Amber Fort Jaipur

Amber Fort Jaipur The Amber Fort stands perched atop a cliff beside the Jaipur Delhi Highway. The architecture is a fine blend of the Mughal and Rajput schools of architecture, beautifully combining white marble and redstone. The beautiful Maota Lake lends the majestic structure a splendid view. The sturdy ramparts and the lovely palaces make Amber Fort one of the prime attractions of the state.

The Shila Mata Temple or the Kali Temple is located within the fort precincts. Shila Mata is the family deity of the Kachhawaha Rajput royals. The black stone idol of the Goddess is believed to have been imported from East Bengal.

The Amber Palace is a magnificent structure built within the Amber Fort. Large, sprawling gardens, grand chambers and large rooms, a rich decoration and excellent planning mark the construction of the Amber Palace. Built by Man Singh I, a Rajput ruler of Jaipur belonging to the Kachwaha clan and a general in the Mughal army, the Amber Palace boasts of spectacular structures such as the Ganesh Pole, Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal and Sukh Niwas. These are all historic monuments, opulent in their designing and lavished with various decorative devises. Amber Palace boasts of the dazzling Seesh Mahal, the hall of Mirrors and Jai Mandir (Temple Of Victory). In the Sukh Niwas Palace, an ingenious use of the natural water flow to recreate an air conditioning effect may be seen.

History of Amber Fort
The construction of the Amer fort first began with Raja Bharmal and Raja Man Singh I in 1558. The fort was completed over a period of two centuries after the consistent efforts of three kings, finally ending in 1727 by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II. Amer fort was designated as the new residence for the royal family as opposed to the older establishment of Jaigarh Fort.
However, both the Amer and Jaigarh forts are often considered to be a single establishment due to the common passageway that runs between them. The Jaigarh fort was a retreat for the royal family as well as their attendants in times of war. The Jaigarh fort was also known as the Kadimi Mahal or the “old palace”.

Amber was earlier known as Dhundar and had been the capital of the Meena clan. The Kachhwaha rulers seized it from the Meenas and began the construction of the Amer fort in the 1600s. There are multiple etymologies provided so far for the name “Amber”. Multiple stories include it being named after Ambikeshwar, the title of Lord Shiva, whose symbolic representation, the linga, was placed in a lake in the center of the Amber. The Jain inscriptions of the 16th and 17th centuries talk about the derivation of the name from the name of Goddess Ambavati. Another tale claims that the name was derived from Amba, the universal mother.

Although there exists no inscription validating the fact that a war was fought by the Kachwaha and the Meena's during which the settlement came under the Kachhwaha rule, however, according to a popular folklore, Dhola Rae, the adopted nephew of Raja Alan Singh, the then ruler of Amber, slaughtered the Meena clan on the day of Diwali. The Kachhwaha clan is believed to be the descendants of Kush, the second son of Lord Ram. One of his descendants was Raja Nal, whose son, Raja Sora Singh was killed in a war. His widow was found plucking wild berries by a Brahmin who, after looking at the baby, predicted a bright future. She then sought refuge in the kingdom of Khogong, presently known as Amber, which was led by Raja Alan Singh.

He adopted her as his sister and the child, Dhola Rae as his nephew. At the age of 14, Dhola Rae was sent to Delhi to learn about politics. Upon his return, he brought his own army of Kachhwahas to claim the throne of Amber. According to a ritual called Pitra Tarpan, the Meenas had to set their weapons aside and taking advantage of this opportunity, they were attacked and the settlement of Amber came under the Kachhwaha rulers.

Best Time to Visit in Amer Fort ?
The fort is open from 8 am to 6 pm. The light and sound show starts by 7 pm. The English version show starts by 7 pm and the Hindi version starts by 8 pm. Elephant ride starts from 8 am and ends by 12:30 pm. At night, the fort will be illuminated with lights and it is a good time for photography and sightseeing. The night entry is allowed between 7 pm and 9 pm only.

Sound & Light Show at Amber Fort
Another interesting activity during the night tours is attending the light and sound show. You move away from the fort and are seated at a location which is rightly distanced from the fort to give you a complete view of it. The light and sound show includes the local folklores, tales and myths and slowly accelerate to the history of the fort itself. It reads the chronicles of the kings and the sagas of the wars that were fought. Assimilate the glory of the Rajputana and the royal lives they led.

Elephant Ride at Amber Fort
The elephant ride up the steep hill commences from the car parking lot and ends at the courtyard of the Amber Fort. The total duration of the trip is estimated to be around 20 to 30 minutes. The trip duration varies from elephant to elephant and also on the traffic. The cost of taking an elephant ride up this hill is approximately INR 1000 for two. You can enjoy the setting sun while sitting on the back of an elephant. This mesmeric view would enthral your senses and would surely give you a taste of royalty to experience. These elephants carry around 900 - 1000 visitors per day, and there are about 80 - 90 elephants in the service. The Rajasthan government conducts regular checks to ensure the safety and the welfare of these animals. These checks have been implemented to ensure the safety and limit the cruelty to these animals.