Jal Mahal, Jaipur

Jal Mahal or “Water Palace” is a palace in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, India. This palace was built by Maharaja Jai ​​Singh II of Amer in the 18th century. This palace is a center of attraction for tourists nestled in the womb of the Aravalli hills. In front of the lake, you will see huge mountains, on top of which there are historical temples and forts and on the other side of the lake you will see the pink city of Jaipur.

Jal Mahal was built as a hunting lodge for the king – Maharaja and his families. Situated in the womb of the Aravalli hills, this palace is also called ‘Eye Ball‘ because it is in the middle of the lake. It was also known as the ‘romantic palace‘. This palace built by Jaisingh is a double-edged and square building with medieval palaces like arches, burjos, canopies, and step-step genes. Jal Mahal is now also developing as a bird sanctuary. The nursery here has more than 1 lakh trees, where the tallest trees of Rajasthan are found.

This palace, situated amidst the raging Rajasthan, does not feel hot because many of its floors are built underwater. A beautiful view of the mountain and lake can also be seen from this palace. The view of this palace in the water of the lake in the moonlight night is very attractive. Day and night, 40 Mali trees are engaged in plant care. This nursery is the tallest nursery of Rajasthan. There are thousands of variations of Aravali plant, ornamental plant, sorb, hedge, and creeper.

Jal Mahal is designed to be eye-pleasing. Traditional Vrindavan sailors have also made wooden navy (boat) in Rajput style here. The sailor only takes to the aquarium. The paths built in the palace are also decorated and its jasmine garden is also seen, whose scent definitely captivates. A huge mountain is seen in front of the lake, on top of which there are historical temples and forts, and on the other side of the lake lies the pink city of Jaipur. The most attractive of the Jalmahal is the lake itself.

Like medieval palaces, there are two-story and square buildings with arches, bastions, canopies, and step-down genes. The bourgeois canopies on the four corners of its upper storey and the Baradaria in the middle are based on marble pillars.

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Jal Mahal History

In 1596 AD, on account of severe famine, the then Ajmer ruler constructed a dam to overcome the scarcity of water. So that water can be stored. The dam was later converted into a stone masonry structure in the 17th century. The Jal Mahal was built in 1799. For this construction, the help of Rajput style boats was taken. But this palace was renovated by Maharaja Jai ​​Singh. The kings here used this palace to spend a special time with their queen. A beautiful view of this palace in the moonlight night can be seen in the water of the lake. Although the king used to use it to give the Royal Party, it was also once home to the Raja of Jaipur State.

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This temporary dam was built of stones in the 17th century. And today this dam is about 300 meters (980 ft) long and 28.5-34.5 meters (94-113 ft) deep. Internal 3 gates have also been constructed to flow water, so that water can be transferred for farming if needed. Since then, this dam has become very famous among the local people and after that, the rulers from Bahot in Rajasthan also repaired it from time to time and it was rebuilt by Jai Singh II of Amer in the 18th century.

The nursery of the Jal Mahal has been developed to enhance the beauty of the palace. This nursery is the tallest nursery of Rajasthan. These trees make the plaintiffs here pollution-free. Jal Mahal not only removes your fatigue but it also increases your age. The specialty of the nursery here is that many trees here which are 150 years old have been transplanted and given new life.

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Interesting Jal Mahal Facts

• It is also known as Romance Palace because of its exotic environment and architecture.

• Common ground for Mughal and Rajasthani architecture is a five-storied building built of red sandstone.

• Kings use to spend their leisure time in this palace with their ladies and were used for Royal celebrations as well.

• This is a five stored out of which only one floor is above water rest four floors are immersed in water of Lake Man Sagar.

• There is a garden on the roof of this beautiful palace, which is called Chameli Bagh, which has now been used as a platform for singing and dancing performances.

• This palace looks very beautiful at night as it is illuminated well by decorative lights.

• The pleasing glimpse of the Man Sagar Lake comes with a view of Nahargarh Hills spread around it.

• Jal Mahal is the most photographed spot of the city, with romantic boating trips across the lake.

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Visitors are not allowed to enter inside the palace as half of the palace is below water and the walls may collapse since it is inside water. But you can enjoy the beauty of the palace from outside by boating in the lake. It is a perfect example of the Rajput royal lifestyle.