Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal, the Water Palace, appears to float in the middle of Man Sagar Lake on the Amer Road north of Jaipur, Rajasthan, with the Nahargarh hills rising behind it. The sandstone palace dates to the 18th century and was built in the Rajput style, with chhatri-topped corners and terraced levels; most of its five storeys are said to sit below the waterline when the lake is full. The building is closed to the public, so the visit is about the view rather than a tour of rooms. Visitors stop at the lakeside promenade on the Amer Road, where a paved walkway and a row of snack and souvenir stalls give a clear view across the water. Birds, including migratory species in winter, feed on the lake, and camel and horse rides are sometimes offered nearby. Most people spend 20 to 30 minutes here, which makes it an easy stop on the way to or from Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort or Kanak Vrindavan. Sunrise and sunset give the best light, when the palace glows warm against the water and the hills, while midday tends to be hazy and hot. Crowds build in late afternoon and at weekends, when families and tour buses crowd the promenade; early morning is the calmest. The best photo angles are from the promenade's centre looking straight at the palace, and from the sides for the hills in the frame. Entry to the promenade is free. Auto-rickshaws and cabs heading to Amer pass directly by, so a short stop is easy to arrange with the driver. Hawkers sell snacks and trinkets along the walkway, and a polite refusal is usually enough.