Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Udaipur’s Lake Palace Offers A Royal Boat-Only Arrival
Lake Palace is a beautiful building in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
It sits on a small island in Lake Pichola.
People cannot reach it by road, so they must travel by boat.
Maharana Jagat Singh II built it between 1743 and 1746 as a summer palace.
Today, it is a luxury hotel called Taj Lake Palace.
The palace has marble walls, gardens, fountains and courtyards.
Visitors can see Udaipur’s hills and other historic buildings from the lake.
Lake Pichola is also a popular place for boat rides, especially around sunset.
Lake Palace, also known as Jag Niwas, stands on an island in Udaipur’s Lake Pichola.
Built between 1743 and 1746 under Maharana Jagat Singh II, it served as a royal summer palace.
The palace is accessible only by boat, making the journey part of the visitor experience.
It features white marble, courtyards, fountains, gardens, semi-precious stones and pillared terraces.
Now operated as Taj Lake Palace, it is a luxury heritage hotel overlooking Udaipur and the Aravalli hills.
- Who
- Maharana Jagat Singh II commissioned the palace, which is now operated as Taj Lake Palace.
- What
- Lake Palace, also known as Jag Niwas, is an island palace and luxury heritage hotel accessible only by boat.
- When
- It was built between 1743 and 1746; Lake Pichola dates back to the 14th century.
- Where
- On an island in Lake Pichola in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
- Why
- It was built as a summer retreat for the royal family and is now a distinctive heritage hotel destination.
- Location
- Island in Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan
- Alternate name
- Jag Niwas
- Construction
- 1743–1746
- Builder
- Maharana Jagat Singh II
- Access
- Only by boat
- Current use
- Taj Lake Palace luxury heritage hotel
- Architectural features
- Marble, semi-precious stones, courtyards, fountains, gardens and pillared terraces