The short answer
Udai Bilas Palace: what visitors should know first
Worth a stop for the setting and the museum. It is a working heritage hotel as well as a royal residence, so treat it as a short visit by arrangement, or combine it with a meal or stay, and use it as the place to ask about Juna Mahal.
History and context
The story behind Udai Bilas Palace
Maharawal Udai Singh II built the palace in the mid-19th century, and later descendants extended it. Three wings were added between 1940 and 1944. The family moved here from Juna Mahal in the mid-20th century.
The Ek Thambia Mahal, whose name means one-pillared palace, is attributed to Maharawal Shiv Singh and dated to 1730 to 1785. The Maharani Manhar Kumari Museum opened on 31 May 2015.
Useful facts
Udai Bilas Palace facts at a glance
- Location
- Shore of Gaib Sagar Lake, Dungarpur
- Experience type
- Palace, museum and heritage hotel
- Known for
- Lakeside setting and the Ek Thambia Mahal
- Architect/Built
- Maharawal Udai Singh II, mid-19th century
- Time or schedule
- Visits by arrangement; confirm with the palace
Why it matters
Why Udai Bilas Palace is worth your time
This is where the Dungarpur story shifts from fortress to residence. Maharawal Udai Singh II built the palace in the mid-19th century, and it takes his name, while later rulers added wings. It is also where the royal family moved from the older Juna Mahal.
Today it is one of the few places in Dungarpur where a first-time visitor can see royal life in a comfortable setting and arrange access to the older palace. Its Ek Thambia Mahal is a good example of how Rajput rulers used a small pavilion for ceremony and leisure.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Lake terrace
The main wing in pareva stone faces Gaib Sagar, the best place to see the palace and the water together.
- 02
Ek Thambia Mahal
A pavilion with carved pillars and marble balconies, earlier than the main palace.
- 03
Museum and vintage cars
The Maharani Manhar Kumari Museum and the Dungarpur Mews collection show the royal household's later life.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treat Udai Bilas as the comfortable centre of a Dungarpur visit. The building stands on the edge of Gaib Sagar, with a wing built of local pareva stone facing the water. Begin on the lakeside terrace, where the palace is easiest to read: layered balconies, domes and carved stone screens in a mixture of Rajput and Mughal manner, with later additions in the 1940s.
If the museum is open, look for the Maharani Manhar Kumari Museum, opened in 2015, and the royal collection of vintage cars at the Dungarpur Mews. The older Ek Thambia Mahal, a pavilion in the grounds with carved pillars, marble carving and balconies, is the most architecturally interesting corner.
Book ahead if you want a meal, and use the palace as your base for arranging a visit to Juna Mahal. Many visitors come for tea or dinner with the lake in view, which is a gentle way to end a day of temples.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Call or write ahead before you visit as a non-guest
- Ask about museum access and Juna Mahal tickets
- Book dinner or tea if you plan a meal
- Visit late afternoon for the best light
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Shore of Gaib Sagar Lake, Dungarpur
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Best time
- Late afternoon, when the light on the lake is soft; October to March
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Mostly level walking on courtyards and terraces, with some steps between wings. Staff and chairs are available if you visit as a guest, so it is among the easier sights in town for older travellers.
- Tickets and access
- The palace runs as a heritage hotel and partly as a museum. Non-guests should call or write ahead to ask about museum entry, tea or dining; fees are not published here, so confirm with the palace.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Udai Bilas Palace
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Mostly level walking on courtyards and terraces, with some steps between wings. Staff and chairs are available if you visit as a guest, so it is among the easier sights in town for older travellers.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can non-guests visit Udai Bilas Palace?
Part of the palace is a museum, but access is by arrangement. Confirm entry or meal bookings with the palace before you go.
Is it a hotel?
Yes. It operates as a heritage hotel, so expect guest areas to be closed to day visitors.
What is Ek Thambia Mahal?
A palace pavilion in the grounds, its name meaning one-pillared palace, attributed to Maharawal Shiv Singh in the 18th century.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
