There are several forts in the Jaipur area, and you can read all about them here. I visited the two most popular (and preserved) ones – Amber (or Amer) fort and Nahargarh Fort.
AMBER FORT
Located in the Amer region, just a short drive from the Jaipur city center, is the crown jewel of forts, Amber Fort. I think it’s interesting that the two names for this fort are so similar. Anyway, the drive up to the fort is just as interesting as the fort itself. I wish I would have known, because I would have devoted an entire day to exploring this area.
Learning from past experience, I hired a driver for a day to get up here. It truly is not walkable, at least most of it isn’t. On the way up, the driver stopped at three points of interest. The Panna Meena Ka Kund, Bihari Ji Temple and Jagat Shiromani Temple.
PANNA MEENA KA KUND
There are stepwells all over northern India, originally used to collect rain from monsoons. Now, many of them are popular attractions, and for good reason. They remind me of playing Q*bert as a child (now you know how old I am, LOL!). The light wasn’t great when I was there, but it was cool to see nonetheless. I’ve read that if you bribe the guards, they’ll let you climb down. I was feeling a bit too socially anxious to ask, but maybe next time.
Take a look at this cute little monkey!
BIHARI JI TEMPLE
I saw pictures of this temple online, but had a difficult time finding it. Little did I know that it was across the street from the stepwell! Thanks to the driver for helping out on this one! Within three minutes of getting here, a monkey threw poop at me while two dogs started fighting right next to me. I got out of there pretty quickly…it’s their territory after all.
JAGAT SHIROMANI TEMPLE
Thanks goes to the driver again for suggesting this temple. The elephant carvings are so beautiful!
AMBER FORT
I actually visited Amber Fort twice. The first time was with some new friends who were visiting Jaipur from Canada. I loved the fort so much that I returned for a second time the next day. Over the past few trips, I’ve come to appreciate visiting sites multiple times. Anyway, Amber Fort is extremely well preserved and is HUGE. You could literally spend all day here.
One thing I need to talk about…elephants. Visitors to Amber Fort can choose to ride an elephant up a hill to the main fort gate. In person, it is literally an unbroken, non-stop line of elephants trudging up and down that hill all day. The mahouts seem genuine when they talk about the care of their elephants, but they are also making their living from this. No one wants to give up their paycheck. Before you decide to ride an elephant, please research how it affects them. I do understand that providing elephant rides puts food on peoples’ table, and that it’s easy for an outsider to pass judgement. That’s why I’m asking that you make a decision after fully educating yourself.
OK, soapbox rant over. On to the fort!
NAHARGARH FORT
Driving from Amber Fort to Nahargarh Fort was just as cool as the fort itself. The two forts are actually not very far away from each other, but the drive is pretty long due to the mountains and windy roads. Nahargarh Fort is not as well preserved as Amber Fort, but still a cool place to visit. In a way, I enjoyed the more “wild' nature of this fort. And the sweeping views of Jaipur!
