Amer Fort: Jaipur's surreal beauty

Located in the western part of India, Jaipur has many historical gems to boast of. It is a supremely gorgeous city with pink walls adorning the facade everywhere. If you are ever visiting New Delhi, do not miss visiting Jaipur, which is situated at just 4-5 hours drive away in a car. In fact, flights and trains to Jaipur are also available from New Delhi. So you can choose accordingly and straight away head to the beautiful city of kings, palaces and hidden gems of history. Jaipur is a heaven for history and architecture enthusiasts, especially Amer (or Amber) Fort, which is just spell blindingly beautiful from every nook and corner. Visit Jaipur to completely enjoy its beauty.  

The fort was built in 1592 using red sandstone and marble by King Man Singh. The Maotha lake around the fort heightens the beauty of the place. From outside, the fort might look old and rugged but inside it houses stunning buildings like 'Diwani-i-Aam', 'Sheesh Mahal' and also the 'Sukh Mahal'. Interestingly, Amer Fort has both Hindu and Muslim influences in its architecture. 

Amer Fort is located at 11 km from Jaipur, from where you can easily take a private cab to reach here. To make it a truly memorable trip, you can even take an elephant ride to reach the fort but that usually happens early morning. For kids, it can be quite fun to ride a real elephant and reach the entrance of the fort. It's definitely an awesome experience to ride an elephant and feel like royals. Also, those of you not keen on riding an elephant, you can easily walk to the fort. 

Once at the fort, it is an utter delight to walk through its various alleys, explore halls, domes and also admire the fine craftsmanship of windows, doors and ceilings. Being one of the prime attractions in Jaipur, Amer Fort is usually very crowded by locals and foreign tourists. So if you want to indulge in some peaceful photography and leisure walk around the fort, visit it on weekdays. 

The summer months' heat in Jaipur is intolerable, hence it's best to visit Amer Fort between October and March. If you get spare time, also visit other popular places such as Hawa Mahal, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, and Albert Hall Museum. All of them are equally beautiful, rich in history and must-visits for history buffs, in addition to Jaipur's surreal Amer Fort. 

Amer Fort is spread across a vast complex, so it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Jute hats and umbrellas are also good options to avoid blazing heat. You can also engage in some handicrafts and artwork shopping at various stalls around the fort. In fact, you can also enjoy the lovely light shows in the evening with your family and friends, only at Amer Fort - Jaipur's surreal beauty.