Today, Katey took advantage of the lovely weather, and slipped out of the city to visit the nearby Jaigarh Fort. Though she has visited Jaipur a number of times, there are always new places to visit and things to experience, and Katey had somehow missed out on visiting this particular fort. The drive to the fort was an exhilarating experience as they dodged goats, road workers, buses, and peacocks, as well as the odd buffalo. Jaigarh Fort sits above the more frequently visited Amber Fort offering amazing views of the surrounding country, Jaipur, and the Amber Fort. While Amber, sitting just below, was the seat of the government, Jaigarh was the military protection. The two are connected via a series of secret labyrinthine tunnels which are currently closed to visitors.
The pride of the fort, which was built in the 18th century, is Jaivana. Jaivana’s claim to fame is that it is the world’s largest cannon on wheels. The cannon is so heavy that it takes 4 elephants to turn it around. The fort complex was mainly empty, except for a large school group, as it was the middle of the week before the main tourist season. But that meant that Katey was able to explore the various corridors and courtyards without bumping into people. She was also able to watch the tail end of a puppet show! All in all, it was a fun diversion and a lovely afternoon in the sun!
