Jaipur
City Palace is an elegant blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal
architecture. The spectacular jaipur palace structure covers one seventh of the
walled city of Jaipur. Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of
Rajputs originally built the palace, and his descendants made the later
additions. The City Palace of jaipur also known as Chandra Mahal is an official
residence of the royal family. The portion of the jaipur palace is still used as a
residence by family while the outer courtyards and the ground floor halls
have been transformed into a museum, open to public.
The complex has well defined courtyards, booming gardens and marvelous
palaces. It also consists of several luxurious buildings (Mahal) like the
Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace
Museum.
Main Charms of the Jaipur City Palace
Chandra Mahal
Chandra Mahal a 7 story structure is a unique marvel of splendor, that
facilitates admirable picturesque of the enchanting gardens and the
beautiful city of Jaipur. The complex contains a distinguished museum, an
arms depot and several fine halls. The apartments are maintained in
luxurious order and the museum of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II has a vast
accretion of art, carpets, old weapons, pictures, flowery decorations,
mirror walls and ceilings with the conventional touch. Each story has a
peculiar name adorned with splendor and magnificence.
The Magnificent Floors of Chandra Mahal
The Ground and First floor comprises of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum.
Sukh Nivas or Hall of Rest holds the drawing/dining room of the Maharaja
with European silver, glass dining tables and peepholes festooned with gold
leafs for ventilation.
The Fourth floor contains beautifully bedecked Shobha Nivas or Hall of
Beauty with splendid gold leaf and mica beautification. The Shobha Nivas and
the Sukh Nivas is still used by the present Maharaja as their residence.
The Fifth floor is the Chhavi Nivas or Hall of Images.
The Sixth Floor with its speculum ceiling and spackling compound floor
gives a splendid view of the rocky hills.
The Top story is called the Mukut Mahal or the Crown Building gives a
majestic touch to the palace.
Museum
The museum treasures a unique collection of rare writings, miniatures,
Persians carpets, costumes and textiles, and royal equipment of 15th
century. The paintings include miniatures of Rajasthani, Persian and Mughal
schools. A section of museum also contains dresses and costumes of the
former Maharajas and Maharanis of Jaipur, a worth visiting spot.
Mubarak Mahal
Mubarak Mahal a beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Madho Singh II in
the late 19th century. The luxurious palace, accommodate the textile section
of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. The main attraction is a majestic
gateway with a colossal door in brass.
Diwan-I-Khas / Diwan-E-Aam
Diwan-I-Khas also known as Hall of Private Audience houses the two largest
silver vessels in the world figured in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Madho Singh II used the vessels for carrying water from the holy Ganges on
his journey to England for his personal use.
Diwan-E-Aam or the Hall of Public Audience comprises of Afghan and Persian
carpets with abstruse decor in dark red and golden color, miniature
paintings, astronomical manuscripts in Persian and Sanskrit.
Govind Devji Temple
In the central arbor of the relaxing Jai Niwas garden to the north of the
City Palace is a marvelous shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna. This is the
most famous and popular temple in the Pink City and attracts devotees from
all over the country.
The impressive Hawa Mahal is another integral part of the City Palace.
Opposite to the splendid structure of Chandra Mahal also lies the Badal
Mahal a beautiful site.
Best Time : The beautiful Palace can be visited through out the
year but the best time is from October-March.
Timings : 9.30hrs-16.30hrs.
Accessibility
Air : From Jaipur regular flight services connecting to Delhi,
Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, and Varanasi.
Rail : Jaipur is well connected by train network from all the major
parts of the country. There are special trains from Delhi such as the Palace
on Wheels and Royal Orient Express that will really make a fairy tail ride.
Road : There are excellent bus services from all the major places
in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai.
Delhi- 255 km from Jaipur, Jodhpur- 330 km, Udaipur- 410 km and Ajmer- 131
km. Taxis, auto rickshaw are the best modes of commuting within the city and
to the City Palace.
