Jal Mahal, a photo from Rajasthan, West

Photographer's Note

Jal Mahal (meaning "Water Palace") is a palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, India. The palace and the lake around it were renovated and enlarged in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber. The urban lake gets filled up during the rainy season; over the years, once the reservoir became full during rainy season, it got covered with Hyacinth. During this period the red stoned palace became approachable only by boat and through a causeway, and presented a spectacle on the way to Jaipur city from Delhi. The lake got polluted due to sewage flow from the Jaipur city. The palace remained uninhabited, was not maintained and hence not visited by tourists. To remove the ecological damage caused to the lake due to indiscriminate pollution from the city sewage, restoration measures were undertaken, since 2001, after a detailed study by the Government of Rajasthan. But serious efforts were initiated only in 2004 through a very large restoration project undertaken through a joint-venture company called the Project Development Company Limited, Jaipur, a private enterprise, in association with the Government of Rajasthan, with institutional support provided by the Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services, a parastatal organization of the Government of India, and the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The basic objective of the project is conservation and management of the lake in regard to ecological development, sustainable fisheries development, and wildlife development. The purpose of the project is also to cater to the tourist industry, because Rajasthan attracts the largest number of tourists every year; 650,000 national and 175,000 international tourists are said to visit the state every year. Tourism in the state of Rajasthan is generally monument-centric, particularly in Jaipur and in this context Jal Mahal has an important role. n the past, at the location of the lake, there was a natural depression where water used to accumulate. During 1596 AD, when there was a severe famine in this region there was consequent acute shortage of water. The then ruler of Ajmer was, therefore, motivated to build a dam to store water to overcome the severe hardships caused by the famine to the people inhabiting the region. A dam was constructed, initially using earth and quartzite, across the eastern valley between Amer hills and Amagarh hills. The dam was later converted into a stone masonry structure in the 17th century. The dam, as existing now, is about 300 metres (980 ft) long and 28.5�34.5 metres (94�113 ft) in width. It is provided with three sluice gates for release of water for irrigation of agricultural land in the down stream area. Since then, the dam, the lake and the palace in its midst have undergone several rounds of restoration under various rulers of Rajasthan but the final restoration in the 18th century is credited to Jai Singh II of Amer. During this period, a number of other historical and religious places, such as the Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Khilangarh Fort, Kanak Vrindavan Valley were also built in the vicinity of the lake. All these places are now linked under a tourist corridor of road net work.

lousat, erhan1958, maria-v1981, ebingul, mrichat, jhm, tyro, SnapRJW, danos, JFS, angel66, ikeharel, ikeharel, Gigidusud, delpeoples, siolaw, baddori, lakshmip1949, peppe59, macjake, ChrisJ, Ricx, abmdsudi, PaulVDV, fritzi007 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (139266) 2012-03-07 2:06

Ammazza che spettacolo...stavolta il merito del fotografo va condiviso con la meraviglia della scena,non era difficile fare una gran foto con questa vista meravigliosa di fronte..ehehe.perfetta scelta del pov,gran gestione della luce e dei dettagli! Complimentoni e buona serata,Luciano

heimann2 (2067) 2012-03-07 2:07

Nice view over a beautiful landscape an impressive momument. Warm colours and good framing.
thanks for sharing
regards
Pierre

yquem46 (38752) 2012-03-07 2:13

Ciao Valter
I really wonder where you were for such a POV
Never seen it like this and you did well to climb a bit for such a good result
have a nice day
patrick

TRB (14138) 2012-03-07 2:17

Viewing angle, color, light, clarity and excellent image.
Framing an impressive, a great share.
congratulations

