About Amer Fort
As you go footloose in the charming complex of the Amer fort made of pink and yellow sandstone, you will witness the regal finesse of Rajputanas. The majestic beauty resides in the pink city of Jaipur, bathing in charm atop the Cheel ka Teela(Hill of Eagles).
The fort is a pearl on the crown of Jaipur. Over five thousand tourists visit the fort every day to bask in its royal splendour. The Amer fort has also been inducted into the UNESCO world heritage list along with five other forts of Rajasthan.
The fort is famous for the exquisite Hindu elements peaking through its architecture. The palace features large parapets and several intricately designed gateways that give it a stately vibe. Rajput ruler Raja Man Singh built the fort in 1592.
The fort is a famous historical monument and a reflection of Rajputana style architecture. It is most famous for its elephant rides and the sound and light show that draws the tourists in thousands every day. The fort is a fine example of the creativity and craftsmanship of the Rajput artists and architects. Amer Fort is one of the oldest forts of Rajasthan and says a lot about the state’s glorious past.
History of the Amer Fort:
The Meenas founded the small town of Amer in 967 CE. The settlement was built by Raja Alan Singh of the Chanda clan. The famous Amer fort was later built on the ruins of this settlement by Raja Man Singh, the Kachwaha King of Amer.
The city of Amer has become even more popular as the home town of princess Jodha- the Consort of Akbar. Raja Man Singh was an ally in the court of Akbar. Due to this, many structures in the fort are influenced by Mughal style architecture.
The reflections of it are present in the Diwan-i-Khas of the Amer Palace. However, the fort was completed and fully expanded by Jai Singh I. He built a beautifully painted Ganesh poll in the palace that still captivates the eyes of may visitors.
Many ancient structures built by the Meenas have seen the wrath of time and lost their identity. But the edifice of the Amer fort still stands in all its glory. The fort saw many improvements in design and structure by the successive Rajputana rulers over 150 years. It is what shaped it into an excellent example of artistic architectural style.
The architecture of Amer Fort:
Amer Fort flaunts a colourful architectural design. The fort is a marvellous example of Rajputana architecture. It was built with red and white sandstones. It is a perfect amalgamation of Hindu style architecture and Mughal finesse.
The carvings on the walls and ceilings are one of the key attractions in the palace. The palace is divided into four sections; each is called a courtyard. Rajput sculptures beautifully designed the entry gates of the courtyards in the palace, giving a unique architectural element to each of them.
The palace features many buildings and awe-inspiring structures Sukh Mandir, the famous Ganesh Pol, Sheesh Mahal and others. When you visit the Diwan-i-Khas(The house of minister) and the Diwan-i-Aam(The house of Public), you'll enter the world of glorious Rajput kings and Mughal emperors.
Many vibrant and illustrative paintings of famous Rajput rulers and ancient hunting styles adorn the walls of the palace. The study of these paintings gives us a deep understanding of the prevailing Rajput culture of ancient times.
The palace overlooks the Maota Lake, and a beautiful lush green garden adds to its charm. The construction of Mughal gardens influenced the garden in Amer palace. There is not one but many wonderful structures and objects of artistic pleasure in the magnificent palace of Amer.
How to Reach Amer Fort
You can board a bus from the airport to Amer Fort, and the journey will take about 1.5 hours. It is the cheapest way to reach Amer fort from Airport. Another option is to book a cab from the airport. It will take only 20 minutes to reach the Amer fort by taxi.
Best Time to Visit Amer Fort
Jaipur faces extreme summers and winters. It is advisable to visit the Amer Fort from September to March. The weather remains pleasant and cool in these months. The best hours to visit the fort is during the night from 7 pm to 9 pm as you can enjoy the sound and light show along with a fancy dinner at the restaurant.
What Not to Miss at Amer Fort
Things to do in Amer Fort:
1. Elephant ride: The elephant ride to the central courtyard of the palace is an exciting journey. You will feel your spirits hiking up as you experience the literal highs and lows on the back of the elephant. It is a must-do activity for tourists in Amer fort. The elephant rides are so popular that almost all the elephants get pre booked every day. The journey provides you with beautiful vistas as you travel up the hillside.
2. Museum and garden visit: You can relive the history of the palace and the Rajputs by visiting the museum inside the palace. In the Turban museum, you can find The beautiful Char garden which is another breathtaking site in the fort, which provides picturesque views of the town below.
3. Dance programs: Entertaining dance programs are held in the evening in Sukh Mahal. You can book your tickets at the ticket counter and enjoy classical Rajasthani dance performances.
