Dungarpur is a picturesque town set amongst the rugged peaks of the Aravalli
mountains.
Nestled in idyllic splendor, with the blue waters of Gaibsagar lake on one
side and a cove of private reserve forest on the other, Udai Bilas Palace,
is the embodiment of the old world charm of princely India.
It is a heaven of peace and tranquility amidst spectacular scenery. The Royal
Residence has opened its doors to share its gracious life style with the world.
HistoryDungarpur the, City of Hills, was founded in the 13th century and rose
to fame under the Guhilot Ahara Suryavanshi Rajputs, who trace their ancestry
from the elder branch of the main lineage at Chittorgarh. The cousins however
came together to fight many a historic battle against the invaders.
700 years later, Dungarpur is still a picturesque town set amongst the rugged
peaks of the Aravalli mountains. The history of Udai Bilas Palace, Dungarpur,
Rajasthan dates from the mid-19th century, when Maharawal Udai Singhji-II, a
great patron of art and architecture, built a wing of bluish grey local stone
Pareva overlooking the lake and the Ek Thambia Mahal, featuring intricate
sculptured pillars and panels, ornate balconies, balustrades, bracketed windows,
arches and frieze of marble carvings, a veritable marvel of Rajput architecture.
The Udai Bilas Palace was enlarged in 1940 by Maharawal Laxman Singhji, who
built three new wings around the Ek Thambia Mahal and thus created the famous
"courtyard" of the Palace. The result is an architectural expression
exquisitely detailed. Dungarpur is full of surprises and promises to be a
memorable experience in your journey across India.