Here Is Why Priyanka Is Marrying Jonas At Umaid Bhawan

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas have zeroed in on a destination wedding venue, and here are some fun facts on why they chose the palace.

Last Royal Palace Built-In India Before Independence

This Palace is the last royal palace built before the Independence of India. Its foundations were laid in 1929 and completed in 1943. After the palace was completed in four years, the country became a free sovereignty. Maharaja Gaj Singh, the descendant of Maharaja Umaid Singh still lives here. Wouldn’t you love to meet a Maharaja and his family?

One Of The Largest Private Residences In The World

Maharaja Umaid Singh wanted to create the largest private residence in the world. For the luxury home, he hired the British engineer, H.V. Lancaster, contemporary of Sir Edward Lutyens who planned the buildings of the New Delhi government complex. The outer structure has been made using the Chittar Sandstone. The inner architecture is a combination of Indo-Saracenic, Classical Revival and Western Art Deco styles designed in Makrana marble and Burmese teak wood. The exotic frescoes of the palace are painted by Polish artist, J.S. Norblin.

Spread over 26 acres of lush grounds including 15 acres of well-kept lush gardens. The royal residence has more than 340 rooms, a throne chamber, an exclusive private meeting hall, a Durbar Hall to meet the public, a vaulted banquet hall, private dining halls, a ballroom, a library, an indoor swimming pool and spa, a billiards room, four tennis courts, two unique marble squash courts and long passages. The gardens of the beautiful property have peacocks freely roaming around. Views of Mehrangarh Fort and other attractions of Jodhpur can also be seen.

Its A Palace, A Hotel & Also Part Museum

The Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur is a part palace, hotel and museum.

Royal Residence: The sandstone monument has two major wings. One wing is the home of the Rathore Dynasty of Jodhpur. They live their imperial lifestyle away from prying eyes. Maharaja Gaj Singh, grandson of Maharaja Umaid Singh till date resides here with family.

Taj Hotel: The Taj Hotel Group owns and maintains the other wing of the palace. They have under their dominion, 64 accommodations compromising of 25 rooms and 39 suites. The rooms/ suites are categorized as Maharani Suite, Maharaja Suite, Royal Suite, Regal Suite and Deluxe Rooms. The ostentatious rooms have retained the historic charm. Many family portraits, leopard skins and stuffed animal heads are seen. The hotel rooms are blessed with magnificent gardens where peacocks stroll around. The hotel indulges guests with elegant dining. Indian fares, multi-cuisine ala carte options and gourmet drinks of fine wines from various countries are available. Spa and yoga studio pamper guests with rejuvenating sessions.

Museum: The grand property houses a museum. The museum has exhibits of glass, porcelain wares, memorabilia, and information on the building of the palace. The unique allures are the stuffed leopards, an enormous symbolic flag gifted to Maharaja Jaswant Singh by Queen Victoria in 1877, an impressive collection of clocks in an interesting windmill and lighthouse shapes, and photographs of the graceful art-deco interior of the palace. The classic cars of the Maharajas are also on display. A part of the museum, Darbar Hall, has elegant murals, miniature paintings, armours and a rare collection of the expensive household paraphernalia of the 1930s.

Built For A Noble Cause Rather Than Luxury

The building of the palace has an interesting tale behind it. Once in the 1920s, famine struck Jodhpur which was then known as Marwar. The troubled people came for help to Maharaja Umaid Singh. The grandfather of the present Maharaja then commissioned a new palace to give employment to the people. The venture was constructed from 1928 and 1943 giving the people enough to survive the bad times.

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How Much Are Priyanka & Nick Spending Here?

The palace room at the hotel costs Rs34,000 and prices go up to a handsome Rs5,00,000 for the grand presidential one-bedroom suite around the dates of 3 January. The hotel has no rooms available on 1 and 2 December, the dates when the couple is expected to tie the knot. Did you know that Nita Ambani also hosted her 50th birthday bash at the same venue?