In India’s long history there are countless tales of extravagant maharajas, kings, and nizams. The royal history of India is marked by the presence of regal palaces evoking the luxurious lifestyles of royal families. The royal families have made considerable efforts to keep this part of their heritage intact. Many of them have remodelled their palaces into heritage hotels for tourists. I have compiled a list of some of the most famous palaces in India that you must check out.
1. Umaid Bhawan Palace – Jodhpur, Rajasthan
The Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of India’s largest and most beautiful palaces, stands over the blue city of Jodhpur on Chittar hill. It is noted for its stunning fusion of Western Art Deco, Classical Revival and Indo-Saracenic styles of architecture. There is no doubt that it is one of the largest private residences in the world. You’ll find all types of exhibits in its 347 rooms, including stuffed leopards, classic cars, and clocks. A portion of it is still the royal family’s private residence. And another part of the palace houses a heritage hotel managed by Taj Hotels.
Key information
Indians have to pay a very nominal entrance fee to visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum. You can explore it every day from 9 am to 5 pm.
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2. Chowmahalla Palace – Hyderabad, Telangana
This 18th-century palace is a blend of Mughal and Persian designs built across 40 acres. The premises have two courtyards lined with antique furniture, Belgian crystal chandeliers, and many royal artefacts including a yellow 1911 Rolls Royce. The palace was once the primary residence of the Nizams of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and the venue of many grand celebrations.
Key information
Entry to the palace is free and open from 10 am to 5 pm.
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3. Kuthiramalika Palace – Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
The Kuthiramalika Palace is located near the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. This place is famed for its traditional Kerala architecture (with sloping roofs and courtyards) and for its carved horses in wooden brackets. Another intriguing facet of the palace’s prominence is the Swathi Sangeethotsavam, an annual music festival conducted right on the palace premises! This festival attracts thousands of people to watch the mesmerizing performances of many of the world’s best classical musicians.
Key information
Open daily except on Mondays from 8:30 am to 1 pm and 3 to 5:30 pm, the entrance fee is extremely nominal.
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4. Ujjayanta Palace – Agartala, Tripura
The Ujjayanta Palace was once the residence of the royal family of the Kingdom of Tripura. This palace has been turned into a state museum and is renowned for its displays of lifestyles, cultural artefacts, and utilitarian crafts of communities living in Northeast India. This picturesque palace sits beside two tranquil lakes and is surrounded by lush green Mughal gardens. The palace has exquisitely tiled floors, intricately carved front doors, a wooden ceiling, two large artificial ponds, and a musical fountain. You shouldn’t miss the palace’s nighttime floodlights, as they enhance its aesthetic appeal.
Key information
The Palace is open from 10 AM to 5 PM every day except Mondays. Entrance fees are extremely low.
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5. Leh Palace – Leh, Ladhak
Leh Palace is also referred to as Lhachen Palkhar, and is considered to be one of Leh’s most magnificent attractions. There are nine floors in the palace, which offer panoramic views of Stok Kangri and neighbouring mountain ranges. On certain special occasions, such as the Galdan Namchot festival when locals gather around the palace to celebrate the festival, the palace looks even more stunning when lit up. During your visit, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Chinese artwork known as a thangka, as well as the magnificent buildings such as Namgyal Stupa, Chandazik Gompa, and Chamba Lhakhang.
Key information
Opening hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. For Indians, the entry fee is INR 15 and for foreigners, it is INR 100.
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