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Heritage of Jaipur, Jaipur Guide

5 Reasons Why I Love Amer Fort -The Most Popular Tourist Attraction In Jaipur ?

Amer Fort or Amber Fort  is an  iconic tourist attraction in Jaipur. It is reminiscent of the grandeur of a bygone era.

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Tourists entering the palace section in Amber Fort, Jaipur

The charm of the Amer fort starts to build up once you drive past the Jal Mahal or Water Palace. The road winds through the beautiful valley of the  Kanak Ghati leading to the Ghati gate. (Ghati in Hindi means Valley)

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Ghati Gate demarcates the Kanak Ghati & Amer Ghati. Once you pass through Ghati Gate, Amer Fort is another 4 minutes drive.

Once you cross the Ghati gate you enter the narrow  Amer valley with hills on either side.

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The narrow road of Amer Ghati which leads to the Amber Fort

The road meanders through with the gentle turns until you reach the Maota lake. It is here that you get an expansive view of the Amer valley with the majestic Amer Fort and the towering Jaigarh Fort just above.

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The first sight of Amber Fort, Jaipur

I often wonder what makes Amer Fort the most popular tourist attraction in Jaipur? It’s difficult to answer. In my opinion, here are 5 reasons why I love Amber Fort, the most popular tourist attraction in Jaipur.

  • Elephant Ride

Elephant ride at the Amber Fort is the most sought after experience. It’s not uncommon to find long queues of tourists during the peak tourist season waiting for their turn for the elephant ride. There are very few places in India where one can undertake an elephant ride; the one at the Amer Fort is  easily one of the most convenient & easy of all. There are many tourists who prefer not to undertake an elephant ride at Amber Fort because they are against the animal cruelty. Some organizations have demanded halting elephant rides at the Amber fort citing the same reasons. The decision is yet to be arrived at.

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Elephant ride at the Amber Fort is one of its kind experience.
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Elephant ride at Amber Fort,rush at the boarding point

  • Ochre color

The pastel Ochre color  looks stunning when the soft sunlight strikes the walls of the Amer Fort. It looks fabulous & Magical. Ochre color is quite unique and there aren’t many heritage palaces, forts & buildings which sport this mystic shade in India. Even though Jaipur is famous as the Pink City, the buildings and Havelis in the by-lanes of the old city of Jaipur  were painted in Ochre color.   Have a look at these pictures of the Amer Fort.

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Amer Fort looks majestic in Ochre color.
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Amer Fort reveling in the morning light

  • UNESCO World Heritage site

Amer Fort is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in India, which speaks  a lot about this place. Very few forts in India have made it to this list. Amer Fort is classified under “Hill forts of Rajasthan” along with the forts at Ranthambore, Kumbhalgarh, Jaiselmer, Chittorgarh and Gagaron.

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  • Sheesh Mahal

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    Tourist at Sheesh Mahal, Amer

Sheesh Mahal is synonymous with the Amer Palace. Sheesh Mahal refers to a section inside the Amer fort where walls and ceilings are embellished with  the concave shaped mirror in the form of inlay work. It requires a great skill and workmanship to create such a stunning piece of art.

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  • Unique blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles

Amer fort features the unique combination of the Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. Its a fine specimen of two different architectural styles. Mughal architecture needs no introduction; world-famous Taj Mahal is one its finest examples.

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Mughal influence in the Amer Fort
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Detailing hints towards the Mughal influence. The red sand stone is similar to the Fatehpur Sikri  complex near Agra
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Amalgamation of two distinct architecture styles. Amer Fort, Jaipur

  • Beautiful Views 

The entire setting of the Amer Fort with its surroundings is beautiful.  Where else can you witness the grandeur of Maharajas?   For many people, the first look of Amer Fort is nothing less than a fairyland with elephants moving in a line, ferrying tourists through the ramp that leads to the palace.

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Amer Fort with the Mughal style garden.
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A panorama shot of the Amer town and the surroundings.
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Expansive view of the Amer Fort along with the Maota lake.
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Beautiful Amer Fort complex as seen from a different angle.

In short, Amber Fort has a mysterious charm which attracts many  tourists visiting Jaipur. Amber Fort was abandoned at the start of the 18th century. Some years ago, the fort was renovated beautifully, giving it a new life.

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Rush at the Amer Fort hints towards its popularity

It is still visited by the locals, not as a tourist, though. Devotees throng the ever popular Shila Mata temple inside the Amer Fort. During Navaratras, thousands of devotees visit this temple for Darshan due to which Elephant ride at Amer remains suspended.

The beauty of Amer Fort can neither  be described in words nor by pictures. You’ve got to experience it in person. Have you been “Amber’ed”?

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Pigeons with the  Amer Fort in the background.

Read the related post :  Pigeons, Amer and Jaigarh Fort

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171 thoughts on “5 Reasons Why I Love Amer Fort -The Most Popular Tourist Attraction In Jaipur ?”

  6. This is amazing. Anything that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site does have an extreme importance. I think in all of Canada where I am from there are only 18 such sites, and only 3 of those are actually buildings.

    This fort is really beautiful. I imagine what it would have been like when it was being used as a fort.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. For any place to have UNESCO World heritage title, it has to pass the benchmark. So in that sense, I’m sure it must be having some uniqueness. In UNESCO World heritage listing, it falls under “Hill forts of Rajasthan” category, along with 4 other forts.

      In India, we have many buildings under UNESCO World heritage along with few natural sites. I’m sure, Canada must be having many natural scenic places listed under it.

      Its one of the most beautiful building in Jaipur. Have you ever been to India?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Yeah in Canada it is mostly natural places that have UNESCO designation. Thank you for more detail about the listing about the fort.

        I have never been to India myself. My wife was born in South India and lived at Erode in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and lived there until she was 9. We have from time to time talked about going back to visit, but we get so busy with “life” that nothing has gone beyond talking about it.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. India connection? Wow! I’m sure someday your talks will mature with you both landing in India! I’m sure you will enjoy this vast contrast between both countries in terms of people, culture, food and climate!

        Do give it a serious thought! Enjoying this conversation between us! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for the nomination. I regret to inform you that my blog is an award free blog so i won’t be able to participate. Thanks for nominating me, that itself is an achievement for me. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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