Lake Palace

The Lake Palace, originally known as Jag Niwas, is a magnificent former summer residence of the Mewar royal dynasty located on Jag Niwas Island in Lake Pichola, Udaipur, India. Constructed between 1743 and 1746 under the patronage of Maharana Jagat Singh II, the sixty-second custodian of the House of Mewar, this architectural marvel spans four acres and appears to float effortlessly on the water. Built primarily from white marble in the traditional Rajput style, the palace features intricate black and white marble flooring, walls adorned with semi-precious stones, and ornate niches. Its design includes pillared terraces, lush gardens, and fountains lining the courtyards, while the structure faces east to allow residents to offer prayers to Surya, the Hindu sun god, at dawn.

Historically, the palace served as a private retreat for the royal family, offering seclusion that the more public City Palace could not provide. Maharana Jagat Singh II specifically commissioned the island location to host intimate gatherings and moonlit picnics away from public scrutiny. Successive rulers continued to utilize the site as a summer resort, holding regal durbars within its grand courtyards. The upper room of the palace is notably designed as a perfect circle with a diameter of approximately twenty-one feet, featuring a dome decorated with colorful stone arabesques that highlight the craftsmanship of the era.

In its current condition, the Lake Palace has been transformed into a luxury hotel managed by IHCL for the past fifty years. It has attained global fame not only for its stunning appearance but also for serving as a filming location for several hit movies. Today, visitors can experience the opulence of Rajput heritage while staying in a property that seamlessly blends historical significance with modern hospitality. The building remains a testament to the artistic vision of the Mewar dynasty and continues to be one of India's most iconic landmarks.