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| The Amber Fort |
Jaipur’s 16th Century Amber Fort was constructed from yellow and pink sandstone with
lavish marble decorations, frescoes, mirrors and tiles. Courtyards within
courtyards fringed by beautiful archways and ornate gardens provide visitors with a first hand look at what life must have been
like in the many apartments occupied by the maharajah and his concubines.
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| Elephant Traffic Jam |
The most popular way to ascend the hill to the Fort’s first gate is by
elephant. The ride only takes about ten
minutes but from your vantage point swaying precariously from side to side above the elephant's mahout there is an
incredible view over the surrounding countryside with fort walls extending in
all directions. Above the Amber Fort
lies an imposing looking fortress designed as a “safe house” for the maharajah's entourage in the event the Amber Fort succumbed to an attack.
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Palace of the Winds - Part of the
City Palace complex |
Back in the Old City of Jaipur its hard not to be charmed by the pink hues of its
many buildings and city gates. The
central building, the City Palace, is now a museum although part is still
occupied by today’s royal family.
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| The Water Palace |
The
Jal Mahal, or water palace, is another must see. Looking as though it is
floating on water it was neglected for some years but has been purchased from
the Government, refurbished and about to open as a high end restaurant. Despite its new purpose, the building remains a popular backdrop for photographs.
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Beautiful bride poses with her new husband
in front of the Water Palace |
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The Observatory
A World Heritage Site |
The Jantar Mantar is an observatory which comprises an odd collection of
structures used for astronomical calculations. Built in the 1700s, at first blush they resemble odd sculptures but on further examination
their real purpose reveals itself.
Jaipur is a stop on the famous “golden triangle” tourist trail of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
Tomorrow we head for Agra and a second visit to India’s poster child,
the romantic Taj Mahal.
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