Tourism of India

City Palace

In the midst of the pink city of Jaipur stands the City palace occupying nearly one-seventh of the total area of Jaipur.The most striking characteristic of this palace is that it enables you to behold in front of your eyes the combination of what is best in Rajputana and Mughal architecture.

The City palace comprises of several buildings. There are beautiful gardens and large spacious courtyards within its campus.

Built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs, one first comes across the Mubarak Mahal on entering the City palace. The Mubarak Mahal was originally built as a reception area for important people who came to visit Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II but now it has been converted into the textile section of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. It houses royal costumes, pashmina shawls, benarasi saris, folk embroidery.

A grand gateway comprising of a brass door leads one to the Diwan-i-khas or the Hall of private audience. Here one is stunned to see two of the largest silver vessels in the world which were used to carry water of the river Ganges when Madho Singh II traveled to England. The diwani-i-am or the hall of public audience looks gorgeous because of the intricate decorations in bright hues like red and golden. Beautiful carpets and miniature paintings also adorn its interiors.

The City Palace also has a gateway named the Ridhi Sidhi Pol which consists of four doorways. Motifs which are a depiction of the four seasons of a year lend beauty to these doorways.

In the City palace it is the Chandra Mahal or the Moon Palace which attracts our attention foremost. It is a seven storied building and each storey has a separate name. Even though the ground floor and the first floor of this building have been converted to a museum the palace is still home to the present Maharaja of Jaipur, Bhavani Singh. The mirror walls, the paintings, the floral decorations render a great deal of beauty to the interiors of this palace. The Museum also has a very rare collection of paintings, carpets, weapons and enamelware.

The Sukh Nivas or the Hall of Rest served as the drawing and dining area of the royals. For the purpose of ventilation there are several peepholes which are decorated with gold leaves. Gold leaves along with mica decorations also adorn the interiors of the 'Shobha Nivas' or 'Hall of Beauty' which is on the fourth floor of the building. Mirrors cover the walls of this hall which is why when it is lit after dark it looks absolutely mesmerizing and can take one's breath away. The Chhavi Niwas or the Hall of Images served as the monsoon retreat for the royals. This and the sixth floor's main attraction lies in the view it offers of the surrounding landscape. Mukut Mahal or crown building lies on the topmost floor.

A beautiful path with fountains leads one from the Chandra Mahal to the Badal Mahal which lies just opposite to it and walking down that path one also comes across the Govind Devji temple.