Sukh Niwas Mahal

Sukh Mahal Bundi, built during the reign of Umed Singh is positioned by the lake Jait Sagar. The main attraction of Sukh Mahal is a white marble Chhatri or an umbrella. There is an amazing Umbrella at the terrace of the second storey of the mahal. This Chhatri is the prime attraction of Sukh Mahal.
As the name suggest, the motive behind the creation of the Sukh Mahal was to add to the pleasure of the princes who used it to carry out their evil deeds. The princes staying in this Sukh Mahal used to hunt boars in the close by forest areas.

Also popular as Sukh Sagar and Palace of Bliss, it was host to Rudyard Kipling who wrote “Kim” during his stay here in the 19th century. It is one of the most visited summer palace situated near Kota at Bundi. With the hill at the backstage, and being surrounded by luxuriant and thriving garden, Sukh Mahal is a treat to the tourists. It lies by the lake Jait Sagar which makes it appear as if its foundation is under the water. It is designed with some superb statues and typical Bundi art. One can find a touch of Mughal art in the paintings that adorn the walls of the palace. Another interesting fact about this Mahal is that it is said to be connected with the old palace through a hidden underground tunnel made to ensure safe escape for the king and others in his kingdom in case of any attack.

Sukh Mahal, with its beautiful setting is a sought after site in Bundi as it offers peace and a sense of calmness to its visitors away from the hassles of daily city life. It is surely worth a visit. It is now turned into a museum and is open for the visitors to see around the palace.

History
The Sukh Mahal, Bundi was constructed under the reign of Roa Umed Singh in 1776 and it was built to allow the princess a free hand activity space. This was also considered to be the summer home of Singh and there is plenty to enjoy here, including the lush greenery nearby. Here the activities were free of control from the Rao and here you can see the traditions that were upheld during that era. This is also called Sukh Sagar and it is a veritable historical place that you should always try to visit. Coming here will help you to understand the Hada Dynasty that once ruled the area.

Best Time to Visit:
There are always going to be good times and bad times that you would want to visit this location and one of the best times are going to be the summer. Due to the fact that the palace is on a lake, it is going to be very cool here and you can get a nice breeze if you come on the right day. However, you can also come here during the monsoons and the winter to experience and enjoy the museum and the garden that are here.

How to Reach?
Getting to Sukh Mahal, Bundi is going to be very easy once you reach the main city since it is only 3 to 4 kilometers from the main palace itself. Here you can get a taxi that would bring you to the lake and you can easily reach Bundi by train, bus or even by driving. The nearest train station is Bundi and it is only 5.9 kilometers from this attraction and the closest airport you can fly into is Kota, which is some 41.8 kilometers away.

Monuments in Bundi

Monuments in Bundi It is popularly believed that Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling penned part of his famous novel ‘Kim’ in Bundi. In fact, so impressed was he by the place, that this is what he wrote about the Bundi palace: ‘Jaipur Palace may be called the Versailles of India … Jodhpur’s House of strife, gray towers on red rock, is the work of giants, but the Palace of Bundi, even in broad daylight, is such a palace as men build for themselves in uneasy dreams – the work of goblins rather than of men.’ Bundi is a magnificent town located around 36 kilometres from Kota. Dotted with palaces and forts, the place has a fairy tale quality about it. Bundi’s charm lies in its location –surrounded by orchards of orange, guava, pomegranate and mango trees, flanked by the Aravalli range and rivers and lined by fields of cotton, barley and wheat. Situated far from the crowds, it is the simple rural folk that lend Bundi its allure. Bundi was once ruled by the Hada Chauhans. Many historians claim that it was once the capital of the great Hadoti Kingdom, which was renowned for its art and sculpture. However, in 1624, Kota separated and became an independent state and this marked the beginning of the downfall of Bundi. Whether that may be, Bundi still retains its charismatic medieval grandeur. And just like Jodhpur and Rajput, the architecture of Bundi also possesses a noticeable bluish hue, designed to keep houses cool during hot summer, in the intricately carved brackets and pillars.