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Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

Perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace is the last of the great palaces of India and one of the largest residences in the world - set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present Maharaja of Jodhpur, this golden-yellow sandstone monument was conceived on the grandest possible scale, in the fashionable Art Deco style of that time. After 15 years in construction, the 347-room palace was finally completed in 1943 - and has served as the principal residence of the Jodhpur royal family since. Designed by renowned Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester, the palace is a blend of eastern and western architectural influences. Its majestic 105-foot high cupola is influenced by the Renaissance, while the towers draw inspiration from Rajput tradition. The lavish interiors with gilt furniture and elegant artwork follow the Art Deco style, complemented by the exotic murals of the self-exiled Polish artist Stefan Norblin.

The Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace is located at just 3 kms from Airport, 5 kms from Railway Station and 3 kms from Bus Stand of Jodhpur. It is one of the the largest and grandest private residence in the world. The Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace is a splendid example of the Indo-Colonial and art-deco style of the thirties. It took three thousand artisans fourteen years to create this magnificent edifice of hand-chiselled sandstone blocks put together by a special system of interlocking. There is no mortar binding....an architectural triumph! Extending across 26 acres, 15 acres of which are taken up by gardens, the palace is 195 meters long and 103 meters wide.

Enjoy the sumptuous buffet laid out daily for lunch and dinner at the Marwar Hall, with a wide choice of Indian, Continental and Rajasthani specialties. As an alternative, there is Risala, the a la carte restaurant. The lovely colonnaded verandah, The Pillars is a perfect setting for a leisurely drink and snacks, to enjoy the wintery sun during the day or watch it set at dusk. And as twilight falls and peacocks stalk across the back lawns it is time for a drink at the Trophy Bar. For groups, there are the specially arranged theme parties with the folk music of the desert on the ramparts of the Mehrangarh Fort or the 'flaming torch' dinner on the illuminated lawns of the Palace, which give you an unforgettable experience. In winter, theme dinners are often organized in the Dal Badal, 100-year old intricately designed hunting tent, which is set up in the Palace.

Conference and Banquet facilities :
Four venues area available for business meeting that comfortably accommodate from 40 to 300 persons in theatre seating. Catering is available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, meeting breaks and cocktail parties.There are two fabulous banquet rooms namely the Marwar Hall and the Rathore Durbar.

All the leisure facilities of the Palace are open to guests. Play a vigorous game or two of squash, tennis or badminton. Work out at the well-equipped Health Club, and after a swim in The Zodiac, the underground swimming pool, relax on the sun-drenched lawns. Or try your hand at billiards or croquet. Visit the private museum with its collection of antiques or ramble in the immense 15-acre landscaped gardens.

Weather :
Weather in Jodhpur, is dry and hot, a typical desert weather. The average annual rainfall is approximately 32 cm. In summer the maximum temperature is around 42 deg C and the minimum is around 37 deg C. In winter, the maximum temperature is around 27 deg C and the minimum temperature is around 15 deg C. Jodhpur is bright & sunny throughout the year

Jodhpur has a rich architectural and historical legacy. The exquisiteness of the Jodhpur forts and monuments is sure to enchant the tourists. There are number of famous palaces of Jodhpur, Rajasthan that are worth seeing. Their preservation is the result of the combined efforts of the tourism department of the Rajasthan Government and the royal families of Jodhpur. Dotting the city and its landscape are various forts and monuments. There are several places to see in Jodhpur, India during your tour to this region. Some of the popular tourist attractions of Jodhpur are:The Mehrangarh Fort, The Jaswant Thada, The Umaid Bhawan Palace, The Rai ka Baag Palace, Each of these places has some history attached to it. You will find it very interesting to take a tour of these places and discover about them. So, make sure to visit these places on your trip to Jodhpur. Without a visit to these forts and monuments, your trip to Jodhpur will be incomplete.

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur is one of the largest forts in forts. It is also the most magnificent fort in Jodhpur, infact, in the whole Rajasthan. The fort is amongst the popular tourist places in India. It is situated on a 150 m high hill. It was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459. The Mehrangarh Fort can be reached from the city, 5 kms below, through a circular road. Seven gates have to be crossed to reach the fort. The gates still bear the marks of the various battles fought in the bygone era. Its second gate still stands witness to canon ball hits by attacking armies of Jaipur during wars. One of the gates is Jayapol, meaning victory. It was built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Another gate, Fattehpol, again meaning victory, was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh as a celebration for defeating the Mughals. Other attractions of Mehrangarh Fort, Rajasthan include several palaces inside the fort, with their sprawling and huge courtyards. One of the fort's palaces, The Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace, has the royal throne of Jodhpur, the Sringar Chowki. The fort also has galleries, temples, etc. To the left of the Mehrangarh Fort is the Chhatri of a soldier, Kirat Singh Soda. It is the spot where he fell while defending the fort against the armies of Amber.The Mehrangarh Fort, with its beauty, is the living proof of the hard work and skill of the Jodhpuri sculptors.

To the left of the Mehrangarh Fort complex is the Jaswant Thada of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It is a 19th century royal cenotaph built in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, the 33rd Rathore ruler of Jodhpur. The son of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, Maharaja Sardar Singh, in the memory of his father, built the Jaswant Thada. The cenotaph has two more tombs within it. Near to this are the royal crematorium and three other cenotaphs. Famous Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur, India is an example of architectural brilliance in India. It is a white marble memorial, built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. The carving shows the genius of the sculptors. These stones are extremely thin and polished. As a result, the outside surface of the monument emits a warm glow when the sunrays fall on its surface. There is also beautiful marble jali work on the cenotaph. You can have some nice views from the terrace in front of the cenotaph. The cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh displays portraits of the rulers and Maharajas of Jodhpur. The main memorial has been built like a temple. To visit the Thada you have to go through the rocky hills. This also lends a mystic aura to the whole visit. Do make sure to visit this architectural delight while on a tour to Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Hotels In Jodhpur
Ajit Bhawan Hotel	Pal Haveli
Taj Hari Mahal	Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace