Monsoon Palace: Where Clouds Gather

Creativity and excellence manifest themselves. What you look at and appreciate is something that has been crafted after intense research and efforts of someone who looked at all the aspects before creating and presenting a physical object to the world. A lot of hard work is the primary reason why things become unique and perfect. While everything that exists under the sky might not find a place in the history, present and future, the Sajjan Garh Palace, now called the Monsoon Palace, is definitely not one of those creations that lose their identity as the time passes by. On the contrary, they continue to evoke interest in the minds of people who constantly try to explore the mystery of history.

A structure that rests and allows the visitors to do the same over a hilltop, the Monsoon Palace of Udaipur city in Rajasthan has a distinct appeal owing to the several multiple characteristics it possesses, and the experience it delivers to each visitor alike.

Location

The fort is located in the outskirts of Udaipur, above the Aravalli hill range.

History

The fort was built by Maharana Sajjan Singh, a ruler of the Mewar Dynasty, who ruled over Udaipur for a decade. The construction began in 1884 and was completed sometime in the early 19th century.

Maharana Sajjan Singh was a visionary who had elaborate plans to develop the city. He initiated a program to enhance the infrastructural facilities such as roads, civil works, water supply management, etc. He ensured that a perfect ecological balance is maintained within the city. One important task he undertook was to desilt the Pichola Lake, which is located closely to the palace. His contributions to the development of the city resulted in Udaipur being designated as the second municipality of India, the first being Bombay (now Mumbai). He was entitled with the “Grand Commander of the Star of India” in November 1881 by the British administration.

The fort was one of the locations for shooting Octopussy, a James Bond film that was released in 1983.

• Click here to known about Jag Mandir Island Palace

Structure

The reason behind building a fort at such a height was to experience what it is like to be surrounded by the clouds. Another reason why Maharana Sajjan Singh built this fort over the hills is that he wanted to take a look of his home in Chittaurgarh, which was an ancestral property.

White marble was used as a primary constituent to construct this fort. It is at a height of 944 meters above sea level. Maharana had planned to construct a nine storied structure, so that it can be used to watch the movement of the clouds and monitor other astronomical activities. This would in turn provide employment to a lot of people in the city apart from becoming a presidential palace for the royal family.

However, not all that was planned was materialized. Maharana Sajjan Singh died at the age of 26. At this moment, the palace was built only partially. Maharana Fateh Singh, who succeeded him, took the responsibility of completing the construction of the palace. There are a lot of rooms and servant quarters inside the palace. The palace was served as a hunting lodge for the royal family.

The foundation of the palace is made of marble pillars. These pillars are carved extensively and depict leaves and flowers. Rainwater harvesting measures made it possible to collect 1,95,500 litres of water inside the palace, despite which the palace was abandoned, as this quantity was deemed to be insufficient according to the palace requirements.

What to See

The palace is surrounded by Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which was established in 1987. Spread across 2 miles of land, it is a habitat of dense forests and a wide range of wildlife, including, but not limited to tigers, hyenas, jackals, panthers, reptiles, etc.

A trek to the sanctuary will make your journey more adventurous and memorable. The trails begins from Gorilla Point and throughout the trek, you will enjoy the beauty of the hills and the wildlife.

You can also go for a boat ride at Lake Pichola to enjoy and appreciate the area surrounding the palace.

Eat, Drink, Collect

There is no dearth of restaurants and cafes in Udaipur that offer not just excellent meals and beverages, but also a beautiful view of the city. Right from the local delicacies to world cuisines, snacks and sweets, and from alcoholic beverages to soft drinks, everything is available in plenty at a close distance from the palace.

Do not forget to purchase and bring back home some of the finest handicrafts sold at Udaipur. Paintings, terracotta, statues, silver art, saris and other local products make for a nice and traditional memorabilia.

Best Time to Visit

The perfect time to visit the Monsoon Palace is during the monsoon season. As you will approach the palace, you will witness a beautiful phenomenon of clouds hovering above your head in the sky. A view of the city from the hilltop is equally tantalizing.

How to Reach

Udaipur enjoys nice connectivity with various states and cities of India through its well-developed rail, road and air network. Within the city, a lot of conveyance methods are available which make it easy for the visitors to reach the Monsoon Palace and explore the city area.

The Sajjan Garh Palace or the Monsoon Palace is one historical palace that has become a signature tourist spot of Udaipur city. If you ever feel the need to disconnect from the monotony and cacophony of routine, head to this destination which will definitely make you forget all your worries and rejuvenate you while pleasing all your senses and filling your brain with priceless memories.

• Click here to read on Fort Places in Rajasthan