2. Mysore Palace, Mysore
Mysore palace is the second most visited place in India with more than 6 million annual visitors, first being the Taj Mahal. This beautiful palace is still a residence for the royal family of Mysore, the Wodeyars. The last palace popularly known as the Wooden palace was unfortunately burnt in 1896 during the Dussera festival. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar built the palace again with help of the British architect Henry Irwin. The cost of the construction was approximately 41,47,913 (around $ 30 million), and it was complete by 1912.
3. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
TheUmaid Bhawan Palace is the largest private residence in the world with 347 rooms. The royal family still stays there. Although a portion of the palace is now serving as a luxurious hotel after the family gave it to the Taj Hotels. We witnessed the grand wedding of Nickyanka in Umaid Bhawan Palace. The palace has a museum showcasing attractive galleries and boasts a magnificent collection of classic automobiles. Umaid Bhawan Palace portrays the erstwhile glided royalty with its golden-yellow sandstone build.
4. Laxmi Vilas Palace, Gujarat
Laxmi Vilas Palace, also called the Maharaja Palace of Vadodara, Gujarat, is the world’s biggest palace almost four times to the Buckingham Palace of London. The palace is still the residence of the royal family of Gujarat. They have converted a portion of the palace into a museum and made in open for the public. Built in1890, by Maharaja Sayajirao, the Laxmi Vilas Palace is an exquisite display of Maratha and Indo-Saracenic architecture. The palace is constructed over 500 acres consisting of many buildings, particularly the LVP banquets and conventions, Moti Bagh Palace, and Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum.
5. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Hawa mahal the pretty pink Mahal of the Pink City Jaipur is an epitome of heritage and royalty. Its honeycomb structure has 953 small jharokhas or windows that make it Hawa Mahal or the palace of winds. Built-in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh is the founder of Jaipur. The palace is a five-story pyramidal shaped construction that is approximately 50 feet in height. Hawa mahal was Maharaja Jai Singh’s favorite resort because of its elegance and built-in interior. The palace gives a cooling effect due to the passing breeze through the Jharkis.
6. Marble Palace, Kolkata, West Bengal
Marble palace is a 19th-century mansion in North Kolkata. It is one of the best-preserved and elegant houses of the 19th century. Built-in 1835 by Raja Rajendra Mullick, a Bengali merchant with a passion for collecting art. This is still the residence of his descendants. The palace is neoclassical in style with an open courtyard, ornamented verandas, built in a style of a Chinese pavilion. As it’s still private property photography is prohibited but entry is free. You just have to obtain a permit 24 hours before the visit.
7. Ujjayanta Palace, Agartala, Tripura
Ujjayanta Palace is one of the most beautiful places in India. The name of this place, given by the Nobel Prize laureate Rabindranath Tagore is like a stunning white gem in the state of Tripura. The palace, currently turned into a museum, was the residence of the ruling Manikya dynasty. This is a neoclassical palace, designed by Sir Alexander Martin, which shows a mix of influences: Mughal, Roman, and British. The palace has two artificial ponds, decorated with pools and fountains.
8. Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad
The famous chowmahalla palace of Hyderabad was the residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad. Built-in a period of nearly a hundred years (1750-1857) this palace is very unique and admired for its style and elegance. The palace contains two courtyards- the southern courtyard and northern courtyard. UNESCO added Chowmahalla Palace as a recipient of the UNESCO Asia Pacific Merit award for cultural heritage conservation that furthers Hyderabad’s prestige on UNESCO listings. The palace comprises four palaces- Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal, and Aftab Mahal, protecting the heart of the palace- Khilwat Mubarak.
9. Bangalore Palace, Bangalore
Bangalore palace was built in private land owned by Rev. J. Garrate, the first principal of the center college. Later the property was transferred to Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar 10. Built-in a Tudor Revival Style architecture with fortified towers, battlements, and turrents. The interior decoration of this palace consists of wood carvings, floral motifs, cornices, and relief paintings. This beautiful structure has many expansive gardens complementing its beauty. Besides being a tourist attraction, where they host many several cultural events like concerts and marriages.
10. Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
The word Falaknuma means ‘mirror of the sky’ or ‘like the sky’. Build by its prime minister, Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, and designed by an English architect. This place has a perfect blend of Tudor and Italian style. This magnificent palace took nine years to complete. The place is distinct because of its unique collections of Venetian chandeliers, Burroughs and watts designed billiard boards, and many more to talk about. In 2000, the Taj Group of Hotels took over and renovated the palace.
