UMAID BHAWAN PALACE MUSEUM

This huge building of 350 rooms, designed by the British architect H. V. Lanchester, is the other landmark of Jodhpur. It is one of the largest royal residences in the world. Maharaja Umaid Singh (reigned 1918-1947) ordered its construction to provide work for the rural people affected by the great famine of 1920. It was also an opportunity to move from the Mehrangarh fort, which had become obsolete and uncomfortable. 3,000 workers were employed on the construction site which started in 1927 and was completed in 1944. Tons of Makrana marble and Burmese teak adorn the interior. But you will not be able to visit it, because it has been partially transformed into a luxury hotel. In fact, this is where the wedding of the century took place in 2018, uniting Bollywood and American pop, namely Indian film star Priyanka Chopra and singer Nick Jonas. As for the other part of the palace, Maharaja Gaj Singh still lives there with his family. Therefore, only the small museum remains for the common man to get a glimpse of the splendor of the Rathore court. It has pictures of the interior of the palace as well as a collection of watches and beautiful Chinese porcelain. At the entrance you will see the maharaja's vintage cars.

While having lunch or dinner at the Umaid Bhawan you will still manage to see the impressive Darbar Hall with its famous dome visible from the Mehrangarh fortress, as well as some of the salons.