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Taj Nadesar Palace, Varanasi

Situated in one of the oldest living cities of the world, on the banks of the river Ganges, Nadesar Palace has hosted royalty, statesmen and celebrities since 1835. The name Nadesar is derived from the Goddess Nadesari, whose shrine is located in the front of the Palace. Set amidst verdant gardens, mango orchards, marigold and jasmine fields, Nadesar Palace is a haven of peace and tranquility. Works of art from the Maharaja's collection decorate the walls of the Palace's 10 luxurious suites. Embellished with original pieces of furniture refurbished to recreate the atmosphere of a bygone era, the décor of the rooms is intended to evoke the colours of marigolds, jasmines, and pale pink lotuses that are offered to the holy Ganges. Dining at the Nadesar Palace is an indulgent experience starting with breakfast on the sun-kissed verandah; a spiritually inspired plated meal at lunch in the dining room, and a barbeque dinner by the poolside. To unwind, the Palace offers a round of golf on the greens, a guided nature walk or a day at the Jiva Spa. On offer at the Jiva Spa is a signature treatment 'Abhisheka' inspired by time-honoured Indian purifying rituals.

The exact origins of the stately Palace as it stands today, remain rather mysterious, however the patches of its history that are known are very colourful indeed. The Palace was named after the goddess Nadeshwari, whose shrine stands on its grounds. When exactly the Palace took its place besides the temple, nobody will ever know. However, circumstantial evidence indicates that in January of 1799, Mr. Davis, the then Magistrate of Benares was residing in this building, which stands opposite the mint house. The Magistrate gallantly defended himself and his family from the attack of Wazir Ali, the deposed king of Awadh from within its walls. The circular stair case atop which Mr.Davis positioned himself still exists in the building. Mint House was built by The East India Company in 1795, and, though there are indications that the Palace may have been standing before Mint House, there is no mention of it as late as 1787 and even 1803, during the visits of Lord Cornwallis and Lord Valentia respectively. Surely, if the Palace had stood then, it would have been chosen as the residence of these stately visitors. Whenever it may have first been built, Nadesar Palace's new heyday arrived in the nineteenth century. James Prinsep - the architect - was appointed Secretary of the Benares committee by the Bengal Presidency. Along with mapping the city, widening the roads, and creating the sewage system, Prinsep restored and refurbished the Palace and Mint House to their modern stateliness. The Palace was then taken over by Maharaja Prabhu Narain Singh during his rule between 1889-1931. Nadesar Palace was now his city residence, and in which he entertained his guests with pomp and splendour. The first visitors of note were the then Prince and Princess of Wales, who later became King George V and Queen Mary. It has since played host to, amongst others: King Reza Shah Pahlavi of Iran and Queen Sorraya, King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, King Mahendra Bikram Shah of Nepal, Lord Mountbatten, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru-the first prime minister of independent India, Queen Elizabeth II & His Holiness Dalai Lama.

Facilities and Services :
Internet access from the lobby lounge, Wi-Fi access available all day throughout the palace and in your room, Fax or Photocopying - Available 24 hrs, Secretarial Services available on request, Packaging and Shipping, Swimming Pool, Jiva Spa, Laundry, 4 hole Golf Course bieng developed, Travel Services, Guided Tours and Sightseeing, Doctor on Call, Astrologer (Prior appointment needed).

Palace Services :
	The Palace butlers can recommend the perfect meal or help you choose an ideal treatment at the spa. They can highlight the best sights to see, or artifacts to hunt for, plan a wondrous day out. Throughout your stay, discreetly and unobtrusively, your butler will gladly guide you through the pleasures that lie within and without the Palace walls.

Places to see in Varanasi :
	Varanasi, also known as "Kashi" (city of spiritual light) and "Benaras", is one of the oldest cities in India. It has found a place in the Buddhist scriptures as well in the epic of Mahabharata. In the Hindu tradition, Kashi is known as the place where Shiva and Parvati stood when "time started ticking". This ancient Indian city is located on the most revered river in the country--the Ganges.

Banaras Hindu University - 12 Km :
At North India's largest and oldest university, students learn about Sanskrit literature, the Hindu Shastras and the arts and sciences. The Banaras Hindu University was established in 1916 by special efforts of Nationalist Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. Today it has grown into one of the biggest universities of India.

Standing on the western bank of India's holiest rever Ganges, Varanasi is the oldest surviving city of the world and the cultural capital of India. It is in the heart of this city that there stands in its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha.  Vishweshwara jyotirlinga has a very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India.   The Temple has been visited by all great saints- Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Goswami Tulsidas, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Gurunanak and several other spiritual personalities. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple attracts visitors not only from India but abroad as well and thereby symbolises man's desire to live in peace snd harmony with one another. On January 28, 1983 the Temple was taken over by the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh and it's management eversince stands entrusted to a Trust with Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh. Former Kashi Naresh, as president and an Executive Committee with Divisional Commissioner as Chairman. The Temple in the present shape was built way back in 1780 by Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. In the year 1785 a Naubatkhan was built up infront of the Temple by the then collector Mohd. Ibrahim Khan at the instance of Governor General Warren Hastings. In 1839, Two domes of the Temple were covered by gold donated by Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Third dome but was remained uncovered, Ministry of cultures & Religious affairs of U.P. Govt. took keen interest for gold plating of third dome of Temple.

At the ghats (steps) that lead down to the revered River Ganges, near our Varanasi, India hotel's location, many people gather to bathe in hopes of receiving spiritual cleansing. The spectacular 4 km sweep of the Ghats is unique sight, best viewed at dawn, in that "soft first light" when the river and Ghats have a timeless appeal. Life is almost panoramic detail unfolds here from dawn to dusk as a steady stream of devotees-swelling to thousands on auspicious days -perform rituals by the Ganga. The Ghats are best approached by Dashashwamedha ghat, where boats are available on hire. Ramnagar Fort - 15 Km, Sankat Mochan (Hanuman) Temple - 10 Km, Sarnath Buddhist Place - 6 Km, Tulsi Manas Temple - 8 Km are some other interesting places to see in Varanasi.

Hotels In Varanasi
Ideal Tower Hotel	Radisson
Ramada Plaza	Taj Nadesar Palace
Taj The Gateway