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The Beautiful Water Monuments Of India

1) Jal Mahal, Rajasthan

Jaipur, renowned as the Pink City, is home to many historical sites such as Hawa Mahal, Amber Palace, Jaigarh Fort, etc, the city is filled to the brim with various sites to visit showcasing the vibrant culture of Rajasthan. 

Amongst the various tourist destinations, we find The Jal Mahal situated amid the Man Sagar Lake. According to legends, it was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Even the construction of the lake has to be credited to him. Its original use was intended to be as a hunting lodge for his duck shooting sessions.  However, a different legend attributes the palace to being built for Maharaja Madho Singh as a hunting lodge. 

A century later, Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amer gave the entire lake and the structure a makeover. Unfortunately, up until recent years, this heritage site depreciated due to water logging and improper sewage disposal. With a  restoration project undertaken by the KGK group in 2005, the palace has been restored to its former glory.  Another restoration project has been started by the same group to restore the garden atop the palace to make it even more picturesque. This beautiful monument attracts tourists from all over the world to witness the floating marvel that is the Jal Mahal. 

Entry to Jal Mahal has been prohibited by the Rajasthan government. Tourists can take a walk around the Man Sagar Lake from 6 AM till 6 PM and experience the magnificence for themselves. There is no entry fee. 

2) Jahaz Mahal, Madhya Pradesh

 Amongst the extensive list of historical sites in Madhya Pradesh, we find an architectural marvel situated on a narrow strip of land between Munj Talao and Kapur Talao, The Jahaz Mahal. Appearing as an anchored ship, The Jahaz Mahal was built by Sultan Ghiyasuddin Khilj in the second half of the fifteenth century. 

It was constructed to house the royal harem of Sultan Ghiyasuddin Khilji, which comprised approximately 15,000 women.  The unique construction of the palace ensured that the women were not privy to the eyes of the common man. This ensured complete privacy and they were able to move freely within the palace. They enjoyed a luxurious life alongside the sultan. The last royal visit to the palace was by Jahangir and his wife Nur Jahan. 

The Jahaz Mahal is famous for its light and sound show. Any tourist visiting Mandu is advised by the locals to not miss the light and sound show. The entry fee is INR 5 for Indian citizens and INR 100 for foreign tourists. The monument remains open for visitors from 6 AM to 7 PM. Bringing a professional camera would require visitors to pay an extra INR 25. 

3) Neer Mahal, Tripura

Nestled amongst the paddy fields of Tripura, we find Neer Mahal whose name translates to “Water Palace”. It is located in the capital of Tripura Agartala. Built by King Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in the middle of Lake Rudrasagar in 1930 and was completed by 1938. It was originally built to serve as a summer palace for King Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur. He delegated the task to the British company Martin & Burns. Blending both Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture, the company finished the construction of the palace in 9 years. 

The palace is divided into 2 parts: the Eastern and Western sides. The western side of the palace is known as the Andar Mahal. The Andar Mahal was primarily used by the royal family as a residence. The eastern side of the palace is an open-air theatre used for cultural dances, dramas, and other performing arts. 

A light and sound show was installed in 2003 by a Finnish company. Furthermore, we can ride a motorboat in Lake Rudrasagar for a fun family activity. Tourists can visit the palace from 9 AM till 5 PM. The entry fee is INR 5 for adults and INR 3 for children below the age of 5 years. An additional fee of INR 10 is charged for cameras. 

4) Murud Janjhira Fort, Maharashtra

A gem among all the attractions in Maharashtra is the Murud Janjira Fort located in the middle of the sea. According to one legend, this architectural marvel was built in early 1100 by Abyssinian Sidis. The Mujud Janijira fort was attacked by the Marathas, Portuguese, and Britishers over time. Instead of succumbing to these attacks throughout time, it remains unconquered. It is a pinnacle of the Janjira sultanate.

 Another legend claims that local fishermen of Rajapuri built a small wooden fort called Medhekot. The Nizam Shahi Sultan of Ahmednagar wanted it to make one of his strongholds. A general called Piram Khan captured the fort. After massive scale renovations to create an impregnable structure by Piram Khan's successor Burhan Khan, the fort was named Jazeere Mahroob Jazeera. 

The fort needs to be reached by boat. The ferrymen charge INR 30 to INR 50 per person. Entry to the fort itself is free. Tourists can visit the fort from anywhere between 7 AM till 6 PM.