Umaid Bhawan Palace- A Must-See Royal Residence in Jodhpur

Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel in Jodhpur is a place where royalty and Rajasthan’s history exist at their best. The moment you step here, an unusual sense of royalty embraces you. Entire atmosphere is very dramatic and transcendental here.  And hospitality at the royal hotel will mesmerize you further. First, a royal vintage car will take you to the palace hotel where doormen at the entrance gate greet you with ‘Khammaghani.’ Royal lancers lead you inside and as you drive closer to the place, your heart will beat with the sound of nopat (a traditional drum). Guards wearing safa and traditional attire of Jodhpur will escort you further. Inside the palace, royal hospitality awaits you with a rose petal shower, aarti, tika, garlands, and refreshing drinks. This warm personalized hospitality at the royal palace of Jodhpur will last forever in your mind just like its glorious history. For the best experience, you must educate yourself about this royal palace.

Also Read: 7 Stunning Places to Visit in Jodhpur

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History and Owner of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

[caption id="attachment_25775" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Maharaja Umaid Singh of Jodhpur[/caption] The palace came into existence because of a curse on Rathore Dynasty. Because of this, the city faced severe drought for three years continuously. Farmers struggled with crops and locals had no food and employment due to the curse. Their conditions improved when Maharaj Umaid Singh became the 37th ruler of the dynasty. He thought of eradicating these harsh conditions by building a lavish palace. The 37th Marwar ruler then assigned the task to Royal Gold Medalist Henry Vaughan Lanchester. This British architect took inspiration from the New Delhi Government Complex designed by Edwin Lutyens. With an add-on of the western world’s technology and features of India’s architectural style, Umaid Bhawan Palace was built in 1943. It gave employment to nearly 3000 people.

DID YOU KNOW?- Umaid Bhawan is the last royal palace built before independence. It took 14 years to construct this palace and the budget spent was Rs 11 million.

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Tale of Tragedy & Last Maharaja of Jodhpur

[caption id="attachment_25797" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Maharaja Gaj Singh II[/caption] Curse and tragedy never left this palace and the royal family of Marwar. Maharaja Umaid Singh did not enjoy the beauty of the palace for long and died after 4 years of its construction. His son, Hanwant Singh, died early too. After so many tragic events, grandson Maharaja Gaj Singh II decided to open the palace for locals and turned it into a hotel. He is the last Maharaja of India and the 38th ruler of Jodhpur.

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About the Royal Palace of Jodhpur

[caption id="attachment_25785" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Entrance gate of palace[/caption] Though the rocky slopes of Chittar hill at which the palace is located will not surprise you, its interior and 26 acres of lush green surroundings will leave you awestruck. Entire floor of this dun-colored palace is decorated with Makrana marble, black granite, and pink sandstones. Walls have woodwork of Burmese teak wood. You will see exotic frescoes (mural paintings) around the ceilings painted by a refugee from Poland.

Also Read: 19 Classic tourist destinations to visit in Rajasthan

Spread in 26 acres of land, the palace also has a lot of sections inside. It has a: [caption id="attachment_25784" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Swimming pool in Umaid Bhawan Palace[/caption]

• Dedicated lounge area
• Lobby
• Private meeting hall
• Banquet hall
• Durbar hall
• Private dining halls
• Ballroom
• Indoor swimming pool and spa
• Sport area includes four tennis courts, two marble squash courts, and a billboard room
• Museum with a display of vintage cars of Maharaja Umaid Singh and his family
• Luxury Taj Umaid Bhawan palace hotel serving since 2005
• Residence area exclusive to the royal family

Till date, it is the finest work of Indo-deco architecture style. And the exterior is awe-inspiring as as the interiors.

DID YOU KNOW? Actress Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas had their dream wedding here.

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Stay at Royal Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel

[caption id="attachment_25786" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel Room[/caption] Situated at the highest point of Jodhpur, this palace has a 5-star Taj hotel with worldly amenities. But it’s not expensive here as they have suites according to everyone’s budget. One can either book normal rooms or stay at one of the 42 royal suites. You can choose:

1. Royal deluxe rooms- INR 4875 for per night stay
2. Royal suite and triple suite- INR 5250 per night stay

All the rooms are spacious to accommodate a maximum of 4 guests. They are equipped with ACs, bathrooms styled in European architecture, a private balcony, free wifi, an LED screen, and a minibar. Interior of the rooms will further relax you and take you on a journey full of art. The rooms are decorated with exclusive handcrafts displaying the tradition and culture of Rajasthan.

