Umaid Bhavan Palace

Umaid Bhavan Palace Fast facts

• Location- Jodhpur, Rajasthan

• Serves as – Luxury hotel

• Tourist places around palace- Mehranghar fort, Jaswant Thada, Government Museum, Clock tower and Sardar Market, Mahamandir Temple and Kaliana Temple

Gracing the foothills of the capital city of Jodhpur is Umaid Bhavan, one of the largest and at the same time last of royal mansions in the country. The royal residence of Jodhpur’s first family this royal monument imbibes the confluence of both eastern and western cultures. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh the grandfather of the present heir to the royal family, this monument was planned and executed with the highest levels of grandiosity and this is evident in the furnishings and the decorations that adorn this royal palatial property. So much so that Umaid Singh travelled all the day to London in search of an architect and the concern Lanchester and Lodge was commissioned to build this palace.

Architectural Style- Designed by the famous architect Henry Lanchester this monument bears a distinctive confluence of eastern and western cultures. The 105 foot majestic high cupola is distinctive inspiration of the renaissance era while the towers on either side of the monument bear distinctiveness to the Rajput style of construction. The interiors of this monument are lavished with finest of finery that includes gilded furnishing and exquisite artwork that all spell out grandeur and royality. The interiors of the palace also include unusual murals drawn by the self exiled polish artisan Stefan Norblin. It took 3000 people working round the clock and as many as 15 years to complete this residency. This structure referred to as the Chittar Ka bangla comprises 347 rooms. The primary entrance of the palace is known as Raj Mahal. The entrance bears the Rathore Coat of Arms bearing the sacred kite which is believed to be an incarnation of the family Goddess. This symbol is present almost everywhere in this palatial property as a mark of true respect and reverence. Apart from that Kite hunting to this day is prohibited. This monument houses several banquets and ball rooms, billiards room and an imposing Durbar hall. The other attractions of the palace include the teak paneled library, circular reception halls magnificent marble flooring and doubled stairways, a cinema house and royal suites.

This monument though incomplete served as a base for the military during World War 2. After independence all palatial property and privileges given to princes were derecognized. As a result, Gaj Singh like various other royals decided to convert the palace into a heritage hotel. Umaid Bhavan Palace today is a luxury heritage hotel. Visitors are rendered a truly luxurious royal experience with 64 rooms and suites modeled in art deco style. The main suite residency includes

• Maharani Suite

• Maharaja suite

• Royal suite

Comfort, luxury and modernity are the three distinctive features that await visitors who wish to stay at the prestigious Umaid Bhawan palace. Royality and regal ambience serenades in the entire vicinity.