Udai Bilas Palace, INDIA

Description: Udai Bilas Palace

The history of Udai Bilas Palace, Dungarpur, Rajasthan dates from the mid-19th century, when Maharawal Udai Singhji-II, a great patron of art and architecture, built a wing of bluish grey local stone "Pareva" overlooking the lake and the "Ek Thambia Mahal", featuring intricate sculptured pillars and panels, ornate balconies, balustrades, bracketed windows, arches and frieze of marble carvings, a veritable marvel of Rajput architecture. Dungarpur is full of surprises and promises to be a memorable experience in your journey across India.

The Udai Bilas Palace was enlarged in 1940 by Maharawal Laxman Singhji, who built three new wings around the "Ek Thambia Mahal" (literally onepillared Palace) and thus created the famous "courtyard" of the Palace. The result is an architectural expression exquisitely detailed. Still the royal residence, the Palace offers accommodation in the house-guest tradition with twenty spacious, airconditioned and lavishly appointed bedrooms.

The furnishings are mostly from the 20th century art-deco style, marble bathrooms with English fixtures and running hot and cold water. Meals are served either in the banquet hall which displays hunting trophies and crystal chandelliers or in the more intimate family dining room. Fixed menus are predominantly Indian, subtly spiced to suit western guests. Continental or Chinese dishes are served on request. Special candlelit dinners are provided by the lakeside, or picnic lunches at the ancient fortified ruins with a panoramic view of the ancient town of Dungarpur.

Nestled in idyllic splendour, with the blue waters of Gaibsagar lake on one side and a cove of private reserve forest on the other, it is the embodiment of the old world charm of princely India. It offers a scenic location for rest and recreation. This is an ideal paradise of unhurried hospitality from where to explore birdlife and tribal life and experience a splendidly romantic ambience for that very special honeymoon. Exquisite rajput anchitechure, fine murals, miniature paintings and stone carvings will delight the cultured traveller.

Type of rooms: Udai Bilas Palace

7 double
3 single
10 suites

No two rooms are alike, from suites to guest-rooms, each enchants with its own personality, spaciousness and modern comforts for a unique experience. All are air-conditioned.

Additional information: Udai Bilas Palace