Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Gardens at Amber Fort, Jaipur


Amber Fort, Jaipur (Source: Web, since I had a hazy image for this one)


Kesar Kyari (saffron garden)


Charbagh (paradise garden)


Charbagh (paradise garden), Source: Web
 
I visit Jaipur almost every month, and pass by this 13th century palace on my way home. A fusion of Hindu and Mughal architecture, this fort is a visual treat. It was built over two centuries in red sandstone and white marble. As you set out to explore the fort atop the rugged hills, on foot or a elephant - the view is breath-taking. On your way up and inside the palace, among other magnificient features, you cannot miss the gardens.

Across the entire fort there are fountains, waterways, gardens and courtyards. The fort rises above the waters of the Maotha Lake, an artificial lake. The Kesar Kyari (saffron garden) lies in the centre of this lake, laid out like a persian carpet. The garden was planted with saffron for the fragrance to waft into the palace above. The garden is under restoration. Further on, the fort is entered through the 'Dil-e-Aaram' Garden (in the traditional Mughal style). Inside the palace, lies a series of corridors, centering on a typical Mughal 'Charbagh' garden or also known as Paradise gardens. Char bagh literally, means four gardens. The philosophy of Charbagh is stated below.

Charbagh in the Amber Fort demonstrates how the basic four parts can divided in complex geometric ways. The concept of the paradise garden was one the Mughals brought from Persian Timurid gardens. It was the first architectural expression they made in the Indian sub-continent, fulfilling diverse functions with strong symbolic meanings. Known as the charbagh, in its ideal form it was laid out as a square subdivided into four equal parts. The symbolism of the garden and its divisions are noted in mystic Islamic texts which describe paradise as a garden filled with abundant trees, flowers and plants. Water also plays a key role in these descriptions: In Paradise four rivers source at a central spring or mountain, and separate the garden by flowing towards the cardinal points. They represent the promised rivers of water, milk, wine and honey. The centre of the garden, at the intersection of the divisions is highly symbolically charged and is where, in the ideal form, a pavilion, pool or tomb would be situated. (Reference: wiki/Citizendium)

20 comments:

  1. Hi there and thank you for your visit and comments. Amber Fort I have been there! It is magnificent, I was there last January I must say it is much more green and luch on your lovely photos.

    Take care my friend

    TYRA

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  2. @Tyra: Thanks for stopping by.
    And aah! The fort including the gardens and the lake is going through stages of restoration. Climatic changes, poor rainfall is not good news for any garden.
    We hope to find the amber glow back, and soon. Do come by again...!

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  4. OOoops now am in a muddle, it is so nice to meet you. Sorry I mixed you up with Sunita. We will have to sort out this mix up. Perhaps when you post you add your first name to the post so we will know who it is. Love your blog anyway and have added it to my list. Thank you for stopping by.

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  5. What beautiful gardens! It must be a treat to be able to pass by somewhere that pretty. I love seeing what gardens around the world look like.
    Thank you so much for visiting my blog and I'll be back to visit yours!

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  6. @ Catherine: Glad you stopped by. Thanks! Will try and post more info and snaps on indian gardens...And did I say before? I love your garden blooms, they are gorgeous :)

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  7. @ Helen (islandgal246): Sorry about the confusion. I changed my name from the Urban Gardener to Urban Green. Hope that helps...! See you again.

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  8. I love the symmetrical patterns in the garden viewed from above. The walled fort would be great to visit, with its sense of history and culture.

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  9. @ Northern Shade: Thanks for stopping by. And yes, Amber fort is spectacular. I'll try to post more on Indian gardens when I can. See you around :)

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  10. Beautiful! I have this garden to my mental must see list!

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  11. Hi
    I visited your blog for the first time but it isnt going to be the last!!loved it really.for ppl like me who are bitten b y the gardening bug but know little abt it shld be really happy to read your blog.after this iam truly going to hit my balcony which is my GARDEN!!

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  12. @urbanfieldgarden: thanks a tonne!

    @Sangitha: Thanks for browsing through and am glad you liked it. hope you find your green corner....see you around :)

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  13. Dear Urban Green, it has been a joy to discover your blog. It feels good when someone so near is into gardening and blogging.
    To dedicate space for gardening in a place like Delhi requires a lot of passion, and it is heartening to have people like you who still manage to do the difficult.

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  14. @Green thumb: Thanks for stopping by...
    Delhi is quite a difficult place for gardening...the summers were harsh and oppressive and my garden succumbed to the intensity, it’s practically devastated. I lost ferns, foliage and a lot of my succulent collection. Those that are left, are slowly and steadily recovering from the shock. Now, am back in action trying to ready flowers and foliage for winter and spring...:)

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  15. This is so interesting about the highways and intersections. I bet it makes a lovely picture from out of space. I would love to explore it on elephant! Thanks for showcasing and how wonderful you can visit it each month.

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  16. @Tina: Thanks for stopping by. And yes, it's a great place to visit...

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  17. Those gardens are awesome. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Wow those are so beautiful! I would love to visit there! You are so lucky to be able to visit there(-: Not sure how they keep it all pruned all the time though. I have a 40 foot hedge plus a little more in another area and its a real chore to prune it all the time(-: But I love the look of the pruned hedges and shrubs!!!!

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  19. @Cindee: Thanks for stopping by.
    The gardens are beautiful and not always as well-maintained like you see in the pictures...Jaipur is in one of the driest states of India, mostly rain fed. Therefore, it's not easy to manage public gardens...

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  20. Nice blog and very nice post tooo....
    Visited Amer(Amber) fort atleast 7/8 times...it was our must drop point at the end of our Gurgaon-Jaipur long drive :-)

    Loving it...

    Pl. visit my very new decor blog:
    http://rainbow-thecoloursofindia.blogspot.com.

    Warm regadrs
    Sanghamitra.

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Thanks for stopping by.