Secret Gems of City Palace Jaipur

Jaipur has been the most visited city and been the most popular city in Rajasthan. Jaipur has a lot to offer, the historic monuments, the rich culture of Rajasthan, and mainly the architecture which is evolved over the centuries, dynasties and invasion of foreign counterparts. The City Palace Jaipur is most eye-catching and tourists want to visit the palace as soon as they arrive at the city.

The City Palace of Jaipur built between 1729 and 1732 AD by Sawai Jai Singh II. The palace is located towards the northeast side of Central Jaipur and has many courtyards and buildings. The City Palace Jaipur is accessible to the common people.

Entry Fee and Timinings

https://thecitypalacejaipur.com/book-ticket

The Entry fee for Indian Citizens: 75 INR

Timings are 9:30 AM-5:00 PM.

The general ticket only involves a courtyard and 4 main gates. I wanted to see the City Palace as much as I could, hence I opted for the Royal Grandeur Tour, which costs Indians around 3000 INR .This ticket includes access to three secret rooms in Chandra Mahal which is still a residential palace for the King of Jaipur. Also, this ticket includes a private guide as well, who can take you inside of Chandra Mahal.

I arrived as soon as I could and decided to buy the Royal Grandeur tour. MR. Rajakumar, my guide was the most polite and mannered gentleman. Most of the guides can speak Hindi, English, and French.

Pritam Niwas Chowk

My Guide proceeded to take me to the Pritam Niwas Chowk which includes the most famous gates which depict four seasons, and Diwan-I-AM.

After Clicking pictures and seeing the general access monuments, my private tour to Chandra Mahal started. Chandra Mahal is guarded with a huge gate and the ticket was checked before entering the premises. The Royals still use this gate to enter the Chandra Mahal.

My Guide explained me about the rooms included in the ticket and all the guidelines. He also explained about pictures guidelines and what to expect beforehand.

Chandra Mahal

As tour started we walked to a hallway which is the main hall of the ChandraMahal. There were Ivory gates, Marble carving, and chandeliers made of crystal imported from Bohemian countries. Afterwards, we moved towards the meeting room, this room is still used for important meetings and foreign delegates. Tourists are not allowed to take pictures here as per the guidelines, hence I could not take any pictures of this room.

Chaavi Niwas

Later we proceeded to Chaavi Niwas/ Sukh Niwas or Hall of Rest, the room is beautifully adorned with blue and white colored details, It was built in mid of 18th Century. The colors used in wall paintings are completely organic and sourced from plants and flowers. This is the most alluring backdrop for photographs and can confidently say the most instagrammable room in Chandra Mahal.

Rang Mahal

The second secret room was “Sheesh Mahal” or “Rang Mahal”, this room has mirrors and glasswork all over the walls and ceilings. According to the guide, the glass and crystals were imported from Bohemian countries back in the 18th Century. Besides the beauty of the room, the guard performed a small candle show in the dark where all the convex mirrors gave the illusion of stars.

Shobha Niwas

Last but not least “Shobha Niwas”, this room is painted and decorated with gold and Meenakari work. King of Jaipur to perform yearly Diwali pooja in this room. The room had a floor sitting where all the Royal family and King himself performs the pooja.

At the end of this special tour we proceeded Royal café for refreshments, where they served coffee and cookies as complimentary snacks. With duly diligence, my guide parted away, and I relaxed and looked at the city palace from the rooftop café.

At end of the tour, the beauty of City Palace’s secret rooms left me enchanted and mesmerized, and thought it was worth spending and splurging on this tour.

Hope you enjoyed the blog, and please make sure to explore these hidden gems next time when you are in Jaipur.