UMAID PALACE MUSEUM

A spectacular architectural marvel, Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum is a heritage building constructed more than half-a-century ago as a residential palace which has now been converted into a luxury hotel and a museum. Housing a collection of antique and priceless items, Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum is a must-visit place in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

About the Museum

Nestled in the regal blue city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum is an architectural prodigy and a mesmerizing edifice that is over 75 years old. One of the largest palaces in the world, the foundation of the edifice was laid in 1928 by Maharaja Umaid Singh himself, and the construction was done in 1943.

Named after the king Umaid Singh, the palace is currently the residence of his grandson, Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur, and also serves as a luxury hotel of immense grandeur. Reflection on the mind work of Henry Vaughan Lanchester, a renowned architect, the palace is located in Chittar Hill, the highest point in Jodhpur, and is a confluence of many Indian architectural styles and still permeates the Rajputana traditions. The marvelous edifice with over 347 rooms is one of the world’s largest private residences which had been converted into a hotel in 1978 and made open to the general public. The private museum inside the palace contains a special exhibition on Maharaja Umaid Singh along with the making of Umaid Bhawan Palace.

This sandstone architecture is the only 20th-century palace that was constructed for a noble cause which was to provide employment to the people of Jodhpur during the period of drought and famine. The architecture of the palace is awe-inspiring and thus experiences a flock of visitors every day. Renaissance has inspired the building’s central dome, which is a 32m high cupola. The towers of the palace have been inspired by the Rajput style and a mix of modern art Deco and millennia-old Hindu architectural traditions are profound in the design of the palace. The royal palace comprises elegant royal valuables, high ceilings, marble corridor, treasure troves, hunting trophies, green velvet lawns, courtyards, a library, a swimming pool, a billiards room, four tennis courts, and parking garages. Other than this, the grand manor also encompasses a unique clock tower, Durbar Hall for public assembly, Edwardian drawing room, banquet hall, cinema hall, and a private section for ladies that is a sight to behold. The museum inside the building houses an immense valuable collection of arms, furniture, clocks, and China vases. Other items on display include weapons, stuffed animals, antiques, crockery, trophies, murals, miniature paintings, armor, and an unusual collection of household items that attracts visitors from different parts of the country.