|
|
|
| Prag Mahal |
|
| | | |
History
Prag Mahal is a 19th century palace that is located next to the Aina Mahal in the city of Bhuj in Gujarat. It was commissioned by Rao Pragmalji II, and designed by Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins. The construction for the palace began in 1865.
Prag Mahal is characterised by the Italian Gothic style of architecture, and many Italian artisans undertook its construction. The cost of the construction of the palace amounted to a total of 3.1 million rupees, and was completed in the year 1879 during the regency of Khengarji III, the son of Pragmalji II, following the death of his father in 1875.
The material used in the construction of Prag Mahal Palace is Italian marble and sandstone from Rajasthan. Worth noting are the main hall, filled with decaying taxidermy, the Durbar hall with its chandeliers and statues, ‘jali’ work depicting flora and fauna of Europe, besides others. There is also a small Hindu temple of carved stone present in a courtyard behind the palace, and a clock tower that rises to a height of 45 foot, offering the entire view of the city of Bhuj.
The 2001 earthquake of Gujarat caused severe damage to the palace. Further, in 2006, the palace was the setting for a robbery, with thieves stealing priceless antiques from the palace. However, the palace and the tower have since been repaired, and are now open for the public. Visitors can enter the main palace halls and climb up to the bell tower.
|
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the palace and Bhuj itself is between the months of October and March.
|
Trivia
Prag Mahal is pretty popular with Bollywood, with several scenes from the Bollywood blockbusters 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and 'Lagaan', as well as a number of Gujarati films, having been shot in the palace.
|
Timing
The palace remains open around the year on all days except on Saturday. The timings are from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Travel Tools
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |