Located up on the Araval hills surrounding Jaipur, the Amber Fort, sprawls along the Maotha Lake. With massive complex gateways, courts, stairways and pillared pavilions and palaces the Amber Fort is a truly awe-inspiring structure. Amber is the erstwhile capital of the Jaipur State and is just a twenty-minutes drive from the walled city of Jaipur. The work on the fort was started by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and was completed by Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh, over a period spanning around two centuries. Apart from the various mahals (palaces), the fort also houses the temple of Shilla Mata, the family deity of the erstwhile Jaipur royal family. Each year during the Navratras, a massive fair is held here with thousands of devotees flocking the fort for worshipping including the royalty. The fort is a classic example of the fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture. Adorning the structure are the magnificent pillared hall of the Diwan - i - Am, and the two - tiered painted gateway Ganesh Pol. While the palace of mirrors, Sheesh Mahal with walls inlaid with exquisite mirrors still takes every first time visitor's breath away. The Jas Mandir, perched on the upper floor, has a superb combination of Mughal and Rajput style of architecture, as is evident from the exquisitely carved Jali screens (Jharokhas), and fine mirror and stucco work. The reflection of the fort in the Maotha Lake is truly spectacular.