Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace: A Majestic Hilltop Retreat in Udaipur

Located on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful city of Udaipur, the Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace is one of the most magnificent palaces in Rajasthan. Also known as the Monsoon Palace, it was built by Maharana Sajjan Singh of Mewar in the late 19th century as a summer retreat for the royal family. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction, offering breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings.

History of Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace

The Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace was built in 1884 by Maharana Sajjan Singh, who was a great patron of art, architecture, and culture. The palace was originally intended to be a summer retreat for the royal family, where they could escape the scorching heat of the summer months and enjoy the cool breeze and panoramic views of the surrounding hills and lakes.

The palace was designed by the renowned architect, Mohan Lal Sukhadia, who incorporated a blend of Rajasthani and European architectural styles into the design. The palace was built over a period of 15 years, using white marble and Rajasthani sandstone, and is a stunning example of the architectural genius of the time.

The palace was equipped with all the modern amenities of the time, including a sophisticated water harvesting and storage system that could collect rainwater during the monsoon season and store it for use throughout the year. The palace also had a number of rooms, halls, and courtyards, which were used for various purposes, including entertainment, relaxation, and meetings.

After the death of Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1884, the palace fell into disuse and was later used as a hunting lodge by his successors. In the 1950s, the palace was taken over by the government and was used as a weather observatory. Today, the palace is managed by the Rajasthan government and is a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world.

Architecture and Design

The Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace is an architectural masterpiece, combining elements of Rajasthani and European styles into a unique and elegant design. The palace is built on a hilltop, at an elevation of 944 meters above sea level, and is surrounded by lush green forests and the picturesque Fateh Sagar Lake.

The palace is built in a rectangular shape, with four towers at each corner and a central dome that rises to a height of 24 meters. The exterior of the palace is adorned with intricate carvings, arches, and jharokhas (balconies), which are a hallmark of Rajasthani architecture.

The interior of the palace is equally stunning, with a series of rooms, halls, and courtyards that are interconnected by ornate corridors and staircases. The rooms are decorated with beautiful paintings, frescoes, and murals, which depict the life and times of the royal family.

One of the most remarkable features of the palace is its sophisticated water harvesting and storage system, which is still in use today. The palace has a huge water tank, which can store up to 3 million liters of water, and is connected to a network of pipes and channels that collect rainwater from the surrounding hills during the monsoon season.

Visiting Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace

The Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace is open to visitors throughout the year, except on public holidays. Visitors can enter the palace from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, and tickets can be purchased at the entrance gate. The palace is easily accessible by road, and visitors can hire taxis or take a bus from Udaipur city to

Distance from Udaipur City – 5 km

Time required for exploring the place – 2-3 hours