If you want to touch the past, if you want to unfold every chapter of medieval history before your eyes, plan a holiday vacation in Jodhpur at the Umaid Bhawan Palace, now converted into a magnificent heritage hotel. Rajasthan's royalty was always fashionable, and maharajah Umaid Singh of Jodhpur, added a fine touch to the cult by constructing a grand Art Deco, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Rajasthan's best-known architectural epitome of the 20th century. Designed by eminent Edwardian architect Henry V Lanchester, this grand palace is a magnificent blend of Renaissance framework and Rajput tradition. Each suite is different, with ethereal underlying themes of a royal grandeur or princely passion; elegant interiors with gilt furniture and exquisite artwork, makes one travel on the rails of antiquity. Within safe hands, the Taj Group has recently taken over the management of this awe-inspiring property.
The heritage Umaid Bhawan Palace is a harbinger of many curious incidences. Besides being the largest private residence in the world, the golden-yellow sandstone monument is the first to use air-conditioning, electricity and elevators, and is the only place to have paintings from the Ramayana, drawn by a Polish artist. Walk along the periphery and look at the palace. Perfectly symmetrical! The ripple less walls hold exquisite embellishments on the outer parts, such as eagle carved from sandstone. The best part is that all original fittings have been retained, and hence a curious tourist can satiate his passion of beholding a splendid example of Indian craftsmanship.
Reserve the well-known Maharani Suite, originally designed for and graced by Umaid Singhs' Maharani. The lavish interiors with its purple color curtains house a mural of Goddess Kali etched on shining black glass. Walk over and open the astern door. The large balcony offers a spellbinding view of the palace gardens and the opulent Mehrangarh fort looks as if an artist has mixed colors and serenity and has painted the landscape. Everything is pink, black, chrome and mirror. One can find opulence in the form of a bath carved out of a single piece of pink Italian marble, on the doors of the dressing room and in spacious drawing and dining halls. A holiday tour to the Umaid Bhawan Palace is not complete without sharing some memories of the royal clan. Though many of the gimmicks are in use, others have been placed in a museum within the palace premises. Just walk a few steps to experience a huge and varied collection of royal antiquity.
If you want to touch the past, if you want to unfold every chapter of medieval history before your eyes, plan a holiday vacation in Jodhpur at the Umaid Bhawan Palace, now converted into a magnificent heritage hotel. Rajasthan's royalty was always fashionable, and maharajah Umaid Singh of Jodhpur, added a fine touch to the cult by constructing a grand Art Deco, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Rajasthan's best-known architectural epitome of the 20th century. Designed by eminent Edwardian architect Henry V Lanchester, this grand palace is a magnificent blend of Renaissance framework and Rajput tradition. Each suite is different, with ethereal underlying themes of a royal grandeur or princely passion; elegant interiors with gilt furniture and exquisite artwork, makes one travel on the rails of antiquity. Within safe hands, the Taj Group has recently taken over the management of this awe-inspiring property.
