Jaipur Reclaims the Jal Mahal Palace

One of the most spectacular palaces in India has been opened to the public for the first time since its construction in the 18th century. This is the Jal Mahal (which means Water Palace), built in 1734 as a leisure residence by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II amidst the beautiful Man Sagar Lake, located in Amber, north of Jaipur, the capital of the Rajasthan state in northwest India. After an extensive renovation that meticulously cared for and enhanced all the details of its architectural beauty in the Ralput and Mughal styles typical of Rajasthan, along with its rich interiors, the palace will welcome tourists and host exhibitions and interactive presentations. The palace, constructed from red sandstone, is a legendary and curious building. Four of its five floors remain submerged underwater when the lake is full, exposing only the top floor and the large garden installed on the rooftop. Furthermore, the lake surrounding this palace has been thoroughly cleaned, and a program has been developed to restore much of its exotic flora and fauna. Guided tours of the premises include a boating excursion on the lake and conclude with a tour of the palace, undoubtedly one of the great jewels bequeathed by the Maharajas of Rajasthan, which has regained its splendor and grandeur.