The Majestic Entry and Exit paths of the Regal Palace of Amer, Amber Fort!!

I visited this fort on my 26th birthday afternoon on 27th January. I was indeed tired after visiting the huge City Palace of Jaipur and according to my cab driver's suggestion, I decided to visit Amer in the afternoon. I had to have a chilled beer to get rid of afternoon blues. Finally, I reached the destination and just stepped down from the car, realizing that it was going to be a super tiring visit to Amber fort after looking at it from the down of the hill. I was shocked, surprised and couldn't say anything than just taking my shades off to look around such a vast place ever in my life.

This fort is situated on the top of one of the hills of the Aravalli Range, attaching to the Jaigarh fort with a subterranean passage from one fort to another. This is another long story, which I will let you know in another blog. This fort, which is constructed on the huge rocky mountain is located on the bank of the large Maota Lake. The water in this lake visible as forest green because of the mossy structure. This lake used to be the main water source for the whole empire of Amer in those centuries. It is continuing as a water source for the city of Amer and especially to the Palace.

The Palace is so huge that it is divided into six segments inside. But not normally people focus on what's there inside and the interiors of this Palace. Including the interiors, I have even explored the exteriors of the Palace deeply. Hence, before getting into the interiors, I wanted to publish a blog about the exteriors of Amber fort. Trust me, you must know the scenario and the architecture behind such a magnificent construction ever in the history of India.

Being, one of the Hillforts of Rajasthan, the paths which were constructed on the mountain grabbed my attention. Because it was very difficult to escalate all my way to reach the first gate of the Palace. So, imagine, how long and wide enough, this particular fort is, that a normal healthy person surely feels tired before reaching the palace. Hence, you can always get into the royal cars to go to the palace. But, you will miss the fun of exploring the culture, traditions, art, and architecture of Rajasthan. Wondering how?

The palace is constructed with a beige sandstone all over the exteriors. If you see the palace from the down of the hill, you will feel it as a huge sandcastle. With the blended culture of the Mughals and Rajputs, the architecture resembles both the traditions. Mostly, constructed in Rajput style, the pillar, the walls, the passage, the gates, everything looks magnificent and royal enough with huge ceilings

Because, previously, the Kings, queens, princes and all the royals of Rajasthan used to reach this fort, which is named after the Goddess Amba (Durga) on their royal Elephants. Now, they are not in use, of course. But, the duty to the heaviness of those elephants, all the ceilings are constructed with double the height and the gates look so large and royal enough.

Amber fort is famous for its rocky path which leads to the main Palace. From the edge of the Maota lake to the first gate of the Palace, the passage is a cobbled path. Constructed with rocks and motor with the long passage walls on either side, resembles a huge cobra from the top of the Palace.

The entry and exit paths of the Amber fort are the same, but the routes from inside the palace are different which makes a person explore two different passages of the palace. As it is constructed at the edge of the Maota Lake, you can have a beautiful view of the Palace with the Lake, while entering and exiting the Palace.

You will come across a royal garden in the middle of the Lake and also on the edges of the Palace where the entry path starts. You can find a dome kind structure that spills the royal architecture. You can find these at someplace while entering the fort.

The paths are always hushed up with the flow of tourists and visitors from the palace as it is one of the most visited forts of India. The path might be tiring but it takes your breath away with its scenic view from down, middle and up and at various levels. The contrast colors of the green lake and beige fort attract people's attention.

You can find artists playing various Rajasthani musical instruments and songs on either side of the entrance path. They entertain you and if you feel tired, just stop at them and ask them to play for you. They won't charge but you can always give them tip as a token of gratitude for their art and time.

You can find various kinds of street vendors who sell various articles like key chains, shades, gift articles, mobile food stalls, papads, services like instant photocopies of your portraits and much more. The path entertains you for sure, but you must be patient enough to reach and hold your breath properly till you reach the main palace which is even more interesting.

The fort walls look regal enough if you watch while you walk. You can see the front side of the fort when you walk. You can explore secret passages, large gates, small gates and many more while walking to the Palace.

The interesting fact is, a person can have a 360-degree view of the Jaigarh fort passage which connects to the Amber fort. This looks ravishing and thrilling enough. The soldiers used to transport the royals using this path from the Amber fort to Jaigarh fort for the protection. Many stories revolve around the protection of royals because the Jaigarh fort is even more protective and high enough when compared to Amber fort.

Amber fort lies on the hill and the escalation may make you feel a little heavy on your breath levels. So, reach the palace slowly by taking your own time and relax for some time by taking breaks. Trust me, it isn't simple, but you must take a risk to explore the gorgeousness of this fort.

After visiting all the courtyards and gates, you will get confused with the exit paths of the fort, because everything seems similar inside the fort, mostly the paths. Hence, follow the exit signs mentioned on the sandstone, marble milestones in the Palace and exit by following the path.

Even the exit paths look the same as entry paths. You may not find entertaining aspects while getting down the hill fort but you can find many stores while you take exit paths.

You can find coffee stores, book stores, clothing stores, jewelry stores, famous Meena Bazaar store and many food stalls to visit inside the fort before leaving the Amber Palace. If you want to try the food, you can but make sure you make a smart purchase in the stores here, because they may charge high and obviously, the prices are overrated.

The gates and the abodes of those gates, the ceilings and the architectural hangings and lights, every single detail on these paths make a person feel royal enough and you can never forget such an architecture ever in your life. Those larger for life fort walls with miniature crafting work on them, make this fort, a special one for Rajasthan!

You can find pigeons all around the fort and in the walls and holes of every pillar of the fort. And also during the entry and exit of the fort, you can find many pigeons where the tourists feed them all.

Just, imagine, if the paths are constructed, maintained and managed this well, you won't have a minimum idea about the interiors of this palace, the pillars, the gates, the courtyards, the inner passages, the rooms, indeed the palace. Everything here is just indescribable, but still making efforts to make you understand by the words and the pictures. Wait for my next blog to explore the inner beauty of this aristocratic fort!