Jal Mahal sits in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, the reservoir that Jai Singh II dammed in the early 1700s on the road to Amer. The palace was enlarged by Madho Singh I in the 1750s as a lodge for duck-hunting parties; when the lake is full, four of its five storeys are under water and only the top floor and the chhatris show.
It cannot be entered; the view is from the lakeside promenade on the Amer road, which is lined with camel rides, puppet sellers and snack stalls in the evening. The lake was restored in the 2000s and the birdlife has returned.
What to see
| Name | Where | What it is known for |
|---|---|---|
| The lakeside promenade | Amer road | Where everyone stops for the photograph. |
| Man Sagar Lake | The reservoir; migratory birds in winter. | |
| Evening stalls | Promenade | Snacks, camels, puppets. |
| The Nahargarh hills | Behind | The backdrop to the palace. |
Worth knowing
- Best at dawn or dusk; the midday light is flat.
- The palace is not open; do not pay anyone for a boat.
- On the way to Amer; stop for ten minutes.
Named houses on this page
Kanak Vrindavan
Royal garden in the Kanak valley · Amer road, below Nahargarh
Maharaniyon ki Chhatriyan
Cenotaphs of the queens of Jaipur · Ramgarh road, near Jal Mahal
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