How to Get to Jag Mandir Island Palace
Jag Mandir Island Palace, planted in Lake Pichola, is a beauty of Udaipur with the breathtaking visuals of the Aravalli mountains in the backdrop. Given the location, the only way to get to Jag Mandir Island Palace is by boat. You can find the boats going to Jag Mandir Island Palace inside the city palace complex. For an adult, a boat ride costs between Rs. 400 to Rs. 800.
Jag Mandir Island Palace
Jag Mandir Palace is one of the island palaces, like Leela Palace and Taj Palace in Udaipur. It is also known as the Lake Garden Palace of Udaipur, owing to its rich collection of flora. Not to leave out the splendid yellow sandstone architecture of the palace. For these reasons, Jag Mandir palace has got more visitors. It is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
How to take a boat to Jag Mandir Island Palace
Taking a boat ride to Jag Mandir Palace is easy. It only takes three simple steps.
- Enter the City Palace complex
- Get to Bansi Ghat
- Hop into the boat
Enter the City Palace Complex
The boat to the island palaces is stationed in the city palace complex ground. So, you have to enter the city palace complex first. The entry fee is Rs.30 for adults. Then, get tickets for the boat ride at the same counter itself. Remember. Before entering the city palace complex, you must have two tickets—one for the city palace complex and the other for the boat ride.
Get to Bansi Ghat
After entering the city palace complex compound, walk towards the parking area. On your way, you will find the dock where boats are assembled. Follow the ‘Bansi Ghat’ sign. That is the dock where boats to Jag Mandir Island palace arrive.
Hop into the boat to Jag Mandir
On reaching Bansi Ghat, show your ticket and hop into the boat. If the boat has not arrived yet, you can wait in the chairs put on the elevated platform. It takes 20 to 40 minutes to get to Jag Mandir Island Palace.
How much does the boat ride to Jag Mandir Island cost?
Now you know how to get a boat ride to Jag Mandir Island. What about the cost of a ride? If you take the ride between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, it costs Rs. 400. Similarly, rides from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm costs Rs. 800. As you can see, afternoon rides are expensive because they bring you the best sunset views of Udaipur. The last ride to Jag Mandir Island is 5:00 pm.
What to know before going to Jag Mandir Palace
There are a few things I want to inform you about before you visit Jag Mandir Island. Let me start with the happy one first. There are no entry fees to Jag Mandir Island. Likewise, there are no camera charges. You can take as many photos as you want. Moving to the disappointing news. While exploring the island and its tremendous garden, you will be walking a lot. So, wear comfortable shoes. Take water bottles and snacks with you. Although you can buy water bottles and snacks on Jag Mandir Island, they are too expensive!
What is there in Jag Mandir?
Well, if you didn’t know already, there is a museum, garden, fountain, water pool, and restaurant in Jag Mandir to delight the visitors. So, when you are in Jag Mandir Island Palace, wonder at the fusion architecture of the palace, visit the museum, enjoy their gardens and book a candlelight dinner in their restaurant.
Book a candlelight dinner
Romantic candlelight dinner is a stealing attraction of Jag Mandir Island Palace. The palace’s Darikhana (open-sided terrace) is turned into a dining hall. From there you can see the City Palace Udaipur. And, at night, the view gets more desiring with the city palace decorated in golden lights. Hence, travellers prefer dining on Jag Mandir Island for a romantic experience.
The restaurant is open from 07:00 am to 10:30 pm. It has got a bar called Pichola bar. It is accessible from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm. The Barah Pathoron ka Mahal (the Palace of Twelve Stones) is now turned into the Pichola Bar. If you have booked a table for dinner, you can use private boats to get to the island. As said before, the ordinary boat cruise closes by 5:00 pm.
Visit the museum
The Jag Mandir Palace has a museum displaying its collection of royalties. You can visit this museum during your time there. If you like going to a museum, you must know other unique and famous museums in Udaipur. You can check them out here.
Take pictures in the garden
Yes, taking photographs is a must-do thing in Jag Mandir Island Palace. Especially in its beautiful garden area. I bet this palace will be a treat for photographers because there is a lavish palace, refreshing garden, and mesmerising view of mountains and lakes, all in one place!
Wonder at the fusion architecture of the palace
Finally, you should enjoy the architecture of the palace. And for that, you have to know the specialities of the palace. Let me help you here. There are four big sculptures of white elephants at the entrance that welcome you from the pavilion. Then there is Gul Mahal, built in Islamic architecture. But the carving and paintings on the walls are all Rajputana style. You will find the walls glaring in rubies, onyx, jasper, carnelian, and jade. Then, you shouldn’t miss seeing the Jag Mandir reception hall. It is huge and known for its octagonal structure!
Are you ready to take a boat ride to Jag Mandir Island Palace?
Tell us how you like it in the comments section. I am looking forward to seeing your comments. Read my blog post on “How to Explore Udaipur at Minimum Cost” if you have a specific budget for your Udaipur trip.
Click here to know more about the Jag Mandir Island Palace candlelight dinner.