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 Jal Mahal palace is considered an architectural beauty built in the Rajput style of architecture (common in Rajasthan) providing a picturesque view of the lake. The hills surrounding the lake area, towards the north east of Jaipur, have quartzite rock formations (with a thin layer of soil cover), which is part of Aravalli hills range. The reserve forest area of the lake catchment has several wild life species such as deer, jungle cat, striped hyena, Indian fox, Indian wild boar and leopards. The lake used to be a bird watcher's paradise in the past and was a favorite ground for the Rajput kings of Jaipur for royal duck shooting parties during picnics. At the top, there is a garden which keeps open only 6am to 6pm. Although any time is a good time to explore Jal Mahal but it is during the monsoon season (when the water level rises up) when the views more seductive. The best time to visit is during sunrise and sunset.