India

Monsoon Palace (Udaipur)

Overlooking the beautiful Pichola Lake in Udaipur, the Monsoon Palace, also known as SajjanGarh Palace, is attracting more and more boaters traveling to India. Located on the peak of Bansdara Mountain at about 944 meters above sea level, the palatial residence is one of the most beautiful palaces in Udaipur.

History

Built by Maharana Sajjan, the Monsoon Palace is a melancholic palace of the late nineteenth century. Maharana Sajjan Singh intended to use this white marble palace as a nine-story astronomical center to track the movement of monsoon clouds in the area, hence the name "Monsoon Palace". In addition, the residence served as a holiday resort for the royal family and also provided employment to the residents of the area. Unfortunately, Maharana Sajjan Singh died prematurely at the age of 26, which resulted in the suspension of his plans for some time. The palace was partially built at the time of his death before being completed by his successor Maharana Fateh Singh. Apart from its royal past, the Monsoon Palace was exploited as a major site during the filming of the 1983 James Bond Octopussy.

Today

Today, Monsoon Palace reflects the prowess of Rajasthani architecture with its domes, fountains, jharokas and high turrets. Inside the palace you will find a large central courtyard with a staircase and several rooms and quarters. The walls of Palace are plastered with lime mortar. You will also discover beautiful marble pillars, decorated with exquisite patterns of leaves and flowers. The Monsoon Palace is located at a high elevation where you can enjoy magnificent views of Lake Pichola, the Aravalli Mountains and the surrounding countryside. From here, visitors can admire the splendid landscape that surrounds the palace. This majestic residence offers a beautiful spectacle at sunset. The views are spectacular, especially when the different hues of the hills surrounding the building are subtly lit by subdued light. At the foot of the hill is the sanctuary of the fauna of Monsoon Palace created in 1987. The palace dominates the sanctuary which constitutes a reserve for reptiles, tigers, sambhar, wild boars, hyenas, panthers as well as jackals . The site is also famous for bird watching. In the heart of the reserve, travelers will have the chance to participate in daily mini-van trips, a getaway all the more intoxicating at sunset. As in other Rajasthan parks, there are many monkeys hanging around the observation area. These tend to hurt visitors by stealing food and shiny items so pay attention to your belongings.

How to get there ?

You can reach the palace by road. Monsoon Palace is 10 km from the city of Udaipur. You can easily reach it by private car, bus or local taxi.

Time and entrance fee

The Monsoon Palace is open all days of the week from 8am to 6pm. The entry prices are as follows : • For foreigners : Rs80 • For Indians : Rs 10 If you come by car to the Monsoon Palace, you will have to pay Rs 60 more for parking.

What to do ?

• Visit the Monsoon Palace • Enjoy safari and explore the Wildlife Sanctuary of Monsoon Palace • Capture the moment by taking pictures of the magnificent landscapes of the Monsoon Palace • Admire the sunset on the Aravalli mountain range