Chandra Mahal

While you come to visit the city palace of Jaipur, you’ll find at its north-west side, the graceful seven storeyed 'Chandra Mahal' (Moon Palace). Actually, it is the residence of the present Maharaja of Jaipur, Bhavani Singh. The entire palace is bedecked by traditional paintings, floral decorations, mirror walls and painted ceilings. Each storey remarkably bears a distinctive name and is a place of sheer beauty and luxury. Presently, the ground and first floor of the Chandra Mahal, houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. Here, one finds an extensive collection of exquisite art, carpets, enamelware and 15th century weapons. The paintings include miniatures of Rajasthani, Persian and Mughal schools. For the antique lovers, a section of museum also contains exquisite garments and costumes of the former Maharajas (Kings) and Maharanis (Queens) of Jaipur.

'Sukh Nivas' or ‘Hall of Rest’ was built as the drawing and dining room of the Maharajas. The entire hall is furnished with Mughal miniatures, European silver, and glass dining tables. Here you’ll find some peep holes adorned with gold leaves, once used for ventilation. On the fourth floor of the 'Chandra Mahal', the 'Shobha Nivas' or ‘Hall of Beauty’ is located. The walls of the entire hall are encraved with mirror. Exquisite blue tiled dadoes and glittering gold leaves embellish the hall to its best. When the room was lit after dark, the Maharajas could enjoy a breathtaking spectacle of the room bursting into a thousand flickering images.

The ‘Shobha Nivas’ and the ‘Sukh Nivas’ are still occupied by the present Maharaja. The fifth floor is familiar as the 'Chhavi Nivas' or ‘Hall of Images’. While you’ll come to the sixth floor, its’ mirrored ceiling and stucco floor will just make you enthralled. Through the rows of double columns, visitors can have a glance of the magnificent view of the rugged hills. The uppermost floor is known as the 'Mukut Mahal' or the ‘Crown Building’. From the top of the palace, the visitors generally enjoy a picturesque view of the Rajput gardens and the decade-old city of Jaipur.