Amber Fort

Amber Fort, also known as Amber Palace, is a palace located in Amber, Rajasthan, India. It was built by Raja Man Singh I in the 16th century and was later expanded by Raja Jai Singh I. The palace is made of red sandstone and white marble and is known for its intricate carvings and designs. It is a popular tourist attraction in Rajasthan and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace includes several halls, chambers, and temples, as well as a royal residence and a palace garden. Visitors can also take an elephant ride up to the palace.

History of Amber Fort

Amber Fort, also known as Amber Palace, is a palace located in Amber, Rajasthan, India. The fort was built by Raja Man Singh I in the 16th century, who was a Rajput king of the Kachwaha clan, and it was later expanded by Raja Jai Singh I. The palace was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas and their families until the capital was moved to Jaipur in the 18th century.

The palace was built using red sandstone and white marble and is known for its intricate carvings and designs. The walls of the palace are adorned with frescoes, mosaics, and inlaid mirror work. One of the most famous structures within the palace is the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), which is adorned with thousands of small mirrors that reflect light and create a dazzling effect.

The palace was built on a hilltop and was surrounded by a fortification wall. The palace complex is spread over four levels, each with its own courtyard. The main entrance to the palace is through the Suraj Pol (Sun Gate), which leads to the first level.

The palace was captured by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1576, and it remained under Mughal rule until it was ceded to the British East India Company in 1818. Following Indian independence in 1947, the palace was turned into a tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

Amber Fort is a popular tourist attraction in Rajasthan and is visited by thousands of visitors every year. Along with the palace tour, visitors can also enjoy light and sound show at the palace. It is located about 11 kilometers from the city of Jaipur, and it is best to visit with a guide, who can provide more information about the history and architecture of the palace.

The Architecture of Amer Fort

The architecture of Amber Fort is a blend of Hindu and Rajput styles. The palace was built using red sandstone and white marble, and it is known for its intricate carvings and designs. The palace complex is spread over four levels, each with its own courtyard. The main entrance to the palace is through the Suraj Pol (Sun Gate), which leads to the first level.

The palace includes several halls, chambers, and temples, as well as a royal residence and a palace garden. The palace is known for its use of both Hindu and Muslim architectural styles, as well as for its intricate carvings and designs. The walls of the palace are adorned with frescoes, mosaics, and inlaid mirror work.

One of the most famous structures within the palace is the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), which is adorned with thousands of small mirrors that reflect light and create a dazzling effect. Another famous structure is the Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), where the king would hold court and hear petitions from his subjects.

The palace also includes several temples, such as the Shila Devi Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess of the same name, and the Kali Temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. The palace was built on a hilltop and was surrounded by a fortification wall.

The palace also has a series of courtyards, gardens, and water channels that were designed to cool the palace during the hot summer months. The palace also features a series of fountains and water features, which were used for both aesthetic and practical purposes.

In summary, Amber Fort is a blend of Hindu and Rajput styles, with intricate carvings, frescoes, mosaics and inlaid mirror work, famous structures like Sheesh Mahal and Diwan-i-Am and temples like Shila Devi and Kali Temple, built on a hilltop and surrounded by a fortification wall, with series of courtyards, gardens, and water channels, fountains and water features that were used for both aesthetic and practical purposes.

Sound & Light Show at Amber Fort

A Sound and Light Show at Amber Fort is a popular tourist attraction that takes place in the evening. The show is a narrative performance that recounts the history and legends of the Amber Fort and the Rajput kings who built it. The show is presented in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, and other regional languages.

During the show, lights and music are used to highlight the different parts of the palace and to create a dramatic atmosphere. The show is held in the open-air courtyard of the palace, and visitors are seated on the lawn in front of the palace. The show typically lasts for around 45 minutes to an hour.

The show starts with the history of the Amber Fort and the Rajput dynasty, followed by the stories of the kings and queens who lived in the palace, and the battles and events that took place there. The stories are accompanied by music and special effects, such as lighting and pyrotechnics, to enhance the experience.

