Jag Mandir, Lake palace in Udaipur, India
Jag Mandir is a three-story palace built with yellow sandstone and marble on the southern island in Lake Pichola. The complex includes several courtyards, a central pavilion, and terraced gardens that extend right to the water's edge.
Construction began in 1551 under Maharana Amar Singh as a refuge for his son. Maharana Jagat Singh completed the structure between 1628 and 1652, expanding it into a formal palace.
The palace displays Persian and Mughal architectural influences, visible in the ornate domes and open pavilions overlooking the water. Locals often call it the Lake Garden Palace, as the gardens with fragrant blooms and shade trees play a role in weddings and celebrations.
Boats to the palace depart from the City Palace jetty and run regularly during daylight between October and March. The crossing takes about ten minutes, and the water can get choppy on windy days.
Eight life-sized elephants carved from white marble guard the entrance and stand directly at the water's edge. Their trunks and tusks are carved in such detail that individual folds are visible.
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