THE BEST PLACES IN JAIPUR

Hello,

Have been wondering for quite some time that I should be writing something about Jaipur on this blog. After all the name of the blog does necessitate that there be some connection with the city.

In order to start on this venture i have decided to write on the best places to visit in Jaipur. I will write on ten must visit places that are part of Jaipur and today i start with # 1 on the list: Nahargarh Fort.

Information on Nahargarh is plenty on the websites.
But the information that it was built in 1734 and is the first of the three forts built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh hardly means anything. The fact that it also means the fort of the tigers and a story that it is named after a prince to appease his ghost who had haunted the fort again means little.

So what is so great about Nahargarh.
To reach Nahargarh you have to exit the hustle bustle of Jaipur, cross Mansagar lake and take sudden left into the hills. This is an army road which leads up to the twin forts of Jaigarh and Nahargarh.
When you start the incline to Nahargarh you get a very wide view of the Mansagar lake. If the weather is good it is always advisable to stop your vehicle at one of the turns and soak in the beauty of the lake and the small palace within.
Some distance ahead is the turn towards Jaigarh Fort and then you reach a sharp incline that ends up on the outer gates of the fort. The incline and the entry are so close together that I have always felt that there should be some caution notice for the drivers coming out of the fort.
There are no tigers and although the guides will mention other wild animals I have never seen anything bigger than a mongoose. Yes you have many buffaloes, few monkeys and an odd Peacock.

When we reach the main part of the fort there is a sense that it is very small compared to the other forts. But the look is deceptive and once you get inside the main building the construction awes you. This fort has one of the best maintained interiors and the usual colorful rooms and corridors (common to all old forts in Rajasthan) attract your attention.
I will not waste my time here but get up on the terrace so that I get a bird's eye view of the fort. The beauty of the construction will fail to impress only the aesthetically challenged.
After having a view of the fort from the top I will walk on the ramparts (carefully as it may be damaged at few places) and feel like a rajput warrior doing the rounds. The ramparts are broad enough for a chariot to run on it.
Just adjacent is the 'Baori', dilapidated but gives you an idea of the scientific bend of mind of the inhabitants. This was the source of water for the fort.
One part of the ramparts (slightly damaged) provides you the best view of Jaipur. View it from the top and you see the symmetry of the old city. The beautiful city palace and the Talkatora with the temple complex. At night the RTDC restaurant (within the fort) or the cafe outside are excellent dinner locations.
Why is it site # 1 for me
I have fond memories of the place.
My first visit was in 1985. The last day in Jaipur after completing our induction course in SBBJ. The RTDC bus trip with a few other colleagues. This night trip in October gave me the first feel of the place.
I made the next visit in 1986. This time I was on the motorbike borrowed from Sanjoy and Radhika, my wife now was with me. After spending a princely sum on the date and dinner at the fort I had tried to save money by switching off the engine during the downhill journey. It was only when I switched off that I realized that the headlight also goes off when the engine is not working. Luckily we did not have any mishap. On the way down we met a gang of loafers high on beer. Another mishap avoided. Be careful of these guys who haunt the path at night. Harmless but you never know.
We have made several trips to the fort since then and I have never ever felt that it is not worth the effort.

One negative thought associated with Nahargarh is that it sheltered the British during the 1857 mutiny.

Any way one dark spot on the moon does not make it less pristine.

Best wishes,
Manoj