32 Results found for Search: palaces
1. Elephant Ride And Visit Amer fort, Jaipur.
Amer, or Amber Fort was the capital of the Kachchwaha Rajput rulers of Rajasthan, before water scarcity forced them to moved down from the mountains and establish the city of Jaipur. Sited atop the Aravalli hills, this majestic Rajput fortress stands guard over the newer city below. Built by Raja Man Singh Ji, the fort has rough, craggy walls and the glistening Maotha Lake in front. Later extensions and embellishments to the fort include traditional Rajput architecture and striking Mughal décor.
2. Bamboo Palace, Goa.
Bamboo Palace comes from the people who made Biryani Place popular for its exotic flavored biryani. The restaurant is beautifully chalked out of bamboo, and sports a lovely ethnic décor with bamboo trappings all around. This seasonal restaurant, open from morning to night, is especially famous for its innovative, not to mention delicious, seafood pizza preparations. The succulent, fish-rich pizzas served here are quite unique and unlike any you have tasted before! This is one delicacy you ought not to miss at Bamboo Palace.
3. City Palace And Museum, Jaipur.
The erstwhile residence of Jaipur’s royal family, a part of the palace has been opened to the general public as a museum. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II built this ornate palace as a royal retreat in the early part of the 18th century. Now a museum to Rajasthan’s royal way of life, the museum features numerous treasures of the royal family, such as jewelry, royal attire, weapons, vessels, and other items of daily use. Along with the exhibits, the palace complex is a striking attraction. Its many palaces, gardens, gates, and royal halls are beautifully designed and intricately decorated. Complemented by the many treasures on display, the city palace brings its royal past vividly to life.
4. City Palace and Museum, Udaipur.
City Palace is Rajasthan’s largest palace complex and stands on the east bank of the serene Lake Pichola. The palace offers grand sweeping views of Lake Palace hotel and Jag Mandir on one side, and Udaipur city on the other. Built of marble and granite in 1725 by Maharana Udai Singh, the palace today is home to the 74th Maharana of Udaipur, Shri Arvind Singh and his family. A fine blend of medieval Indo-European architecture, you will be amazed by the sheer lavishness of its courtyards, overlapping partitions, terraces, corridors and lush green gardens. When at City Palace, also tour the in-site museum, Pratap Museum, housing an impressive collection of old sculptures and inscriptions.
5. Gadisar, Jaisalmer.
For a place with an average annual rainfall of around 5 inches, the importance of a water tank can never be marginal. Gadisar, is thus, an important place in Jaisalmer. A man-made tank, it was built in the 14th century by Rawal Gadsi Singh with the idea of harnessing precious rainwater in this arid region. In recent years, with the Indira Gandhi Canal supplying water, the volume of water throughout the year is impressive. Small wonder, it is a popular picnic destination in the region. Domed pavilions and religious shrines dot its banks.
6. Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer.
To catch the first glimpse of Jaisalmer Fort, is to start an enduring romance with this town. Sitting pretty atop Trikuta Hill, the fort rises above the surrounding desert floor. It is visible from a distance, and instantly captures the imagination. Add a dash of history to its picturesque setting, and there's no escaping the charm of the fort, and by extension the town. For the fort forms the heart and soul of Jaisalmer!
Also known as the 'Golden Fort' or 'Sonar Kila', it is built with the local sandstone of the region - one that has a distinct yellow tone. It was built in 1156 CE by the Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from whom the fort derives its name.
7. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur.
This 15th-century fort is one of the most imposing in India. As Rajasthan’s largest fort, Mehrangarh forms a looming presence over Jodhpur with walls that soar 120 meters (400 feet) high above the surrounding cityscape. Visible from miles around, it is a grand statement of Rajput valor. Visitors have the option of approaching it by foot from the busy lanes around the Clock Tower/Ghanta Ghar area, or by taxi or rickshaw from the longer (5 kilometer/ 3 mile) road through Nagauri Gate to the north of the city.
The foundation of the fort was laid by Rao Jodha in 1459 on the advice of a hermit.
8. Naggar, Manali.
About 25 kilometers (16 miles) from Manali at an altitude of 1760 meters (5867 feet) lies the picturesque Naggar village, an erstwhile capital of the Rajas of Kullu for about 1400 years. Naggar is on the left bank of Beas River and opens up a vista of wooded slopes, waterfalls, quaint homesteads and the snow-covered Himalayan pinnacles in the backdrop. The area is dotted with ancient temples, not to mention the popular, 16th century Naggar Castle from Pal Dynasty. Built by Raja Sidh Singh, this imposing stone edifice served as the royal residence and latter as the state head quarters of the kingdom till the middle of the 17th century. Now, converted into a hotel by the tourism department, the castle commands a majestic view of the Kullu Valley.
