Amber Fort: A Journey Back to Ancient Jaipur
Amber or Amer Fort was built by Raja Man Singh.
A view from the outside was already quite majestic, I was already looking forward to exploring this fort's glorious courtyards while walking up the stairs.
As soon as I entered through the towering gate, I was already awe-struck. The vast courtyard and spectacular views from the fort all made walking up the stairs worth it. You don't have to pay for the entry ticket yet, once you get to the first courtyard. You'd have to present a ticket once you walk inside the other courtyards of the fort.
The towering gates, places of worship, intricate designs on the walls, and the marvelous sandstone and marble structures were breathtaking. I couldn't help but imagine how the royalty and soldiers moved about this fort's premises. Amber was the former capital of the Kachchawahs from 1037 to 1727.
Thankfully, the weather in Jaipur was cold, there was no heat bearing down on me as I explored the courtyards, palaces, and temples in the fort.
I was exploring the fort on my own, with no guide. The fort is huge and takes a few hours to really get to know it. You can just run through the place but you'll miss out on the detail, artistry, and history of the fort. Each courtyard, palace, and gate had its own story, taking it slow is the best way to explore the fort.
Amer Fort in Jaipur was one of the best forts I've seen in Rajasthan. I'd recommend a visit to it if ever you are in Jaipur.
*There is an entrance fee of INR 400 for the composite ticket that included entry to Amer Fort.
Jal Mahal
I only saw Jal Mahal, also known as 'Water Palace', when I was on my way to Amer Fort. It caught my eye, and I decided to visit it after exploring Amer Fort. Jal Mahal is a beautiful fort located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. I only took a short photo op of Jal Mahal since I saw no way to get to it .
After seeing these two attractions, I couldn't wait to see more of Jaipur discover its history and culture.