If you want style and romance, there’s no better person to turn to than a maharaja. More specifically, the Maharanas of Mewar. Where royal families in other countries might have added a wing to the palace to create a space where their young princes could carouse in private, the Maharanas of Mewar went and built a whole island palace on Lake Pichola.
Jag Mandir Palace was built by Maharana Karan Singhji in 1622 AD Jag Mandir rightly earned itself the tag of ‘pleasure palace’. The first island palace – located in Lake Pichola in Udaipur – Jag Mandir’s location was ideal. Far enough away from the majestic City Palace, on the banks of the lake, Jag Mandir ensured the prince’s seduction of nubile nymphs never reached the eyes or ears of elders.
Jagmandir and Its Former Glory
Prince Mewar has ensured that palace’s place in romance remains even today. The central courtyard of the 17th century marble palace has been in continual use for celebrity weddings. Industrialist Vikram Chatwal, actress Raveena Tandon and Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel’s daughter have been some of the lucky few who have got married here. And there’s no wonder why. Certainly, nothing can beat the magic of climbing into a boat at the jetty and gliding along the waters, the breeze in your hair, towards this fairytale palace while the majestic City Palace, set high on a hill on the shores of the lake, gradually recedes from view.
Jagmandir Palace For Honeymooners
Committed as they are to conservation, Prince Lakshyaraj and his father, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of HRH Hotels India, who run a chain of heritage hotels in Rajasthan, were eager to restore the floating palace to its original architectural splendour. Their aim is to make Jag Mandir the ultimate romantic destination for couples, newlyweds or honeymooners.
Jagmandir Palace Interior Architecture
Within Jag Mandir Palace, Gol Mahal catches the major attention, as this is the place where Shah Jahan lived with his family. Gol Mahal is made in the Islamic style of architectural, which shows that Maharana Karan Singh kept in mind the tastes of Shah Jahan. The hall has amazing interiors and is decorated with the Muslim crescent. Other pavilions worth mentioning are Bara Patharon ka Mahal, Kunwar Pada ka Mahal and the Zenana Mahal, Bara Patharon ka Mahal (palace of twelve stones) because of twelve solid marble slabs. Kunwar Pada ka Mahal was meant for the crowned prince and the Zenana Mahal offered several chambers for the ladies of the royalty.
What to offer in Jagmandir Palace?
For couples in love, the palace has many beautiful gardens adorned with roses, palm trees, jasmine flowers, frangipani trees and bougainvilleas. Also on offer is the Panghat Spa, the bar rooms and luxurious suites all offer sumptuous fixtures and fittings. Guests can sit by huge picture windows offering spectacular views of the City Palace. Also playing Cupid is Lake Pichola. Couples can enjoy an Ayurvedic massage in total privacy as they glide along the waters in a boat.
