Jagmandir Palace
About Jag Mandir Palace
This is the other island palace in Lake Pichola, which was constructed by Maharana Karan Singh as a hideout for Prince Khurram the estranged son of Emperor Jehangir the implacable foe of the Maharana. The reason for the aid was that the prince was the son of a Rajput mother. It is also said that Shah Jahan [prince Khurram] derived some of these ideas for the Taj Mahal from this palace when he stayed there in 1623-24. The island has some striking carving including a row of elephants that looks as though they are guarding the island. The exquisitely carved chhatri in grey and blue stone is another example.
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.
Inside The Palace
The Jag Mandir Palace is a three storyed structure built of yellow sandstone and marble slabs. The Gul Mahal is the prime attraction of this island palace since this is the place where prince Khurram stayed. Karan Singh built this structure keeping in mind the Islamic style. The pavilion 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. A mosque was constructed to enable the royal guests of the Maharana offer his prayers.
Eight life size white marble elephants facing towards the Lake Palace are another highlight of the Jag Mandir Palace. Protecting its boat ramp and the entrance, they seem to stand as a custodian of the island palace. Other eye catching beauties in the palace is the courtyard decorated with black and white tiles; gardens with lovely roses, palm trees, jasmine bushes, frangipanni trees and bougainvillea; Bara Patharon ka Mahal built of twelve solid marble slabs; Kunwar Pada ka Mahal or the palace of Crown prince and the Zenana chambers.
