Umaid Bhawan Palace

Umaid Bhawan Palace

Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the largest private residences in the world, is located on a hilltop, 3 km southeast of the old city of Jodhpur. Take a rickshaw or cab to reach this palace.

Video: Umaid Bhavan Palace

General Information

Umaid Bhavan Palace is sometimes called Chittar Palace (Chittar) because the local Chittar sandstone was used to build it. Construction began in 1929, the 365-room building was designed by British architect Henry Lanchester for Maharaja Umaid Singh. It took more than 3,000 people and 15 years to complete the palace. It cost approximately millions. The building was constructed without mortar. 100 carloads of marble from Markana (Makrana) and Burmese teak for the interior were used in the construction. Apparently, the construction of this more-than-chic palace began as a royal program to create jobs during a severe drought.

The royal who is now in power, Gai Singh II (known as Bapji), lives here, occupying part of the building. The rest of the premises has been converted into a magnificent hotel.

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The best part of the museum (Indian/foreign 15/50 rupees; 9.00-17.00) are the photographs that capture the elegant Art Deco interior of the palace. Note several of the maharaja’s polished-to-shine classic cars on the museum’s front lawn.