In the foothills of Aravalli range, atop a hill at the distance of mere 11 km from Jaipur lies the crown of Rajasthan – the Amber fort. Amber Fort is one of the five forts of Rajasthan, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, was first constructed in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I of the Rajput clan. The structure was later extended by successive Rajput kings. This resulted in a mix of the Rajput and Mughal architecture; built of sandstone and white marble the magnificent fortress watches over the tranquil water body, the Maota Lake, and is one of the most quintessential images of Jaipur. The Amber Fort complex contains many courts, magnificent gates, ruler’s chambers and marvelous mirror works. Among these, the 'Sheesh Mahal' or Mirror Palace is an attraction for the thousands of small mirror pieces adorning its walls which turn the chamber into a magical world. The 'Diwan-e-Aam' (Hall of Public Audience), 'Diwan-e-Khas' (Hall of Private Audience), 'Ganesh Pol', the gardens, etc. Are sure to mesmerize you. You can explore the maze like corridors and witness many artistic work of Rajasthan like painting, carving and latticed windows and get spell bound with a bird’s-eye view of the Aravalli hills. In the evenings, the 'sound and light show' re enacts the legends and stories related to the glory of the Amber Fort. Photography lovers can get hold of some really beautiful pictures from the view points available at the fort. Amber Fort is a visit to marvel at the architectural skills and an attempt to step into the glorious bygone eras of the royal families of Rajasthan. It is recommended to visit either early in morning or in late evening and wear comfortable footwear.