4. Dining experience: The Fort also features a multi-cuisine restaurant that serves delicious meals. Surabhi restaurant caters to the tastes of tourists from different places. The cuisines range from continental flavours to local Rajasthani delicacies like daal bati, Gatte ki sabzi etc.
5. Puppet shows: The dinner is made more entertaining with amusing puppet shows and dances. They make the ambience of the place fun filled and engaging for the visitors. The foreign tourists especially enjoy the tiny traditionally clad puppets showing entertaining tricks.
6. Visiting temples: The Hindu beliefs and culture are deeply entwined in every nook and cranny of the temple. You can find a lot of ancient temples inside the fort that are beautifully built and radiate overwhelming spiritual vibes. Siladevi is one of the most popular places of worship in the fort.
Attractions near Amer Fort:
1. Nahargarh Fort: The Abode of Tigers: A magnificent fort cradled in the lap of Aravali hills, Nahargarh Fort recites the glorious tales of Rajputana history and culture. Sawai Jai Singh II built it as a defence for the city of Jaipur. The beauty of the fort has attracted thousands of visitors. It is also a famous film shooting site. Films like 'Jodhaa Akbar' and 'Rang de Basanti' were shot here.
2. Jagat Shiromani temple: The charming temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Meera Bai. It is also called the Meera Bai temple. Queen Kankawati built the temple in the 1600s. Being one of the oldest temples in town, it is an important historical site. The legend has it that the statue of Lord Krishna in the temple is the same that Meera used to worship.
3. Panna Meena ka Kund: It is also known as Panna Mian ki Naoli. It is an ancient step well and rainwater catchment designed by a Brahmin and built by craftsmen and architects. In bygone era, it was primarily used to store water. It is an ideal place for swimming or relaxing with friends and family amidst calming waters. The mystery about this place is that nobody can use the same stairs to go down and then come back.
4. Jal Mahal: Also called the “The water palace” is situated in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. One can enjoy a boat ride from the banks in traditional Rajput-style boats. The five-storeyed palace is an architectural delight to the visitors with its humongous chambers, well-paved pathways and hallways. Beautiful paintings of Rajput kings adorn the walls. On the terrace, lies the glorious Chameli Bagh having a variety of flora. The Jal Mahal is a must-visit place near Amer Fort.
5. Jaigarh Fort: Jaigarh Fort is located on Cheel ka Teela and was used as a protection for the Amer fort. Jaigarh fort is considered to be one of the strongest monuments of Jaipur. The fort houses the ‘Jaivana Cannon’- the world's largest cannon on the wheel. The fort features latticed windows and a Persian style garden that enhances the beauty of the place.
Other Essential Information About Amer Fort
Location: It is located in the small town of Amer, which is about 11 km from Jaipur.
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm and from 6:30 pm to 9:15 pm.
Price: The entry fee is Rs. 500 per person for foreigners and Rs. 50 for Indians.
Amer fort elephant safari: The elephant ride up the hill to the entrance of the fort is a thrilling experience. The trip costs Rs. 1100 for two people. It takes about 30 minutes for the elephant to trudge up the hill.
Amer Fort Light and Sound Show:
The show relives the glorious history of Rajput kings who built this marvellous fort. The entire fort is awash with mesmerising lights at night. The beginning of the show recites the tale of its formation. It goes on to describe how royal kings lived and ruled in the fort.
The story is replete with inspiring stories of grit and grandeur of the Rajput kings. What makes it even more iconic is the signature voice of Amitabh Bachhan as the narrator. The story is beautifully weaved into words by none other than Gulzar.
Another remarkable feature of the show is the high-quality HD surround sound that will give you an unforgettable experience. As you sit in the open-air terrace, you'll be in a trance. The music is composed by great singers like Sultan Khan and Shubha Mangal.
The show runs for one hour approximately and ends at the description of its opening to the Public. The story is available in English as well as Hindi. If you happen to visit the Amer Fort, the show will be an added pearl to the multitude of memories you'll take with you. The ticket for the show is available at the ticket counter for Rs. 100.
-If you plan on taking the elephant ride, try to reach there early in the morning as you may find long queues in the later hours
Tips for visiting Amer Fort:
-The café at Amer fort serves delicious food, but it can be a little on the expensive side.
-The whole tour of the fort may easily take 2-3 hours so reach well on time.
-It is better to book local guides as they know every nook and cranny of the palace and would make your tour hassle-free.