Palaces of Rajasthan

No travel to the western state of Rajasthan is complete without a visit to the palaces which abounds in the state providing the visitor a unique opportunity to experience the rich history and culture of the past in a royal ambience.

The landscape of Rajasthan is dotted with many palaces. As its name suggests, Rajasthan, meaning the Land of Kings, was once the home of several opulent princely states whose rulers built some of the finest and majestic palaces in the world. Embellished with amazing interiors, these palaces in Rajasthan are architectural masterpieces capable of soothing your senses and captivating your imagination which in turn, will takes you towards the regal lifestyle of the blue blooded

Today most of these palaces in Rajasthan have turned into heritage hotels which offer the visitors the ultimate in luxury, beauty and comfort. Some of them are now serving as museums.

Below is the rundown of famous palaces of Rajasthan:

Lake Palace, Udaipur

The Lake Palace, now a luxury palace hotel, is like a wedding cake floating in the middle of the Pichola Lake in Udaipur. An exotic white marble building on the Jag Niwas Island, this magical palace was built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1743 and has featured in the Bond movie Octopussy as well other movies.

City Palace, Udaipur

The magnificent City Palace overlooking the Pichola Lake was built by Maharana Uday Singh in 1559. Several palaces and structures were added to the complex by the succeeding generations of Maharanas.

Amber Palace Jaipur

An excursion from Jaipur will take you to the important historic site of Amber Fort Palace whose construction was initiated by Man Singh in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I.

Rambagh Palace Jaipur

The palace oozes with opulence from every nook and corner. Once a majestic palace of the Rajput rulers, the Rambagh Palace has been converted into a heritage hotel that provide all the modern amenities a modern day tourist could ask for.

Hawa Mahal Jaipur

One of the most photographed monuments in India, the Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal is a beautiful historical building, this five-storey ornamental facade of 593 latticed-stone screened windows is situated near Johari Bazaar.

Jal Mahal Jaipur

The city's most romantic attraction, Jal Mahal, also known as Water Palace, was built as a royal summer idyll by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799. Located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, the palace with its intricate craftsmanship will stir your imagination.

Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur

A famous landmark of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace was built in 1929 by the Maharaja Umaid Singh who embarked upon the construction of this palace to create employment during famine. Apart from being the residence of the members of the royal family, one par t of the palace has been converted into a luxury palace.

Lalgarh Palace Bikaner

The lovely three-storey complex of Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner was built in the first quarter of the 20th century and is fine blend of Rajput, Mughal and European styles of architecture. The intricate filigree work and latticework of the palace will amaze you.

City Palace Jaipur

A beautiful fusion of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace is one of the highlights of Jaipur. It is home to the Chandra Mahal, the City Palace Museum and Shri Govind Dev Temple whose presiding deity is Lord Krishna.

Fateh Prakash Palace Udaipur

The Fateh Prakash Palace, the grand heritage palace hotelof the HRH group represents the authentic royal luxury at its best. The warmth of royal hospitality greets you as you walk along the corridors lined with large paintings of the Mewar School that flourishedthrough the seventeenth to the nineteenth century.

Neemrana Palace

Built in 1467 by the descendents of Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Rajput ruler of delhii, Neemrana fort palace is now a heritage hotel and makes an excellent excursion from Delhi. Delhi airport is 108 km from Neemrana Palace which is a good place to savour the rich history of the area.

Bundi Palace

Situated 37km north of Kota Bundi Palace is one of Rajasthan's greatest treasures. Rudyard Kipling writes on Bundi Palace, "Jeypore Palace may be called the Versailles of India; Udaipur's House of State is dwarfed by the hill round it and the spread of the Pichola Lake; Jodhpur's House of strife, grey tower on red rock, is the work of giants, but the Palace of Bundi, even in broad daylight, is such a palace as men build for themselves in uneasy dreams - the work of goblins rather than of men."