Situated in the capital of Rajasthan, the City Palace of Jaipur or the chief palace is a titillating fusion of conventional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The gigantic palace complex engages one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur. The complex is divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens and buildings. The beautifully caved marble interiors, magnificent pillars, jali or lattice work and inlaid ornamentations make the palace a cherished tourist attraction. Jaleb Chowk and Tripolia Gate are the two main entrances to the City Palace Jaipur. The complex houses a number of palatial structures, most notable ones being the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev ji Temple and the City Palace Museum.
Mubarak Mahal
In the first courtyard is the ‘Mubarak Mahal’, built by Maharaja Madho Singh II in the late 19th century. The Mubarak Mahal, contains the textile section of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. There is a magnificent gateway with a grand door in brass opening to a stately courtyard. There lies the Diwan-I-Khas or ‘Hall of Private Audience’- an open hall with a double row of columns with scalloped arches.
Diwan-e-Khas and Diwan-e-Aam
The magnificent brass gateway of the Mubarak Mahal leads to a courtyard where one can find the Diwan-I-Khas or ‘Hall of Private Audience’. Here two enormous silver vessels catch the eye. These are the largest vessels known in the world. They are also recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records Next comes the ‘Diwan-E-Aam’ or the ‘Hall of Public Audience’. Done up in a rich red and gold, this chamber holds on display a variety of embroidered rugs and carpets, miniature paintings and ancient texts. The Ridhi Sidhi Pol is the name given to the four small gates adorned with themes representing the four seasons.
Chandra Niwas
The Chandra Niwas, standing to the west is an imposing palace and various parts of this seven-storied building are called Sukh-Niwas, Ranga-Mandir, Pitam-Niwas, Chabi-Niwas, Shri-Niwas and Mukut-Mandir.
Govind Devji Temple
Opposite the Chandra Niwas stands the Badal Niwas and in between lies the Jai Niwas Garden. The Govind Devji temple stands in this garden. Govind Dev ji is one of the prominent temples of Rajasthan and situated in Jaipur, it is visited by many people annually. Dedicated to Lord Krishna and has been well preserved by the earlier royal family. The idol was brought from Vrindavan, installed here by Sawai Jai Singh. Govind Dev ji is an incarnation of Lord Krishna.
Another integral part of the palace complex is the Hawa Mahal of unusual architecture, standing away from the main complex.
To explore the magnificent City Palace and the beautiful city, just plan your vacations to Jaipur and rediscover the Royal city with Travel Plan India.
