Jal Mahal is an 18th century pleasure palace and is located in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. The palace is perched amidst Mansagar lake, Jal Mahalwhich is in turn nestled amongst the Nahargarh hills. The Jal Mahal Palace, Jaipur is noted for its sophisticated design and grand architecture. The Palace was developed as a pleasure spot and was used for the royal duck shooting parties. A causeway leads to Jal Mahal Palace situated in the middle of Man Sagar lake, opposite the cenotaphs. The first four floors of this building is under water, only the top floor remains outside. One can have a wonderful view of the lake and the palace from Nahargarh Fort Built in 1799, the palace is now abandoned, but reasonably well preserved. The lake eco system is home to a variety of migratory and resident birds. The Mansagar Dam on the eastern side of the lake acts as a vantage point for viewing the lake and the valley.
The Water-Colored Palace : The Jal Mahal, an intrinsic example of Indo-Mughal architecture, stands like a vigilante of peace in the serene and quiescent waters of Man Sagar lake. With first four floors inside water, the majestic palace stands tall with its top floor outside the water arena. One can enjoy the tranquil waters of the lake while sitting under the elaborately modeled and exquisitely carved balconies and arched roofs, thinking about the royal menus of the duck shooting parties. The maharajah Sawai Madho Singh used to invite royal dignitaries to this leisure palace, who usually rocked the ambiance with their adventure autobiographies. Words flied amidst the misty air carrying the aroma satiated with the chivalry of the Rajput kings. To the south of the lake, there are some alluring gardens and splendid examples of Rajput architectural style, waiting eagerly for the virgin footsteps of enthusiastic travelers. Rush to enjoy the out-of-the-world refreshing experience at the island palace, when cool breezes after kissing the waters, will rush to hug you.
Get Going : The palace and the museum is open for public viewing from 10.30 in the morning till 5.30 in the evening . You can catch a bus or hire a private cab from the Sanganer Airport, main Railway station or roadways stand to reach the palace. However, Rajasthan State Transport also offers regular bus service that will drop you directly in front of the palace gateway.
