Enjoy a delectable breakfast while you gormandize the city's beauty in the fresh morning breeze. Our first stop will be the Amber Fort, a building symbolizing the grandiose of the Rajputana. Amber fort A.K.A Amer Fort was built by Raja Man Singh atop a hill near the scenic Maota Lake. The fort which you see now was built over two hundred years by the descendants of Raja Man Singh. The fort served as the capital for generations of Rajput maharajas before the capital was shifted to Jaipur. The fort is another fine specimen of amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture.
Made with red sandstone and white marble, the fort is a sight to behold. The Suraj Pol is the main gate which is facing east. Intricately carved, this gate was used to allow the army of Raja inside the fort. The Jaleb Chowk is a huge courtyard where the king's army used to do a parade. We move on to visit the Ganesh Pol, which is a special gate leading to the royal quarters. Intricately carved sculpture which is golden in color, with beautiful designs, royalty oozes through every inch of the Ganesh Pol. Above the Ganesh Pol is Suhag Mandir where the royal ladies used to watch functions happening in the palace through latticed windows. The Suhag Mandir has beautiful frescoes, whose artwork is still intact after all these years making you wonder about the quality of craftsmen that the kings employed. The crowning jewel of the Amer Fort is Sheesh Mahal. An epitome of artwork, the Sheesh Mahal as its name suggests is a room full of mirrors. One small candle can light up the entire palace in the night and make it resemble the night sky full of stars. The Sheesh Mahal has captured the imagination of moviemakers. Mughal-e-Azam's famous song, 'Jab Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya' was shot here. The mirrors have been placed with mathematical precision. Millions of small mirrors adorn the walls and ceiling of the palace. Such craftsmanship is rare to find. The magic flower is another attraction which will leave you in awe of the artwork of the Amer Fort. It is a flower containing lotus, cobra, lion's tail, corn, fishtail, scorpion and two butterflies one on each side. Such is the intricacy of the artwork that your mind would wonder whether it was created with hands or machine.
Sukh Niwas is another small palace built just across the Sheesh Mahal. The ingenuity of the palace lies in its water conditioning. Yes, you heard it correct! Jaipur was warm you know and kings did not take a special liking towards the heat of Rajasthan. Hence, the palace contains a network of pipes carrying water through them which help in keeping the mansion cool.
After visiting the Amer Fort we move towards another attraction of Jaipur, the Hawa Mahal.
The Hawa Mahal was made to allow the womenfolk to view the ongoing proceedings in the city without being viewed by the common people. Its architect Lalchand Ustad created an architectural masterpiece. The Hawa Mahal consists of 953 jharokhas or windows which are latticed like a honeycomb. This Hawa Mahal is a five-storied building designed in such a manner that it takes full benefit of the Venturi effect, keeping the building cool. The Hawa Mahal is made from sandstone and its exterior is painted with calcium oxide giving the structure the famous pink color or which Jaipur is renowned.
Had enough of palaces and forts? We have a surprise for you! Next, on our list is Jantar Mantar, an observatory showing the master class of medieval Indian astronomers. The Jantar Mantar was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the year 1734. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for the world's largest stone sundial which is called as the Vrihat Samrat Yantra. This stone sundial is accurate in telling the time up to 2 seconds. Apart from the sun-dial, there are different yantras like the Ram Yantra, Jaya Prakash Yantra, Chakra Yantra, Digamsa, and Nadivalaya. The complexity of these yantras generate a sense of respect for the Late Sawai Jai Singh II who himself oversaw the construction of the place. He had made such observatories in Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur, Mathura, and Ujjain with the observatory of Jaipur being the largest of them all.
Once the seat of the kings, the City Palace in Jaipur is yet another attraction that you must-visit. Constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the palace is known for housing the iconic Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal.
In the evening, you can opt to visit Chokhi Dhani to get an authentic feel of Rajasthani culture and savor delicious Rajasthani food.
Go to sleep thinking about the stars (and sun and different planets) after your visit to the observatory.
Overnight stay will be at your hotel in Jaipur.