Udaipur, a city in Rajasthan, India, is known for its scenic beauty and royal heritage. It is home to the City Palace, one of the largest and most splendid palaces in India, which overlooks the Lake Pichola and the Jag Mandir island. But apart from the palace, there is another attraction in Udaipur that attracts many visitors every year. Visit during One day trip Udaipur Local sightseeing
It is the Jag Mandir Palace, a lake garden palace that is built on an island in the Lake Pichola. The palace is also called the “Lake Garden Palace”. The palace was built by three Maharanas of the Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar kingdom in the 17th century. The palace is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles and has a rich history and culture.
Overview of Jag Mandir Palace
The Jag Mandir Palace is a three-storeyed palace that stands on a 4-acre island in the Lake Pichola. The palace has a dome-shaped roof with a spire on top and four towers at the corners. The palace has a main hall (Darikhana) and several chambers, courtyards, gardens and fountains. The palace is made of sandstone and marble and has intricate carvings and paintings on its walls, ceilings, pillars, doors and windows.
The palace has four entrances, each with a flight of steps leading to the jetty. The main entrance faces east and has a brass image of Garuda, the eagle-like mount of Lord Vishnu. The palace also has a museum that displays artifacts and photographs from the royal era.
The Jag Mandir Palace is named after Maharana Jagat Singh I (1628–1652), who was the most prominent builder of the palace. He also built the Lake Palace Hotel on another island in the Lake Pichola and renovated the City Palace. He was a great ruler and patron of arts and culture, who expanded and beautified the Udaipur city.
The Jag Mandir Palace has witnessed many historical events and legends. It served as a refuge to Prince Khurram (later Emperor Shah Jahan) when he rebelled against his father Emperor Jahangir in 1623. It also hosted several royal weddings, parties and ceremonies. It also inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his famous novel “Kim”.
Location of Jag Mandir Palace
The Jag Mandir Palace is located at Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001. Udaipur is a city in Rajasthan state, which is about 400 km south-west of Jaipur city. Udaipur is one of the oldest cities in India and has a rich history and culture. It is also known as “the City of Lakes” or “the Venice of the East” for its numerous lakes and palaces.
Timing/Entry Fees Jag Mandir Palace
The Jag Mandir Palace is open for visitors every day from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. There is no entry fee for visiting the palace, but boat ride prices are as follows:
- Rs. 450 per person for Regular Boat Ride
- Rs. 700 per person for Sunset Boat Ride
- Rs. 1500 per person for Heritage Boat Ride
The boat rides timings are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
How to Reach Jag Mandir Palace
The nearest airport to Jag Mandir Palace is Jaipur International Airport, which is about 250 km away from Udaipur city. From there, one can take a taxi or a bus to reach Udaipur city. The nearest railway station to Jag Mandir Palace is Udaipur Railway Station, which is about 5 km away from the palace. From there, one can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the jetty near City Palace. There are also regular buses available from Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur and other cities to Udaipur city. Alternatively, one can also drive to Udaipur city by taking the National Highway 48 or 58 .
From the jetty near City Palace, one can take a boat ride to reach Jag Mandir Palace. The boat ride takes about 15 minutes and offers a scenic view of the Lake Pichola and its islands.
Things to Do/Must See Jag Mandir Palace
Apart from visiting the Jag Mandir Palace, there are many other things to do and see in Udaipur city. Some of them are:
- Visit the City Palace, which is one of the largest and most splendid palaces in India, which overlooks the Lake Pichola and the Jag Mandir island. The palace has several structures inside its premises, such as Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors), Durbar Hall (royal court), Jagdish Temple (dedicated to Vishnu), Crystal Gallery (displaying crystal objects) and more .
- Visit the Lake Pichola, which is another beautiful lake in Udaipur city, which has two islands: Jag Niwas (where the famous Lake Palace Hotel is located) and Jag Mandir (where the Jag Mandir Palace is located). The lake also offers boat rides, sunset views and romantic ambience .
- Visit the Saheliyon Ki Bari, which is a garden built by Maharana Sangram Singh for his queen and her maids. The garden has fountains, pools, pavilions, statues and flowers .
- Visit the Sajjangarh Palace or Monsoon Palace, which is a hilltop palace built by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1884. The palace offers a panoramic view of the Udaipur city and the surrounding hills .
- Visit the Bagore Ki Haveli, which is a 18th-century mansion built by a prime minister of Mewar. The haveli has a museum that displays costumes, jewellery, paintings and other artifacts from the royal era. The haveli also hosts cultural shows such as puppet shows, folk dances and music in the evening .
Significance of Jag Mandir Palace
The Jag Mandir Palace is significant for many reasons. Some of them are:
- It is a lake garden palace that is built on an island in the Lake Pichola. The palace is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles and has a rich history and culture.
- It is named after Maharana Jagat Singh I, who was the most prominent builder of the palace. He also built the Lake Palace Hotel on another island in the Lake Pichola and renovated the City Palace. He was a great ruler and patron of arts and culture, who expanded and beautified the Udaipur city.
- It served as a refuge to Prince Khurram (later Emperor Shah Jahan) when he rebelled against his father Emperor Jahangir in 1623. It also hosted several royal weddings, parties and ceremonies. It also inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his famous novel “Kim”.
FAQ’s
Q: Why is Jag Mandir Palace called “the Lake Garden Palace”?
A: Jag Mandir Palace is called “the Lake Garden Palace” because it is built on an island in the Lake Pichola and has gardens and fountains on its premises. The palace also overlooks the lake and its islands, which add to its beauty and charm.
Q: What are the main attractions of Jag Mandir Palace?
A: The main attractions of Jag Mandir Palace are:
The main hall (Darikhana) and several chambers, courtyards, gardens and fountains inside the palace.
The brass image of Garuda at the main entrance of the palace.
The museum that displays artifacts and photographs from the royal era.
The boat ride to reach the palace from the jetty near City Palace .
Q: What are the rules and regulations for visiting Jag Mandir Palace?
A: The rules and regulations for visiting Jag Mandir Palace are:
One has to buy a ticket before taking a boat ride to reach the palace.
One has to follow the instructions of the staff and security personnel.
One has to dress modestly and respectfully, covering their shoulders and knees.
One has to refrain from smoking, drinking or eating inside the palace.
One has to refrain from littering or polluting the lake.
Conclusion
The Jag Mandir Palace is a lake garden palace that is built on an island in the Lake Pichola. It is named after Maharana Jagat Singh I, who was the most prominent builder of the palace. It served as a refuge to Prince Khurram (later Emperor Shah Jahan) when he rebelled against his father Emperor Jahangir in 1623. It also hosted several royal weddings, parties and ceremonies.
It also inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his famous novel “Kim”. Visiting the Jag Mandir Palace is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should not be missed by anyone who wants to explore the essence of Rajasthan.
