Location
Umaid Bhavan Palace is located in Jodhpur city in the state of Rajasthan.
The Umaid Bhawan Palace
Umaid Bhawan Palace is the largest private residence in the world. This
spectacular structure in the Jodhpur city is a majestic sight to behold.
Built by Maharaja Umaid Singh who ruled from 1911 to 1947, the Umaid Bhavan
Palace is the last portrayal of splendid architecture during the British
period. It was in 1925 that Umaid Singh went to London in search of an
architect and commissioned the firm of Lancaster and Lodge to build the
palace. The foundation stone was laid at Chittar Hill, a sight dictated by
astrological considerations, in the year 1929.
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Architecture and History
The Umaid Bhavan Palace is built using a kind of sandstone that does not
weather easily. With its finest extant example of art-deco, this Palace is
only palace to have paintings from the Ramayana painted by a Polish artist.
The Umaid Bhawan Palace is most impressive for its size and dimensions and
is the first to use air-conditioning, electricity and elevators.
The palace is presently run as a Heritage Hotel by the family of Rathores,
the royals of the state of Jodhpur. The palace is also known as the Chittar
Palace since the Chittar sandstone was used in its construction. It took 16
years to build this palace that is now segmented into the royal residence,
the Heritage Hotel and the museum. The Rajput style of architecture has been
used to build the palace with alluring balconies, charming courtyards,
terraces, green gardens and royal rooms. All the rooms here have been
furnished elegantly with antique furniture. The magnificent house of
Maharaja Umaid is most beautiful amongst all the other forts and palaces in
Jodhpur.
About the Umaid Bhavan Heritage hotel
The Heritage Hotel is western in design where the ballroom in the palace
exhibits the western lifestyle being followed by the royal residents. There
are 94 regal rooms and suites with all the comforts according to the taste
of the royals. There are all the facilities that are expected from a
Heritage hotel namely a swimming pool with the mosaic of the zodiac symbols,
variety of cuisines prepared with great care and precision. The various
cuisines available are the Mughalai, Indian, Chinese and Continental. There
is a private museum as well which gives a better insight into the royal
family.
Best time to visit
October to march
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Getting There
Air : The nearest airport from Jodhpur is in Udaipur.
Rail : The city is connected by fast trains to Delhi and Ahmedabad.
Slower trains are available to other places in the state. The 'Palace on
Wheels' includes Jodhpur in its itinerary.
Road : The state transport service operates buses to other cities in
the state namely Ajmer - 205 kms, Bikaner - 256 kms, Jaisalmer - 285 kms and
Udaipur - 318 kms.
Accommodation
Hotel Taj Hari Mal (Deluxe hotels)
Hotel Balasmand Lake palace (Heritage hotel)
Hotel Ranbanka (Heritage hotel)
Hotel Karni Bhavan (Heritage hotel)
Hotel Ajit Bhavan (Heritage hotel)
Hotel Abhay Days (First class hotel)
Ratanada Polo Palace (First class hotel)
