Travel

Rajasthan is renowned for its forts and palaces. Built on high peaks, amidst vast deserts, and on islands in lakes, the forts and palaces of Rajasthan displays the excellent architectural legacy of Rajasthan. Some of these forts and palaces look worn out from their exteriors. But the interiors transfer you to a different world. And when you visit the timeless land of Rajasthan, a stay in one of these forts and palaces will take your breath away, as many of them are back with their past magnificence. Popular as the Heritage Hotels, these places are a beautiful blend of the royal past and the modern present.

Taragarh Fort- Kota: Taragarh Fort was the home to an important princely state at the Rajput days of glory. It is a gigantic fort built in 1354 and reachable by a vertically inclined road leading to its main gate. The gateway to the fort is topped by wild elephants. It has huge reservoirs carved out of rock and Bhim Burj, the largest battlement, on which is mounted a cannon. It offers an excellent view of the town and bird-watching, which is another attraction among tourists.

Junagadh Fort- Bikaner: It is an indisputable fortress, which has never been conquered by anyone till date. Built in 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, it is an alarming structure surrounded by a moat. The main entrance to the fort is Karan Pol, facing east. Next to it is the Suraj Pol which means the sun gate. The fort houses very magnificent palaces like Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas and Rang Mahal. Har Mandir is a grand chapel for the royal family to worship their gods. They make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies and windows spotted all over the structure. It also houses a museum which has a huge collection of items.

Chittorgarh Fort- Chittorgarh: The Chittorgarh Fort is a living testimony to the bravery of the Rajput rulers who gave up their life fighting instead of living a life of compliance. The fort is located on a hill and is a fine example of the Rajput architecture. The main places of interest within the premise are the two towers known as the ‘Kirti Stambh’ and the ‘Vijay Stambh’. Also present are several temples and palaces dating back to the 9th and 17th century AD. However, the most imposing structure inside the Fort is the Vijay Stambh. This tower can even be beautifully seen from the town located below the fort. This masterpiece stands at a height of 10 feet, while the tower stands at a height of 122 feet. It is said that the tower took 10 years to be completed.

Amber Fort- Jaipur: The Amber Fort is the best example that portrays how the Rajputs were like – revolutionary, adventurous, unpredictable and self-indulgent. Inside the firm externals rising high out of the rocky hills are powerful gates, temples, ornate halls, palaces, pavilions, gardens and a ramp leading to the hilltop palace. Beautifully decorated elephants go up and down transferring visitors. This joyride to Amber fort makes one’s travel to Amber fort a mesmerizing experience.

By: Thomas Johnson