9. Rajmahal, Jaisalmer.
This is the most imposing structure within the fort. The seven-storey structure was once the palace of the erstwhile rulers of Jaisalmer. The former royal family home has now been restored and converted into a museum. Located near Dussehra Chowk, the various buildings that make up the structure are interconnected by a series of low, narrow passages. This was done on purpose to confuse invaders. A common ploy of the time! The palace rooftop is easily the highest point in Jaisalmer, and offers great views of the desert on the one side and the town on the other.
10. Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur.
This monumental piece of architecture stands on a sprawling 26 acre estate on Chhattar hill, on the eastern fringe of town. Built between 1929 and 1943 by Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present owner, the primary idea behind the project was to employ and provide relief to 3,000 workers during a long famine. No cement was used in its construction, and the interlocking blocks of sandstone simply take your breath away, especially while standing under the imposing 56 meter (183 feet) high central dome.
11. Aga Khan Palace, Pune.
Moved by the plight of the famine-affected villagers of the neighboring areas, in 1892, Sultan Aga Khan III offered a helping hand by providing them employment in building an eponymous structure—Aga Khan Palace. Located to the north, across the Mula at Yerawada, it is equally famous as Gandhi Memorial, because of its ties with Gandhiji, who alongside his wife and personal secretary were placed under house arrest within the premises during the Quit India Movement. In 1969, Aga Khan IV bequeathed the palace to the Indian Government as homage to the Father of the Nation.
12. Deeg Fort and Palace, Bharatpur.
Deeg occupies an important place in Jat history of Rajasthan for this is where Suraj Mal defeated an 80,000 strong combined army of Marathas and Mughals. It was established the capital of the Jat kingdom under Badan Singh, before the base shifted to Bharatpur. Raja Suraj Mal, Badan’s successor was an enthusiastic builder, and this structure stands testimony to this fact. The Deeg Fort and Palace complex is impressive even in its ruins. The palace set in a small lake has an interesting fountain system with a huge tank on top of Kishan Bhawan feeding the fountains.
13. Kanakakunnu Palace, Trivandrum.
Located about 800 meters north east of the Napier Museum in the heart of Trivandrum city, Kanakakunnu Palace is one of the last architectural vestiges of the colonial era. Built during the reign of Travancore king Sree Moolam Thirunal (1885-1924), the palace served as the main venue for royal banquets. Later Swathi Thirunal, one of Travancore’s popular rulers, refurbished the palace and constructed tennis courts in the premises. He also did use it for a few years as a summer retreat. Boasting a quaint Kerala-style façade, the Travancore royal family used the house to entertain guests.
14. Kaudiar Palace, Kovalam.
A majestic white Kerala-style structure sprawled out over lush lawns, Kaudiar Palace has caught the imagination of visitors to Kovalam. This grand old white-washed building with gabled brick roofs is the home of late Maharaja of Travancore Sree Chithra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma and his family. Travelers to the city take this route simply to pass this mansion. Some also make a brief halt to marvel at its sheer size and architectural elegance from across the road, for the place is off limits to the public.
15. Koyikkal Palace, Trivandrum.
On the way to the Ponmudi hill station and the Courtallam Waterfalls, about 18 kilometers (11.25 miles) from Trivandrum at Nedumangad you will come across a lovely two-storied palace. Koyikkal is a quaint 17th century palace built for Umayamma Rani of the Venad royal family (1677 to 1684) in the traditional Nalukettu style with gabled roofs and a sprawling inner courtyard. Worth a stopover, the palace today is home to Asia’s biggest folklore museum and a numismatic (coin collection) museum set up by the Department of Archaeology. Browse the museum for its fascinating collection of ancient musical instruments and models of folk art.
16. Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, Trivandrum.
Located on the south-eastern side of Padmanabha Swamy Temple, the Kuthiramalika Palace appears rather nondescript from outside. Only once you enter through the narrow gate, past a narrow corridor and step onto its sprawling courtyard garden, do you get an estimate of its scale and architectural detailing. Mostly a wooden palace, Kuthiramalika is a traditional Kerala-style structure built in the 1840s by the king of Travancore Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma. Interestingly, the palace gets its name from the 108 horses carved into the wooden brackets that reinforce the southern roof. Though, the official name of the palace is Puthenmalika, meaning new mansion.
17. Norbulingka, McLeodganj.
In 1754, the Seventh Dalai Lama created an institute to preserve Tibet’s arts and sciences within the Norbulingka Palace, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas, which was located some two kilometres outside of Lhasa, Tibet’s capital. The Norbulingka Palace was constructed according to the foundation proportions of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, known as Avalokiteshvara. The same guiding principle underpins both the philosophy and architecture of the Norbulingka Institute located at Sidhbari, 18 kms from McLeodganj. The temple at Norbulinka is an impressively tall one and yet, is a very personal space wherein resides the true gem that is the visual and spiritual heart of the Norbulingka Institute; this is the gilded copper statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha - at once a radiant and serene, it is also a stunning piece of art.
