Vijay Mandir Palace
Vijay Mandir Palace was the erstwhile royal palace of Maharaja Jai Singh, built approximately 100 years ago. It is an example of marvellous architecture, built to look like an anchored ship. With its historical importance, it makes fora must visit destination in Alwar. The palace looks even more spectacular because of the serene location; a water body fills up during the monsoons making it look even more exotic with a reflection of the massive palace.
This sprawling palace has an astonishing 105 rooms. It is surrounded by lush green gardens and a quaint lake by the name of Vijay Sagar that also gives its name. Within the palace complex is a beautiful Sita Ram temple. The picturesque lake overlooking the palace makes it a fascinating sight. Vijay Mandir Palace was built after Raja Jai Singh ordered the demolition of the earlier residence of Moti Doongri in 1928.
It is a privately-owned property and currently entry to Vijay Mandir Palace is not allowed and hence it can only be viewed from afar. The royal family still lives here. It lies a short detour away from the road to Bala Qila (Alwar Fort).
History of Vijay Mandir Palace
It is believed that the palace was constructed as a result of the whims of the unconventional ruler - Maharaja Jai Singh. Built during 1918 AD, Vijay Mandir Palace was built because the Maharaja was disappointed with the construction of another palace. Maharaja Jai Singh was an art lover and had a very deep passion for beautiful palaces and forts. During his reign, he ordered the construction of Yaswant Niwas in an Italian style of architecture. However, when the construction of the palace was complete, he was very displeased and as a result, he ordered the construction of another palace – Vijay Mandir Palace immediately.
Attractions of Vijay Mandir Palace
Besides the palace itself, there are a number of other features that tourists can also visit. The garden surrounding the palace is filled with a large number of vibrant flowers and lush trees. It is very poplar among tourists. There is also a famous temple inside the palace called the Sita Ram Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Ram and his wife – Sita. The best time to visit this temple is during the festival of Ramnavami, when the entire temple is beautifully decorated and thronged with thousands of devotees. This festival over here is celebrated with a lot of zest and till date, remains as one of the major attractions of Alwar. Another popular attraction is the Vijay Sagar Lake, which is located right next to the palace. It is said that when the sky is clear and the weather is agreeable, entire reflection of the palace can be seen in the lake.
Best Places to Visit in Alwar
Alwar is one of the prominent tourist places to visit in Rajasthan. This small city historical remnants depicts the past glory and royalty of Rajputs. Located in the heart of the ‘golden triangle’. Kesroli is almost equidistant from the tourist cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. It makes an ideal base to visit the Sariska tiger sanctuary, Kankwadi fort, Neelkanth Temples, Pandupol, the Fort–Palace and monuments of Tijara, Siliserh Lake, Jaisamand Lake, Bhangarh-Ajabgarh, the hot springs in Talvriksh, Rajgarh, Machari, Viratnagar, Deeg, the sanctuary in Bharatpur, the Jat mud fort of Govindgarh, the ancient city of Mathura and its renowned museum.
