Karauli City Palace
Karauli City Palace
4.5
About
The former residence of the Yaduvanshi rulers, the magnificent city palace stands in the centre of the walled city which retains a lot of its historical charm with winding streets lined with shops selling lacquer work bangles and local handicrafts. The palace built in the 14th century is a massive structure, with beautiful murals, stone carvings and lattice work which have been carefully restored by the owners. Among the numerous temples within the palace itself isthe famous Madan Mohan ji temple, a popular pilgrimage site. The evening aarti ceremony at the temple is an unforgettable experience with its elaborate rituals and the depth of feeling attached to it. Camel cart rides from Bhanwar Vilas to the palace are a popular option.
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4.5
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oreganoItaly
Western Ireland, Ireland226 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Having visited India many times and lived in South Asia I’m amazed that Id never heard of this palace before I stayed in Bhanwar villas which is where the Royal family moved after this huge building became unsustainable as a home.
The old palace is fantastic and has been really well restored with amazing architecture and everything from tigers cages to the royal court,bed chambers and wrestling arena.
Include in your trip to Jaipur and Agra.
The old palace is fantastic and has been really well restored with amazing architecture and everything from tigers cages to the royal court,bed chambers and wrestling arena.
Include in your trip to Jaipur and Agra.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JulieMcK61
Tetbury, UK72 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
Firstly, travelling with Intrepid Travel, we stayed at a rural heritage home, which was were the royal family lived, and the queen mother was in residence in another wing when we were there. Incredible place to stay. Later in the afternoon, we went to the City Palace where a local guide took us around, and showed us fierce monkeys (who couldn't really get to us). We eventually arrived on the roof space which looked over the whole town, and watched the subset, absolutely incredible. We then went back to the bottom of the palace into a shiek temple and watched one of the daily rituals. Mesmerising and the whole group felt that we were very privileged to witness it.
Written 6 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GRVARCH
Agra, India614 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
During visit to Shri Kaila mata temple,
I also went to this palace.
It's really a good palace like hidden gem.
Entry fee is only 50 rs.
A guide cum guard always go with tourists.
Wall paintings and stone work is very beautiful in palace premisis.
Dwarkadhis temple is also very good to see just adjacent to this palace.
I also went to this palace.
It's really a good palace like hidden gem.
Entry fee is only 50 rs.
A guide cum guard always go with tourists.
Wall paintings and stone work is very beautiful in palace premisis.
Dwarkadhis temple is also very good to see just adjacent to this palace.
Written 6 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James C
Grimsby, UK18 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
A stunning place with almost no visitors . Please read other reviews for more details. All I can add is that anyone who gave this less than 5 stars was either not at the palace or has opinions that cannot be treated as sensible!!
It is a highlight of Rajasthan and is simply breathtaking
It is a highlight of Rajasthan and is simply breathtaking
Written 1 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rao Shivraj Inayati
Karauli, India38 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
" Not visited Karauli, you haven't seen Rajasthan"
Karauli, a lesser known and least discussed town of Rajasthan.... but I can daresay Karauli is definitely a window of Rajasthan. You will find everything for which you are visiting Rajasthan, right from forts, palaces, frescos, masterpiece carvings in local sand stone and Architectural Marvel's.
Before going to the main topic, I would like to ask you ... "What would you like to see at Karauli City Palace?
My question may put you in dilemma, if you haven't search about The Palace. But I would say ...you are going to witness a history in itself.
Head towards the City Palace main entrance,known as Nagad Khana darwaja and your eyes fixes on a cage type structure to your right, just adjacent to the Palace wall.... right that is a place where Maharaja Bhanwar Pal ji's pet Tigers were kept. Yes, you read it right, He was famous as "Dang ke Sheron wale Raja". Move a little more and your eyes will fix halfway to the sky.... The mesmerising view of Hawamahal, very different from Jaipur's and worth keeping large photo in your Drawing rooms. Let's enter now the city Palace and it is just like entering a different world... a huge Gate (probably larger than any gate of Jaipur's city wall) welcomes you. On your right is Jamdar khana ( office of State officials), earlier it was used as Deewan E Aam. Huge pillars and high ceilings are the special characteristics of Hindu Mughal Architecture. Standing on the main drive way and you'll be staring the Jharokhas of ,"Satrah Duwari' ( seventeen doors). Moving forward you comes to the Tripolia, the entrance to the main portion. Structural Jharokhas on both side and the beautiful paintings of Persian style and Hindu Gods are worth appreciation. As we enters, two guards with 'lathi' are on your both side , thanx God, they are not real but just the full size human replicas. They shows us How that times Guards were kept on duty. Entering the courtyard we can see the intricately carved Jharokhas on to your right. But the main attraction of the Palace is just in front of you and that is known as Gopal Mandir ( Deewan E Khas). It is a double height hall with huge pillars just like in Red forts Agra and Delhi. Beautifully painted pillars, ceilings and walls with large sized mirrors and the trellis on first floor height for the Royal ladies to watch the proceedings of Royal court will steal your heart.
