Rajasthan tourism department's punchline quotes- "Jane kya dikh jaaye" that means "be ready for surprises" and that's on point. I experienced this punchline in my recent visit to the Royal fort of Amber or Amer.
I was surprised and spellbound with this magnificent architecture. I even felt like I'm walking through a maze. Thanks to my sharp knowledge and sense of directions what helped me in finding ways. Actually, there are staircases and cave like galleries in every corner.
Tour without a tour guide
It was an unplanned visit or I can say it was an urge on the rainy day. So, when me and my companion reached to the fort entrance, some guides approached us and offered to guide us but we both wanted to visit by our own (budget and mood were back in mind). I proudly refused, saying, "We're local visitors, we know the history"(easy lines to get rid).
My gal pal, channeling her love for monsoon.
Tip: Hire the guide if you want to have a clear vision of fort's history.
Now, don't judge me If I say I visited the fort for the first time in my 7 years of living in Jaipur. My friend and I was confident enough to visit the fort without any guidance.
How it's different?
Coming to the point, there are numbers of articles on the web or written in the guide books about Jaipur's Amber fort, so not going to repeat that. This is about how I saw this greatness. No common pictures...no ghisa-pita travel blog.
We live in multistory, 6 inches thick, brick walled matchboxes and confined rooms. Despite of RCC constructions our buildings cannot achieve the strength of these 3 to 4 feet thick stone walls jointed with interlocking. Red sand stone and white marble stone are majorly used here. Lime plaster make these building cool. In humid days when we suffocate even in open air, these buildings feel like air-conditioned. I also came to know about natural geyser and water cooling system in here.
Visible strength
As I mentioned earlier, there are numbers of staircases, rooms, galleries, halls, and chawks. Some of them are restricted and guarded by fort security but I'm privileged with the Press card. I grabbed the chance to see water harvesting system of the fort, the storage tank named 'Sawai Man Singh Tanka'. We caught strange vibes, may be because nobody was here, just two of us and the stink.
Tank is about 10 feet deep.
She's capturing the photographer (Note the thickness of walls)
Entrance to the tank area
We live in technically sound era and we think that this is the smartest generation. We have machines and robotics to help in building skyscraper and cities but these magnificent structures were made by hands, with the help of some tools. We can only imagine that how many years and lives were spent in building these giants.
No moulds , No machines
These pillars are not carved with cutter machines but by the hands and patience of artisans. I wonder, what perfection!
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Nature inspired carving on marble stone
Handwork level- expert!
Pillars and support made of red sand stone
Hardwork shows up
Colors used in here are natural and long lasting
The Wonder!
This Sheesh Mehal (Mirror palace) concept is just amazing. Millions of convex mirrors are jeweled in mosaic pattern. From ceiling to walls...Perfection. Historians says that the design was inspired by Mughal architecture but I think, this design in amalgam of Mughal, Hindu mythology and folk art.
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Charming Sheesh Mehal was built for celebrations. In the dark, just a candle light can enlighten this entire area. Isn't it amazing?
We always have a blurry imagination of the history during the visits. Even the Bollywood movies have been portraying and stereotyping history but being a Rajasthani, I have little better vision about the culture, living, language and even dress-up. So, my mind was adapting the lives of fort residents in an unclear film...and that was really different feeling.
My incomplete journey
I could visited about 3/4 area of the fort and I my neck was already hurting. I needed to look up almost entire time. My health app monitored that I covered about 3.5 Kilometers in the fort only. I know...I know, this much of walk shouldn't be tiring. But my neck pain and headache drained me. I dragged myself down the hill to grab a cup of tea. I wanted to explore more.
I'm planning my next visit. So, more to come folks. Till then, enjoy my uncommon photo gallery of Amber Fort.
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Beautiful gate at 'Deewan-ae-aam'
Blowing with the wind
Perfectly carved marble walls
Surely for entertainment purpose
I could have captured the entire lawn but was too tired to go to the top
Some memories from the place to take with.
Handicrafts
Contemporary art desplay
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'Shila Mata' temple entrance.
Somethin's left un-restored
Boundary wall spread in kilometers to guard the fort
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Brilliant Photos
Esp the one with the Pigeon in the center (foreground)
and that one of repeating arcs and the child right in the center.
Resteemed :D
And when you going to teach me How to take that shot of the child running in the Arc Photo?
Also dont post exactly the same content posted on your blog or else @cheetah bot will penalise you