Umaid Bhawan Palace

Umaid Bhawan Palace

Umaid Bhawan Palace is located in the city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It is one of the largest private residences in the world. A part of the palace is a heritage hotel managed by Taj Hotels. Built between 1928 and 1943, this extraordinary palace was named after the grandfather of the present owner Gaj Singh, Maharaja Umaid Singh.

The colossal sandstone palace has 347 rooms which were occupied by the members of the royal family of Jodhpur. Unlike any other palace in India, Umaid Bhawan Palace is the only palace to have a working elevator.

Contemplated as one of the best luxury hotels in India, no trip to Jodhpur is complete without visiting the infamous Umaid Bhawan Palace. A part of the palace is dedicated to a museum which increases its heritage value. This museum houses the large symbolic flag given to Maharaja Jaswant Singh by Queen Victoria in 1877, collection of the classic cars of the Maharajas along with artifacts and paintings from the personal collection of the royal members.

One can experience the best of the royalty services at the hotel part of Umaid Bhawan Palace. The hotel wing is managed by the Taj Group of Hotels, owner of the elite and renowned chain of hotels in the world. It has 64 guest rooms, including the royal suite of the king.

HIGHLIGHTS OF UMAID BHAWAN PALACE, JODHPUR

• Address: Circuit House Rd, Cantt Area, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342006, India
• Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (open throughout the week)
• Entry Fees: for Indians – INR 25 per head; INR 30 for a museum for adults and INR 10 for children, for Foreigners – INR 50 per head; INR 100 per head for museum.

HISTORY OF UMAID BHAWAN PALACE

The history of the construction of the mighty palace dates back to the 1920s. It is said that a saint cursed the region which was followed by a period of severe drought and famine conditions for three successive years. To help the farmers find a stable employment option, Maharaja Umaid Singh decided to build a  sumptuous palace. The palace was designed to merge western technology with Indian architectural features. Around 3000 farmers were employed at the construction site of the palace. They had a stable job even when the region was struck by severe famine.

The location chosen to erect the palace was barren and had no water supply. The king decided to build a railway line for the transportation of the building materials. Animals such as horses and donkeys were employed to bring soil and other equipment.

The palace was constructed using golden-yellow sandstone on the top Chittar Hill. The architectural style seen at Umaid Bhawan Palace is the Beaux Arts Style with a blend of eastern and western architectural style. It is a perfect example of modern architecture with the authenticity of Rajasthan.

A series of misfortunes and continuous deaths delayed the proper functioning of the palace. Maharaja Umaid Singh died four years after the palace was opened in 1943. Then his son, Hanumant Singh died when his plane crashed. He was returning home after winning the seat during the 1952 General Elections. Gaj Singh, who succeeded his father, decided to convert the palace into a luxury hotel in 1971.

HOW CAN YOU VISIT THE PALACE?

Jodhpur is one of the major cities in the state of Rajasthan. It has a domestic airport of its own. The nearest international airports to Jodhpur are located in Udaipur, Delhi, and Mumbai. There are numerous trains that connect Jodhpur with many cities. So you can fly or take a train to reach Jodhpur.

The Umaid Bhawan Palace is located 7 km away from the central city. You can book a taxi service or take a bus to reach the palace. The best option is to book taxi service as you can explore the places nearby and enjoy the scenic beauty.

Get Cab India provides the best taxi services in Jodhpur for you to reach and explore the beauty and diverse culture of Rajasthan.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS OF UMAID BHAWAN PALACE

• Hotel:
  A part of the Umaid Bhawan Palace was turned into a hotel by Gaj Singh, the present owner of the palace. The elite Taj Group of Hotels manages this wing. The heritage value of the hotel increases as it is still a part of the palace. The hotel has 64 rooms for the guests along with the royal king and queen suite. The banquet hall that can hold up to 300 people is now a renowned restaurant.
• Museum:
  The museum wing of Umaid Bhawan Palace exhibits the artifacts and personal collection of kings such as vintage clocks, old photographs, etc. of the royal members. There is also a collection of classic cars that attracts many tourists every year
• Palace:
  The grand Umaid Bhawan is the sixth largest private residence in the world. The magnificent piece of Rajasthan’s heritage was where the members of royal families of  Jodhpur lived. The palace has 347 rooms including banquet halls, courtyards, library, ballroom, public meeting hall, and private dining halls. There is also a throne room for tourists to visit. The architecture and interior designing of the palace are modern yet authentic.

NEARBY PLACES TO EXPLORE 

• Mehrangarh Fort:
  One of the largest forts in India, Mehrangarh Fort was built in 1459 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It is situated 410 ft above the city, enclosed by thick walls. The fort is famous for the architectural style and the intricate carvings on the walls.
• Flying Fox:
  Six zip lines allow the tourist glide serenely over the mighty Mehrangarh Fort. This exciting flying activity lasts for about 1 to 1.5 hours. It gives an aerial view of the Blue city which one cannot enjoy just walking.
• Jaswant Tada:
  It is a cenotaph located in the Jodphur in the state of Rajasthan. It is the cremation ground for the royal family of Marwar. It was built in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh. The tomb is made out of carved sheets of marble.
• Sardar Government Museum:
  The Sardar Government Museum is located in the public park. It was built in 1909 but formally opened to the public in 1936. The museum exhibits an extensive collection of coins and paintings, inscriptions and sculptures.
• Udai Mandir:
  An architectural wonder, Udai Mandir is erected in the sandy city of Jodhpur. More than 100 pillars support the structure. Inside the temple is an inner sanctum, known as the Garba Griha. The Garba Griha is an eye catcher and is usually covered by a piece of cloth. Gold pots surround it.