Little Blue Birdie's Diary

The travellers are back in India

Dear Diary,

Today, we are in India, our neighbouring country. India, you may remember, was our first destination when we - Little Blue Birdie (that's me) and friends - started the journey through the world's landmarks. Now we are back in India to see some more landmarks.

Top of our list was the Amber Fort.

If you are planning to visit India during February to October, include this place in your sightseeing list, because this place is best seen during those months. The place is open for visitors from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. The Amber Fort is situated in Amber that is 11km from Jaipur, Rajasthan, the ancient capital of the Kachhwaha.

This fort includes temples like Jai Mandir, Shila Mata Temple, Jagat Shiromani Temple and Kali Temple. It also has the garden Kesar Kyari and other attractions like Dil-E-Aaram and Diwan-E-Am, Sukh Niwas and the Zenana. We will bring you information about these places in our future 'Landmarks' articles.

The Amber Fort is situated on a hillside overlooking Maotha Lake on the Delhi-Jaipur Road. A beautiful complex of palaces, halls, stairways, pillared pavilions, gardens and temples, it was built by Maharaja Man Singh I, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about two centuries.

Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthan fort palace. It is a combination of Mughal and Hindu architecture, built in red sandstone and white marble.
 

The Amber Fort complex has very interesting apartments. The uneven walls of this fort may not look beautiful from outside, but the interiors are beautifully decorated with scenes of hunting and wars painted, along with precious stones and mirrors set into the plaster. Within the complex, you will be able to see some of the magnificent monuments that influence tourists from all over the world.

The Palace encompasses the Diwan-E-Khas, Sheesh Mahal, Jai Mandir, Diwan-E-Am, Sukh Niwas, Shila Mata Temple, Kali Temple and the well laid-out garden, the Kesar Kyari that makes it even more exotic.

The entrance to the fort is through the Dil-e-Aaram Garden, laid out in the traditional Mughal style. A part of the complex is the Diwan-I-Am or 'Hall of Public Audience' with its spectacular display of pillars.

Before entering the palace, to the right of the fort is the small Kali Temple. Maharaja Man Singh had worshipped the Goddess Kali, seeking victory during battles. The larger white marble Shila Mata Temple has the image of Goddess Kali, brought by Raja Man Singh. Within the complex, Ganesh Pol, an imposing gateway painted with images of the elephant-headed God, Lord Ganesha, takes pride of place.
 

The Jai Mandir or the 'Hall of Victory' has a glittering ceiling on stucco (decorative plaster work) and elegant inlaid panels with mirror pieces. Inside the complex, the DiwanE-Khas or the 'Hall of Private Audience' which is similar in ornamentation to Jai Mandir and the Sheesh Mahal is found and is well known for its craftsmanship in mirrors.

Mirror pieces decorate the walls and the ceiling, so that any flash of light makes them sparkle and illuminate the entire room.

The Sukh Niwas or the 'Hall of Pleasure' is in front of Jai Mandir. The doors of Sukh Niwas are made of sandalwood, and decorated with ivory with a channel running through, which formerly carried cool water, acting as an air cooler.

At the rear of Amber Fort is a Zenana, or women's apartments and frescoes carrying scenes of Krishna Leela. The Zenana house has some private chambers from where the royal women used to watch the proceedings of the royal court in privacy. Isn't that amazing?

If you ever visit India, this place should be a must in your list of places worth seeing. It's a wonderful and beautiful place to visit.

See you again with details of another beautiful place.

Bye!

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