T�lay

maria-v1981 (10966) 2012-03-07 2:44

Ciao Valter,
What an amazing panoramic view. You are so lucky you have the change to see and travel in such intresting place. Every part from this place is fantastic. Quality work.
Thanks for sharing it,
Cheers,
Maria

ebingul (1984) 2012-03-07 3:07

Hello Valter,
A fantastic panoramic scene with beautiful colours,DOF,light and clarity.A wonderful composition.
Congrats,TFS and best regards,
Emin

mrichat (1755) 2012-03-07 3:27

helo valter,
very colorful,good dof,beautyful landscape.grt take.
regards//
mrityunjoy

npecanhuk (79329) 2012-03-07 3:30

Ciao Valter!
Wow! Wonderful picture!
I had never seen that place from that pov... very interesting!
Composition, colors, exposure, sharpness, horizontal format and dof are all excellent!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

jhm (211736) 2012-03-07 3:47

Ciao Valter,

What a lovely panoramic image about these area.
Splendid mountainlandscape in background.
Perfect perspective and depth picture
Excellent composition, pleasant colors too.
Very well done, TFS.

Regards,
John.

Miguel82 (47110) 2012-03-07 4:13

Hello Valter
beautiful view
Excellent quality shot
rgds
Miguel

tyro (30513) 2012-03-07 4:16

Ciao Valter,

I've heard people say that the light in India is better than anywhere else in the World for photography. And, when I look at this picture, I can believe it.

Beautiful soft lighting with great detail in the foreground and fine hazy softer colours over the distant mountains. The palace stands like a jewel in the lake with gorgeous relections of it in the water.

Perfectly composed and exposed and with gorgeous colours, contrasts and sharpness.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-03-07 4:17

This is a super wide and expansive view of the location Valter. I don't recollect seeing a shot from this POV before and it is fascinating to see. You have captured very good detail and your image gives a wonderful overview of this impressive place. A shot to study. Well done and warm regards rosemary

dale54 (17768) 2012-03-07 5:04

valter hello,beautifull light and color to your shot,thanks for the great note too.super work,like it! tfs! dr

rhinos59 (610) 2012-03-07 5:15

Ciao valter,
panorama mozzafiato! molto nitidi gli edifici e il Palazzo che se erge maestosamente dalle acque! beato te!,
Ciao Rino

sacimar (38173) 2012-03-07 5:31

Hello Valter,

this is an impressive image, the point of view is excellent, the water palace is really eye catching, I also like the light, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

danos (110407) 2012-03-07 5:32

Ciao Valter,
really it's name is truth as we see this panoramic view of the place with Jal Mahal to be in the waters.
The warm afternoon light falling on the area makes the image unique.Good presentation.

Have agood aftrnoon,Danos

JFS (32459) 2012-03-07 6:17

Ciao Valter,
FANTASTICA perspective and depth of field, the light and the colors are superb. Beautiful landscape.

Cheers,
Juan

diomed (13926) 2012-03-07 6:25

Ciao Valter,
paesaggio magnifico ripreso da un POV d'eccezione. Magistrale il POV, la luce calda e dorata sembra carezzare il tutto. Foto di alta qualit�. Compimenti!
Antonio

Afsanehbagheri (3228) 2012-03-07 8:02

Hi my friend

Wonderful views, very clean and cheesy like swimming in

the Cove's the best greeting

angel66 (1006) 2012-03-07 8:16

ciao Valter
beh che dire qui? La foto dice tutto da sola...in gergo direi 'tanta roba' :) Bravo
Ciao
Giuliana

aliabazari (22175) 2012-03-07 8:23

Hi Walter
Very beautiful space in India. Incredible. Very nice combination of background and foreground lighting with good capture.
Thanks for sharing

ikeharel (113345) 2012-03-07 9:00

Cheers Valter, this is the firsty time I see this palace from a perspective you posted, never realized it was amid such a big lake.
Fabulous image under golden light, and a superb clearity.
Buona serata,
Ike

