Deeg Palace is a small yet interesting town in the district of Bharatpur. Make a point of visiting this town if you want to completely explore the region surrounding Bharatpur. Deeg’s Palace complex and the three-day Deeg festival annually in September are two of the city’s most popular attractions. The Deeg Palace is a grand edifice with built-in classic Rajasthani architecture.
It is built in an unusual way, with innumerable water gardens and palaces intertwined inside a network of charbaghs. Exploring the palace grounds is a fantastic way to spend a few hours in Deeg. The Deeg Fort, also known as Jal Mahal, is another structure with intricate and pleasing architecture that lends character to the region.
History of Deeg Palace
The history of the Deeg Palace is much older than what one actually expects. Legends have that once Lord Krishna started his parikrama from Goverdhan and blessed Deeg with his auspicious presence. According to the Skand Puran the former name of Deeg was Dirgha or sometimes it was referred as Dirghapur.
According to the medieval history, Deeg used to serve as the first capital of Bharatpur state during the rule of Badan Singh in 1722. He built this palace and due to its close proximity with Agra, the palace has faced many attacks by the invaders. To protect this fort from regular attacks Surajmal, Badan Singh’s son built the strong fortress with towering walls, bastions, a deep moat and high ramparts which are still standing tall and strong.
Architecture of the Deeg Palace
The architecture of Deeg is mainly represented by the mansions called the Bhawans popularly known as Gopal Bhawan, Suraj Bhawan, Kishan Bhawan, Nand Bhawan, Keshav Bhawan, Hardev Bhawan.
The striking features of these palaces are balanced outlines, fine proportions, commodious halls, attractive and logically disposed of arcades, alluring greenery, charming tanks and canals with fountains.
The layout of Deeg gardens is based on the formality of the Mughal Char bagh or fourfold garden patterns and flanked by two reservoirs called namely Rup Sagar and Gopal Sagar.
The architecture is primarily of trabeate order, but the use of the arcuate system has also been made in certain instances. Mostly the arcades are of a decorative quality as each arch is formed by joining spandrel shaped slab cantilevers projecting from the pillars.
The general features of this style are engrailed arches resting on ornate pillars, hypostyle halls flat roof terraces, balconies and pavilions with Bengal roofs, double eaves, moderate structural heights, and spacious internal arrangements.
Details about Different buildings inside deeg palace complex
Singh Pol – The main entrance to the Deeg palace and its complex, Singh Pol, is an unfinished structure. Many kings ruled in the princely state of Bharatpur, but none completed the construction of this main gate. The main arch of the gate has two sculptures of lions on both sides, due to which this building is called Singh Pol.
Gopal Bhavan – It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the Deeg palace complex. Its reflection in the surrounding water gives it a shimmering atmosphere like no other. There is a room on either side of the building which the rulers of Bharatpur used to spend the afternoon in summer. The building has a black marble throne, which Maharaja Jawahar Singh conquered from the Red Fort of Delhi.
Suraj Bhavan – This old and beautiful building that housed the Deeg palace complex was built by Maharaja Suraj Mal. It has five arched openings and corner rooms on each side. The entire building is made of sandstone, later decorated with white marble.
Kishan Bhavan – Located on the southern side of the palace complex, it is a well-decorated building. There is a large water tank on the roof of this building which was used to carry water to the fountain.
Hardev Bhavan – Hardev Bhawan is located just behind Suraj Bhawan, in front of this building is a huge garden which is built in the Mughal Charbagh style. The ground floor has a large hall where hundreds of people used to sit together and discuss politics.
The roof of the palace is decorated with an cenotaph and pointed nails were placed on the roof to protect the building.
Keshav Bhavan – Another attractive building of the Dag Palace, Keshav Bhawan is a single story open pavilion situated on the banks of Roop Sagar. This building was built with special technology. Whenever the fountains around the building were run, the sound of thunder was produced in the building. Apart from this, whenever the king used to sit with his special guest, no person could see him from outside the building.
The reason for this is that there are fountains on the walls of this building, in which when the water flowed, there was an atmosphere in the building that it was impossible to see in the building from outside.
Nand Bhavan – The building is situated on the north side of the central park built in the Deeg palace complex, it is a large rectangular hall raised on a terrace. The building is surrounded by gardens with seven gates for entry.
This building was used for wrestling competition, a large wrestling riot has been built in the middle of the building. The center of the roof is made of pure wood and like other buildings, it also has a tank outside and a beautiful exterior.
Purana Mahal – This building is the oldest of all the buildings in this Deeg palace complex, as it was built just after the foundation of the city of Deeg. This building was built by Badan Singh. It continues the tradition of a typical palace.
This is the building where the court was held under the rule of Badan Singh and he used to live in the same building with the family.
Best Time to Visit Deeg Palace
From October to March is the greatest season to visit Rajasthan as a tourist. The Deeg Palace fountains are activated twice a year, in September and February, to add to the festive atmosphere. As a result, you may plan your vacation accordingly, and you should absolutely reserve your accommodations ahead of time.
How to Reach
Bharatpur is the nearest city at a distance of around 35km. From Bharatpur you can hire a car. Bharatpur is well connected by road, rail and air to Jaipur and Delhi.
If you have a single day in hand make sure it is not a Friday else the travel would be in vain as the Deeg palace would remain closed.
