During the rule of Maharana Sangram Singh II (1716-34) his son Jagat Singh II had asked permission for a sojourn at Jag Mandir, but instead adjacent island was given up for the prince's personal use. Gadi Rana Jagat Singh II (1734-1751) further expanded the marble water palace. The palace faces east, allowing its inhabitants to pray to the Sun god at the crack of dawn.
Jagat Singh extended further adding Bara Mahal, Khush Mahal, Phool Mahal, Dhola Mahal, Dilaram Palace and the Canal. The Khush Mahal (Palace of Happiness) was made for the Queens, are in perfect spanish style, with colored glasswork framed windows, marble flooring, luxurious bedding. The palace serves as the best place to enjoy the sunset. An antique jhoola (swing) sway in the middle of the room. Udai Prakash with a huge terrace and Kamal Mahal with exquisite glass inlay in designs of lotus and leaf patterns, are other places in the Palace.
The upper room of the palace is a perfect circle and is about 21 feet in diameter. Striking similarity is found with the Taj (Agra) - the floor of black and white marbles, the walls ornamented with nichés and decorated with arabesques of different colored stones. The only exception is that the patterns are associated to Hindu art. The must see places on the island include a room built of 12 enormous slabs of marble, Shah Jahan's throne and the little mosque dedicated to Kapuria Baba.
“ I visited Lake palace for the purpose of exploring it but when I came to know it is a heritage hotel, I immidiately transffered by baggage here. If you can afford here to stay, then you shouldn’t miss that chance.” said William Dosace. He came on Rajasthan exploration in the year 2006.
The Fading Glory
By the latter half of the 19th century, weather took its toll on the extraordinary water palaces of Udaipur. Bhopal Singh (1930-55) initiated the addition of another pavilion, Chandra Prakash, but otherwise the Jag Niwas remained unaltered, degrading due to the neglect and harsh weather conditions. The palace was nearly in abandoned mode, when Maharana Bhagwat Singh ascended the throne in 1955.
Heritage Hotel
Bhagwat Singh was wise enough to realise the neccessity and prepared himself for the future of his dynasty and kingdom. He decided to convert the Jag Niwas Palace into Udaipur's first luxury hotel to save the ancient sign of their dynasty. Didi Contractor, an American artist, was appointed a design consultant to this hotel project.
As soon as the palace was filled with peepholes, secret passages, and secret chambers and the room that could be entered only through a trap door at the top was rebuilt, the Lake Palace Hotel had already begun in its new Journey. It caught the fancy of several famous guests including Elizabeth II, Jacqueline Kennedy, the Shah of Iran and the King of Nepal.
Taj Group (The TATA-group) took control of management in 1971 and transformed the royal signature of Udaipur into a Five Star Deluxe luxury hotel, a queen among the offspring in the Taj basket.
“ Perfect! As a heritage hotel, I couldn’t have thought of any other place to resort. I still am in awe with this heritage hotel.” Continued William.
The Arsi Villas
Another small island, proud with its own palace called the Arsi Vilas, is also a sanctuary and home to many birds, including tufted ducks, coots, egrets, terns, cormorants and kingfishers. The most interesting part is that the palace has a landing, which is often used as a helipad.
In all you would love to explore it and equally love to stay.
“ If next time, I had to visit Udaipur, I would once again resort in Lake Palace” ended William Dosace
Coming to Udaipur
By Air : It is well connected by regular flights to Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, and Mumbai.
By Rail : The city lies on the Western Railway meter gauge network. Trains such as the Chetak Express and the Mewar Express connect it to Delhi, Chittor, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ajmer, and Jodhpur.
By Road : City Station Road is the main bus stand from where one can take buses to most of the other important tourist destinations of Rajasthan as well as western India and northern India.
