Saheliyon-ki-Bari

Amber Fort (Amer Fort), crowning a rugged hill of the Aravalli range above the tranquil waters of Maota Lake 11 km north of Jaipur in Rajasthan, is one of India's most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage hill fortresses and palatial wonders.

Constructed in 1592 AD by Raja Man Singh I and expanded over subsequent generations by Mirza Raja Jai Singh, this colossal sandstone citadel showcases the sublime fusion of traditional Hindu Rajput architecture and ornate Mughal decorative stonework.

It's the home of the world famous Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) where thousands of imported Belgian concave glass mirrors recreate a canopy of twinkling stars with a single flame, the sacred 1604 AD Shila Devi Temple, the fresco adorned Ganesh Pol gateway, the Diwan e-Aam audience hall, and the geometric star shaped Kesar Kyari saffron garden afloat in Maota Lake.

It represents a rich Rajput royal stronghold where formidable medieval hill warfare defense, opulent palatial luxury, ingenious natural air cooling water channels, and colorful evening illuminations unite above the Pink City.

Located in Amer town along the Jaipur Delhi Highway (NH 248), it sits 11 km from Jaipur city center, 14 km from Jaipur Junction Railway Station (JP), and 22 km from Jaipur International Airport (JAI), easily reached by tourist taxi, AC low floor city bus, or auto rickshaw.

The 1592 Rajput Citadel & Shila Devi Shrine

Raja Man Singh I, the commander in-chief of Emperor Akbar's imperial army, established Amer as the fortified capital of the Kachwaha Rajput clan.

Visitors enter through the monumental Suraj Pol (Sun Gate) into the grand Jaleb Chowk parade ground. A marble flight of stairs leads to the sacred Shila Devi Temple, consecrated with a black stone idol of Goddess Durga brought by Man Singh from Jessore in Bengal in 1604.

Truth is, the fort served as the unbreached royal administrative capital of Mewar's sister kingdom for over two centuries before Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II founded the planned city of Jaipur in the plains below in 1727.

Ganesh Pol & The World Famous Sheesh Mahal

Ganesh Pol Gateway: The entry to the private royal chambers is through a grand three storey archway decorated with colorful vegetable dye frescoes and delicate lattice jali windows where royal ladies observed public court proceedings.

Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors): The most celebrated hall in the palace. Its walls and vaulted ceilings are covered with intricate floral convex glass mirrors and gold foil inlays. When a single candle is lit in the darkened room, its light refracts infinitely across thousands of tiny mirrors, creating the illusion of standing under a starry night sky.

Sukh Niwas Air Cooling & Maota Lake Panoramas

Sukh Niwas & Magic Flower: The Sukh Niwas summer palace features sandalwood doors and a pioneering passive cooling system where mountain breezes blew over cascades of cold water flowing through marble grooves.

Evening Light and Sound Show: At sunset, the ramparts of Amber Fort light up with dramatic floodlights, with a stirring sound and light show narrated by Amitabh Bachchan echoing across the waters of Maota Lake.

After exploring the royal courtyards of Amber Fort, walk through the underground tunnel connecting to the massive cannon fortress of Jaigarh Fort, visit the stone astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar, or explore the City Palace of Jaipur.