Reached Jaipur in three hours covering a distance of 183kms
from Mandawa. Checked in Hotel Umaid
Bhavan where we had a reservation and
after freshening up decided to start exploring the City Palace and Jantar
Mantar which are adjacent to each other.
Just rambled through Jantar Mantar trying to learn about how
the different structures were used.
Went on to the City Palace, part of which was converted into
a museum. As we entered, the sets of some
film shoot were being dismantled.
Thankfully we had reached after the shoot or else our movement would have been
restricted.
The palace was built between 1729 and 1732, initially by
Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. He planned and built the outer walls,
and later additions were made by successive rulers right up to the 20th
century. The credit for the urban layout of the city and its structures is
attributed to two architects namely, Vidyadar Bhattacharya, the chief architect
in the royal court and Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, apart from the Sawai himself
who was a keen architectural enthusiast. The architects achieved a fusion of
the Shilpa shastra of
Indian architecture with Rajput, Mughal and European
styles of architecture. Following Jaisingh's death in 1744, there were
internecine wars among the Rajput kings of the region but cordial relations
were maintained with the British Raj. Maharaja Ram Singh sided with the British
in the Sepoy Mutiny or Uprising of 1857 and established himself with the
Imperial rulers. It is to his credit that the city of Jaipur including all of
its monuments (including the City Palace) are stucco painted 'Pink' and since
then the city has been called the "Pink City". The change in colour
scheme was as an honour of hospitality extended to the Prince of Wales (who
later became King Edward VII) on his visit. This colour scheme has since then
become a trademark of the Jaipur city.
Next morning we drove upto Amer Fort. On the way we also saw
the amazing Hawa Mahal. Did not go
inside the Hawa Mahal as we were told that
there is nothing worth seeing inside and all there is to see is on the outside.
So clicked a few and proceeded to Amer Fort.
On the way to the Amer fort we also saw the Jal Mahal from a distance.
Amer Fort is situated on a forested hill premonitory, above
the Maota Lake near Amer village, about 11
kilometres from Jaipur.
A narrow jeepable road leads up to the entrance gate, known
as the Suraj Pol or the Sun Gate, of the fort.
We are not allowed to drive
right up and have to park in the huge parking lot provided. You can either walk
up or go by the jeeps or elephants available for the purpose. We chose to walk.
Amer Fort was built by Meena king Raja Alan Singh Chanda and
was later occupied by Kachhawa Rajput. This fort along with Jaigarh Fort
located immediately above on the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) of same
Aravalli range of hills, is considered as one complex, as the two are well
connected by subterranean passage. This passage was meant as an escape route in
times of war for the royal family members and others in the Amer Fort to shift
to the more redoubtable Jaigarh Fort.
The views from top are breathtaking.
Spent the afternoon shopping in the city and had dinner in
Handi restaurant. Had the ‘Lal maas’ (red meat) a
typical fiery Rajasthani dish
with nice crispy Naans.
On the third day we met Bharat, our friend and guide from Jaipur.
He promised to show us Unseen Rajasthan and led us to Abhaneri, a
small town, popular for its astonishing step well and Harshat Mata
Temple and Bhangarh
(haunted Palace), which are around 90kms from Jaipur.
The myth behind Bhangarh - The charm of princess of Bhangarh
Ratnavati was said to be matchless in all of Rajasthan. Being eighteen years
old, the princess started getting matrimonial offers from heads of other
states. In the same region there lived a tantrik, a magician well versed in the
occult, named Singhia who was desperately in love with the princess. He knew
that he would never be allowed to even see her, let alone meet her. One day, he
saw the princess’ maid in the market buying scented oil for her. Seeing this,
he got an idea by which he could meet the princess. He used his black magic and
put a spell on the oil which would hypnotize the princess by her merely
touching the oil, and she would surrender herself. The Princess happened to
drop the container over a stone. As soon as the oil touched the stone, it
started rolling towards the wicked tantrik and crushed him. While dying,
Singhia cursed the palace with the death of all who dwelt in it, without any
rebirth in their destinies. The very next year there was a battle between
Bhangarh and Ajabgarh and Ratnavati died. Till date, people believe that it is
haunted and nobody dares visit after sunset.
