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As a Nepali citizen, a trip to India is always an enriching experience. Nepal and India have similar cultures, food, cultural values and norms. It is always a pleasure to travel to any state in India. This time, my wanderlust led me to the vibrant city of Jaipur, also known as the Pink City. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan is renowned for its rich history, colorful culture, and architectural marvels. Its splendid architecture, impressive cuisine, mesmerizing festivals complemented well by the natural beauty make it a destination worth visiting.
The journey from Nepal to Jaipur was fairly smooth. I flew to Delhi and then took a comfortable bus ride to Jaipur. As soon as I stepped to Jaipur, I was greeted with the warmth and beauty of this incredible city.
A City Painted Pink
The first thing that struck me was the city surrounded by the color pink. Every house, shops, fort, even some temples - all seemed to be dipped in various shades of pink. This unique characteristic earned Jaipur its nickname, the Pink City. It is said that in 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur ordered the entire city to be painted pink to welcome Prince Edward. Though the exact reason remains unclear, the pink color has since become synonymous with Jaipur's identity.
No matter what the meaning behind the color pink, the color itself makes the city highlights for the tourist. It shows unity and uniqueness at the same time. On the other hand, the city's culture and sense of community caused me to experience both peace and chaos equally.
As I had a very tight schedule for traveling, I headed straight towards the Amber Fort without any delay.
Amber Fort
The ride to Amber fort was amazing in the best way possible. The sound of rickshaws honking created an atmosphere of chaos along with vendors on the streets who were busy selling brightly colored souvenirs to tourists and the smell of street food filled the air. These reminded me of Basantapur Durbar, Aasan and Indra Chowk of Nepal. I decided to walk instead of taking the usual elephant ride at the base of the fort, and as I climbed the steep hill, I felt like a princess walking in the fort.
The fort itself was a masterpiece of Rajput and Mugal architecture. The palace was covered with pale yellow and pink sandstone, and with white marble and intricate carvings rose before me, each whispering tales of a bygone era. Inside, the beautiful fort unfolded, the maze of courtyards, audience halls, and private chambers. I was in awe of the fort's beautiful and magnificent decorations. Likewise, I was picturing the royal existence that previously lived behind its walls and wishing to witness it. Furthermore, I found the difficult walk was worth it because of the amazing 360-degree views that could be seen from the top of the fort.
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The Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors)
The Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) was the jewel in the crown. I gasped, while stepping inside the mahal. There were thousands of tiny mirrors adorned the walls and ceiling, transforming the room into a kaleidoscope of shimmering reflections. The soft light of sun through the windows danced on the mirrored surfaces, creating an ethereal ambiance.
I spent hours exploring the fort, imagining the lives of the maharajas and their families who once called it home. We took a lot of pictures with different poses in front of the mirrors. The reflections of sun on mirrors in the evening made the golden hours look real. Even the tiniest mirror was shining bright like a diamond.
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The Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)
The Hawa Mahal is also called Palace of Winds as it has 953 windows offering a panoramic view of the city and the Jai Mandir. It was used for an astronomical observatory, and spoke volumes about the scientific prowess of the Rajput rulers. The mahal was similar to our Ac rooms in the modern days with views and coolness of wind from every direction of the palace.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow on the fort's facade, I knew this was a memory I would cherish forever. The grandeur of Amber Fort with the breathtaking beauty of the Seesh Mahal, and the vibrant energy of Jaipur, was hypnotic in the most delightful way possible.
Picture Credit: Adamkaz, Sergii Rudiuk, Anton Aleksenko, abhisheklegit
Article By: Samriddhi Shrestha
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