Jal Mahal, <em>Jaipur</em>
Jaipur

Jal Mahal, Jaipur

About Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal, also known as the Water Palace, sits beautifully in the middle of Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur. This unique palace, mainly submerged underwater, is an excellent example of the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. Maharaja Madho Singh built it in the 1700s as a place to relax during duck hunting trips. Today, only the top floor, out of its five floors, is above water and offers stunning views of the surrounding Nahargarh hills and the lake itself.

Though visitors can't go inside Jal Mahal, the view from the lake's edge is still breathtaking. The palace's design, with its red sandstone walls and intricate Rajputana architecture, makes it a favourite spot for photos. It stands as a testament to Jaipur's rich history and is a key attraction for anyone visiting the city. Jal Mahal remains an unforgettable sight, especially at sunrise or sunset when its beauty truly shines.


History of Jal Mahal Jaipur


In 1956 AD severe famine was experienced by the people of the area where Jal Mahal is currently standing. This led to an acute shortage of water, and the ruler of Ajmer, therefore, decided to build a dam to deal with the problem of scarcity of water. The dam was initially built with quartzite and earth in the eastern side of the breathtakingly beautiful Ajmer Hills. Later, it was renovated in the 17th century into a masonry structure.


This dam is still standing today, and it’s 28.5-34.5 meters wide and 300 meters long. Three gates have also been built in the dam to release a sufficient amount of water to irrigate the nearby agricultural lands. This dam has undergone renovation and restoration by different rulers, but the final renovation was done by Maharaja Jai Singh 11. Other historical places and religious spots like Jaigarh Fort, Amer Fort, Kanak Vrindavan Valley, and Nahargarh Fort were built in the nearby areas of this lake. These are now connected with a tourist corridor of road networks.


It is believed that Jal Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as a spot to relax after duck hunting. It is also surmised that this palace was built in 1750 by Maharaja Madho Singh 1. The beauty of this palace was later amplified by Maharaja Jai Singh 11 who completely renovated this palace and added a few more striking structures to it. It is also believed that the Man Sagar Lake was also built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh after constructing a huge dam that served as a source of water for the people in that area.


The architecture of Jal Mahal


Jal Mahal is known for its exquisite architecture and splendid design that beholds the mind of the visitors. It is the finest example of excellent Rajput architecture, and the technical excellence that were not in vogue in the 18th century. The architectural grandeur of this palace comes to life, especially in the evening when the entire complex is covered by floodlights. The beautiful cravings on the shrines and the white marbles that have been used to build the palace make it look like a gem on its own. The reflection of the palace in the Man Sagar Lake gives an illusion of multi storeys standing over the water level.


At the corner of the palace there are four octagon-shaped chhatris and beautiful domes. In the centre, there is a chhatri made in Bengali style. Twenty one decorative pillars are also located in this palace that are considered to be the cenotaphs of the royal family. A platform is there in the centre of the garden area where dance performances and recitals were organized. The original garden got damaged in the past but now it has been recreated again to captivate the attention of the visitors.

Jal Mahal Highlights

• Witness the beauty of the Jal Mahal’s red sandstone structure during the sunrise or sunset.
• Capture the palace's reflection on Man Sagar Lake, serving as the perfect object for photography.
• Marvel at the architecture that combines Rajput and Mughal styles, visible from the lake's edge.
• Enjoy a serene boat ride on the Man Sagar Lake, and soak in close-up views of Jal Mahal's stunning facade. 
• Admire the palace illuminated at night, offering a breathtaking view against the dark waters.

How To Reach Jal Mahal

Fom Airport: The most convenient way to reach Jal Mahal from Jaipur airport is by taking a taxi that will take around 15 minutes to reach over here. You can also take a direct bus from the Sanganer Police station to reach Jal Mahal. It takes around one hour to reach Jal Mahal by bus.

Best Time To Visit Jal Mahal



The best time to visit Jal Mahal is during the rainy season when the weather becomes even more pleasant. The rain imparts a great edge to the stunning look of the sandstone of this palace and makes it look extremely stunning. People especially prefer to visit this spot during October as the weather is extremely pleasant during this month.

Jal Mahal Essential Information



-Location: Amer Rd, Jal Mahal, Amer, Jaipur

-Timings: 12-10:30 pm

- Fee: Rs 10 per person for Indians
           Rs 50 per person for foreigners

Facts about Jal Mahal



Here are some fun facts about Jal Mahal that will blow your mind completely.

1. Only the topmost floor of Jal Mahal is visible and accessible. All the remaining four floors stay submerged in the water of Lake Man Singh Sagar.

2. The palace was used initially more like a picnic spot and less as a residence, and therefore you won’t find any personal chambers over here.

3. The government of Jaipur continuously takes efforts to preserve and develop the areas surrounding Jal Mahal.


Tips for visiting Jal Mahal



There are a few tips that you must keep in mind if you’re visiting Jal Mahal for the first time.

1. Always carry comfortable shoes that would ensure you a hassle-free trip of this palace and its nearby attractions.

2. You should also carry sunglasses and hats in the summer to stay away from sunstroke or sunburn.

3. You can also carry a camera along with you to capture the beautiful memories over here. You’ll have to pay a nominal fee to carry the camera along with you.

4. It’s also important to carry the important medicines that you might need in the middle of the trip.

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Jal Mahal Reviews

4.9

From 10 verified visits

5 ★
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Amritambu Desai24 Mar 2021
5.0
Booked: Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur | Luxury Staycation Deal

The Alsisar Haveli is a heritage property, and we lucked out in booking a room here for our honeymoon, that too during covid. The property is beautiful and their food is out of this world. My partner loved the old-world charm of the resort. Thanks to Thrillophilia, our package also included local sightseeing, so we visited the nearby attractions too. All in all, a great experience indeed.

Pawan Pattan21 Mar 2021
5.0
Booked: Jal Mahal Resort & Spa, Mysore | Luxury Staycation Deal

My stay at Jal Mahal Resort in Mysore with my family has been nothing but excellent. The property is well maintained and has a royal appeal. I loved exploring the cottages located in the garden area. There is a pool here too, which was unfortunately closed for renovation purpose. However, everything else in the resort was simply excellent.

Baladitya Sethi16 Jan 2020
5.0
Booked: Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur | Luxury Staycation Deal

The royal palace structure, master bed rooms and everything that could make me feel none less than a royal myself, my stays at the Alsisar Haveli Jaipur have been great. I had this experience on my bucket list which got possible just because of thrillophilia’s affordable packages of the same. Thank you for easy booking and hassle free check in check out

Lavira Fernandes23 Jul 2021
5.0
Booked: Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur | Luxury Staycation Deal

One of the best luxurious stays in Jaipur at budget rates. The rooms were big and beautiful. too. The morning views are awesome. The food served was outstanding. Above all, the staff is really cooperative and always ready to help.

Chaitan Pandey6 Dec 2019
5.0
Booked: Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur | Luxury Staycation Deal

I am thrilled with my stays at the Alsisar Haveli Jaipur so much so that I felt like a royal myself at every experience that I had here. Highly recommneded

Ashwini Gopal22 Jul 2021
5.0
Booked: Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur | Luxury Staycation Deal

Alsisar Jaipur is a treat to the eyes but getting an accommodation at this place was a dream for me. Thankfully, Thrillophilia offered a staycation at just the right price! The room was cosy and well maintained, and the trip exceeded all expectations.

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