City Palace, Jaipur: History, Timings & Entry Fee
The City Palace in Jaipur is a prominent heritage site located in the heart of the city. This magnificent building is a fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture, which takes your mind to the bygone eras where you can find magnificent apartments, elegant pavilions, royal halls, striking courtyards, and a wonderful museum. Earlier, the palace was the home of the royal family of Jaipur, but later it was divided into two parts; one which contains the courtyards and museums and the other where the royal family still resides.
Showcasing excellent charm and architectural grandeur, City Palace is a perfect sight for all history enthusiasts and photographers.
History
City Palace, Jaipur, was constructed between 1729-1732 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The 288 years old monument holds the well-preserved buildings of the Rajputana architecture and Royal artefacts, from paintings to chandeliers.
Sawaii Jai Singh II commissioned the work of this palace, exclusively the exterior architecture of the building, after moving to the city of Jaipur from Amber due to the increase in the population and inadequate water supply. Further, the palace was designed by Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, a Bengali Architect following the rules of Vastushastra, which is one of the major reasons to attract tourists.
Also Read: Everything You Need to Know About Jaigarh fort, Jaipur
Architecture
The City Palace beautifully paints the picture of rich heritage and culture. It contains gardens, pavilions, and temples of different shapes and sizes. There are three gateways that provide entry to the complex; Tripoli Gate, Udai Pol Gate, and Virendra Pol Gate. The former allows entry for the royal families, while the other two are open to the public. The palace depicts a tremendous fusion of Rajput, Mughal, and European architectural styles.
Major Attractions of the Palace
Chandra Mahal
Chandra Mahal is a seven storeyed building, and its entrance is adorned with a stunning peacock design. One can capture a panoramic view of Jaipur city from the balconies of this Mahal. Each floor serves a different purpose. However, the most popular is the ground floor where the museum is set up.
Diwan-i-Am
This place was used by successive Maharajas to hold public meetings. The hall is nothing less than an art gallery, with Rajasthani and Mughal arts and paintings, ancient texts, embroidered rugs, shawls and carpets. The hall also has a golden throne, Takth-e-Rawal, that carries the palanquin bearers and the elephants made of marble rock.
Pritam Niwas Chowk
It is located in the inner courtyard of the palace, which has four gates, and each one is themed around different seasons. The first gate depicts autumn, second summer, third spring and fourth winter.
Diwan-i-Khas
This is the royal darbar where the Maharaja conducted all important ceremonies among eminent officials and courtiers. The ceilings of this hall are decorated with expensive red and golden colors, and the archways are made of red stone, supported by marble pillars and detailed with white paints, which are breathtaking.
Maharani Palace
It is another ancient structure that was made for royal queens. But later, it was converted into a museum showcasing weapons and ceremonial items of the 15th century. The intricate ceiling of this place is known for the frescoes made of gold and is adorned with gems and semi-precious stones.
Baggi Khana
This place is dedicated to chariots and coaches. You can find a collection of various ancient trains, palanquins, and European taxis used by the royal family. There is an ancient Victorian Baggi here which was gifted by the Prince of Wales back in 1876, along with a Mahadol made of a simple bamboo bar used to carry the Hindu Gods and priests, especially during festivals.
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City Palace, Jaipur Ticket Price
- For Indians – INR 130
- For children – INR 70
- Foreign tourists – INR 500
- Photography Fee – INR 50
- Videography Fee – INR 150
- Audio Guides – INR 200
- Sr. Citizen fees -INR 110
City Palace, Jaipur Timings
The palace opens from 9:30 in the morning till 5:00 in the evening and is open on all holidays. It will take at least 3-4 hours to explore the entire place. Also, you have to buy a separate ticket to visit the museum.
Best Time to Visit
It is preferable to visit the palace on cool and pleasant days as the summers in Jaipur are quite harsh. Moreover, the best months to visit are from October to February.
How to Reach City Palace?
City Palace is located between the local markets in old Jaipur. It is around 12 km from Jaipur Airport and about 4.5 km from the railway station. You can easily take an auto or taxi to reach the palace. You can also hire a cab or a car rental service with JCR and enjoy a hassle-free journey.
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