Move further back and you'll enter another hall , and I claim it that you will not find any where in the other palaces of Rajasthan. This is personal 'Akhada' a place for wrestling and sort of gym for Maharaja. No shoes are allowed, a Hanuman temple is inside , as Hanuman is the main deity for all the wrestlers . The soil is so well prepared that if you put your feet on it will feel like a velvety touch. Next go up and find a series of carving Marvel's..like Satrah Duwari', Hawa Mahal, Harbhan ki Ban and other corridors, overlooking the main court yard. If you are mind is with your eyes, you'll see a small square stone Chili attached to one Jharokha. It was the place where Maharaja stands for a morning audience to his subjects. Now let's move to the personal portions... like Barah Duwari', where once a Maharaja gave ceremonial welcome to a touring British official . Next is the Sheesh Mahal, decorated with round sized mirrors. It is the "Rang Mahal" of Palace. Walking over the Beech wala gate (center gate) and you are lost in the Multi coloured small pieces of glass in the Jharokhas. Watching this all and moving forward don't miss the paintings on the both sides of walls of the narrow gallery. You'll find hunting scenes, elephant driven cart and a illusive painting ( this is a master piece in painting).
I think, I have taken so much of your time ... now it is time to leave you alone to find many more attractions by yourself (but don't miss the Madan Mohan temple and museum before you exit ) .
Good luck.....
Karauli, a lesser known and least discussed town of Rajasthan.... but I can daresay Karauli is definitely a window of Rajasthan. You will find everything for which you are visiting Rajasthan, right from forts, palaces, frescos, masterpiece carvings in local sand stone and Architectural Marvel's.
Before going to the main topic, I would like to ask you ... "What would you like to see at Karauli City Palace?
My question may put you in dilemma, if you haven't search about The Palace. But I would say ...you are going to witness a history in itself.
Head towards the City Palace main entrance,known as Nagad Khana darwaja and your eyes fixes on a cage type structure to your right, just adjacent to the Palace wall.... right that is a place where Maharaja Bhanwar Pal ji's pet Tigers were kept. Yes, you read it right, He was famous as "Dang ke Sheron wale Raja". Move a little more and your eyes will fix halfway to the sky.... The mesmerising view of Hawamahal, very different from Jaipur's and worth keeping large photo in your Drawing rooms. Let's enter now the city Palace and it is just like entering a different world... a huge Gate (probably larger than any gate of Jaipur's city wall) welcomes you. On your right is Jamdar khana ( office of State officials), earlier it was used as Deewan E Aam. Huge pillars and high ceilings are the special characteristics of Hindu Mughal Architecture. Standing on the main drive way and you'll be staring the Jharokhas of ,"Satrah Duwari' ( seventeen doors). Moving forward you comes to the Tripolia, the entrance to the main portion. Structural Jharokhas on both side and the beautiful paintings of Persian style and Hindu Gods are worth appreciation. As we enters, two guards with 'lathi' are on your both side , thanx God, they are not real but just the full size human replicas. They shows us How that times Guards were kept on duty. Entering the courtyard we can see the intricately carved Jharokhas on to your right. But the main attraction of the Palace is just in front of you and that is known as Gopal Mandir ( Deewan E Khas). It is a double height hall with huge pillars just like in Red forts Agra and Delhi. Beautifully painted pillars, ceilings and walls with large sized mirrors and the trellis on first floor height for the Royal ladies to watch the proceedings of Royal court will steal your heart.