Gigidusud (21679) 2012-03-07 11:25

Ciao Valter,
Splendido panorama con una bella luce.Bellissimo Jal Mahal nel mezzo dell'acqua.
Bravissimo Valter!
Ghislaine

delpeoples (60342) 2012-03-07 17:18

Caro Valter

oooh la la! Che veduta! Questa foto anche nel miniatura era strepitosa. Il POV e' proprio impressionante, posso solo immaginare come difficile era il salire! Ottima la nitidezza, la luce e profundita di campo. Il contrasto e' ben bilanciato, accentuando la luce calorosa. Ottimo lavoro, molto molto meglio di quello mugshot delﾁssessore ehehehehe

Un abbraccio
Lisuzza
PS: Tra due settimane faro' Oste Par Eccellence al Paololg e Skippy007 per il loro Grande Tour Dei Monelli a Sydney. Non vedo la!

siolaw (38294) 2012-03-07 22:09

Ciao Valter
Ottimo il PdV, la luce e stupende e la vedute fantastica.
Il palazzo sembra un gioiello di oro nel lago.
Bravo
L.

baddori (20341) 2012-03-07 23:01

Valter
Foto d'insieme con un vasto e variegato panorama.
La nota � interessante e trova confronto in molti particolari che la foto propone.
Un ottimo lavoro
GF

Silvio1953 (221593) 2012-03-08 0:37

Ciao Valter, gran bella vista del magnifico palazzo in mezzo al lago in uno scenario di grande bellezza, splendido POV ottima nitidezza, bella luce, bravo, ciao Silvio

milad_abazari (1648) 2012-03-08 7:40

Hello.
Very nice and good view. The sharp image is very good.
With respect of the b.c.

lakshmip1949 (19081) 2012-03-08 8:20

Hello Valter,

This image doesn't need too many words. This is a top class shot with beautiful panoramic view of the mountains, buildings and the palace. You have captured all the details with superb colors, lighting and sharpness.

Lakshmi

peppe59 (14555) 2012-03-08 10:49

Ciao Valter,
scenario fantastico, grandi dettagli e una perfetta profondit�, la luce � speciale, complimenti gran bella panoramica.
buona serata
peppe

macjake (98456) 2012-03-08 19:05

Hi Valter
wow, now this is something i have certainly never seen before!
This is exactly why TE is so great! We can learn from all areas of the World.
very cool photo, great subject, and wonderful landscape.
cheers
craig

ChrisJ (171822) 2012-03-08 20:16

Ciao Valter

A spectacular view across this photogenic harbour with good sharpness & excellent framing. I like the warm vs cold colour contrasts between the blue sea z& sky against the warm earthy tones of the land. The curve of the bay at right adds superb lead in lines. Tfs!

Ricx (13495) 2012-03-08 22:55

Hi Valter, what great lighting, to pick up the palace and surrounding buildings.. I have seen an image posted on this site when there was no water in the lake. So it is good to see that it has all been cleaned out and refilled. excellent note.. TFS Ricx

emka (158156) 2012-03-08 23:39

Hi Valter,

spoectacular view of the lake with the dam and the palace on the water. fantastic sharpness. Excellent shot.
I was not so lucky with the weather, it was raining in Jaipur (and than in Taj Mahal :( too).
Warm regrads

MAlgo

carlo62 (81265) 2012-03-09 0:15

Ciao Valter
paesaggio stupendo, profondit� di campo eccezionale e bellissima luce, ciliegina sulla torta il palazzo nell'acqua che riflette nell'oro.
Complimenti
Carlo

jemaflor (147128) 2012-03-09 2:44

Hi Valter,
So beautiful pov on this wonderful landscape, perfectly composed, greta light and contrast, tfs, bravo !

