Jal Mahal

जल महल

An 18th-century water palace in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, where four of its five storeys are submerged and only the top floor rises above the water. It is a must-stop photo spot on the way to Amber Fort.

Jal Mahal stands in the middle of Man Sagar Lake between Jaipur and Amer. Originally built in the 18th century as a royal hunting and picnic retreat, it was expanded in 1799. Its red sandstone five-storey structure has four storeys beneath the lake's water after the reservoir was filled, leaving only the top floor and the octagonal pavilions at its corners visible. Behind it rise the Aravalli Hills and Nahargarh Fort, and the reflections on the lake are especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. The palace itself is not currently open to the public; a plan to convert it into a restaurant after restoration was once proposed but has not been finalized. Visitors can only view and photograph it from the lakeside promenade, which is free and open all day. In the evening, there are snack stalls, camels and horse carriages by the lake, and vendors selling textiles and bangles. In winter (November to February), migratory birds visit the lake. The palace lies on the required route to Amber Fort, about 6 km from the old city. Visitors usually stop for 20 to 30 minutes on the way to or from Amber Fort. Go early to Amber Fort and shoot the sunrise here first, or descend from Nahargarh Fort and watch the sunset. Note: the lake is polluted, so do not enter the water. Vendors can be persistent, and a polite refusal is enough. Traffic on the lakeside road is fast, so take care when taking photos.

Jal Mahal

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