INDIALINE
Complete India Travel Guide

Lalgarh Palace

Lalgarh Palace- Bikaner

About Lalgarh Palace

This palace was constructed by Maharaja Ganga Singhji in respect of his father Maharaja Lal Singhji. The palace is a pretty recent construction (1902) and lacks the sophisticated elegance of the earlier Rajasthani palaces. Still, this does not mean that the palace is not worthy of a visit. Infact, the palace reflects a wonderful blend of three different style, Rajput, Mughal and European, which definitely deserves an appreciative glance. The majestic red sandstone building with its overhanging balconies and sophisticated lattice work exudes a classic beauty.

The sight of lush green lawns with Bougainvillea bushes and peacocks rambling around the palace is simply fantastic. A carriage from Maharaja's royal train is instantly noticeable. Step inside the palace to discover grand halls, lounges, cupolas and pavilions. Today, the palace boasts of a library that is regarded as the fourth largest in the world and a musuem (Shree Sardul Musuem) that showcases a wide assortment of artefacts and personal possessions of Bikaner Maharaja. Some of the interesting items on display are empty wine and sherry bottles; brass vessels known as tokna used to connect revenue in earlier days; an old film projector; personal belongings of Maharaja Karni Singh like golf tees, electric tooth brush, swimming goggles, earplugs and even his sneakers. The library too has a commendable or rather largest collection of original Sanskrit manuscripts on parchments, copper and gold or silver plaques

Lalgarh Palace as a Heritage Hotel

Today, a part of the palace has been converted into a heritage hotel and is run by the famous ITC Welcom Heritage Group of Hotels. The palace provides its guests not only a comfortable stay but also an opportunity to feel the royal grandeur of the yesteryears. Guests to this hotel are welcomed in a traditional Indian style with a tika and aarti ceremony. The royal welcome also includes garlanding of guests and offering them welcome drink. A perfect beginning for a royal stay ahead!

Facilties on Offer

The accommodation of the hotel provides 42 rooms with a total bed capacity of 76. The rooms are decorated with period furniture - four poster beds, chaise-lounges and exquisite carpets. Guests can roam around in the palace and have a look at the royal reminders of the past that grace the walls of the palace like the vintage etchings, hunting trophies and old portraits.

The restaurant of the Lalgarh Palace hotel, known as the dining hall, offers its guests traditional Indian, Continental and Chinese dishes to relish. Rajasthani food is high on demand. The princely non vegetarian items are as delicious as the vegetarian items cooked in pure ghee. The aroma of the food itself arouses hunger in the most reluctant of food lover.

The hotel also takes care of the Recreational facilities of the guests. As such, light entertainment (Rajasthani folk performances and puppet shows) is offered on a daily basis by the hotel authorities. Shelling out a few extra bucks can also ensure a theme evening as well as camel safari trip in neighbouring areas. However, prior requests need to be made for this.

Accessibility

Lalgarh Palace is 3 km from the Railway Station and 1 km from the Bus Stand. Nearest Airport is in Jodhpur which is 250 km away.