Monsoon Palace – Sajjangarh, Udaipur – Timings, History, Best Time to Visit
Sajjangarh Palace, a former royal seat of the Mewar family, which ruled over this area for centuries, is situated atop a hill near the edge of Udaipur. The magnificent complex bears the name of Maharana Sajjan Singh, who commissioned its building in 1884. Originally planned as a nine-story astronomical observatory, its purpose was to monitor and evaluate the arrival and patterns of monsoon clouds, which could be clearly observed from the palace due to its strategic location atop Bansdara Peak, one of the Aravalli hilltops. It has also merited the moniker Monsoon Palace because of this. Also, it would have given the subjects job options.
Unfortunately, that never came to pass because of Maharana Sajjan Singh’s untimely demise. Maharana Fateh Singh, his successor, turned it into a recreational area. The Monsoon Palace served mainly as a hunting lodge for the Mewar royal family and their guests both during and after his rule. Sajjangarh Palace features amazing Rajput architecture, complete with tall towers, turrets, balconies, and pillars, all while adhering to the modern fashions of the day. It even has the capacity to collect rainfall using cutting-edge scientific methods.
Every tower in the white marble palace is governed by guards and tall turrets. The palace features numerous apartments and chambers as well as a great central court with a stairway. The palace is supported by marble pillars that have beautiful floral and leaf designs carved into them. Lime mortar is used to plaster the walls. The lower level has been transformed into a museum showcasing an assortment of artwork, paintings, and maps. Within the palace grounds is a distinctive rainwater harvesting system that collects and stores rainfall in an underground cistern that holds 195,500 gallons. Despite this, it was discovered that the water supply was insufficient, and the palace was consequently abandoned.
See: Places to Visit in Udaipur
The palace provides breathtaking views over the city of Udaipur, as well as its magnificent lakes, mountains, and palaces. Perched atop the Aravalli Hills, in close proximity to Udaipur, the Palace offers a stunning vista of the setting sun. The Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which surrounds the palace, is open to visitors as well. It was just made public and was formerly owned by the Mewar royal family. Currently, it is managed by Rajasthan’s Forest Department.
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
Entree Fee: Rs. 10 for Indian, Rs. 80 for Foreigner, and Rs. 65 for Car
