Ganesh Pol, Amber Fort Jaipur

Kesar Kyari, Amber Fort, Jaipur

The Amber Fort near Jaipur stands tall on a hill, surrounded by the waters of the Maotha Lake, which was artificially designed, I am sure not just as a source of water but also as a protective measure. In the center of this Lake is built the Kesar Kyari literally meaning the garden of saffron. It is said, in the days of the old saffron was planted in this garden, with its fragrance wafting up to the Zennana mahal in the fort.

Sheesh Mahal, Amber Fort, Jaipur

Sheesh Mahal is the hall of mirrors at Amber Fort in Jaipur. Entire walls, the complete ceiling has intricately carvings with tiny mirros embedded in it.  

Here is a shot of the ceiling taken from the entrance of the Sheesh Mahal. Unfortunately the inner sanctum of the mahal is closed to visitors. Attribute the restrictions to the curious nature of visitors, some of whom have tried to prise out some of the mirrors for keepsake. I will always always keep on wondering what it would be like to stand at the center of that hall and look up at the majestic ceiling reflecting me thousands of times.

A wall up close of the carvings. The same patterns are reproduced over and over again along the wall with amazing accuracy. What a skill the artists of those days would have mastered to be soo perfect. 

Mubarak Mahal, City Palace, Jaipur

Mubarak Mahal is seen in the courtyard while entering the City Palace from the Tripolia side. The Mubarak Mahal was built by Maharaja Madho Singh II somewhere late in the 19th century as the reception hall for the main palace. This is where it derieves its name Mubarak Mahal. The architecture is a combination of Islamic, Rajput and European styles. Today it houses a textile museum with various fine silks, shawls from the Rajputana time. However the biggest attraction is the attire of Madho Singh I who it is said was six and a half feet tall and weighed close to 250 KGs, yet had 108 wives !!!

Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal,Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Built in 1799 by Maharaja Pratap Singh, the Hawa Mahal was for the exclusive use of the Royal Rajputana women to observe the day to day on-goings in the street below. This momument has more than 900 windows and is so designed that a cool breeze flows through it all around the calendar, coining it with its name.

Largest Sliver Pot

The picture is a bit burnt , but I couldn't help posting it, considering the history associated with it. This is supposted to be the biggest pot of silver ever created. The story associated with this pot is very interesting too.The Queen of England visited India, met with some of the Raja's from Rajasthan, she had brought along water with her from England, saying that the Indian water wasnt right for her. She invited the then ruling Raja to visit England (Swai Jai Singh II, I think). Now, this Raja was offended by the fact the the Queen brought water all the way from England to India. So the Raja has not one but four such silver pots designed to carry the sacred water of the Ganga for himself on his trip to England. Unfortunately two of these were lost during the voyage when the Raja's ship was hit by a storm. The remaining two are housed in the City Palace in Jaipur

Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Jal Mahal is a palace in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake

Bholenath!

Birla's at work again :). A small temple of Shivji, in the courtyard of the Jaipur Birla temple.

Amer Fort

Temple in marble

The Birla Temple, Jaipur Rajasthan

The Birla's are known to build beautiful temples all over the country. This is one of those beautiful monuments in Jaipur.The temple is very peaceful and calm despite the hordes of tourists it attracts.

Work in marble

The highest point ...

This little fellow decided to place himself at the top ...
One of the highest domes of Amer fort ...

A long bath ...after a very tiring morning ..

Picture taken at the foot of the Amer fort (near Jaipur)....
All through the morning these elephants ferry tourists from the river bank up a steep path upto the fort ...