Amber: Havelis, Temples and Textile Craftsmanship

Amber, the historic capital of Rajasthan, can be explored among narrow lanes, old havelis and temples. A particular highlight is the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing: it is housed in a historic haveli and is dedicated to the tradition of hand-printing textiles. You can also stroll through the streets; the architecture of Jagat Shiromani Temple combines Jain, Hindu, Mughal and South Indian styles. If you choose Amber for your trip, you will have several cultural perspectives to explore.

Explore Amber on foot

The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing recommends exploring Amber on foot through its narrow lanes. Along the way, you will pass old havelis, stepwells, temples and mosques. For orientation, the museum offers a hand-drawn map or directions. This lets you plan your walk around the historic buildings you would like to see in more detail.

A somewhat more challenging walking option leads to the rear entrance of Amber Fort and continues to Narsingh Temple and Bumbs Haveli; other interesting places are also along the way. If you plan to take this route, check local access conditions before setting out. The directions name specific destinations, but conditions on the ground should also be part of your practical planning.

The museum is next to Kheri Gate in the northern part of Amber, just beyond Panna Meena Step Well and Bihariji Temple. From the fort, the walk to the museum takes about ten minutes along Amber’s cobbled streets. It is also about a ten-minute walk from Amber Market. For orientation, consider these as two separate routes: the museum is a short walk away from both the fort and the market.

Havelis, hand printing and temple architecture

The museum is housed in Chanwar Palkiwalon ki Haveli. The Rajput haveli dates from the 16th century and is incorporated into the city walls; it stands by the strategically located Kheri Gate. Its restoration is also part of the building’s history: in 2000, it received a UNESCO award for cultural preservation. A visit to the museum therefore combines an exploration of textiles with a glimpse of a historic Amber building.

The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing collection includes hand-printed textiles, pictures, tools and related objects. It aims to provide a deeper insight into the complexity of the ancient tradition of hand printing. Patterns and tools are presented alongside the textiles themselves, offering different ways to engage with a craft that is about more than the finished piece. For travellers who want to experience textile culture as well as havelis and temples, a visit to this museum offers a distinct perspective.

Jagat Shiromani Temple in Amber offers another architectural highlight: its architecture combines Jain, Hindu, Mughal and South Indian styles. This offers a different focus from the museum’s hand-printing tradition. If you are interested in the cultural aspects of the town, you can include both in your travel plans without treating them as the same experience.

Walks and practical planning

Demonstrations are also part of the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing’s offerings. They show block carving and block printing. They take place daily, except during the break from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m.; on Fridays, there is an additional break from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. If you would like to time your museum visit to coincide with a demonstration, check the latest visitor information before planning your time around it.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Amber, your preferred travel focus can be a good starting point: would you rather stroll through lanes to havelis, stepwells and temples, or are you particularly interested in the tradition of hand-printed textiles? The routes to the museum described above start at the fort and the market, respectively, and each takes about ten minutes on foot. Together with the museum’s location at Kheri Gate, this information can help you plan your way around the town. It also gives you a practical reference point when deciding which Amber experiences to include in your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Akhaipura, Pragpura, Gopalgarh, Rahlana, Bassi, Chandwaji, Chomu, Samod.

For the overview of the wider region: Jaipur.