Elephant Safari At Amer Fort
Just imagine, you are on an adventure trip to the arid desert of Rajasthan, and, after all you have enjoyed and cherished in the colourful state, now you are set for a safari on a beautifully clad elephant. Seeing you, the elephant just bows his head and then gives you way to comfortably rest on its cushioned back. And then with its undulating motion, it takes you on a ride through the broad aisle of The Amer Fort that sits atop a hill, to show you the majesty and splendour of this stupendous fort. As you ascend the slope you can look down and see a steep drop of a few hundred feet, and the magnificent views like the dips and curves of the surrounding hills and valleys of the Aravali range, the clear and still waters of the Maota Lake and the sheer size and magnitude of the fort up above. Terrific!! but hold on its only an imagination. But it would not take much to turn this imagination in to reality. The magnetic beauty of Rajasthan and its adventurous trails like elephant safari, jeep safari,camel safari would attract you to come and visit this magical state.
Rajasthan has a number of magnificent forts, palaces and royal monuments. Located at a distance of 11kilometres from Jaipur, Amer fort is one such finest specimens of Rajput architecture.The fort is also called Amber, a name that suits its golden-brown colour. The original palace was built by Raja Man Singh while renovations were carried out by Sawai Jai Singh.The phenomenal interiors of the Amer Fort is influenced by both, the Hindu and Muslim manner of ornamentation. One can still find the distinct Mughal architectural influence in the parapets of the fort. The outer appearance of the Fort being rough and rocky is totally different from its inner settings. The interior of the Fort provides a soothing and warm ambience, which is least expected from its outer appearance. There are two ways to enter in to this grand fort either you climb up through the imposing stairway or else take the broad aisle, where one can ride up on elephant back for a royal feel. In fact in the olden days when the Elephant was the royal carrier, the dignitaries and other royal guests always rode up to the fort on Elephant back. The same experience of Elephant Safari has been recreated for tourists.
The elephants are painted in beautiful colours of pinks, blues and yellows, their heads are decorated with vibrant designs and heavy silver jewellery and they are richly draped with colourful clothes with comfortable cushions and canopies fastened on to their backs. The female elephants sport anklets with silver bells. Decked up in regal style the Elephants wait with their owners for passengers at the foot of the climb. Here charming little platforms have been especially constructed to enable you to mount the elephant with ease. Each elephant carries four people and the handler who regulates the elephant's climb up the steep zig-zag path. Sitting atop the elephant, you get the benefit of viewing the picturesque sites that this journey offers while it climbs up.The mahout skillfully manages to bring elephant to a stop at the entrance to the fort where the journey ends.
It truly is a thrilling experience. The flawless beauty of the Fort can only be enjoyed royally with an elephant safari. Amer Fort is the part of Jaipur and its royalty. A trip to Jaipur would be definitely incomplete, without the visit to this imperial Fort of Amer.
