ROVING AROUND THE SUN CITY : JODHPUR SOJOURN PART II

Our next stop in the town was Umaid Bhawan Palace.

I heard  about this iconic palace cum luxury Hotel for the first time when Business Tycoon   Arun Nair and famous Hollywood actor Liz Harley’ much hyped wedding was solemnized here. Reportedly the couple coughed up around 100 crore rupees on the dream wedding. It is a different story that it was not the first marriage for both of them When people saw the opulence and grandeur of this palace, in the visuals of that marriage,  suddenly the traffic of tourists increased substantially.

Arun and Liz Harley, Thanks for inspiring me to visit Umaid Bhavan Palace

 We travelled to the palace in a friends’ car. We were told that the major part of the palace is converted into heritage hotel and it is managed by Taj Group. Only a part is kept by the present Maharaja Gaj Singh for residential purpose. A much smaller part is converted into museum.

 It is  India's last great Palace, and probably largest in Asia. It was constructed between 1929 and 1944. The Palace was originally envisaged as a drought relief measure and the intention was to provide employment to over 3000 people afflicted by consecutive years of drought, Constructed in what can loosely be described as the Indo-Art-Deco style, this magnificent edifice with 347 rooms was the world's largest private residence when it opened its doors as a royal residence in 1944. Named after the then ruler Umaid Singh, the palace has been the residence of Umaid Singh and his successors. Guests and residents of the Palace experience aspects of royal living, with period furniture, priceless antiques and artefacts adorning the public areas as well as the rooms.

Our guide informs that it was designed by renowned Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester, the palace is a blend of eastern and western architectural influences. Its majestic 105 - foot high cupola is influenced by the Renaissance, while the towers draw inspiration from Rajput tradition. The lavish interiors with gilt furniture and elegant artwork follow the Art Deco style, complemented by the exotic murals of the self-exiled Polish artist Stefan Norblin. The entire Art Deco furniture was designed and manufactured in Europe. The furniture was shipped and under transit the world war broke. The ship carrying the consignment was tarpedoed. This news was like a big jolt to Henry and Stefan as the palace completion deadline was coming closer, so they had no choice but to get the furniture manufactured in India, it was done locally, after seeing the furniture both were happy. 

 The private museum attached to the Palace contains a small but exquisite set of display section, exhibiting arms, furniture, antique clocks and priceless China vases that formed a part the private collection of Maharajas of Jodhpur. As a part of museum, there is a personal collection of vintage cars, the watchman tells all are functional and whenever some VVIP guest is expected the car is pressed in his / her service. Entry of common visitor is restricted to museum area only. Ofcourse if you want to peep into the heritage hotel part of the palace, pay cover charge of Rs 2000/- to  Rs 3000/-, depending upon season, enjoy  coffee, snacks, lunch, dinner and witness the luxury in its ultimate. Okay we thought we will also give a try to peep into the ultimate luxury.An imitable tribute to art deco, the hotel has in its luxurious fold 64 rooms and suites. Stroll through the private museum, test your skills on the marbled squash courts or enjoy a game of billiards in the panelled recreation room. For the hotel guests, option of  exhilarating drive through the enchanting city of Jodhpur in a vintage car, accompanied by the royal butler is available to make them feel as a member of  royal family. The guests may stop beneath the starry night sky for a divine grilled feast accompanied by the music of the desert. Experience the art of India's ancient healing wisdom in the romantic new setting of the Spa.

The Central Dome soars 110 feet overhead, and provides spectacular centerpiece - a focal point for all the visitors to the property .The Trophy Bar, the Risala Restaurant ,the Marwar Hall, the Pillars restaurant and the Kebab Konner from the backbone of the hotels Food; Beverage activities, providing residents and guests a choice of dining options and cuisines. 

The view from the Pillars, especially at sunset, are spectacular. Landscaped gardens adorn the exteriors of the building and the spacious lawns at the rear of the Palace create an ambience which is at once serene, restful and yet spectacularly royal. Deep inn the heart of the building, the Zodiac Swimming Pool is a cool blue retreat. Located indoors, it is in fact under the main plinth of the building, tucked away in the basement, which makes it private an accessible only to residents of the hotel. 

While roving around Jodhpur, the great heritage city, rich in culture and tradition, the question haunted me on number of time that the old Raja Maharaja enjoyed all luxury, comfort, lifestyle at the cost of their subjects, whenever there was any attack of outsiders, they were caught unprepared in the cesspool of their sexual adventures. The opulence and grandeur  of Mehrangarh fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace is sadly testimony of sheer exploitation of subjects and speaks volumes about the way the rulers enjoyed uber luxury at the cost of mango (read Aam) people. To be very honest, the situation has not changed, after independence another class of Raja Maharajs has emerged who has  exploited spectrum to coal just to surpass the standard of luxury set by the then Rajas and maharajas.