Jag Mandir Udaipur in Rajasthan, also known as Lake Garden Palace, is an exquisite palace placed in an estuary Island in Pichola Lake in Udaipur. The Palce construction started dating back to the regime of Maharana Karan Singh during the first half of 17th century. The Palace surroundings offer a blissful view of sunset. The striking feature of this architectural marvel is the spacious courtyard with black and white marble tiles. The azure water around this grand old Palace enhances its exquisite beauty. Eight Life size White Marble structures of Elephants is placed near the boat ramp in the Island, and the island is blesses with many beautiful gardens with v ariety of flowering plants.
About Jag Mandir Udaipur :
Also known as the “City of the Lakes” as well as the “Venice of India”, a Rajasthan Tour is generally considered to be incomplete if your tour itinerary to Rajasthan does not contain a Tour To Udaipur. Pretty as a picture, the city of Udaipur has grown up by the sides of the Lake Pichola, with its majestic palace, done up in white right in the center of this picturesque lake. The city of Udaipur is famous in the annals of tourism in Rajasthan as a result of the two magnificent architectural masterpieces of the city, which are namely its palace on the lake, which is also known as the Jag Niwas and the Jag Mandir, Udaipur.
It is said that the Jag Temple was built with the objective of giving shelter to Shah Jahan or Prince Khurram as he was known then, in the adverse circumstances which would result by the prince’s rebellion against his father Emperor Jahangir
History Jag Mandir :
The Jag Mandir was built by Rana Karan Singh who ruled Udaipur during the years 1628 to ’28. The temple was, however, developed and brought closer to its present state by the efforts of Maharana Jagat Singh I, who ruled the city during the period 1628 to 1652. It is said that the prince, his courtiers as well as his army were at the beginning given shelter in the Jag Niwas or the Lake Palace itself, but were later transferred to the premises of the Jag Mandir when the Mughal party was found to show disrespect to the rituals of the Rajputs in the palace.
Geography :
Jag Mandir is situated in one of the two natural islands in the Pichola lake (named after the village Picholi nearby), on its southern end. The lake was initially created in the 15th century by a local banjara tribal chieftain for carrying grain across the streams. During the reign of Maharana Udai Singh II, in 1560, the lake was substantially enlarged by constructing dams across two streams. At that time, the Maharana also built the Jag Mandir and the Lake Palace (Jag Niwas Hotel) on separate islands in the midst of the lake. Udaipur city with its City Palace and other monuments and temples were built on the periphery of the lake.
Structure of Jag Mandir :
The impressive series of structures in the three storied Jag Mandir Palace include
- Gul Mahal, which was built first as refuge for prince Khurram;
- Elegant facade flanked by four carved statues of elephants on either side at the jetty entry on the lake from Udaipur
- The Garden Courtyard and the Darikhana on its northern side;
- Bara Patharon ka Mahal (palace of the 12 stones);
- the Zenana Mahal – a southern extension to the Gul Mahal;
- and the Kunwar Pada ka Mahal.
Attractions Of Jag Mandir :
Gul Mahal : Gul Mahal was the first structure built in 1551, during the reign of Maharana Amar Singh, which was further developed during the reign of Maharana Jagat Singh to house the Mughal prince Khurram. It was initially a small sandstone (yellow sandstone) palace with an imposing dome (which gives the appearance of a crown). The crescent of Islamis fixed on top of this dome. The Gul Mahal has three circular domed chambers, one above the other. Entry to these chambers is from a columned hall. Two marble chhatris with sloping cornices rise above the main façade. The massive marble slabs affixed to the interior walls were inlaid with coloured rubies, onyx, jasper,cornelian and jade. This type of decoration is reported to have been replicated by the Mughals in their ‘L’timad ad-Daula tomb’ at Agra, in 1626. The palace is also said to have housed a throne carved from a single block of serpentine, which is presently not traceable. The Mahal is surrounded by a roomy circular apartment built in white and black marble with murals and paintings considered an uncommon feature in Rajput architecture. On the western wing of the palace, this type of design has been repeated in three other pavilions.
Entry pavilion : The pavilion at the entry to the palace is an impressive white colonnade of cusped arches. The landing jetty is also located for docking of boats arriving from the jetty of Bansi Ghat on the main land near City Palace in Udaipur. The cruise is through the Pichola Lake. The pavilion is decorated with large elephants carved in stone, four on each side of the entry steps. They face the Lake Palace. The trunks of these elephants were damaged and replaced with polystyrene. The pavilion marks the perimeter of the island in the scenic backdrop of the Aravalli hills.
Garden : The flower garden in the palace complex is set up in the large Garden Courtyard. It has yew bushes, jasmine, frangipani trees, bougainvillea, palm trees,nasturtiums, verbena and moss rose. The courtyard itself is covered with black and white tiles. Fountains and water pools, crisscrossed by walkways with low marble handrails, bedeck the garden surroundings. The present Maharana hosts lavish parties here and also rents the place for private parties.
Darikhana : Darikhana is on the northern side of the palace, which is an open sided terrace built with marble columns. This place is now run as a restaurant by the present Maharana.
- Bara Patharon ka Mahal : Bara Patharon ka Mahal is located at the eastern wing of the main palace. Mahal is so named because twelve solid marble slabs have been used in its construction. Hence, it is also known as the “Palace of the Twelve Stones”.
Best time to visit :
The best time to go to Udaipur is in the winter months of November to March. The weather conditions are ideal in the winter months to spend the entire day out exploring the city and sight seeing.
