Nahargarh Fort- The Pride of Aravalli Hills
If the walled city is the heart of Jaipur, the Nahargarh Fort is its peak. One of the key attractions of the historic town, the Fort lends a breathtaking view of the entire city, which looks mesmerizing especially during the night. It was originally named Sudarshangarh before being called as Nahargarh which means ‘abode of tigers’. The vast landscape in the periphery of the Fort gives a glimpse into the thrill of the jungle.Due to a large number of tigers and wildlife around, it was also a favorite hunting destination of Maharajas.
Nahargarh Fort was built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh as a place of retreat to enjoy the scenic view of the city. It was extended in 1868 by Sawai Ram Singh. The Madhavendra Bhawan in the Fort has suites for queens of the Jaipur Maharaja along with a head suite for the king himself. All rooms are connected by corridors and display wall paintings. The Fort is connected to the Jaigarh Fort (the old capital of Amber) through large wall Fortifications on the Aravali hills.
Lately, Jaipur wax museum has become another attraction of the Fort which was constructed by the Department of Archaeology & Museums Jaipur, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan in 2016.It currently hosts more than 35 wax and silicon statues of famous personalities such as Maharaja Jai Singh, Sawai Ram Singh, Rajmata Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, Madho Singh and many others along with the robotic tiger and near-perfect replica of Kohinoor diamond.
Moreover, Sheesh Mahal or the palace of mirrors has also been constructed at Nahargarh to attract more tourists. It houses 25 million glass pieces fused with thikri, mirror work and gold polish.
The Fort has been a hot shooting destination as well. Many memorable scenes from famous Bollywood movies such as Rang De Basanti, Sonar Kella and Shuddh Desi Romance were shot inside the Fort.
What is so unique about Nahargarh Fort in Rajasthan?
- The most unique thing about Nahargarh Fort is that it was never attacked in its history of 280 years;although it did saw the signing of historical treaties between Maratha forces and Jaipur Maharaja in the 18th century.
- It is believed that Nahar term in Nahargarh stands for Prince Nahar Singh Bhoomia, whose spirit haunted the monument and hindered the building of the Fortress.
- During the first major uprising of 1857, Sawai Ram Singh, the then king of Jaipur, provided security to all the European residents by moving them to this Fort.
- The field guns placed at the Fort were never used in attack or defence. They were stationed to indicate time through firing.
- It was used for the official purpose by the Jaipur State government until April 1944.
- Between 1883 and 1892 a range of palaces were constructed by Dirgh Patel at a cost of around Rs 3.5 lakh.
- It is located between the dense deciduous forest which is a part of the Nahargarh Biological Park and home to many wild cats.
How to enter Nahargarh Fort in Rajasthan?
Entering Nahargarh is an uphill task, literally. Located at the peak of the mountain, it features various hairpin bends and sharp corners with deep valleys on their edges. Whether riding or driving to the Fort, you need to be extremely cautious on the way as there is barely any protection covering these corners. Making slow and steady progress should take you to the Fort safely. Don’t get distracted by the deep valleys and focus on the road if you are driving.
Are there any mandirs insidethe Nahargarh Fort in Rajasthan?
Yes, there is a temple dedicated to the deity of Jaipur royals. Moreover, as promised by the Sawai Ram Singh, there is a mandir dedicated to Prince Nahar Singh Bhoomia. A two-storey building named as Madhavendra Bhawan after Sawai Madho Singh and a Diwan-e-Aam, where Maharaja’s used to hear the grievances of their subjects.
What is the best time to visit Nahargarh Fort in Rajasthan?
Since Rajasthan is a warm state and visiting forts would require some walking than usual, the best time to visit would be winter, between October and March. Mostly, during the day mercury would rise to 20-22 degree Celsius; the nights would be cooler at 4-5 degree Celsius in winters.
What are the timings and cost of tickets to Nahargarh Fort in Rajasthan?
The Fort is open to visitors from 10:00am to 5:30pm everyday. The tickets prices are different for domestic and international tourists. While it costs Rs 50 for a local tourist, it costs Rs 200 for foreigners. The cost and timings of the Fortkeep changing; do check out with the administration when you reach the spot.
How to reach Nahargarh Fort in Rajasthan?
Nahargarh Fort is easily accessible by road and rail. On the road as well, you have multiple options to reach the Fortress. You can hire a minibus, roadways bus, cab, auto rickshaw or even e-rickshaws if you wish to see the hustle and bustle of the city in a more natural way. Beware of pickpockets when taking public transport.
From Jaipur Railway Station
The distance from Jaipur Railway Station to the Nahargarh Fort is around 20km. You can take any of the aforementioned vehicles to reach there. It should not take more than 40-50 mins to reach the destination. You may choose to go uphill by walk once the vehicle drops you near the hill.
From Jaipur Sanganer Airport
The shortest distance from Jaipur Sanganer airport to Nahargarh Fort is 26km. It may take around 1 to 1:30 hours to reach the Fort depending on the traffic conditions. The city traffic may get jammed during rush hours.
Looking for a Hotel near Nahargarh Fort in Rajasthan?
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