Jal Mahal, Palace on artificial island in Jaipur, India

Jal Mahal is a palace on an artificial island in Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur. Four floors remain underwater, while the fifth rises above the surface and can be viewed from the shores.

Sawai Jai Singh of Amer built the palace around 1699 as a duck-hunting lodge, not a royal residence. In the mid-18th century Maharaja Madho Singh I renovated and enlarged the building and the lake around it. The Hindi account adds that Jai Singh had it raised for bathing with his queens and a pandit after the Ashvamedha sacrifice.

The name translates to 'Water Palace' in Hindi, and the red sandstone walls follow classical Rajputani building traditions. Arched walkways surround the upper level, while the Bengali-style roofs are decorated with small pavilions at each corner.

A promenade along the shore offers good viewing spots, especially in clear daylight. The interior remains closed to visitors, so the experience centers on the exterior view and photography from land.

During monsoon season, the lake water level rises noticeably and makes the structure appear to float like a drifting object. In calm weather, the entire building reflects clearly in the water and doubles the image visually.