18. Shaniwarwada Palace, Pune.
Overlooking the oldest section of Pune stands tall the walls of the Shaniwarwada Palace. Constructed by Baji Rao I, the Peshwa ruler in 1732, the fort served as the political capital till the arrival of the British in 1817. However, in 1828, the fort-palace was majorly scalded by a mysterious fire. Today, all that remains of this once majestic building are old walls, a park with lotus pools and pillars made of wood and lattice work. The daily Light and Sound Show by the Pune Municipal Corporation within the premises acts as a tourist attraction.
19. Bangalore Palace, Bangalore.
The Bangalore Palace, which stands between Sadashivanagar and Jayamahal, is the outcome of King Chamaraja Wodeyar’s visit to London. So impressed was he with Windsor Castle that he returned home to build a similar one, complete with woodcarvings, towers and parapets, lawns and formal gardens. Built in the 1880s at the princely amount of Rs 1 million, the structure sprawls across 147,466 sq foot. There’s a ballroom where the king’s private parties were held and a Durbar Hall where he addressed the assembly. There’s a screen behind which the womenfolk would hear the king’s address and a set of windows with lovely stained glass.
20. Mubarak Mandi, Jammu.
Mubarak Mandi is a cluster of old palaces of the princely rulers and dates back a couple of centuries. The first structure is believed to have been built around 1710. On the edge of a cliff overlooking the river Tawi, this complex was built atop a hillock with a view of the old city. The days when caparisoned elephants would carry princes and princesses to and from the palaces may be gone and the hillock may have become densely populated, but much of the old elegance and aura is still there. The old ‘Sheesh Mahal’ and the Pink Hall are two of the most striking structures; the latter houses the Dogra Art Gallery. Apart from the royal apartments, this cluster has several halls and rooms that were used for state events and public functions – and other striking structures are the Durbar Hall, Grey Hall and the Green Hall.
21. Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kanyakumari.
Just off the Nagerkoil-Kanyakumari highway lies an architectural treasure, Padmanabhapuram Palace made entirely of wood. Built in the 16th century, this historical structure has been the hub of the Travancore rulers. Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal was the architect of the palace; he ruled Travancore from 1592 to 1609. It continued to be the stronghold of the Travancore royals till the late 18th century. The abode derives its name from the mythological lore of Padmanabha meaning the lotus that originated from the navel of the Lord. The complex is spread out over seven acres comprising individual structures connected by a maze of corridors, verandahs and sprawling courtyards.
22. The Palace (The Palace Hotel), Chail.
A Maharaja of Patiala found himself expelled from Shimla the ‘summer capital’ of British India for a dalliance with the Commander-in-Chief’s daughter. He moved to Chail, where the land already belonged to him. The first site that he chose for his palace had to be abandoned and he chose another position atop the Rajgarh hill. The top of the hill was levelled out and a splendid mansion was built. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and his successors used to spend a significant portion of the year at Chail - and their hospitality is recorded as magnificent. Many of the cottages surrounding the Palace were the residences of Patiala's ministers, senior officers and aides. In 1972, the property set in about seventy-five acres of land - including peripheral cottages, woods, sport and recreation facilities – like the tennis courts – and even an orchard, passed into the hands of Himachal Tourism. This is now the Palace Hotel.
23. Tipu's Palace and Venkataramanaswamy Temple, Bangalore.
Tipu Sultan called his summer palace Rashk-e-Jannat or the Envy of Heaven as it provided him cool retreat from Mysore’s scorching summers. The two-storied wooden structure that uses teakwood in good measure is known for its ornate pillars, concave arches and balconies. Among the exhibits is the model of a toy which Tipu took a fancy to. It depicts a tiger springing on a British soldier. The palace was designed after the Daria Daulat Palace in Srirangapatanam, and was where Tipu had his administrative offices since 1831.
24. Vijayanagara Fort, Thanjavur.
About 2 kilometer (1.25 miles) to the northeast of the Brihadeeswara temple is the erstwhile stronghold of the Nayak kings, the Vijayanagara Fort dating back to early 1550 AD. Built partly by the Madurai Nayaks and the Maratha rulers, the great fort houses the Tanjore Palace, Sangeetha Mahal, Saraswati Mahal Library, Shiv Ganga garden, and an art gallery that has an array of ancient sculptures and paintings. The structure was conceived by Nayak ruler, Vijay Raghav to protect the Tanjore Palace from enemy attacks. Today, a section of the fort is open to visitors, though most of it is in a dilapidated state.
