Taj Lake Palace

Taj Lake Palace stands on Jag Niwas island in the middle of Lake Pichola, in Udaipur. The palace was built in the 1740s as a summer residence for Maharana Jagat Singh II of Mewar, and its white marble walls cover the whole island, so that the building appears to float on the water. It is one of the most celebrated luxury hotels in Rajasthan.

History

For two centuries the palace was a retreat of the rulers of Mewar, used for the hot season. In 1963 it was converted into a hotel, and it has been operated by Taj since the 1970s. The palace reached a worldwide audience in 1983, when it appeared in the James Bond film Octopussy.

Architecture and design

The palace is built of white marble around inner courtyards, fountains and gardens, in the Rajput style of the period, with carved balconies, domed pavilions and inlaid stone. From the rooms and terraces, the views run across the lake to the City Palace of Udaipur and the Aravalli hills.

Location

Guests reach the hotel by boat from a private jetty on the shore. Udaipur, often called the city of lakes, is known for its palaces, havelis and ghats along Lake Pichola.

Weddings and events

The palace hosts weddings and private celebrations on its terraces and courtyards by the water, one of the most sought-after settings for weddings in India. Send your date, guest count and occasion through the request form on this page: it goes directly to the events team.