Move further back and you'll enter another hall , and I claim it that you will not find any where in the other palaces of Rajasthan. This is personal 'Akhada' a place for wrestling and sort of gym for Maharaja. No shoes are allowed, a Hanuman temple is inside , as Hanuman is the main deity for all the wrestlers . The soil is so well prepared that if you put your feet on it will feel like a velvety touch. Next go up and find a series of carving Marvel's..like Satrah Duwari', Hawa Mahal, Harbhan ki Ban and other corridors, overlooking the main court yard. If you are mind is with your eyes, you'll see a small square stone Chili attached to one Jharokha. It was the place where Maharaja stands for a morning audience to his subjects. Now let's move to the personal portions... like Barah Duwari', where once a Maharaja gave ceremonial welcome to a touring British official . Next is the Sheesh Mahal, decorated with round sized mirrors. It is the "Rang Mahal" of Palace. Walking over the Beech wala gate (center gate) and you are lost in the Multi coloured small pieces of glass in the Jharokhas. Watching this all and moving forward don't miss the paintings on the both sides of walls of the narrow gallery. You'll find hunting scenes, elephant driven cart and a illusive painting ( this is a master piece in painting).
I think, I have taken so much of your time ... now it is time to leave you alone to find many more attractions by yourself (but don't miss the Madan Mohan temple and museum before you exit ) .
Good luck.....
Written 1 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sasanf
Lund, Sweden299 contributions
The palace looks really impressive and has a distinct 1001 night feeling about it. But while it's exterior architecture is a marvel to behold, the interior leaves you disappointed. This is mainly because there are very little original furniture or other items left in the palace making the place rather lifeless.
The entrance ticket is, I think, 110 rupees but you have to pay additional 220 for a camera ticket. If you are on a budget, don't buy any tickets at all. It is free to enter the grounds and have a good close up look at the exterior.
The entrance ticket is, I think, 110 rupees but you have to pay additional 220 for a camera ticket. If you are on a budget, don't buy any tickets at all. It is free to enter the grounds and have a good close up look at the exterior.
Written 31 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belagonda
Amstelveen, The Netherlands143 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Karauli isn't exactly teeming with tourists (luckily) so we were the only tourists at the time of our visit. There was another group who visited later that afternoon, but there's a good chance that you have the guide to yourself and that you can take your time.
The palace still has lots of the original paintings and many halls are locked, but the guide is happy to unlock them for you so that you can have a closer look.
The audience hall and many of the other rooms have pillows so you get a feel for what it used to look like.
It's a little of the beaten path, but well worth a visit.
The palace also allows access to a local Krishna temple, where we witnessed an aarti ceremony. There are several of these ceremonies around sunrise/sunset so try to combine both if you have the chance.
The palace still has lots of the original paintings and many halls are locked, but the guide is happy to unlock them for you so that you can have a closer look.
The audience hall and many of the other rooms have pillows so you get a feel for what it used to look like.
It's a little of the beaten path, but well worth a visit.
The palace also allows access to a local Krishna temple, where we witnessed an aarti ceremony. There are several of these ceremonies around sunrise/sunset so try to combine both if you have the chance.
Written 30 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arvind
London, UK114 contributions
A trip to Udaipur demands a visit to the City Palace. Rich with history, the place museum tells of a story of valour and greatness. The architecture is simply majestic.
Written 8 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelbourneJanine
Melbourne, Australia121 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
We took a camel cart ride up to the Palace, and although it is very run down, efforts are being made to restore some of the frescoes, however it is a massive job. It was built over many years from the 14th century onwards, and is now unoccupied. Each maharajah built onto it in his own style. It has amazing frescoes and a lovely view over the surrounding countryside.
Written 7 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn W
Natchitoches, Louisiana, USA90 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
Miss Haversham's faded glory and rat infested wedding cake would describe this "love among the ruins" fascinating WIP (work in progress) City Palace of Karauli. Outside Monkeys abound, inside, one can marvel at the painstaking restoration taking place at snail's pace. What must it have been like 600 years ago? The prayer room was the first to be restored and one can see the vivid colours of the major gods depicted. The guest lobby where people awaited an audience with the Rajah. You can even visit the "honeymoon suite"....incredible!
Written 15 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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