Chandra Mahal

Chandra Mahal

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The seven storied 'Chandra Mahal', or the Moon Palace is one of the highlights of the City Palace tour. Residence of Bhavani Singh, the present Maharaja of Jaipur, it is a blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Each of Chandra Mahal' seven floors has a distinctive name and a trait. The ground and first floor of the Chandra Mahal house the the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. It has an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamelware, costumes, paintings and 15th century weapons. 'Sukh Nivas' or Hall of Rest on the next floors comprises the drawing and dining room of the Maharaja. They are lavishly furnished with Mughal miniatures, European silver, glass dining tables and peep holes decorated with gold leafs, for ventilation. On the fourth floor is Shobha Niwas; adorned with hundreds of colored mirrors that produce a stunning effect when the light falls on them. The fifth floor is the 'Chhavi Nivas' or Hall of Images, the royal retreat during the monsoons. It has blue and white painted walls and a polished floor made of eggshell stucco. The sixth floor with its mirrored ceiling and stucco floor has rows of double columns which offer commanding views of the rugged hills and the surrounding city. The Mukut Mandir or temple, on the top of the palace, is the crowning glory of the Chandra Mahal.