Amber Palace
Location:
Ambar Palace is situated in Amber, the former capital of the Kachhwaha
Rajputs on a hillside overlooking Maotha lake, 11 km from Jaipur on the
Delhi - Jaipur road.
About Amber Palace :
A breathtakingly beautiful complex of palaces, halls, pavilions,
gardens and temples standing in a magnificent state reflects the royal
past of Rajasthan. The palace complex emerges dramatically from the
placid waters of Maotha Lake, which makes it like a fairy tale palace. A
spectacular painted hall, Diwan-e-Aam, and a double storeyed painted
gateway are sure to leave you spellbound.
The Interiors :
The palace or the royal apartments lies inside the massive Amber fort
complex with gateways, gardens, halls, stairways, pillared pavilions,
temples and palaces. Some of the noteworthy architectural marvels in the
complex are the 'Diwan-E-Khas', the 'Sheesh Mahal' and the 'Jai Mandir'
with exquisite mirror work, the 'Diwan-E-Aam', the 'Sukh Niwas', the
Shila Mata Temple and Kali temple and the well laid out garden the
'Kesar Kyari'.
The fort is entered through the 'Dil-e-Aaram' Garden, laid out in the
traditional Mughal style. An imposing flight of stairs leads to the
'Diwan-E-Am' (hall of public audience) which has latticed galleries and
double row of columns each having a capital in the shape of elephants on
the top. To the right are steps that lead to the small Kali Temple.
Maharaja Man Singh was a great devotee of Goddess Kali and prayed to the
goddess for victory during battles. The temple has huge doors made of
silver. The larger white marble Shila Mata temple, has the image of
Goddess Kali, brought by Raja Man Singh from Jessore in East Bengal (now
in Bangladesh )
Kali Temple
To the right are the steps that lead to the small Kali Temple. Maharaja
Man Singh was a great devotee of goddess Kali and he worshipped the
goddess for victory during battles. The Kali temple has huge doors made
of silver. The image of Goddess Kali was brought by Raja Man Singh from
Jessore in East Bengal, which is now known as Bangladesh.
Jai Mandir, Diwan-E-Khas and Sheesh Mahal
The Jai Mandir or the Hall of Victory has a glittering ceiling with
mirror pieces on stucco and elegant inlaid panels. The Diwan-E-Khas or
the hall of private audience is similar in ornamentation to Jai Mandir.
The Sheesh Mahal, hall of Mirrors is known for the craftsmanship in
mirrors. Thousands of mirror pieces adorn the walls and the ceiling and
any streak of light if pass through sparkle and illuminates the entire
room.
Sukh Niwas
In front of the Jai Mandir is the Sukh Niwas or the hall of pleasure
with a door made of sandalwood, inlaid with ivory with a channel running
through, which formerly carried cool water acting as an air cooler.
