A Travel Guide to Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
The Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of those well-known palaces that was built in the year 1928 – 1943. This is a palace that is generally believed to be built with grand yellow sandstone spreading over 26 acres of garden making it one of the largest private residences for all the travellers in the world. Featuring the art Deco and the renaissance design this is a place that has 2 swimming pools and pampering treatments at Jiva Grand Spa.
Not just this it also has spacious air conditioned rooms and suits that are specifically that have been designed for royalty, equipped flat screens, DVD players and the last but not the least the spa bath treatments. A pillow menu, and well-equipped mini bar followed by the molten brown toiletries are the things that have also been included in this beautiful palace of Jodhpur.
The Umaid Bhavan palace overlooks from the desert capital of Jodhpur, and is believed to be a 15 minute drive from the Jodhpur Airport, and 2.4 kilometres from the Jodhpur Railway station. The attractions you get to see here while being on the way are Clock Tower Market, the Mehrangarh Fort and the Jaswant Thada monument that are just 9 kms away from the palace.
Want to Experience Umaid Bhawan Palace with Luxury Trains:
Travelling Tips to Umaid Bhawan Palace
- When in Jodhpur, you can actually go ahead and Hire a guide and enjoy an informed exploration of the palace. You can also find the English and Hindi speaking guides in order to find the required information.
- Visiting the different kind of vintage clock collections, the royal car collections, and the various pictures of interior palaces in the museum.
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- Spotting out the different trophy bar showcase that is having the elephant feet stool, the cushions made with the tiger skin, the fishing gears, and many more.
- Strolling out the garden spotting out peacocks.
- There is photography allowed over here. So don’t forget to pack your cameras.
- Don’t miss the Ramayana painting made by the polish artist.
- And if your budget does not allow then try staying there for a day in the palace and dine for a romantic meal followed by a handcrafted menu, exclusive service and fairy take background.
5 Interesting Facts about Umaid Bhawan Palace
1. Part Palace, Part Museum and Part Palace: Yes you have read it right. The Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is a Part Hotel, Part Museum and Part Palace.
- Royal Residence: The Chittor Sandstone monument is generally believed to have two major wings. The one wing here is entirely believed to be the home of the Rathore dynasty, which have been living their imperial lifestyle away from the prying eyes. Maharaja Gaj Singh who is believed to be the grandson of Maharaja Umaid Singh till date resides with the family.
- The Palace: Yes as said above the palace owns and maintains the other remaining wings of the palace. They have under their domain 64 accommodations comprising of 25 rooms and 39 suites. The rooms are then categorized into the Maharani Suite, Maharaja Suite, Royal Suite, Regal Suite and the last but not the least the deluxe rooms. It is also believed that many of the leopards, family portraits and stuffed animal heads are seen. The hotel rooms are then blessed with picturesque scene of magnificent peacocks stroll around. The Indian fares, multi cuisine and the last carte options and the gourmet drinks of wine from the various parts of the world are available.
- Museum: This property also houses a museum. Open for all here are some of the marvelous specimens. This is a museum that exhibits glass, porcelain wares, memorabilia followed by the information on building of the palace. The unique allures are the stuffed leopards, enormous flag that is being gifted to Maharaja Jawant Singh by queen Victoria in 1877 and more. These classic cars of all the Maharajas are also on display. A part of museum, Darbar hall, and miniature paintings are a rare collection of the expensive household paraphernalia of 1930s.
2. Last Royal Palace built in India before Independence: The Umaid Bhawan palace is the last palace that was built before the independence India. This was a foundation that was laid in the year 1928 – 1943. Four years after the completion of the palace the country became a free sovereignty. The Independent India today has no royal kingdoms followed by their only lavish homes remained. It was Maharaja Gaj Singh who was believed to be the descendant of Maharaja Umaid Singh still continues to reside over here. So would you not wish to be here and meet the Maharaja and his family?
3. Built for a noble cause rather than luxury: The building of Umaid Bhawan Palace believes to have an interesting tale behind it. Once upon a time in the 1920s, there was a famin struck Jodhpur who was then known as Marwar. The troubled people then came asking for help from Maharaja Umaid Singh. His Royal Highness who was actually believed to be the grandfather of the present Maharaja generously commissioned to a new palace to give employment to the all the people over there. The expensive venture that actually employed the needy was not only a beautiful private residence for the travellers to live, but was also believed to be a symbol of hope and the new icon of Jodhpur replacing the Mehrangarh Fort. This was a venture that was constructed from 1928 and 1943 giving the hard working people enough to survive the bad times.
4. The Grandest Hotel Experience: The Umaid Bhawan Palace believed to become a part of Taj Hotels Resorts and the other well-known Palaces in the year 2005 January. Taj is believed to be having the legacy of hospitality, followed by the perfect choice to uphold the royal tradition of the luxurious Palace extending its indulgent hotel experience.
This 64 accommodation palace that has been allotted to the property are no short of royal pleasure. Starting From the modern facilities to the other old world charm and the mesmeric views, the hospitality when it comes to the Umaid Bhavan is believed to be unparalleled. The hotel pampers their guest with lavish and beautiful dining, spa & wellness and leisure. Starting from the royal dining, to the ‘Risala’ a la carte restaurant serves the travellers with a wide range of cuisine got from across the regions. The ‘Sunset Pavilion” in the palace is believed to be an old charm hangout to savour royal barbeque and drinks. It is believed to be one of the highest points to enjoy a drink in Jodhpur.
5. One of the largest and private residences in the world: Maharaja Umaid Singh has created one of the largest residences in the world. It is believed that for this luxury home the Maharaja had hired British engineer H.V Lancaster who also planned and designed the other government complex. The inner architecture of this building is believed to be a combination of the Indo Saracenic, Classical Revival and Western Art Deco styles that are being designed in Makrana marble and Burmese teak wood.
The Umaid Bhavan Palace is spread over 26 acres of the lush grounds including the 15 acres of the well-kept lush gardens. This royal residence has 347 rooms, followed by an exquisite throne chamber, an exclusive private meeting hall, a banquet hall, private dining hall, a ball room and more. The gardens of this beautiful property have peacocks roaming around where the views of Mehrangarh fort and other attractions can also be seen.
Must Read: Top Heritage Hotels to Stay in JodhpurBest Time to Visit Umaid Bhawan Palace
The best time for you to visit this place is daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The entrance fee for the Indians is 15 rupees, and for the foreigners is 50 rupees. The best time to visit this place is during the month of October to March which is generally believed to be the winter season of Rajasthan. It would not take more than 2 hours for any of the travellers to explore the place and stroll within the garden.
How to Reach Umaid Bhawan Palace
The nearest airport to the Umaid Bhawan palace is located in Jodhpur. And the nearest international airport is located in Udaipur, Delhi and the last but not the least Mumbai. The nearest railway station is located in Jodhpur and you can find all the required information about the different kind of trains from major cities around the world and at all towns of Rajasthan and Jodhpur.
Also Read: Top Heritage Hotels to Stay in Jodhpur Jodhpur Travel Guide:- How To Reach Jodhpur
- Best Time to Visit Jodhpur
- Top Tourist Attractions In Jodhpur
- Where to Stay in Jodhpur
- What and Where to Eat in Jodhpur
- Shopping in Jodhpur
- Things to do in Jodhpur
