Nahargarh Fort stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, overlooking the city of Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh once formed a strong defense ring for the city. The fort was originally named Sudarshangarh but it became known as Nahargarh, which means 'abode of tigers'. The popular belief is that Nahar here stands for Nahar Singh Bhomia, whose spirit haunted the place and obstructed construction of the fort. Nahar's spirit was pacified by building a temple in his memory within the fort, which thus became known by his name.
History Of The Fort
Nahargarh Fort was built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur, on the Aravalli hills, as a retreat place. Nahargarh Fort is connected to the Jaigarh Fort through its fortifications. It is believed that the construction of this fort was obstructed by the spirit of a Rathore prince, Nahar Singh Bhomia. However, the spirit was pacified when a temple dedicated to him was built inside the fort. Sawai Ram Singh renovated this fort in 1868.
Architectural Layout Of The Fort
The fort follows Indo-European architecture and there are many structures inside the fort. To the left of the entrance gate 'Tadigate', there is a temple dedicated to the deity of Jaipur rulers. Apart from this, there is another temple inside the fort, dedicated to the Rathore prince, Nahar Singh Bhomia. Another attraction in the fort is the 'Madhavendra Bhawan' built by Sawai Madho Singh. This is a two-storey building which has suites for the king and his twelve queens. It is divided into nine similar apartments and each of these apartments has a lobby, bedrooms, toilets, kitchen and store. Other structures inside the palace include Diwan-I-Aam, an open air enclosure where the king met the common men and listened to their problems and complaints.
How to Reach
The city is extremely well-connected to the other parts of the country and the world through a multitude of transportation modes. The domestic airport is at a distance of 7 km from the main city at Sanganer, while the international airport is at a distance of 10 km. The airport connects the city to the major metro cities across India and abroad. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or a bus and reach your desired destination in and around Jaipur.
If you'd like to travel by train, the railway station is at a distance of 5 km and is well connected to the main city. There are many trains which connect Jaipur with different cities across India. The city has three main railway junctions, the main station at Jaipur, one at Gandhinagar and the third one at Durgapur. From the railway station, you can take a bus, an auto rickshaw or hire a taxi and reach the main city. If you are an avid lover of comfort and luxury, then "Palace on Wheels", a luxurious train, is the right choice for you.
