Palace, Heritage

Have you imagined yourself living in luxury and splendor? Imagine living in a royal palace, being served by attendants at every beck and call. Enjoying life in the lap of luxury is no longer the good fortune of a few people. Today worldwide there are Palaces and chateaus where any common man could visit and stay.

India with his rich past is home to countless palaces. These palaces were the abode of kings and the royal family in yester years. These palaces are an excellent example of the rich and glorious past of India. Most of these palaces were not only residences of the royal family but they are sheer examples of brilliant architecture and royalty.

These famous Indian palaces of grandeur and luxury showcase a brilliant range of architectural style and artistry. These places exude elegance of style and brilliance. Some of these luxurious palaces in India have been converted into Luxury Heritage hotels.

We take you through some of the famous Palaces in India. Visiting some or all of them should be a necessity in every tourist’s agenda. Rajasthan is one of the few states in India where there are a large number of palaces.

Jai Vilas Palace

A few kilometers to the south of the Gwalior Fort, is the new town of Lashkar. The Jai Vilas Palace was founded in 1809. Lashkar was founded by Daulat Rao Scindia and served as a military base. Slowly with the passage of time Lashkar became a full fledged town with proper drainage systems. This palace is open from 9 AM – 7 PM on all days except Monday.

Umaid Bhavan Palace

This palace is a sheer example of architectural glory that was built during the British Raj. The palace was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh who ruled from 1911-47.This palace was a strong military base during the Second World War. The best time to visit these palaces in Rajasthan is between the months of October and March.

Lake Palace

This palace is situated on the Jagniwas island which is in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This palace which is known as the Palace of Romance is an amazing blend of opulence and tradition. This palace was built by Maharana Jagat Singh II of Udaipur was initially called Jagniwas. The upper room of the palace is a perfect circle and is about 21 feet (6.4 m) in diameter. Its floor is inlaid with black and white marbles; the walls are ornamented with niches and decorated with colored stones in the same style as the Taj at Agra. Currently this Palace has been converted into a Heritage Hotel and is managed by the Taj Hotels in India.

Lalgarh Palace

This palace in Bikaner is another popular palace in Rajasthan. This palace recreates the magical and lavish lifestyle of the Royal Rajputs in Rajasthan. This palace was designed by a British national for Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner. This is also converted into a Heritage Hotel now.

There are other famous palaces are in the state of Karnataka and Gujarat. Popular amongst them is the Mysore Palace which is in Mysore , Karnataka. Gujarat also has some rich and grand palaces. There are a number of tour operators who arrange trips specially to the palaces and forts in India.

The architectural grandeur, luxury and splendor of these palaces makes tourists feel a part of our bygone and rich history. Even in this era of globalization it is important for all of us to make this heritage a part and parcel of our life.