Royal retreats in India: Agra Fort, Udaipur City Palace & Mysore Palace
SHARMILA MELISSA YOGALINGAM visits baroque palaces and lavish forts in the land of the Mughal and discovers the top three royal retreats you shouldn't miss on your next trip to India.
The imposing ancient history of India calls to the visitor at almost every turn. This colourful land is resplendent with old palaces and forts left behind from the time of the Mughals and earlier kingdoms. Today, these awe-inspiring palaces and courtyards attract tourists and travellers eager to view ancient architecture and conjure images of dashing maharajas and elegant Maharanis.
AGRA FORT, AGRA
WHY GO A UNESCO World Heritage site, Agra Fort is a magnificent red sandstone palace. While less popular than its sister monument the Taj Mahal, the Fort is generally considered the more breath taking structure. Ironically the Fort is where Shah Jahan, the man who built the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his wife, was later imprisoned by his son.
TO DO The first thing to catch your eye is Agra Fort's majestic gates embellished with marble and precious stone inlays. Enter through the Lahore Gate, also known as the Amar Singh Gate, to appreciate an even richer façade. There are several other must see landmarks within the fort. Stroll down the halls of Diwan-I-Am, where the emperor addressed his subjects, and Diwan-I-Khas where kings, ambassadors and nobles were received. Head through the small door to the left of the throne alcove in the Diwan-i-Am and climb the stairs to reach the Macchi Bhavan, a large but relatively plain two-storey structure overlooking a spacious, grassy courtyard. Also known as fish palace, it once housed ponds filled with fish and was a popular spot for the royal family to practice their angling skills.
Within the complex you'll come across smaller palaces such as Jahangiri and Khas Mahal, as well as the Moti and Mina Mosques, Golden Pavilions and Anguri Bagh - a garden which produced grapes and flowers.
STAY
$ Affordable accommodation can be found at Howard Sarovar Hotel (www.sarovarhotels.com) and Hotel Royale Residency (www.royaleresidency.com)
$$ Mid-priced digs include Gateway Hotel (www.thegatewayhotels.com) and Trident (www.tridenthotels.com).
$$$ Spoil yourself at the Oberoi Amarvilas (www.oberoihotels.com) or the Jaypee Palace (www.jaypeehotels.com).
GETTING THERE Fly from Singapore to Mumbai to Agra. Travelling time is around 10 hours.
WHY GO Standing on the shores of pristine Lake Pichola, City Palace is one of the most remarkable constructions of Rajasthan's Rajput rulers. Its rooms are decorated with paintings, mirror work and murals, while the gardens come alive with beautiful blossoms and trees. From the granite and marble masonry to the turrets, domes and arches, City Palace is simply striking.
TO DO Arrive at the Palace through the Hathi Pol (Elephant Gate), Bara Pol (Great Gate) and Tripolia (Triple Gate). Home to many courtyards, pavilions, balconies, cupolas and towers, the Palace primarily serves as a museum for artefacts and armoury. The focal point is the mesmerising Mor Chowk - stunning glass mosaics of peacocks in green, blue, crystal and gold, and concave mirrors which evoke the elegant movements of the birds symbolic to Rajasthan. View also glass and crystal works at the Ruby Palace, miniature paintings at Krishna Villas and ornamental tiles in Chini Mahal. Also check out Jagdish Temple, the oldest temple in Udaipur.
STAY
$ For a modest stay try Jaiwana Haveli (www.jaiwanahaveli.com) Mewar Haveli (www.mewarhaveli.com) or Mahendra Prakash (www.hotelmahendraprakash.com)
$$ Mid-priced hotels include Sheraton Udaipur (www.starwoodhotels.com) and Trident
(www.tridenthotels.com).
$$$ For an out-of-this-world experience check into Taj Lake Palace Udaipur (www.tajhotels.com), which sits on the lake and has been voted India's most opulent hotel by top travel magazines. A basic room can set you back almost $1,000 per night. For something still upmarket but lighter on your pocket try Leela Palace Udaipur (www.theleela.com) or Oberoi Udaivilas (www.oberoihotels.com).
GETTING THERE Fly from Singapore to Mumbai to Udaipur. Total travel time is approximately 10 hours.
WHY GO Also known as Maharaja's Palace or Amba Vilas, this three-storey, granite stone edifice is the most visited site in Mysore. Its pink marble dome and five-storey gold gilded tower serves as the main draw for visitors seeking to recapture royal life in the heyday of India's blue blood reign. The Palace is illuminated with some 100,000 light bulbs on Sunday nights, national holidays and for state festivals, and is truly a vision against the onyx sky.
TO DO The Ambavilasa is one of the most spectacular and ornate rooms in the palace. It boasts a rosewood and ivory doorway, holds a Lord Ganesha shrine and is fitted with ornamental frescoes, exquisitely carved doors and grills, gilded columns, crystal chandeliers, flooring made from semi-precious stones and mosaic, as well as stained glass windows and mahogany ceilings. The Doll's Pavilion showcases traditional European and Indian dolls and sculptures, while the Marriage Hall has a fascinating peacock motif. There are also other smaller halls, chambers and garden and a royal golden throne and an armoury worthy of exploration.
STAY
$ Budget accommodation includes the Green Hotel (www.greenhotelindia.com), Suvarna Residency (www.suvarnaresidencymysore.com) and Ginger Mysore (www.gingerhotels.com).
$$ While mid-ranged rooms can be found at Pai Vista (www.paihotels.com), Royal Orchid Metropole (www.royalorchidhotels.com) and Hotel Regaalis (www.ushalexushotels.com).
$$$ Enjoy luxury accommodation at the exclusive safari-concept Orange County Kabini (www.orangecounty.in)
GETTING THERE Fly Kingfisher Airlines direct from Singapore to Mumbai to Mysore with a short stopover in Bangalore. Total travel time is approximately eight-and-a-half hours.
AIRLINES:
Kingfisher Airlines www.flykingfisher.com
Air India http://home.airindia.in
Singapore Airlines www.singaporeair.com
Posted Nov 2011