How to Book?

Online booking is the best way to confirm your stay at the palace hotel. For this,

• Go to the official website of Umaid Bhawan Palace.
• Choose a package depending upon the facilities you need, the number of guests, and the season of arrival.
• Click on the book online and enter your details.
• The hotel staff will get back to you for booking confirmation.

Guests can opt to book now and pay on arrival service. Any cancellation should be made 48 hours before the arrival date. [Note: There are no cancellation charges applicable on booking]

Also Read: Plan Your Honeymoon in Mount Abu at These 10 Romantic Places

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Dining at Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel

[caption id="attachment_25782" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Dining area[/caption] Don’t just go by the stunning beauty of the hotel, the food here also leaves the aftertaste of royalty. From traditional Rajasthani cuisine, and fusion Indian to continental, they have a wide range of delectable cuisine. You can pick from in-house restaurants- Risala, Pillars, and Trophy Bar. All three are charming and ideal spots for enjoying food amidst scenic views and peacocks in the garden.

List of Foods to Try

[caption id="attachment_25792" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Rajasthani thali[/caption] Their menu has 161 dishes including both vegetarian and non-vegetarian recipes at an affordable price. You can start by trying these foods:

• Reshmi Kabab- charcoal grilled boneless chicken chunks
• Rajasthani Sula- Charcoal-grilled marinated lamb coated in traditional spices
• Lahsuniya Murg- cooked chicken with garlic base gravy
• Laal Maas- Lamb chunks in red gravy
• Paneer Hara tikka- coated paneer baked in clay oven

For vegetarians, seek kabab, malai Makka kebab, tandoori grill veg, and more options are available. You can also satisfy your sweet tooth at Umaid bakery within the hotel. For celebrating a wedding or birth anniversary, place an order for cake 4 hours in advance. {Note: Order food 30 minutes before the scheduled timings. Also, inform the cook beforehand if you are allergic to any ingredient.}

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Amenities at Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel

[caption id="attachment_25794" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Garden of jodhpur palace[/caption] Guests will get the best in class facilities for a comfortable experience and convenience apart from in-room amenities.

• A souvenir shop to collect the memories of Rajasthan with you
• Car rental services for sightseeing trips
• Heritage walks and city tour
• Custom-made tour services and safaris
• Laundry services
• Evening rituals including folk dance and puppet shows for entertainment
• Wheelchairs and other facilities for disabled
• Yoga facilities
• Kid-friendly swimming pools both indoor and outdoor
• Spa facilities
• Babysitting services
• On-demand sports facilities like Horse riding, golf, polo, and squash
• Parking facilities
• Currency exchange and safe deposit services for international guests

DID YOU KNOW? Umaid Bhawan Palace of Jodhpur is the sixth largest private residence in the world.

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Wedding at Umaid Bhawan

[caption id="attachment_25779" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Wedding Venue[/caption] If you are planning a dream wedding Indian style then definitely there’s no better place than this royal palace. Several Bollywood celebs like Priyanka and Nick, Rohit Navale, and Shruti Kharbanda have tied the knot here. Wondering the wedding cost at Umaid Bhawan? It depends on the type of accommodation, food expense, and wedding décor. Here is a breakdown of each expense for 200 guests: Accommodation- Rs 30,000- Rs 35,000 for one night stay for a normal room Food- Including lunch and dinner expenses, per person will cost you under Rs 10,000 for one day Estimate a budget between Rs 70-90 Lacs for a dream wedding at Umaid Bhawan.

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How to Reach Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur?

Visitors arriving at Jodhpur Railway station or Raika Bagh Palace Junction Railway Station can book a taxi directly to the hotel. Both the station is only within 1 mile. You can also take the bus service as the main bus stand is only 3 km away from the palace hotel.

Best Time to Come

Though one will experience the same amount of hospitality and beautiful surroundings throughout the year, winter is the best season to explore the palace. So, book between October and March for great sightseeing in Jodhpur. At the end of the trip, you will feel as if you were a part of the royal family. The glorious history of Umaid Bhawan Palace and memories of being here will leave an ever-lasting experience with you.