Maota Lake

This small lake sits under the massive Amer (Amber) fort just outside of Jaipur and includes a small island in its center, lush with gardens. The Kesar Kyari Bagh, or saffron garden, contains plants that are said to have been planted by a Maharaja in the 15th century, and all of the plants sit on a raised square platform base with intricate stonework laid between the colorful patterned plants.
The lake provides a serene setting from which to look up at Amer Fort on the hillside. The fort and palace are reflected on the water’s surface, and Maota Lake once served as the main source of water for the Amer Palace. The other garden on the lake, Dilaram Bagh, is named after its architect, and both gardens were clearly created to be seen from above, with geometric patterns that can only be seen from up the hill.

Practical Info

Maota Lake is located on the south side of the city of Amer, about 11 kilometers from the center of Jaipur, at the base of Amer Fort. There is no fee to visit the lake, but there is a fee to traverse up (or ride an elephant) to and enter the Amer Fort above, which is open 8 am to 6 pm daily.