The Amer Fort (also called the Amber Fort) was once the seat of government for this area.  One popular thing to do is ride an elephant up the hill to the fort.  We happened to arrive as some of the elephants were bathing.

This elephant seemed to be especially enjoying its bath.

Here we are arriving at the fort on “our” elephant.

A small part of the view from Amer Fort.  These rooftop gardens were once used to grow saffron.

This screen is carved from marble, and is about two inches thick.

The Jal Mahal, or Water Palace, between Jaipur and Amer Fort was built in the mid-18th century.  During the monsoons, the water is much higher.

The Hawar Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, is a signature sight of Jaipur.  All the buildings in the old city are painted this color, a tradition that started in honor of a visit to the city by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) in 1876.  This part of town is still called the “Pink City”.

Jai Singh II built another Jantar Mantar in Jaipur.  This one has been restored, and most of the instruments have all their parts and can be used.  This picture shows a couple of sundials, a calendar, and a north star finder.

This sundial has a precision of about 20 seconds.

Dancers were performing at the City Palace as part of a week of events leading up to Rajasthan Day.

“I;d like a Coke, please.”