapes of Rajasthan, with sun-scorched hills around Lake Maota, where buffaloes lazily wallow on the shore, near the water. Perhaps you will see a camel pulling a loaded cart.

This magnificent fortress is more like a city: built of pale yellow and pink sandstone and white marble, it is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. Amber Fort is also an exquisite example of the wealth of the Maharajas: artists sent by Emperor Aurangzeb worked on the columns and arches, and also decorated the gallery around the building of the Hall of Public Audiences.

You can trail to the fortress from the road for about 10 minutes (soft drinks can only be bought at the top). It costs 200 rupees to get to the fortress by jeep. Elephant back riding is very popular. (900 rupees for two passengers; 8.00-11.00 and 15.30-17.30).

On foot or on an elephant you will get to the fortress through Suraj Pol (Solar Gate) that lead to Jaleb Chowk (main courtyard), where the army returned from the campaign demonstrated its booty to the public - women could watch this through the curtained windows of the palace. Ticket office located across the courtyard from the Sun Gate. If you come by car, you will get inside through Chand Pol (Moon Gate) on opposite side by Jaleb Chowk. It is highly recommended to hire a guide or take an audio guide, as there are few explanations and many hidden passages.

From Jaleb Chowk there is a massive staircase up to the main palace of the Amber Fort, but first turn right on the steps that will lead to the small temple of Siladevi (Ciladevi Temple; photography is prohibited; 6.00-12.00 and 16.00-20.00). This temple is dedicated to the goddess Strength, the embodiment of the bloodthirsty goddess Kali. On the silver doors of the temple, she is depicted sitting astride various animals. Her statue was brought here from Bengal, where the cult of Kali is especially popular. Every day from the 16th century to 1980 (when the government banned the practice) a goat was sacrificed here.

If you return to the main staircase, you will be taken to the second courtyard and Divan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) with a double row of columns, each of which is crowned by an elephant, and on them are lattice galleries.

Maharadoka's apartments are located in the third courtyard of the Amber Fort - entrance through Ganesh Pol (Ganesh Pol) decorated with mosaics and sculptures. Jai Mandir (Hall of Victories) famous for Indian panels and a ceiling of many mirrors. Panels of carved marble throughout the hall are depicted on them with amazing graceful patterns in the form of insects and floral motifs.

Opposite Jai Mandir is Sukh Niwas. (Hall of Pleasure) with sandalwood doors inlaid with ivory and a channel through which water once entered. Jai Mandir offers a wonderful view of the bastion and the picturesque lake Maota.

Zenana (women's quarters) surrounds the fourth court of Amber. The rooms were designed so that the Maharajah could visit the rooms of one of the wives and concubines and the rest would not know about it; the chambers of each are not interconnected, but open onto a common corridor.

Anokha Handprinting Museum

Anokhi Haveli, Kheri Gate;
children/adults 15/30 rupees,
photo/video 50/150 rupees;
10.30-16.30 Tue-Sat, 11.00-16.30 Sun,
closed from 1 May to 15 July

This interesting museum, where handmade woodcut fabrics are on display, is located just behind the Amber Fort, in the city of Amber.

Road to Amber Fort and back

There are frequent (overcrowded) buses to Amber from Jaipur near Hawa Mahal (Hawa Mahal; 10 rupees, 25 minutes). Auto rickshaw or taxi cost from 150/550 rupees for the return trip. Amber Fort is included in the city tours from RTDC.