25. Bolghatty Island, Kochi.
One of the smaller islands in Kochi, Bolghatty’s romantic appeal draws many honeymooners. At the heart of Bolghatty is the palace built by the Dutch in 1744. This is the oldest Dutch Palace outside of Netherlands. Its high ceiling interiors, slanting tile roof and sprawling greens all around lend the place a unique charm.
26. Gajner Palace & Wildlife Sanctuary, Bikaner.
An outstanding architectural specimen, the Gajner palace, carved out of red sandstone, is often referred to as a ‘Jewel in the Thar Desert’. Built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner, upon his young bride’s request, the lavish palace, located on the embankment of the Gajner Lake, is renowned for its elaborately and meticulously carved windows, pillars and screens. Designed as a summer resort, the Palace also served as a hunting lodge. In 1976, the property was converted into a heritage hotel. Today, the surrounding forest cover houses a preserved wildlife sanctuary, while a portion of the Palace has been converted into a heritage hotel.
27. Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysore.
As the road leads you 11 kms out of Mysore, the magnificent Lalitha Mahal Palace, beautiful and shimmering white with European architectural influences, double columned and domed and set in the middle of a magnanimous terrace garden, is sure to make you stop and adore the beautiful monument. Built originally in 1921 by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV exclusively for accommodating the Viceroy of India, it was designed by E.W. Fritchley in the Renaissance style.
28. Lallgarh Palace, Bikaner.
This reddish-pink sandstone architectural marvel, from which Bikaner derives its name ‘Red City’, was a son’s ode to his father’s memory. Designed by the British architect, Samuel Swinton Jacob, the palace with its sumptuous halls, grand lounges, and magnificent pavilions is truly one of those rare 20th century structures that seamlessly integrate traditional Rajput and Mughal features with Renaissance European styles. Currently, the royal family resides in one wing of the palace, while the other part has been converted into the Lallgarh Palace luxury hotel. The west wing also houses a museum that contains the world’s fourth largest private library.
29. Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Hill, Leh.
The nine-storey high Leh Palace is one magnificent edifice, which was built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century with an uncanny resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. With the Ladakh mountain range as its backdrop towards the north, the Leh Palace is an architectural marvel that opens up sprawling views of the entire town and its surrounding areas from the rooftop. Further up from the Leh Palace, the Namgyal Tsemo Hill rises over it like a kingly ceremonial headgear and is the resting ground for an ancient fort ruin. What remains of this fort today are mere bricks and stones, offering testimony to a once great campaign that King Tashi Namgyal had undertaken in the 16th century. This fort is said to have been the earliest royal residence of the Namgyal dynasty and is flanked by some temples built in veneration of the guardian deities. Amazingly, these temples are still standing today, unlike the fort, and are visited everyday yet by a monk who opens the doors to light the butter-filled lamps every morning and evening in adoration of the deities.
30. Mysore Palace, Mysore.
The most famous tourist attraction of Mysore - the Mysore Palace is situated in the heart of the City. This is the residence of the royal family - the Wodeyars. A magnificent piece of architecture, the Palace is a blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic styles and houses some magnificent frescos and artefacts. The wall size paintings, more than 100 years old, look so real that you might just walk into them. There are also the three dimensional paintings and no matter where you are standing these will appear to face in your direction. The Diwan-e-Khas is the most spectacular room with a huge doorway of carved rosewood embellished with ivory, stained glass ceiling, chandeliers with fine motifs, mosaic floor and walls decorated with marble and semi precious stone and painted with gold.
31. Srirangapatna, Mysore.
Srirangapatna, located on an island in the Cauvery river has both historical as well as religious significance. This region was controlled by Hyder Ali and later his son, Tipu Sultan. The famous summer palace of Tipu Sultan – Daria Daulat Bagh has now been transformed into a museum dedicated to Tipu Sultan. Under Tipu Sultan’s rule, the state of Mysore extended its territories across South India. Tipu Sultan had set his base in Srirangapatna and was later killed during the Battle of Srirangapatha against the British. Most of Tipu's work of art, gold, cash, clothes and firearms are now a part of the British Museum. However, the Srirangapatna Museum stores some of Tipu Sultan's garments and weapons made from the most up to date technology of that era. Surely a must see
32. The Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), Kochi.
Mattancherry Palace enjoys a rather unique position in the architectural and cultural landscape of Kochi. One of the oldest Portuguese constructions, its Indian influence is unmistakable. The palace was built around 1545 CE for the Raja of Kochi, Veera Kerala Varma, by the Portuguese. A temple had been plundered in the vicinity, and this was done as a corrective measure by the Portuguese to appease the king. It was later renovated in 1663 by the Dutch, once they took over from the Portuguese. The palace with a Bhagavathi (patron deity of the royal family) temple in the central courtyard is reminiscent of a local mansion with four separate wings opening out to the central courtyard. The Palace houses two temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva respectively.