India is home to some of the outstandingly opulent palaces and castles in the world. These wondrous royal homes overflow with architectural beauty apart from reflecting the princely history of the country. Mayur Sanap/Rediff.com shows you his top 9.
Located in the heart of the old town of Udaipur, right beside Lake Pichola, the 450-year-old City Palace is a shimmering example of the Mewar dynasty’s grandeur. It is one of the most iconic sites to visit in Rajasthan.
The royal palace of the Holkar dynasty, overlooking the mighty Narmada river, in the quaint town of Maheshwar, is where the famous and much-loved 18th century Maratha queen, Ahilyabai resided. It is situated within the historic Maheshwar Fort, that also houses an imposing statue of the maharani, a Shiva temple, and a gorgeous ghat on the holy river.
A popular tourist spot in Patiala, the haughty four-storied complex of Moti Bagh Palace was a summer retreat for Maharaja Narinder Singh and his family. Today it serves as the National Institute for Sports.
Standing tall on the banks of Baghmati river, a tributary of the Ganga, since 1880s, the crimson red Anand Bagh Palace is a landmark of Bihar's Darbhanga. Built during the reign of Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh, the palace currently houses Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University.
The architectural splendour of Mysore Palace, also known as Amba Vilas Palace, is a glorious example of the Indo-Saracenic style, that draws people to the city of Mysore. A former residence of the princely Wadiyar family, this grand palace took 15 years to complete! The palace is a sight to behold when lit up at night in golden hues.
A visit to Padmanabhapuram Palace, on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, in Thuckalay town is like stepping into the erstwhile Travancore kingdom! This magnificent 16th century wooden palace is a stunning example of indigenous Kerala and Dravidian architectural styles.
A former royal residence of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, New Palace is one of the must-see places in Kolhapur. Today it is a museum that showcases the king’s royal collection of weapons, costumes, ornaments, paintings and much more.
This pretty mahal, also known as Leh Palace, is a mesmerising sight. It overlooks starkly beautiful land, Leh town and surrounding Himalayan peaks.
A less than an hour's drive from Manali takes you to Nagger Castle, where traditional European and Himachali architectural styles merge. Thes gorgeous structure is now transformed into a hotel and a restaurant, offering you a royal interlude.