Amber Fort
I spent most of my second day in Jaipur in Amber (11 kms from Jaipur) with its magnificent fort situated high on a hill. Formerly the capital of Jaipur state and the Rajput princes the fort today was initially a palace complex which stood within the earlier Jaigarh fort(11th century). Its construction began under the reign of Maharaj Man Singh, Commander in Chief of Akbar’s army in 1592.
Apparently earlier history records that Amber was originally built by the Meenas in the town they consecrated to Amba, the Mother Goddess, whom they knew as `Gatta Rani’ or `Queen of the Pass’. This connection with the Goddess is still there and there is a beautiful marble Kali temple at the entrance. A goat was sacrificed daily here right up until 1980.
Multi-Tasking Family - The man wears the helmet in this family
On the busy and winding road to Amber we were over taken by a whole family on a moped. Not only were they all chatting away together, but they were also eating ice cream and passing roasted corn-on-the cobs around as they whizzed by. It was amazing. I love this about India. At home, you would be told it can’t be done, and for legal, health and safety reasons you would not be allowed to do it. (It is legal for the driver to wear a helmet, but not for the passengers.) Here such skillful driving is normal and I love the freedom that taking your own life in your hands affords.
The day was relaxed with refreshing breezes and cloud –cover and we ambled around the little village at the foot of the hill exploring its Jain and Hindu temples.Most impressive was the priest who took care of the deities at the Jagat Shiromani Temple, also known as Mirabai’s temple. The Krishna deity there is said to that of Mirabai the celebrated devotional Rajput medieval princess. The pujari, priest, spent ages meticulously polishing and decorating Krishna with face paint and yet he had time when he had finished to welcome us with great kindness and give us maha prasad.
Pujari to Mirabai's Krishna Deity
I left feeling Mirabai was not alone in her exceptional devotion to her Lord.
Priest to Mirabai's Krishna
Anuradha in India 