Jag Mandir Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan India

Jag Mandir, also known as Lake Garden Palace is a beautiful palace located on the southern island of Lake Pichola in Udaipur. The palace is a three storied structure made in yellow sandstone and marble. Jag Mandir Palace was raised in early 17th century by Maharana Karan Singh to serve as a hiding place for Prince Khurram (popularly known as Shah Jahan). Maharana Karan Singh helped Prince Khurram as he was born to a Rajput mother. Maharana Karan Singh provided prince Khurram, his family (wife Mumtaz and sons Dara and Aurangzeb) and his men a safe asylum in the City Palace of Udaipur. The aristocrats failed to adhere to the Rajput customs; subsequently Karan Singh shifted them to Jag Mandir which was still under construction. After the death of Karan Singh in 1928, his son Jagat Singh was crowned the Maharana and he added more structures to the island palace.

Maharana Jagat Singh who made a number of additions to it later renovated the place. Within the palace was the temple dedicated to the Lord Jagdish and hence the name is derived from that. There is a museum detailing the history of the island as well and the neat courtyards. During the 1857 sepoy mutiny in India, Maharana Swaroop Singh provided a number of European families and refuges from Neemuch, especially women and children, a safe place to stay in this island palace.

The Gul Mahal is the prime attraction of this island palace since this was the place where Price Khurram lived with his family. Karan Singh built this structure in the Islamic style of architecture, keeping in mind the taste of Khurram. The marquee is adorned with Muslim crescent and the interiors are richly decorated. A throne was specially built out of a single block of serpentine for the use of Khurram, however today; the throne is conspicuous by its absence. To serve the religious purpose of Khurram, a mosque was constructed in the palace.

Eight life-sized white marble elephants, four on each side of the entry steps, facing the Lake Palace are another highlight of the Jag Mandir. Protecting its boat ramp and the entrance, they give the impression of guarding this beautiful island Palace. Another attraction of this Palace is the courtyard, which is festooned with black and white tiles; gardens with yew bushes, jasmine, frangipani trees, bougainvillea, palm trees, nasturtiums and lovely roses. The present Maharana hosts lavish parties here and also rents the place for private parties.

Other pavilions that are worth mentioning are Bara Patharon ka Mahal located at the eastern wing of the main palace. The palace twelve is built of twelve solid marble slabs and is also known as the "Palace of the Twelve Stones". Kunwar Pada ka Mahal was meant for the crowned prince while the Zenana Mahal offered several chambers for the ladies of the Royalty. Darikhana is on the northern side of the palace, which is an open sided terrace built with marble columns. A restaurant was opened by Arvind Singh Mewar in the year 2001 which serves lip smacking cuisines of Rajasthan and also hosts lavish parties. Also, check out the museum where the history of this inland and its Palace has been preserved.

The best time to go to Udaipur is in the winter months of November to March. The weather conditions are ideal in the winter months to spend the entire day out exploring the city and sight seeing.