Unlike other forts, the forts of Rajasthan are vast and intricately designed with art and architecture inspired by Rajput and Mughal culture. And the Nahargarh fort is not at all an exception to create such a humongous image in the history of the Rajputs. Built by the Maharaja Jai Singh and renovated, redesigned and expanded by the Maharaja Ram Singh, this fort is vastly spread throughout the edge of the Aravalli range. One must spare a good amount of time to explore this fort wholly.
Like other forts, even Nahargarh fort closes at 5:30 pm. And I have reached this fort after roaming around the Jaigarh fort. It was quite a tiring visit for me that day but I already planned for the Nahargarh fort on the suggestion of my guide and my driver. Hence, I have visited this fort in the late afternoon and early evening and spent around 2 hours to witness the whole premises, art, and architecture, scenic views in and around the Nahargarh Fort.
After taking the entrance tickets which cost me 50 INR per person because of Indian citizenship and it costs 100 rupees for foreign visitors. Unlike other forts, this place consists of many entertainment concepts inside the premises. It is to be said that there are many entertainment events happen at this place and also many weddings and Bollywood film shootings too. Yes, if you want to get a photo shoot at this place, you need to talk to the management and they can arrange your permission with required packages.
So soon after I entered I could see the vast premises with perfectly constructed roads, viewpoints, buildings, palaces, food restaurants, entertainment pavilions amidst nature which includes huge trees, plants, mountain areas, the fort walls, and especially the stepwell which has constructed in the 17th century.
You must walk towards the passages and pavements laid on which huge trees present on either side of the roads. The best part of this fort, you can find many wooden and painted iron benches towards the whole way in many places which allow visitors to relax and breathe for a while or to appreciate the beauty in and around the fort.
After you enter, you can find the Sheesh Mahal, the palace of mirrors where a person can get into it by paying around 300 to 500 rupees per person to witness the inside attractions. I heard that Sheesh Mahal in Nahargarh Fort is a recent addition. And also you can find a Royal Chariot on wheels, in which you can have a tour around the fort which is chargeable. If not you can just click some pictures to get some palatial vibes.
In addition to it, at the same place, you can find a wax museum where one can witness all the famous personalities from sports, films, athletics, royal kings and queens, the ancestors, successors, Maharajas and also including Maharani Gayatri Devi wax statue too. I haven't been to these two museums as I was running out of time because I have already seen Madame Tussauds and Sheesh Mahal in Amber Palace. Hence, I wasn't that excited to see these two places.
But I felt surprised to see a Robotic Tiger in a cage, which is a replica of a real tiger. As Nahargarh means, the place of tigers, the presence of the tiger makes so much sense.
To start with enjoying nature, you must walk to the right of the entrance and follow the marble slabs which direct you towards the viewpoint from which you can witness the whole view of Jaipur. As this fort situated on the edge hill of the Aravalli range, you can have a panoramic view of the whole Pink City.
And then after getting down from the stairs of viewpoint, you should cross vast premises where you many trees and plants are planted. Amidst nature, you can have a look at the ancient stepwell which was constructed by the previous kings of Jaipur. Rajasthan is a place where water scarcity is a problem, even today. Hence, in those days, the Kings of Rajasthan used to construct Step wells in every kingdom. You can find many step wells in most of the places in Rajasthan, some are underuse and some are not.
Unfortunately, the stepwell which was constructed on the hill which is attached to the fort as the main water source is not underuse currently and also visitors are not allowed to get into the stepwell. Unlike other wells, this stepwell is unique. The shape of this well looks regularly circular but you must note a point that it has constructed on a hill. Most of the step-wells are constructed on flat grounds but this constructed by digging the mountain. The rainwater used to get stored and all the women from the fort happened to use this water for multiple purposes. Hence, this stepwell acted as the main water source for the Nahargarh fort.
I have reached this step well and read what has written on the sandstone slabs near the well and spent some good time by appreciating the man-made beauty amidst nature's scenic view around. I sat for a while and continued towards the palace. Known as the Madhavendra Bhawan, this particular monumental piece is unmissable. It's hard to ignore. But before reaching, a person must walk towards the palace by crossing the vast premises and outer corridors of the Palace.
This particular palace is surrounded by huge trees, mountain space, and the rock constructed passages on the four sides of the fort. Indeed, this fort won't give those ancient vibes, this gives some resort kind of vibes because it is constructed in such a way as a relaxation spot for the Kings and Queens of Jaipur.
If you walk all the way upwards of the Madhavendra Bhawan, you can find a restaurant upstairs where you can taste the delicious Rajasthani food items. But, if you want to see the rooms and palace construction, you must enter the Bhawan inside and take the stairs to witness the whole construction from the top and also to catch the exquisite view of Jaipur.
So, I have escalated all my way to see the restaurant and came down. But before entering, I have come across a small cannon that was in use during wars in those days. That cannon was exhibited right before entering the palace. I had a look, clicked some pictures and had the best time in the palace, which I'm going to elaborate on in my next blog.
Soon, after I was done with my inside tour, I came outside and relaxed myself a bit by sitting on a green painted bench right on the way towards the exit. I felt relaxed, satisfied and happy to witness such a beautiful place amidst such a beautiful nature.
The exploration of inside premises is more beautiful than outer premises, but if you are a nature lover, you will fall in love with every step you take while encountering various segments of this fort at various places. You can sit and relax peacefully by appreciating nature, the breeze, trees, people, birds and most importantly the regal vibes, the fort spreads. So, don't miss sparing an equal amount of time to explore the outer premises of the Nahargarh Fort.
