Home » Rajasthan Palaces » Umaid Bhawan Jodhpur
Umaid Bhawan Jodhpur
Umaid Bhawan Palace is among the largest and grandest private royal residences in the world situated at Chittar Hill in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. This is one of the known attractions and pride of Jodhpur, which was built in between 1928 and 1943 by H.H. Maharaja Umaid Singh. This majestic palace took 16 years to complete. It is known across the globe for its marvellous design, decorations and construction pattern, which spellbinds visitors during their visit.
This grand monument is made up of yellow sandstone and set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens. The splendid design of this palace was done by the Edwardian Architect Henry Vaughan Lanchester. The palace reflects the interwoven charm of the art deco and millennia old Hindu architectural pattern, which make it one of the ranked monuments of Rajasthan. During the visit, tourists can experience preserved royal and heritage saga Rajasthan bygone era.
Maharaja Umaid Singhji who built this palace was fascinated with western lifestyles so he marshalled the services of a well-known Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester , a creditable equal of Edward Lutyens (architect of New Delhi) to construct a three hundred and forty seven roomed Umaid Palace. Spectacular Central Rotunda, the cupola rises to a hundred and five feet high; the Throne Room with its exquisite Ramayana murals; an elegant wood-paneled library, and even a private museum; an indoor swimming pool, a Billiards Room, tennis courts and unique marble squash courts makes Umaid Bhawan Palace is unabashedly the most magnificent.
The famine had struck the arid and barren land of Jodhpur and farmers were dying of hunger as their lands yielded nothing and they had no money to buy food. It was then, when like a judicious king, Maharaja Umaid Singh of Jodhpur undertook the construction of this magnificent building as a famine relief project to provide employment and a regular source of income to his subjects.
However, he didn't start the building in a slip-shod hurried manner. He took a voyage to England in 1925, in search of an architect and commissioned the London firm Lanchester and Lodge. It took 16 years and hard work of over 3000 artisans to complete this spectacular sandstone palace, named after its maker as the Umaid Bhawan Palace. The royal residence of Jodhpur, this splendid palace has the distinction of being the largest private residence in the world and one million square feet of the finest marble was consumed in its construction. The palace stretches across 26 acres of land out of which 15 acres have been occupied by the gardens. The palace has aristocratic European interiors and latest facilities.
The upheaval in the political systems pushed royalty to take the back seat and the reign came into the hands of Government of India. By 1971, the privileges, titles and privy purses from the former rulers of the states were withdrawn and it became difficult for the princely families to maintain their residential palaces. However, the young and bright Maharaja Gaj Singh came up with a new idea and converted a part of his palace into the finest luxury hotel in India and even the world in 1977. The extravagant art deco interiors have been carefully restored for public viewing. This sand stone façade building now boasts of housing the erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur, a Five Star Deluxe Hotel and a Museum.
The design of this palace is sophisticated and remarkable because it always maintains the temperature at approximately 23 degrees Celsius temperature. A remarkable depiction of the western and eastern aesthetics design and decoration make this palace one of the most famous monuments and popular sightseeing of Jodhpur.
This grand monument is made up of yellow sandstone and set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens. The splendid design of this palace was done by the Edwardian Architect Henry Vaughan Lanchester. The palace reflects the interwoven charm of the art deco and millennia old Hindu architectural pattern, which make it one of the ranked monuments of Rajasthan. During the visit, tourists can experience preserved royal and heritage saga Rajasthan bygone era.
Maharaja Umaid Singhji who built this palace was fascinated with western lifestyles so he marshalled the services of a well-known Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester , a creditable equal of Edward Lutyens (architect of New Delhi) to construct a three hundred and forty seven roomed Umaid Palace. Spectacular Central Rotunda, the cupola rises to a hundred and five feet high; the Throne Room with its exquisite Ramayana murals; an elegant wood-paneled library, and even a private museum; an indoor swimming pool, a Billiards Room, tennis courts and unique marble squash courts makes Umaid Bhawan Palace is unabashedly the most magnificent.
The famine had struck the arid and barren land of Jodhpur and farmers were dying of hunger as their lands yielded nothing and they had no money to buy food. It was then, when like a judicious king, Maharaja Umaid Singh of Jodhpur undertook the construction of this magnificent building as a famine relief project to provide employment and a regular source of income to his subjects.
However, he didn't start the building in a slip-shod hurried manner. He took a voyage to England in 1925, in search of an architect and commissioned the London firm Lanchester and Lodge. It took 16 years and hard work of over 3000 artisans to complete this spectacular sandstone palace, named after its maker as the Umaid Bhawan Palace. The royal residence of Jodhpur, this splendid palace has the distinction of being the largest private residence in the world and one million square feet of the finest marble was consumed in its construction. The palace stretches across 26 acres of land out of which 15 acres have been occupied by the gardens. The palace has aristocratic European interiors and latest facilities.
The upheaval in the political systems pushed royalty to take the back seat and the reign came into the hands of Government of India. By 1971, the privileges, titles and privy purses from the former rulers of the states were withdrawn and it became difficult for the princely families to maintain their residential palaces. However, the young and bright Maharaja Gaj Singh came up with a new idea and converted a part of his palace into the finest luxury hotel in India and even the world in 1977. The extravagant art deco interiors have been carefully restored for public viewing. This sand stone façade building now boasts of housing the erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur, a Five Star Deluxe Hotel and a Museum.
The design of this palace is sophisticated and remarkable because it always maintains the temperature at approximately 23 degrees Celsius temperature. A remarkable depiction of the western and eastern aesthetics design and decoration make this palace one of the most famous monuments and popular sightseeing of Jodhpur.