Ninello52 (7576) 2012-03-09 4:06

Ciao Valter!
Magnifica la luce che "accende" il tuo paesaggio! Splendido quel tempio in mezzo al lago che decisamente caratterizza il paesaggio! Bella panoramica, ottima esposizione che permette di leggere anche il paesaggio sfumato sul fondo!
Saluti, Nino.

gus72 (3719) 2012-03-09 9:43

Hi Valter !!
This is a magnificent panoramic view, very well taken on a nice sunny day.
I am grateful and impressed by the extend of your note, now I know a little more about Jaipur.I also see that you continue to spend time on TE even when you are travelling..... that is not easy
now i am waiting for images from GOA.
take care
Gus

dta (98848) 2012-03-09 12:22

Ciao VAlter ;
A fantastic panoramic view , that shows us how is situated this outstanding castle in an amazing scenery .
Regards

abmdsudi (95869) 2012-03-11 7:24

Hi Valter
No wonder this is members' fav, A breath taking shot indeed from a strategic high vantage point overlooking the lake in immense depth sweeping the eyes through to the mountain range in the background, Lovely to view the blue water and the 'floating' palace sits at the right spot that evoke a special mood of peacefulness and tranquaility. Excellent additional lively foreground and the warm colors and shadows are sure so stunning, but the contrast is superb against the sky, Simply a brilliant shot and thsnks to the infor notes. Congrats
Best regards

pedram_abazari (971) 2012-03-15 22:59

سلام دوست من
عکس بسیار زیبا و جالبی است .
موفق باشی

Bluejeans (64251) 2012-03-16 12:23

Ola Valter ,
Que belo ponto de vis� com o pal當io dentro de agua , gostei muito dos tons dourados , bonita a paisagem de fundo , parab駭s!!
Um abra輟 Gon軋lo

Bom fim de semana

PaulVDV (62892) 2012-03-18 14:56

Ciao Valter,
This really is a stunning view and you found an excellent high POV to capture it.
The white Water Palace is a real beauty on that blue lake.
The barren mountains at the other side of the water look like the opposite of the luxurious palace.
Water, source of life is present. But the contrast with the arid landscape is enormous.
Best regards, Paul

Alfoja (676) 2012-03-18 15:36

Che meraviglia Valter!

Complimenti davvero!

Luciano

rabdelnoor (3423) 2012-03-19 18:40

Hi Valter,
Fantastic view of this bay with this impressive palace. Excellent framing and colours. The city on the foreground and the mountains in the background really enhanced the composition.
Regards
Ricardo

serp2000 (47063) 2012-03-22 1:23

Ciao, Valter,
Outstanding landscape! I have never been in this Indian state. Excellent postcard, great composition and very informative note.
I am going to SE Asia at saturday.
Best wishes,
Serghei

bornav (486) 2012-03-29 3:01

Hello Valter,
This is a remarkable telephoto shot! Many people have visited this spot, but seldom does anyone capture from this view as most of them only go near the lake to picture the palace. Even the distant hills look lovely in the sunset light!

kiks (12805) 2012-04-19 8:13

I would love to visit city to see with my own eyes this view. Amazing landschape with the mountains and flat beats. Teh contrast of colors is also beautiful.
Best regadrs
KIKs

kennyblack (4207) 2012-07-25 4:37

Ciao Valter
Bellissimo panorama della fortezza che domina il lago e le vicinanze. Molto bella e calda la luce laterale del sole che ha donato un colorito speciale a tutta l' immagine. Molto bella e dettagliata.
Un caro saluto ed augurio di buona giornata ... Marino

fritzi007 (14698) 2013-02-21 4:00

Hello Valter,
amazing, beautiful, interesting area. Your comment is very informative, just wonderful, congratulations!
Greetings
Wolfgang

elenimavrandoni (0) 2013-07-22 12:08

sembra impressionante come � la sua storia
un paese di tradizione, di cultura straordinaria, dei colori e delle leggende
di miti e sogni irrealizzati
una bella immagine molto mistico e mitico..

maloutim (13617) 2013-08-05 2:50

Ciao Valter,
Che paesaggio magnifico del Jal Mahal che non conocevo di tutto !
Il palacio e sui riflessi nel lago blu da un effetto ottimo fra le montagne intorno.
Bravissimo.
Marie-Louise.