The show usually starts after sunset and ends before nightfall, the best time to visit the show is during the full moon nights, as the palace is lit up by moonlight, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

Sound and Light Show at Amber Fort is a great way to experience the palace and to learn more about its history and legends. It is a popular and interesting way to experience the palace, especially if you’re interested in history, culture and art.

In conclusion, Sound and Light Show is a popular tourist attraction at Amber Fort, it is a narrative performance that recounts the history and legends of the Amber Fort and the Rajput kings who built it, presented in multiple languages, with lights and music highlighting the different parts of the palace, it typically last for around 45 minutes to an hour, best to visit during full moon nights to have enchanting atmosphere.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Amber Fort is during the cooler months of October to March when the weather is pleasant and comfortable. The temperature during these months ranges from 10°C to 25°C, making it a comfortable time to explore the palace and the surrounding area.

During the summer months of April to June, the temperature in Jaipur can be quite hot, with temperatures reaching up to 40°C. This can make it uncomfortable to walk around the palace and the surrounding area, and the palace can become quite crowded.

July to September is Monsoon season in Rajasthan, during this time the palace is closed for maintenance and there is a high chance of rain, which can make it difficult to see the palace and the surrounding area.

Another great time to visit Amber Fort is during the full moon nights, when the palace is lit up by moonlight, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The sound and light show is also best viewed on full moon nights.

In summary, the best time to visit Amber Fort is between October to March, during the cooler months, when the temperature is pleasant, the palace is less crowded, and the weather is comfortable for exploring. Visiting during full moon nights is also a great option to have an enchanting atmosphere. Avoid visiting during the summer months of April to June and during the Monsoon Season of July to September.

How to reach

Amber Fort is located in the city of Jaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, India. The palace is located on a hilltop and can be reached by car, bus, or by foot.

By Car: The most convenient way to reach Amber Fort is by car. Jaipur is well-connected by road, and there are several car rental services available in the city. You can also drive your own car, or hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the palace.

By Bus: There are several local and state-run buses that connect Jaipur to Amber Fort. The palace is located 11 kilometers from Jaipur, and the bus journey takes around 30 minutes.

By Train: Jaipur railway station is the nearest railway station to Amber Fort, it is well connected to major cities in India. From there, you can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the palace.

By Air: The nearest airport to Amber Fort is the Jaipur International Airport, which is well-connected to major cities in India. From there, you can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the palace.

In conclusion, Amber Fort can be reached by car, bus, train and air, the nearest railway station and airport are in Jaipur, and the palace is located 11 kilometers from Jaipur and can be reached by bus or car. You can also reach Amber Fort by foot, if you want to avoid the crowds and traffic.

Timing and Entry fees

Amber Fort is open to visitors every day, and the timing for visiting the palace varies depending on the season.

The palace is open from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm during the peak season from October to March, and from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm during the off-peak season from April to September. It is recommended to reach the palace as early as possible to avoid crowds and to have enough time to explore the palace.

The entry fee for Amber Fort varies for Indian citizens and foreign tourists. For Indian citizens, the entry fee is INR 25, and for foreign tourists, the entry fee is INR 550. There is also a separate fee for the Sound and Light Show, which is INR 150 for Indian citizens and INR 300 for foreign tourists.

There are also several guided tours available at Amber Fort, which include a tour guide and transportation to and from the palace. The cost of these tours varies depending on the tour operator and the type of tour.

In conclusion, Amber Fort is open every day, with different timing depending on the season, it is recommended to reach the palace as early as possible to avoid the crowds and have enough time to explore the palace. The entry fee for Indian citizens is INR 25 and for foreign tourists is INR 550, there is also a separate fee for Sound and Light Show, and guided tours are also available with different costs depending on the tour operator and the type of tour.

Amber Fort Near by Attractions

Some popular nearby attractions to Amber Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India include:

• Jal Mahal, a palace located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake
• City Palace, a complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings that was the royal residence of the Rajput Maharajas
• Hawa Mahal, a palace with a unique honeycomb-like architecture
• Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in the 18th century
• Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi
• The Monkey Temple, also known as the Galtaji Temple, an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site
• Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh, a beautiful garden built for a queen of Amber
• Nahargarh Fort, a fort located on the rugged Aravalli Hills that offers panoramic views of Jaipur.