Chandra Mahal, Jaipur

The Chandra Mahal, official residence of the erstwhile Maharaja of Jaipur. (6 November, 2004)


Chandra Mahal (GPS: 26.9268, 75.82338) is the official residence of the present Maharaja of Jaipur, Maharaja Bhavani Singh. The name Chandra Mahal means Moon Palace. I could see it from the Diwan-i-Khas, which I visited when I toured the City Palace of Jaipur with a group of AsiaExplorers members.

According to our guide, we can tell whether the Maharaja is around. If the city flag is raised, it indicates that His Highness is in town. If in addition to that, the Imperial flag is also raised, then the Maharaja is in residence at Chandra Mahal.

Each storey of the Chandra Mahal has a distinctive name and is a place of great opulence. The ground and first floor is part of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. The museum houses an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamelware and 15th century weapons. Among the paintings are miniatures of Rajasthani, Persian and Mughal schools. A section of museum showcases uniforms and costumes of the former Maharajas and Maharanis of Jaipur.

Chandra Mahal is on the map of Jaipur

View of Chandra Mahal with the vermillion walls of the City Palace. (6 November, 2004)


Sukh Nivas or Hall of Rest holds the drawing and dining room of the Maharaja. It is furnished with Mughal miniatures, European silver, glass dining tables and peep holes decorated with gold leafs, for ventilation. On the fourth floor of the Chandra Mahal is the Shobha Nivas or Hall of Beauty.

The Shobha Nivas has mirror encrusted walls having exquisite blue tiled dadoes and glittering gold leaf and mica decoration. These and the other upper levels are not open to the public, as they are still occupied by the present Maharaja. The fifth floor is the Chhavi Nivas or Hall of Images. This is where the Maharajas retreat during the rainy season. It has a polished floor of eggshell stucco and blue and white painted walls.

The sixth floor is graced with mirrored ceiling and stucco floor. It has rows of double columns through which a magnificent view of the surrounding hills is visible. The uppermost storey is called the 'Mukut Mahal' or the Crown Building.

Chandra Mahal, as seen with the Riddhi-Siddhi Pol Gate. (6 November, 2004)

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