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Jaipur Heritage Monuments : Jal Mahal (Lake Palace)

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Jal Mahal Jaipur

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Jal Mahal or Lake Palace is situated in Jaipur the Pink City of Rajasthan state of India.  It is built in the middle of Man Sagar Lake near Amber.  There was a natural depression in earth where the rain water of surrounded Aravali Hills was collected.  No man made construction was there till 16th century.  Later on, there was a famine in 1596 AD in many regions of Rajasthan state of India.  The region where the Man Sagar lake is located presently was also struggling from famine.  At that time, it was decided by the ruler of Ajmer to built a dam to store the rain water.  Initially the dam was constructed by stones and quartzite between Amagarh hills and Amber hills with the water spread area of approx 300 acres with the maximum depth of 4.5 meters.  In later courses, as per rquirement, the dam have undergone renovation process many times.

As Man Sagar lake gets filled up in rainy seasons, it is one of the favorite place for nesting and breeding of migratory birds. If you are on Jaipur tour during that period, dont miss to visit Jal Mahal. Watching bird nesting during Jaipur tour will be memorable for you for whole of the life.

Natural beauty of lake, surrounded Aravali hills, lush green mountains, and migratory birds attracted Sawai Pratap Singh, the then ruler of Amber.  In 1799 AD, Sawai Pratap Singh decided to convert Man Sagar Lake in a pleasure spot and hence he built Jal Mahal - A Water Palace in the midst of Man Sagar lake.

Jal Mahal - The Lake Palace is a five story building built in red sandstone.  Out of  five stories of the palace, the four stories remain under water and the fifth - the top floor remains outside the water.  There is a roof top garden in Jal Mahal and huge trees which makes its view more pleasant.  There are four octagonal Chhatris in four corners of the roof and one big Chhatri is in the front which is rectangular.  These Chhatris are constructed as per Bengali architecture.  Jal Mahal is undoubtedly a remarkable monument from the wonderful architectural view.  One can experience a great amalgam of Rajput style and Mughal style of architecture in one building, that is Jal Mahal Jaipur - the Water Palace.

Man sagar lake and Jal Mahal Jaipur is accessible from Jaipur-Delhi National Highway.  If one enters in Jaipur from road ways from Jaipur-Delhi National Highway No. 8, he can see a beautiful lake and water palace even from the road.

Leopards, Jungle Cats, Striped Hyena, Indian Fox, and Mongoose were present in surrounding hill area and reserve forest around Man Sagar lake till few year back, but now due to excess presence and residence of human being in that region, the wild animals are rarely find.

Jal Mahal and Man Sagar Lake of Jaipur was also known as paradise for bird watcher's till 2003-04.  Due to plenty of water in lake, lush green surrounding hills and good climate, more than 175 species of migratory birds and local birds were nesting and breeding here.  It includes Ruff, Large Flamingo, Redshank, Common Moorhen, Gray Wagtail, Pintail, and Herring Gull.  After 2003, the number of species and the number of birds decreased day-by-day due to lack of rain.  Now in the year 2010, there is very good rain fall in Jaipur and Man Sagar lake gets fill after many years.  Bird watcher's and specialists are hence have an hope for large number of migratory birds and local birds during Oct'10-Apr'11.

Along with all this, Jal Mahal Jaipur is one of the most beautiful and most happening tourist spot of Jaipur the Pink City.  One can enjoy a beautiful and romantic evening at Jal Mahal - the Lake Palace of Jaipur the Pink City.

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