Udaipur: The holiday palaces

There are three major palaces in Udaipur - City Palace, Lake Palace and Monsoon Palace.

Lake Palace

Looking at Lake Palace from City Palace

Lake Palace was built in 1743-1746 during the royal dynasty of Mewar by Maharana Jagat Singh II as a royal summer palace, right smack on an island in Lake Pichola. It was named Jag Niwas after its founder but it is now converted to a luxury hotel - Taj Lake Palace.

According to the legend documented in Taj Lake Palace website, this lake palace came about after a young prince was denied his indulgence in moonlight picnies with ladies in another lake island palace of Jag Mandir.

As this is now a private property, running as a hotel,  it is not exactly open for tourist, unless one is a resident guest. Apparently, one of the many films shot at this location was James Bond film Octopussy. I don't really remember this series of James Bond film though.

That being said, we only saw this summer palace in the past from afar as we were not guests at the current Taj Lake Palace.

Monsoon Palace

See, the white bits on top of the hill? That's Monsoon Palace

Pardon the iPhone 4, ok? ;)

Monsoon Palace, fomerly known as Sajjan Garh Palace, named after Mahara Sajjan Singh also of Mewar Dynasty. This hilltop palace was built in 1884 with the idea to watch the monsoon clouds.

This Monsoon Palace which overlooks the Lake Pichola was also meant to serve as a resort for the royal family. The palace is 5 km west of Udaipur and link by a winding road. Unfortunately, due to our lack of time, we didn't have the chance to visit this place. I like the name of this palace though, Monsoon Palace does sounds very interesting.

City Palace

Before anyone starting boo-ing me that I am making this up and wonder if I really have been to Udaipur, I have gone to one - City Palace.

Udaipur was the historic capital of the former kingdom of Mewar in the Rajputana Agency and its last capital. This marble palace was built by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559, stood by the banks of Lake Pichola. What's impressive was not all parts of this palace was built at the same time, but the whole of it does look similar.

Entrance fee to Udaipur Palace Museum at that time of our visit was at Rs 115. There is also a charge for photography, to which we paid for one camera, Rs 225, this of course only started once we entered the building. We requested for a local guide on our visit, and his name is Dinesh. Lol, super easy for me to remember because one of my friend share the same name.

Prevention at door, said in case attacked by elephants

 

 

After a couple of hours in the City Palace, we cruised Lake Pichola to Jag Mandir (return ticket Rs 340.)

Island Palace

Jag Mandir is the first island palace of Lake Pichola. This palace built by Maharana Karan Singhji is right smack in the middle of the lake. It was intended to serve as a pleasure palace for regal parties and functions.

This island palace was also served as a refuge for Moghul Emperor Shahjahan when he was a prince against the wrath of his father in a family dispute in the seventeenth century. It was also said that following this, the island palace was the inspiration behind Taj Mahal.

In present day, this is a now a ideal destination for weddings venue. Other facilities at this place is an all day cafe, restaurant and bar.

Side note: Ah.. yummy cottage pie..